At the SkyDome in Toronto, George Bush becomes the first U.S. president to throw the ceremonial first pitch on Opening Day in Canada. After the international toss, the Blue Jays beat the visiting Rangers, 2-1.
1989 – Astros acquire righthander Xavier Hernandez from the Toronto Blue Jays’ system in the major league phase of the winter draft. The Astros lose infielder Chuck Jackson in the same draft. Hernandez would provide 22 wins and 25 saves over five seasons in Houston. Jackson batted .221 in reserve duty for the Astros in 1987 and 1988.
Dave Stieb retires the first 26 batters he faces before giving up two hits in a 2 – 1 win over the Yankees. The previous September, the Toronto Blue Jays’ hard luck hurler lost back-to-back no-hit bids with two outs in the ninth inning.
On June 27, 1989, African-American managers oppose each other for the first time in major league history. Frank Robinson and the Baltimore Orioles defeat Cito Gaston’s Toronto Blue Jays, 16-6, at Baltimore’s Memorial Stadium…
On June 4, 1989 At Fenway Park, the Red Sox take a 10-0 lead through 6 innings. The Blue Jays then mount a comeback topped off by an Ernie Whitt grand slam off future Hall of Famer Lee Smith. Whitt’s grand slam gives the Jays an 11-10 lead. Don’t tell Bill James but the Red…
May 28, 1989 – George Bell ends the Toronto Blue Jays’ twelve-year stay at Exhibition Stadium with a walk-off home run off Bobby Thigpen to win the Jays’ final game there with a 7-5 win over the Chicago White Sox, the same team the Jays’ faced in their first game at Exhibition Stadium and in…
The Blue Jays fire manager Jimy Williams and replace him with hitting coach Cito Gaston. Williams led the club to a 12-24 start and had several publicized run-ins with star slugger George Bell, who refused to be the designated hitter.
On May 13, 1989, future Hall of Famer Kirby Puckett ties a major league record by collecting four doubles in a game. Puckett’s four extra-baggers launch the Minnesota Twins to a 10-8 win over the Toronto Blue Jays. He becomes the 35th player to hit four doubles in a game, the first since Toronto’s Damaso Garcia in 1986….
Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Junior Felix becomes the 53rd player in major league history to hit a home run in his first at-bat with a 3rd-inning drive off Kirk McCaskill as Toronto loses, 3 – 2, to the California Angels in 10 innings.
On April 30, 1989, the Toronto Blue Jays acquire pitcher Al Leiter from the New York Yankees for veteran outfielder Jesse Barfield. Leiter will contribute significantly to the Jays’ World Championship in 1993, winning nine of 15 decisions as a spot starter and long reliever.
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