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Created in the 1976 American League expansion draft, the Blue Jays won their inaugural game amid snow flurries on April 7, 1977, as Doug Ault hit two home runs. The Jays finished last in each of their first five seasons while building a strong franchise with young talent. Future stars like George Bell (1987 AL MVP) and Willie Upshaw were acquired through the major league draft and Tom Henke (1987 AL saves leader) was acquired in the free-agent compensation pool. Jesse Barfield (1986 AL home run champ), Dave Stieb (1985 AL ERA leader), Tony Fernandez (Gold Glove shortstop 1986-87), and Jimmy Key (1987 AL ERA leader) came up quickly through the farm system. The Blue Jays played their home games in Exhibition Stadium - a converted football field - until June 19, 1989, when they moved into the extravagant and ultra-modern SkyDome. The appointment of Cito Gaston as manager spurred the team to the 1989 division title. (TF)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » April 7, 1977: Al Woods hits a pinch home run in his first ML at bat, just the 11th player in ML history to do so, as the Toronto Blue Jays make a successful debut versus the White Sox, winning 9–5. » May 8, 1979: The Twins roll by the Toronto Blue Jays, 16–6. In the 7th, Twins Roy Smalley, Craig Kusick and Ken Landreaux all homer off Toronto's Balor Moore. » October 7, 1981: Atlanta fires manager Bobby Cox. Eight days later, Cox will sign a one-year contract to manage the Toronto Blue Jays. » June 15, 1982: In a convoluted three-way deal, the Pirates send vet Bill Robinson to the Phils, while the Phils send promising OF Dick Davis to the Toronto Blue Jays. The Jays send Wayne Nordhagen to the Bucs. Nordhagen plays one game for Pittsburgh, going 2-for-4, and then goes down with a stiff back. Claiming a pre-existent injury, the Pirates complain to Toronto, and on June 25 the Jays agree to take Nordhagen back, sending Davis to the Pirates. Alas, Davis, who plays in nine road games with the Jays, will hit .182 for the Bucs. » May 1, 1991: 44-year-old Rangers pitcher Nolan Ryan hurls the record 7th no-hitter of his amazing career, defeating the Toronto Blue Jays on Arlington Appreciation Night by a score of 3-0. Ryan strikes out 16 batters in the process, marking the 209th time he has fanned 10 or more in a game, and the 26th time putting 15 or more down on strikes. » May 21, 1993: B.J. Birdie, mascot of the Toronto Blue Jays, is ejected from Toronto's game against Minnesota by umpire Jim McKean after making gestures which the ump found offensive. The Blue Jays go on to lose the game, 2-1. » May 11, 1997: Ruben Sierra, released by the Cincinnati Reds last week, signs a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays. Sierra, 31, hit .244 with two homers with the Reds. The Yankees sent Sierra to Detroit last season as part of the Cecil Fielder trade, but Detroit is paying $4,875,000 of his $5.5 million contract. Sierra will play 14 games with Toronto, then get released again. » May 31, 1997: Unbeaten Roger Clemens is the first 10-game winner in the majors, as the Toronto Blue Jays romp, 13-3, over the Oakland Athletics. Clemens gives up eight hits, K's four. Dave Telgheder (1-3) is the losing pitcher. » July 6, 1997: Roger Clemens becomes the American League's first 13-game winner, pitching a four-hitter as the Toronto Blue Jays beat the New York Yankees, 2–0. Clemens has 10 strikeouts and one walk in his first shutout of the year. Ramiro Mendoza takes the loss. » June 18, 1998: Pitcher Dave Stieb is recalled by the Toronto Blue Jays. Stieb, attempting to make a comeback this year, last pitched in the major leagues for the White Sox on May 22, 1993. The veteran righthander hurls an inning of scoreless relief, despite giving up three hits, in Toronto's 13–6 win over the Orioles. Stieb will finish the year at 1–2 and then retire for good. » March 16, 2000: In a 3-team deal, the Toronto Blue Jays, Texas Rangers, and Montreal Expos all exchanged first basemen. Toronto trades David Segui to Texas. The Rangers then send Lee Stevens to the Expos. Montreal then swaps Brad Fullmer to the Blue Jays. » January 13, 2001: Major league baseball announces that the Texas Rangers and Toronto Blue Jays will open the 2001 season in Puerto Rico, marking the 3rd straight year the season will begin outside the US and Canada. » November 4, 2002: Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Eric Hinske is named Rookie of the Year in the American League, and Rockies pitcher Jason Jennings is named the National League's top rookie. Hinske, 25, was acquired from Oakland in the Billy Koch deal, and hit .279 with 24 homers. He had 122 points to finish ahead of Orioles pitcher Rodrigo Lopez (15–9) with 97 points. Jennings had 150 points to runner–up Brad Wilkerson with 59 points. Jennings was 4–1 in 2001, and posted a 16–8 record this season, including 9–4 at Coors Field. He is the first Rockie to win the award.