The 1990 Toronto Blue Jays season was the franchise's 14th season of Major League Baseball. It resulted in the Blue Jays finishing second in the American League East with a record of 86 wins and 76 losses. It was their first full season in the SkyDome, where an MLB attendance record of 3,885,284 was set that year. The Blue Jays led the division by 1½ games over the Boston Red Sox with one week left in the season. However, they then proceeded to drop six of their last eight games, losing the division title to the Red Sox by a two-game margin.

Transactions Transactions by the Toronto Blue Jays during the off-season before the 1990 season.

October 1989 DeWayne Buice granted free agency. Mark Ross granted free agency. Released Ozzie Virgil Jr. Enrique Burgos granted free agency. Chico Walker granted free agency.

November 1989 Tom Lawless granted free agency (signed with the Toronto Blue Jays to a one-year, $250,000 contract on December 7, 1989). Lee Mazzilli granted free agency. Lloyd Moseby granted free agency (signed with the Detroit Tigers to a two-year, $3 million contract on December 7, 1989). Mookie Wilson granted free agency (signed with the Toronto Blue Jays to a two-year, $2.75 million contract on November 27, 1989). Player rights of Alexis Infante sold to the Atlanta Braves. Re-signed free agent Mookie Wilson to a two-year, $2.75 million contract.

December 1989 Sil Campusano drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 1989 MLB Rule 5 draft. Xavier Hernandez drafted by the Houston Astros in the 1989 MLB Rule 5 draft. Steve Wapnick drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 1989 MLB Rule 5 draft. Drafted Mike Maksudian from the Miami Miracle of the FSL in the 1989 Minor League Draft. Re-signed free agent Tom Lawless to a one-year, $250,000 contract. Acquired Paul Kilgus from the Chicago Cubs for José Núñez. Acquired Ricky Trlicek from the Atlanta Braves for Kevin Batiste and Ernie Whitt.

January 1990 Signed amateur free agent Tilson Brito to a contract. Signed amateur free agent José Herrera to a contract. Signed amateur free agent Sandy Martínez to a contract. Signed amateur free agent Giovanni Carrara to a contract. Signed free agent Jim Eppard from the California Angels to a contract.

February 1990 Re-signed free agent Ozzie Virgil Jr. to a one-year, $275,000 contract.

Regular season The 1990 season belonged to third baseman Kelly Gruber. He had career highs in home runs and RBIs, with 31 and 118, respectively. Along with outfielder George Bell and pitcher Dave Stieb, Gruber was named an American League All-Star, stealing two bases in the All-Star Game on July 10 at Chicago's Wrigley Field. A finalist for the American League MVP Award, at season's end he was named the AL's Silver Slugger and Gold Glove Award winner at third base.

The Blue Jays were involved in two no-hitters during the 1990 season. On June 29, Dave Stewart of the Oakland Athletics no-hit them by a score of 5–0. On September 2, Jays ace Dave Stieb finally got the no-hitter that had eluded him, blanking the Cleveland Indians 3–0.

Opening Day starters George Bell, OF Junior Felix, OF Tony Fernández, SS Kelly Gruber, 3B Nelson Liriano, 2B Fred McGriff, 1B Greg Myers, C John Olerud, DH Dave Stieb, P Mookie Wilson, OF

Season standings

Record vs. opponents

Transactions Transactions for the Toronto Blue Jays during the 1990 regular season.

May 1990 Steve Wapnick returned by the Detroit Tigers. Released Mike Flanagan.

June 1990 Selected Kenny Williams off of waivers from the Detroit Tigers.

July 1990 Released Tom Lawless. Acquired John Candelaria from the Minnesota Twins for Nelson Liriano and Pedro Muñoz.

September 1990 Acquired Bud Black from the Cleveland Indians for Mauro Gozzo and players to be named later (Steve Cummings on September 21, 1990, and Alex Sanchez on September 24, 1990). Signed amateur free agent Rich Butler to a contract. Signed amateur free agent Rob Butler to a contract. Selected Rick Luecken off of waivers from the Atlanta Braves.

1990 MLB draft June 4, 1990: 1990 Major League Baseball draft Steve Karsay was drafted by the Jays in the 1st round (22nd pick).Baseball Draft: 1st Round of the 1990 June Draft Baseball-Reference.com Future Heisman Trophy winner Chris Weinke was drafted by the Blue Jays. Player signed August 20, 1990.Chris Weinke News – The New York Times – Narrowed by 'TORONTO BLUE JAYS' Felipe Crespo was drafted by the Blue Jays in the 3rd round. Player signed September 22, 1990.Felipe Crespo at Baseball Reference Howard Battle was drafted by the Blue Jays in the 4th round. Player signed June 6, 1990.Howard Battle at Baseball Reference Ricardo Jordan was drafted by the Blue Jays in the 37th round.Ricardo Jordan at Baseball Reference

Eric Lindros The hype around Eric Lindros during his early career led to an exclusive deal with sports card manufacturer SCORE. Attempting to leverage this arrangement as much as possible, he was even featured on a baseball card showing him as a third baseman for the Toronto Blue Jays, although he never actually played baseball. He was only there taking batting practice one day. , The Baseball Card Project, accessed August 31, 2006

Roster 1990 Toronto Blue Jays Roster Pitchers Catchers

InfieldersOutfielders

Other batters Manager

Coaches

Game log

|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 1 || April 9 || @ Rangers || 2–4 || Ryan (1–0) || Stottlemyre (0–1) || Russell (1) || 40,907 || 0–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 2 || April 10 || Rangers || 2–1 || Stieb (1–0) || Hough (0–1) || Wells (1) || 49,673 || 1–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 3 || April 11 || Rangers || 5–11 || Brown (1–0) || Cerutti (0–1) || Jeffcoat (1) || 35,301 || 1–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 4 || April 12 || Rangers || 7–1 || Flanagan (1–0) || Moyer (0–1) || || 35,354 || 2–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 5 || April 13 || @ Royals || 3–1 || Key (1–0) || Davis (0–1) || Ward (1) || 20,522 || 3–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 6 || April 14 || @ Royals || 1–3 || Saberhagen (1–0) || Stottlemyre (0–2) || Davis (2) || 25,930 || 3–3 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 7 || April 15 || @ Royals || 5–4 || Stieb (2–0) || Crawford (0–1) || Wells (2) || 21,925 || 4–3 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 8 || April 16 || Orioles || 4–2 || Cerutti (1–1) || Tibbs (0–1) || Henke (1) || 40,301 || 5–3 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 9 || April 17 || Orioles || 8–2 || Flanagan (2–0) || Ballard (0–2) || || 38,212 || 6–3 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 10 || April 18 || Orioles || 5–8 || Harnisch (1–0) || Wills (0–1) || Olson (3) || 41,181 || 6–4 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 11 || April 20 || Royals || 17–6 || Stottlemyre (1–2) || Saberhagen (1–1) || || 49,151 || 7–4 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 12 || April 21 || Royals || 5–1 || Stieb (3–0) || Gubicza (1–2) || || 49,121 || 8–4 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 13 || April 22 || Royals || 1–7 || Gordon (1–0) || Cerutti (1–2) || || 49,056 || 8–5 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 14 || April 23 || Indians || 12–9 || Wills (1–1) || Wickander (0–1) || Ward (2) || 34,139 || 9–5 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 15 || April 24 || Indians || 4–3 || Key (2–0) || Swindell (1–2) || Wells (3) || 35,203 || 10–5 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 16 || April 25 || Indians || 5–3 || Stottlemyre (2–2) || Nichols (0–1) || Ward (3) || 38,168 || 11–5 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 17 || April 26 || Indians || 3–4 || Candiotti (3–0) || Stieb (3–1) || Jones (5) || 44,174 || 11–6 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 18 || April 27 || @ White Sox || 1–6 || Hibbard (2–1) || Cerutti (1–3) || || 10,965 || 11–7 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 19 || April 28 || @ White Sox || 4–5 || Kutzler (1–0) || Flanagan (2–1) || Thigpen (5) || 15,395 || 11–8 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 20 || April 29 || @ White Sox || 3–10 || King (1–0) || Key (2–1) || Edwards (1) || 12,936 || 11–9 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 21 || April 30 || @ Indians || 10–4 || Stottlemyre (3–2) || Bearse (0–2) || || 6,254 || 12–9

|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 22 || May 1 || @ Indians || 4–3 || Stieb (4–1) || Candiotti (3–1) || Henke (2) || 5,111 || 13–9 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 23 || May 2 || @ Indians || 0–3 || Black (3–0) || Cerutti (1–4) || Jones (7) || 8,801 || 13–10 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 24 || May 4 || Tigers || 1–3 || Petry (2–1) || Flanagan (2–2) || Henneman (6) || 49,146 || 13–11 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 25 || May 5 || Tigers || 5–1 || Stottlemyre (4–2) || Robinson (1–3) || || 49,219 || 14–11 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 26 || May 6 || Tigers || 11–7 || Key (3–1) || Dubois (0–1) || || 49,206 || 15–11 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 27 || May 7 || White Sox || 6–1 || Stieb (5–1) || McDowell (1–2) || || 41,384 || 16–11 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 28 || May 8 || White Sox || 1–4 || Hibbard (3–2) || Cerutti (1–5) || Thigpen (7) || 41,101 || 16–12 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 29 || May 9 || White Sox || 4–3 || Wills (2–1) || Edwards (0–1) || Ward (4) || 43,128 || 17–12 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 30 || May 10 || @ Tigers || 5–10 || Robinson (2–3) || Stottlemyre (4–3) || || 11,296 || 17–13 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 31 || May 11 || @ Tigers || 4–2 || Key (4–1) || Dubois (0–2) || Henke (3) || 17,376 || 18–13 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbbbbb" | -- || May 12 || @ Tigers || colspan=6|Postponed (rain) Rescheduled for May 14 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 32 || May 13 || @ Tigers || 6–3 || Wells (1–0) || Morris (2–5) || || 17,068 || 19–13 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 33 || May 14 || @ Tigers || 8–3 (10) || Ward (1–0) || Henneman (0–3) || || 10,833 || 20–13 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 34 || May 15 || Mariners || 3–4 (10) || Comstock (1–1) || Acker (0–1) || Schooler (10) || 41,108 || 20–14 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 35 || May 16 || Mariners || 2–4 || Holman (6–2) || Stottlemyre (4–4) || Schooler (11) || 45,640 || 20–15 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 36 || May 17 || Mariners || 6–14 || Johnson (3–2) || Key (4–2) || || 47,283 || 20–16 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 37 || May 18 || Angels || 2–4 || Abbott (2–3) || Stieb (5–2) || Eichhorn (6) || 49,339 || 20–17 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 38 || May 19 || Angels || 11–9 || Fraser (1–2) || Ward (1–1) || Eichhorn (7) || 49,335 || 20–18 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 39 || May 20 || Angels || 5–1 || Wills (3–1) || Langston (3–4) || Henke (4) || 49,421 || 21–18 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 40 || May 21 || Athletics || 1–4 || Welch (5–2) || Stottlemyre (4–5) || Eckersley (10) || 49,471 || 21–19 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 41 || May 22 || Athletics || 4–5 || Young (2–1) || Wills (3–2) || Eckersley (11) || 49,559 || 21–20 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 42 || May 23 || @ Angels || 4–5 || Bailes (1–0) || Ward (1–2) || || 25,179 || 21–21 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 43 || May 24 || @ Angels || 3–4 (11) || Harvey (2–1) || Henke (0–1) || || 24,460 || 21–22 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 44 || May 25 || @ Mariners || 3–1 (11) || Acker (1–1) || Swift (2–2) || Henke (5) || 15,334 || 22–22 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 45 || May 26 || @ Mariners || 11–4 || Wills (4–2) || Holman (6–3) || || 25,004 || 23–22 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 46 || May 27 || @ Mariners || 5–1 || Cerutti (2–5) || Johnson (3–3) || || 25,858 || 24–22 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 47 || May 28 || @ Athletics || 1–0 || Stieb (6–2) || Moore (4–4) || || 45,005 || 25–22 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 48 || May 29 || @ Athletics || 2–1 || Wells (2–0) || Stewart (8–2) || Henke (6) || 25,255 || 26–22 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 49 || May 30 || @ Athletics || 5–8 || Burns (1–0) || Blair (0–1) || Eckersley (14) || 24,257 || 26–23

|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"