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Otto the Swato was a power-hitting outfielder and DH for the expansion Blue Jays. In April 1977 (the Jays' first month as a franchise), Velez won AL Player of the Month honors with a .442 batting average and .865 slugging average (figures that remain monthly team records). On May 4, 1980 against Cleveland, Velez had the Blue Jays' first three-homer game on the way to tying an AL record with four HR in a doubleheader. (TF)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » June 26, 1978: Toronto's Dave McKay and Otto Velez each hit two doubles in one inning during a 24–10 rout of Baltimore. With the score 19–6 following a homer by Lee May, Earl Weaver tosses OF Larry Harlow to the Blue Jay. Harlow gets two batters out in the 5th, then walks three in a row and hurls a wild pitch. He then allows a single, a walk, and a grand slam by John Mayberry makes the score 24–6. Bullpen catcher Ellie Hendricks then relieves Harlow and gives up just a walk and no runs in 2-1/3 innings. Closer Don Stanhouse takes over in the 8th. » May 4, 1980: Toronto's Otto Velez ties an American League record with four home runs in a doubleheader sweep of Cleveland at Exhibition Park. The Jays win 9–8 and 7–2. Velez homers three times in the opener, including a grand slam in the first inning and a game winner in the bottom of the 10th, and finishes the day with 10 RBI. Otto's clouts come with the bases empty, one on, two on and the slam.