1997 Toronto Blue Jays season

The 1997 Toronto Blue Jays season was the franchise's 21st season of Major League Baseball. It resulted in the Blue Jays finishing fifth in the American League East with a record of 76 wins and 86 losses. With a massive redesign of their logos and uniforms, the Blue Jays attempted to re-establish themselves in the American League East by signing Roger Clemens via free agency and bringing All-Stars Carlos García and Orlando Merced through trade. Although Clemens rejuvenated himself with the Blue Jays (en route to one of the best-ever single seasons by a starting pitcher, winning the Cy Young Award and the pitchers' triple crown), both Garcia and Merced ended up being flops as dismal overall hitting and an inconsistent bullpen doomed the Blue Jays once again to a last-place finish. 1997 also marked the end of the road for manager Cito Gaston, being fired near the end of the season (Gaston would eventually return to the team in 2008). Longtime fan-favourite Joe Carter also played in his final season for the Blue Jays, as he was released at the end of the season.

Transactions Transactions by the Toronto Blue Jays during the off-season before the 1997 season.

October 1996 Dane Johnson selected off of waivers by the Oakland Athletics. Brian Bohanon granted free agency (signed with New York Mets to a one-year, $205,000 contract on December 18, 1996). Mike Huff granted free agency. Félix José granted free agency. Scott Pose granted free agency (signed with New York Yankees to a one-year contract on November 27, 1996).

November 1996 Acquired Carlos García, Orlando Merced and Dan Plesac from the Pittsburgh Pirates for José Silva, Brandon Cromer, José Pett and players to be named later (Craig Wilson, Abraham Núñez and Mike Halperin on December 11, 1996). Re-signed Juan Guzmán to a two-year, $9.5 million contract. Juan Samuel granted free agency (signed with Toronto Blue Jays to a one-year, $375,000 contract on December 18, 1996). Acquired Jason Stevenson from the Chicago Cubs for Miguel Cairo. Jeff Ware selected off of waivers by the Milwaukee Brewers.

December 1996 Travis Baptist drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 1996 MLB Rule 5 draft. Mike Johnson drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the 1996 MLB Rule 5 draft. Tom Davey selected by the Baltimore Orioles in the 1996 Minor League Draft. Signed free agent Benito Santiago from the Philadelphia Phillies to a two-year, $6.5 million contract. Acquired Anton French from the Detroit Tigers for Roberto Durán. Signed Pat Hentgen to a contract extension through the 2001 season (three-year, $20 million contract). Signed free agent Roger Clemens from the Boston Red Sox to a four-year, $40 million contract. Re-signed free agent Juan Samuel to a one-year, $375,000 contract. Acquired Robert Person from the New York Mets for John Olerud and cash.

February 1997 Signed free agent Jeff Manto from the Cleveland Indians to a one-year, $240,000 contract.

March 1997 Tom Davey returned from the Baltimore Orioles.

Regular season

Opening-day starters Joe Carter Carlos Delgado Carlos García Alex Gonzalez Shawn Green Pat Hentgen Orlando Merced Otis Nixon Benito Santiago Ed Sprague Jr.

Interleague play June 30 – The first interleague game between the Montreal Expos and the Toronto Blue Jays took place at the SkyDome. The Expos won the game by a score of 2–1.

Expos vs. Jays June 30, SkyDome, Toronto, Ontario Team123456789RHEMontreal010001000260Toronto000000100130W: Pedro Martínez (10–3)  L: Pat Hentgen (8–5)   Home Runs: Vladimir Guerrero (4), Carlos Delgado (15) Attendance: 37,430 Time: 2:03

Batting Montreal ExposABRHRBIToronto Blue JaysABRHRBIGrudzielanek, ss3110Nixon cf4010Lansing 2b4000Merced dh4000Santangelo 3b4000Carter lf4000Segui 1b3021Delgado 1b2111Rodriguez lf4000Sprague 3b3000Orsulak lf0000Green rf300 0Guerrero rf4121Santiago c3000McGuire dh3000Gonzalez ss3010White cf3000Garcia 2b3000Widger c3010NONE0000Totals31262Totals29131

Pitching Montreal ExposIPHRERBBSOMartinez W (10–3)9.0311110Totals9.0311110

Toronto Blue JaysIPHRERBBSOHentgen L (8–5)9.062213Totals9.062213

Canada Day game The Blue Jays and Expos played to a sold-out Skydome crowd on Canada Day. Legendary Roger Clemens would get the start as the Blue Jays donned red uniforms for the second time. Montreal pitcher Jeff Juden would have a no-hitter through the first six innings until Shawn Green would hit a dramatic home run to break Juden's bid for a no-hitter.

Season standings

Record vs. opponents

Transactions Transactions for the Toronto Blue Jays during the 1997 regular season.

May 1997 Signed free agent Rubén Sierra from the Cincinnati Reds to a contract.

June 1997 Acquired Ryan Thompson from the Cleveland Indians for Jeff Manto. Released Rubén Sierra.

July 1997 Selected Omar Daal of off waivers from the Montreal Expos. Acquired Mariano Duncan from the New York Yankees for Angel Ramirez. Acquired José Cruz Jr. from the Seattle Mariners for Mike Timlin and Paul Spoljaric.

August 1997 Tilson Brito selected off of waivers by the Oakland Athletics. Acquired Bobby Cripps from the Los Angeles Dodgers for Otis Nixon.

Roster 1997 Toronto Blue Jays Roster Pitchers Catchers

Infielders Outfielders Manager

Coaches (First Base) (Bench) (Third Base) (Pitching) (Bullpen) (Hitting)

Game log

|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 1 || April 1 || White Sox || 6–5 (10) || Castillo (1–0) || Plesac (0–1) || Hernández (1) || 40,299 || 0–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 2 || April 2 || White Sox || 6–1 || Clemens (1–0) || Álvarez (0–1) || || 31,310 || 1–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 3 || April 4 || Brewers || 6–2 || Guzmán (1–0) || Karl (0–1) || Crabtree (1) || 26,331 || 2–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 4 || April 5 || Brewers || 5–2 || McAndrew (1–0) || Williams (0–1) || Jones (1) || 31,226 || 2–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 5 || April 6 || Brewers || 4–2 || McDonald (1–1) || Hentgen (0–1) || Jones (2) || 29,106 || 2–3 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbbbbb" | -- || April 8 || @ White Sox || colspan=6|Postponed (cold weather) Rescheduled for August 19 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 6 || April 9 || @ White Sox || 5–0 || Clemens (2–0) || Álvarez (0–2) || || 746 || 3–3 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 7 || April 10 || @ White Sox || 4–0 || Guzmán (2–0) || Baldwin (0–1) || || 14,180 || 4–3 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbbbbb" | -- || April 11 || @ Brewers || colspan=6|Postponed (snow) Rescheduled for July 28 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbbbbb" | -- || April 12 || @ Brewers || colspan=6|Postponed (snow) Rescheduled for July 29 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 8 || April 13 || @ Brewers || 3–2 || Wickman (1–0) || Crabtree (0–1) || || 19,143 || 4–4 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 9 || April 14 || Royals || 3–2 || Rusch (2–0) || Quantrill (0–1) || Pichardo (2) || 25,642 || 4–5 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 10 || April 15 || Royals || 7–5 || Rosado (1–0) || Guzmán (2–1) || Pichardo (3) || 25,582 || 4–6 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 11 || April 16 || Athletics || 4–3 || Crabtree (1–1) || Taylor (0–1) || || 26,139 || 5–6 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 12 || April 17 || Athletics || 5–4 || Quantrill (1–1) || Groom (0–1) || Timlin (1) || 25,625 || 6–6 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 13 || April 18 || @ Rangers || 6–5 || Hentgen (1–1) || Pavlik (1–2) || Timlin (2) || 30,452 || 7–6 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 14 || April 19 || @ Rangers || 6–0 || Clemens (3–0) || Hill (1–2) || || 44,206 || 8–6 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 15 || April 20 || @ Rangers || 10–5 || Witt (3–0) || Guzmán (2–2) || || 34,333 || 8–7 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 16 || April 21 || @ Angels || 5–4 (13) || DeLucia (1–0) || Spoljaric (0–1) || || 13,413 || 8–8 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 17 || April 22 || @ Angels || 7–6 || Quantrill (2–1) || James (1–2) || Plesac (1) || 13,353 || 9–8 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 18 || April 23 || @ Angels || 5–4 (10) || DeLucia (2–0) || Spoljaric (0–2) || || 13,117 || 9–9 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 19 || April 25 || Mariners || 13–8 || Ayala (2–0) || Plesac (0–2) || || 31,215 || 9–10 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 20 || April 26 || Mariners || 4–3 || Quantrill (3–1) || Lowe (0–1) || || 31,420 || 10–10 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 21 || April 27 || Mariners || 2–1 || Johnson (3–0) || Person (0–1) || Charlton (7) || 32,160 || 10–11 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 22 || April 29 || @ Royals || 6–5 (10)|| Pichardo (1–0) || Quantrill (3–2) || || 12,533 || 10–12 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 23 || April 30 || @ Royals || 1–0 || Clemens (4–0) || Appier (3–1) || Spoljaric (1) || 13,004 || 11–12

|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 24 || May 1 || @ Royals || 8–0 || Rosado (2–0) || Williams (0–2) || || 12,046 || 11–13 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 25 || May 2 || Twins || 3–2 (10)|| Radke (2–1) || Crabtree (1–2) || Aguilera (5) || 30,226 || 11–14 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 26 || May 3 || Twins || 6–5 || Quantrill (4–2) || Ritchie (2–3) || || 29,150 || 12–14 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 27 || May 4 || Twins || 1–0 || Hentgen (2–1) || Tewksbury (1–5) || || 29,114 || 13–14 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 28 || May 5 || Tigers || 3–1 || Clemens (5–0) || Olivares (1–2) || || 27,169 || 14–14 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 29 || May 6 || Tigers || 2–1 (10)|| Crabtree (2–2) || Jones (1–2) || || 26,294 || 15–14 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 30 || May 7 || @ Indians || 7–1 || McDowell (3–2) || Person (0–2) || || 42,463 || 15–15 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 31 || May 8 || @ Indians || 4–3 || Guzmán (3–2) || Ogea (2–3) || Quantrill (1) || 42,567 || 16–15 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 32 || May 9 || @ Twins || 4–1 || Hentgen (3–1) || Rodriguez (1–3) || Timlin (3) || 13,277 || 17–15 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 33 || May 10 || @ Twins || 6–4 || Clemens (6–0) || Swindell (2–2) || Crabtree (2) || 20,932 || 18–15 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 34 || May 11 || @ Twins || 3–2 || Williams (1–2) || Aldred (1–5) || Timlin (4) || 32,552 || 19–15 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 35 || May 12 || @ Twins || 12–2 || Radke (3–2) || Carpenter (0–1) || || 10,830 || 19–16 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 36 || May 13 || @ Tigers || 4–0 || Lira (2–2) || Guzmán (3–3) || || 9,992 || 19–17 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 37 || May 14 || @ Tigers || 7–2 || Hentgen (4–1) || Moehler (2–3) || || 11,788 || 20–17 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 38 || May 16 || Indians || 5–2 || Clemens (7–0) || Hershiser (3–2) || Timlin (5) || 35,195 || 21–17 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 39 || May 17 || Indians || 8–1 || Lopez (1–2) || Williams (1–3) || || 36,220 || 21–18 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 40 || May 18 || Indians || 8–6 || Ogea (4–3) || Carpenter (0–2) || Jackson (4) || 31,137 || 21–19 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 41 || May 20 || @ Yankees || 2–0 || Hentgen (5–1) || Pettitte (6–2) || || 20,220 || 22–19 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 42 || May 21 || @ Yankees || 4–1 || Clemens (8–0) || Rogers (3–2) || || 19,863 || 23–19 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 43 || May 23 || Angels || 12–2 || Springer (3–1) || Guzmán (3–4) || || 30,209 || 23–20 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 44 || May 24 || Angels || 3–1 || Watson (2–3) || Williams (1–4) || Percival (2) || 28,351 || 23–21 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 45 || May 25 || Angels || 4–3 (11)|| Timlin (1–0) || DeLucia (4–2) || || 28,180 || 24–21 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 46 || May 26 || Rangers || 8–1 || Clemens (9–0) || Santana (2–2) || || 28,113 || 25–21 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 47 || May 27 || Rangers || 15–5 || Burkett (4–3) || Person (0–3) || || 28,126 || 25–22 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 48 || May 28 || Yankees || 6–4 || Wells (5–3) || Guzmán (3–5) || Rivera (15) || 32,338 || 25–23 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"