The 1987 Toronto Blue Jays season was the franchise's 11th season of Major League Baseball. It resulted in the Blue Jays finishing second in the American League East with a record of 96 wins and 66 losses. They had been in first place by 3½ games over the Detroit Tigers with a week left to play, but they dropped their next seven games in a row, capped off by a sweep at the hands of Detroit at Tiger Stadium on the last weekend of the season, and lost the division by two games.

Transactions Transactions by the Toronto Blue Jays during the off-season before the 1987 season. October 1986 Released Mickey Mahler. Released Dennis Lamp.

November 1986 Jim Clancy granted free agency. Cliff Johnson granted free agency. Buck Martinez granted free agency. Ernie Whitt granted free agency.

December 1986 Drafted José Núñez from the Kansas City Royals in the 1986 MLB Rule 5 draft. Stan Clarke drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 1986 MLB Rule 5 draft. Cliff Young drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 1986 MLB Rule 5 draft. Gibson Alba selected by the Cleveland Indians in the 1986 Minor League Draft.

January 1987 Re-signed free agent Jim Clancy to a two-year, $1.75 million contract. Re-signed free agent Ernie Whitt to a three-year, $2.3 million contract. Signed free agent Steve Fireovid from the Seattle Mariners to a contract.

February 1987 Acquired Craig McMurtry from the Atlanta Braves for Dámaso García and Luis Leal.

March 1987 Released Ron Shepherd.

April 1987 Released Bill Caudill. Signed free agent Odell Jones from the Baltimore Orioles to a contract. Cliff Young returned from the Oakland Athletics.

Regular season Blue Jays left fielder George Bell drove in 134 runs to lead the American League, along with 47 home runs, and was selected the league's Most Valuable Player in a close vote over the Tigers' Alan Trammell. Tom Henke established himself as an elite closer, as he led the American League in saves with 34. Starting pitcher Jimmy Key led the American League with a 2.76 ERA. July 21, 1987: Jimmy Key threw exactly three pitches and recorded three outs.3 Pitch Inning This was accomplished in the second inning. September 14, 1987: The Blue Jays set a Major League record by hitting 10 home runs in a game against the Baltimore Orioles.

Season standings

Record vs. opponents

Transactions Transactions for the Toronto Blue Jays during the 1987 regular season. April 1987 Released Steve Fireovid.

June 1987 Signed free agent Charlie Moore from the Milwaukee Brewers to a one-year, $256,000 contract.

July 1987 Acquired Juan Beníquez from the Kansas City Royals for Luis Aquino. Signed amateur free agent Nigel Wilson to a contract.

August 1987 Signed amateur free agent Domingo Cedeño to a contract. Acquired Phil Niekro from the Cleveland Indians for Darryl Landrum and a player to be named later (Don Gordon on August 10, 1987). Signed amateur free agent Denis Boucher to a contract. Released Gary Lavelle. Released Phil Niekro. Acquired Mike Flanagan from the Baltimore Orioles for Oswaldo Peraza and a player to be named later (José Mesa on September 4, 1987).

September 1987 Acquired Juan Guzmán from the Los Angeles Dodgers for Mike Sharperson.

Roster 1987 Toronto Blue Jays roster Roster Pitchers Catchers

InfieldersOutfielders

Other batters Manager

Coaches (Hitting) (Third base) (First base) (Bullpen) (Pitching)

Game log

|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 1 || April 6 || Indians || 7–3 || Key (1–0) || Candiotti (0–1) || || 40,404 || 1–0 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 2 || April 8 || Indians || 5–1 || Clancy (1–0) || Swindell (0–1) || || 20,388 || 2–0 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 3 || April 9 || Indians || 14–3 || Niekro (1–0) || Johnson (0–1) || Carlton (1) || 21,088 || 2–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 4 || April 10 || @ Red Sox || 3–0 || Hurst (1–0) || Stieb (0–1) || || 33,679 || 2–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 5 || April 11 || @ Red Sox || 11–1 || Key (2–0) || Clemens (0–1) || || 33,365 || 3–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 6 || April 12 || @ Red Sox || 8–3 || Stanley (1–1) || Clancy (1–1) || || 27,521 || 3–3 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 7 || April 14 || White Sox || 4–3 (13) || Eichhorn (1–0) || McKeon (0–1) || || 17,324 || 4–3 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 8 || April 15 || White Sox || 5–0 || DeLeón (2–0) || Stieb (0–2) || || 17,285 || 4–4 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 9 || April 16 || Red Sox || 4–2 || Key (3–0) || Clemens (0–2) || Henke (1) || 22,065 || 5–4 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 10 || April 17 || Red Sox || 10–5 || Cerutti (1–0) || | Stanley (1–2) || Eichhorn (1) || 36,400 || 6–4 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 11 || April 18 || Red Sox || 6–4 || Sellers (1–0) || Clancy (1–2) || Schiraldi (2) || 39,107 || 6–5 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 12 || April 19 || Red Sox || 4–1 || Nipper (2–0) || Johnson (0–2) || Gardner (2) || 28,140 || 6–6 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 13 || April 20 || @ Indians || 8–7 (10) || Musselman (1–0) || Jones (0–1) || || 11,164 || 7–6 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 14 || April 21 || @ Indians || 5–0 || Candiotti (1–3) || Key (3–1) || || 7,203 || 7–7 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 15 || April 22 || @ Indians || 6–3 || Eichhorn (2–0) || Carlton (1–2) || Henke (2) || 6,000 || 8–7 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 16 || April 24 || @ White Sox || 4–2 (10) || Eichhorn (3–0) || James (0–1) || Henke (3) || 10,105 || 9–7 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 17 || April 25 || @ White Sox || 5–4 || James (1–1) || Eichhorn (3–1) || || 18,644 || 9–8 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 18 || April 26 || @ White Sox || 5–2 || Key (4–1) || DeLeón (2–2) || Henke (4) || 20,443 || 10–8 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 19 || April 28 || Twins || 5–1 || Clancy (2–2) || Viola (1–3) || || 21,182 || 11–8 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 20 || April 29 || Twins || 8–1 || Johnson (1–2) || Smithson (3–1) || || 19,020 || 12–8

|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 21 || May 1 || Rangers || 3–2 (10) || Musselman (2–0) || Williams (2–2) || || 22,154 || 13–8 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 22 || May 2 || Rangers || 9–8 || Eichhorn (4–1) || Harris (1–3) || || 28,352 || 14–8 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 23 || May 3 || Rangers || 3–1 || Clancy (3–2) || Correa (1–2) || Henke (5) || 32,325 || 15–8 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbbbbb" | -- || May 4 || @ Royals || colspan=6|Postponed (rain) Rescheduled for July 3 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 24 || May 5 || @ Royals || 6–4 || Leibrandt (4–1) || Johnson (1–3) || Gleaton (1) || 19,245 || 15–9 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 25 || May 6 || @ Royals || 6–3 || Black (1–0) || Key (4–2) || Gleaton (2) || 28,083 || 15–10 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 26 || May 8 || @ Rangers || 7–4 || Clancy (4–2) || Guzmán (1–2) || Eichhorn (2) || 21,832 || 16–10 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 27 || May 9 || @ Rangers || 15–4 || Stieb (1–2) || Correa (1–3) || || 28,847 || 17–10 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 28 || May 10 || @ Rangers || 9–8 || Witt (1–1) || Eichhorn (4–2) || Mohorcic (3) || 17,356 || 17–11 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 29 || May 11 || Royals || 4–0 || Key (5–2) || Leibrandt (4–2) || || 24,154 || 18–11 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 30 || May 12 || Royals || 3–1 || Black (2–0) || Cerutti (1–1) || Quisenberry (3) || 30,034 || 18–12 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 31 || May 13 || @ Twins || 7–0 || Clancy (5–2) || Portugal (1–2) || || 9,158 || 19–12 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 32 || May 14 || @ Twins || 16–4 || Stieb (2–2) || Straker (2–1) || || 10,053 || 20–12 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 33 || May 15 || @ Athletics || 3–2 || Johnson (2–3) || Plunk (1–2) || Henke (6) || 13,139 || 21–12 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 34 || May 16 || @ Athletics || 10–3 || Haas (1–0) || Key (5–3) || || 20,900 || 21–13 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 35 || May 17 || @ Athletics || 3–0 || Stewart (5–3) || Cerutti (1–2) || || 30,511 || 21–14 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 36 || May 18 || @ Angels || 12–0 || Clancy (6–2) || Cook (1–2) || || 23,710 || 22–14 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 37 || May 19 || @ Angels || 2–1 || Buice (2–2) || Musselman (2–1) || Moore (5) || 23,622 || 22–15 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 38 || May 20 || @ Angels || 5–4 (10) || Lucas (1–1) || Henke (0–1) || || 23,766 || 22–16 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 39 || May 22 || @ Mariners || 7–5 || Eichhorn (5–2) || Bankhead (5–3) || Henke (7) || 10,012 || 23–16 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 40 || May 23 || @ Mariners || 6–2 || Clancy (7–2) || Moore (2–5) || || 13,489 || 21–12 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 41 || May 24 || @ Mariners || 5–2 || Langston (5–4) || Stieb (2–3) || || 12,751 || 24–17 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 42 || May 25 || @ Mariners || 6–5 || Key (6–3) || Morgan (4–5) || Musselman (1) || 8,499 || 25–17 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 43 || May 27 || Athletics || 4–1 || Haas (2–1) || Johnson (2–4) || Ontiveros (1) || 25,245 || 25–18 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 44 || May 28 || Athletics || 4–3 || Stewart (6–4) || Clancy (7–3) || Leiper (1) || 27,017 || 25–19 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 45 || May 29 || Angels || 3–1 || Stieb (3–3) || Sutton (2–5) || Henke (8) || 33,107 || 26–19 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 46 || May 30 || Angels || 4–3 (10) || Eichhorn (6–2) || Lazorko (0–2) || || 36,055 || 27–19 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 47 || May 31 || Angels || 7–2 || Cerutti (2–2) || Candelaria (4–2) || || 40,313 || 28–19

|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 48 || June 1 || Mariners || 2–0 || Bankhead (6–3) || Johnson (2–5) || Wilkinson (2) || 28,294 || 28–20 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 49 || June 2 || Mariners || 4–3 || Musselman (3–1) || Moore (2–7) || Henke (9) || 31,076 || 29–20 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 50 || June 3 || Mariners || 7–2 || Stieb (4–3) || Langston (6–5) || Eichhorn (3) || 30,502 || 30–20 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 51 || June 5 || Orioles || 6–2 || Key (7–3) || Bell (5–3) || || 32,514 || 31–20 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 52 || June 6 || Orioles || 8–5 (11) || Musselman (4–1) || Dixon (3–5) || || 36,345 || 32–20 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 53 || June 7 || Orioles || 3–2 || Eichhorn (7–2) || Boddicker (5–2) || || 42,254 || 33–20 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 54 || June 8 || @ Yankees || 11–0 || Stieb (5–3) || Rhoden (6–4) || || 25,526 || 34–20 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 55 || June 9 || @ Yankees || 7–2 || Cerutti (3–2) || Guidry (0–2) || || 29,765 || 35–20 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 56 || June 10 || @ Yankees || 4–1 || Key (8–3) || John (6–2) || Henke (10) || 26,806 || 36–20 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 57 || June 11 || @ Orioles || 8–6 || Johnson (3–5) || Habyan (1–2) || Henke (11) || 17,409 || 37–20 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 58 || June 12 || @ Orioles || 8–5 || Eichhorn (8–2) || Boddicker (5–3) || Musselman (2) || 27,521 || 38–20 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 59 || June 13 || @ Orioles || 8–2 || Cerutti (4–2) || McGregor (2–6) || || 25,359 || 39–20 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 60 || June 14 || @ Orioles || 8–5 || Schmidt (7–1) || Eichhorn (8–3) || DeLeón (1) || 31,358 || 39–21 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 61 || June 15 || Tigers || 2–1 || Terrell (5–6) || Key (8–4) || King (4) || 36,225 || 39–22 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 62 || June 16 || Tigers || 10–4 || Lavelle (1–0) || Robinson (4–3) || || 36,398 || 40–22 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 63 || June 17 || Tigers || 3–2 || Tanana (6–3) || Clancy (7–4) || Hernández (2) || 46,227 || 40–23 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 64 || June 18 || Brewers || 6–3 || Nieves (5–4) || Stieb (5–4) || Plesac (15) || 31,353 || 40–24 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 65 || June 19 || Brewers || 15–6 || Musselman (5–1) || Clear (5–2) || || 31,230 || 41–24