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Toronto Blue Jays: the 10 biggest mistakes in Blue Jays history

By David Salituro

DENVER, COLORADO - SEPTEMBER 18: Starting pitcher Noah Syndergaard #34 of the New York Mets throws in the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on September 18, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO - SEPTEMBER 18: Starting pitcher Noah Syndergaard #34 of the New York Mets throws in the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on September 18, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK – CIRCA 1979: Dave Stieb #37 of the Toronto Blue Jays pitches against the New York Yankees during a Major League Baseball game circa 1979 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. Stieb played for the Blue Jays from 1979-92 and in 1998. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
NEW YORK – CIRCA 1979: Dave Stieb #37 of the Toronto Blue Jays pitches against the New York Yankees during a Major League Baseball game circa 1979 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. Stieb played for the Blue Jays from 1979-92 and in 1998. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

Blue Jays mistake No. 3: Leaving Dave Stieb in too long in 1985

The Toronto Blue Jays, who had never flirted with a playoff spot in their eight years of existence, finally experienced a division title in 1985.

That club, with a starting rotation anchored by Dave Stieb, won a franchise-record 99 games on their way to the AL East title and a date with the Kansas City Royals in the ALCS. They got off to a strong start in the series, taking a 3-1 lead. In any prior year, that would’ve been enough; but 1985 was the first season the ALCS was played as a best-of-seven instead of best-of-five.

The Royals won the next two games, forcing a seventh and deciding game in Toronto at Exhibition Stadium. The Blue Jays sent Stieb, the AL ERA champion who had already started two games, to the mound on three days rest for the second time in the series. It proved to be a serious mistake.

Stieb was solid for the first five innings, giving up two runs as the Royals took a 2-1 lead into the top of the sixth inning. The temperature at Exhibition Stadium was 44 at first pitch and dropping throughout the game. A weary Stieb began to clearly struggle in the sixth. He walked George Brett on four straight pitches. A running fastball on a 1-2 count struck Hal McRae in the hip as Stieb’s arm level on his delivery continued to drop.

Manager Bobby Cox came out to talk to his ace, Tom Henke and Jim Acker warming up in the bullpen. But Cox stuck by Stieb. A great play by the late Tony Fernandez on a grounder to short by Pat Sheridan forced Brett at third. After six straight breaking balls, Stieb finally threw a fastball to Steve Balboni on a 3-2 count and missed the outside corner, loading the bases with two out.

Royals catcher Jim Sundberg was the next batter. While he was only a .233 hitter in his career against Stieb, he went 4-8 in 1985. After a first-pitch ball, Stieb left a fastball over the middle of the plate that Sundberg sent to the opposite field. The ball hit the top of the fence in right field and bounced back onto the outfield turf. All three runners came in to score as Sundberg wound up on third with a triple.

That would be it for Stieb, who was lifted for Acker, and the Blue Jays season. The Royals went on to win the game 6-2 and deny the Blue Jays a trip to the World Series.

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