Opening Day Roster:
Ah, the life of a second-year expansion team. Is the glass half-empty: another 100+ loss season, another last-place finish, a terrible ballpark? Or is it half-full: no expectations, a fan base that's still just happy to have a team, nowhere to go but up? The Blue Jays probably tried to look at the glass as half-full in 1978. As spring training began, seven off-season acquisitions meant competition at a number of key spots. And, for a team that ranked 13th in the A.L. in both offense and defense in 1977, the Jays were looking to make strides across the board. As it turned out, their offense and defense wound up pretty close to where they had been the previous year. As for pitching, their bullpen, a weakness in '77, was a modest strength in '78, and their rotation, which had been a modest strength in '77, was atrocious in '78. At the end of August, they seemed poised to at least avoid a 100-loss season - they only needed to win 8 of their final 27 games to do so. However, they only managed to win 4, so it was another 100+ loss season after all, finishing last at 59-102, 30.5 games behind the Yankees.
Down on the farm, there was cause for optimism - Lloyd Moseby, Jesse Barfield and Dave Stieb were getting their first tastes of professional ball, and a guy with some basketball skills named Danny Ainge was playing at AAA Syracuse.
Roy Hartsfield was at the helm again in 1978, and you can bet at least he was trying to look at the glass as half-full. His fellow optimists included hitting coach Bobby Doerr, pitcing coach Bob Miller, bullpen coach Harry Warner, 1st base coach Don Leppert and 3rd base coach Jackie Moore. From May 20 to 29, Harry Warner was in the manager's seat as Hartsfield was tending to his wife, Alice, as she underwent surgery in Atlanta.
Jim Clancy, SP:
Jim managed to pick up some serious slack in a Blue Jay rotation that seemed lost in '78. He led with 10 wins and a 4.09 ERA. An original Blue Jay (he was taken in the 1976 expansion draft from the Rangers), Jim was on their first opening day roster in 1977, and would stay with the team long enough to contribute to their first division winner in 1985.
Jerry Garvin, SP:
As a rookie in 1977, Jerry led the team with 127 Ks and posted an ERA of 4.19, the best among the principal starters. He pitched better than his 10-18 record suggested. For 1978, pitching coach Bob Miller worked with Jerry to add a cut fastball to his repertoire, and more success was anticipated. Though he threw harder in '78, he came away with much less to show for it. He wound up with a 4-12 record (losing 9 straight at one point), and his ERA and strikout totals were amond the worst on the club. He would remain with the Jays for another several years, never quite achieving the promise he seemed to show in 1977.
Jesse Jefferson, SP:
In 30 starts, Jesse went 7-16. He led the Jays in both innings pitched (211.2) and complete games (9). On April 23 and again on August 9, he threw complete-game, 3-hit shutouts at the White Sox in Toronto.
Dave Lemanczyk, SP:
Dave was one of the Jays' finds of the expansion draft - in 1977, he led the team with 13 wins and had one of the better ERAs on the staff. Entering 1978, he was feeling relaxed and looking forward to another productive campain. Reality set in quickly - he lost his first 7 starts. In mid-June, with his record at 1-9 and his ERA ballooning to 8.52, he was sent to the pen. He made a number of additional starts as well, and managed to lower his ERA to 6.26 and improve his record to 4-14 by the end of the year. He was on the DL from August 15 through September 5 with a sprained ankle.
Tom Underwood, SP:
Tom was one of Toronto's key off-season acquisitions, arriving via a trade with the Cardinals in December of 1977. He had hard luck from the outset, though. He was 1-3 in his first 6 starts but posted a 3.38 ERA. For the year, he went 6-14 in 30 starts despite leading the team with 139 Ks, and posting a 4.10 ERA, second among the starters only to Jim Clancy.
Tom Murphy, RP:
Tom was the right-handed half of the Jays' 2-man closer committee (Mike Wallis was the lefty) that lasted until Victor Cruz was called up in June. In April, over 7 appearances, he was 2-0 with a save and a 0.00 ERA. After April, he was 4-9 with 6 saves and a 3.93 ERA, and he lost 7 consecutive decisions from the end of May through mid-July.
Dave Wallace, RP:
A veteran of 7 minor league seasons and a couple brief auditions with the Phillies in the mid-70s, Dave went to camp with Toronto as a non-roster invitee. Signed a week before the season began, he went north with the big club. Before he could get into a game, he was sent down to Syracuse on April 13 to accommodate the arrival of Balor Moore. He was brought back up when Don Kirkwood went on the DL on April 25. He made 6 appearances, including the last one of his major league career on May 19 against the Yankees, before being sent back to Syracuse on May 22 when the Jays purchased Joe Coleman from the A's.
Alan Ashby, C:
The switch-hitting Ashby formed a catching platoon with righty Rick Cerone. In Alan's 80 starts behind the plate, he hit .261 with 29 RBI. At the conclusion of the season, he was consdering abandoning hitting from the right altogether. He had hit only .171 as a righty in 1978, but .297 as a lefty.
Mike Willis, RP:
Before the arrival of Victor Cruz, Mike and Tom Murphy formed what was essentially a closer platoon, with Mike taking the lefty role. In 42 relief appearances, totaling 88.1 innings pitched, Mike went 2-6, with 7 saves and 48 Ks. He had two starts, each in September. In the most notable of these, he threw a 6-hit complete game against the Yankees, getting the win against Ron Guidry, who took his 3rd and final loss of the year.
Rick Cerone, C:
Rick was the right half of the Toronto catching platoon in 1978. In 78 starts, the light-hitting Cerone hit only .223 with 20 RBI.
Doug Ault, IF:
The previous year's starting first baseman, Doug entered 1978 looking for a job. Newly-acquired John Mayberry held down first, and and newly-acquired Rico Carty was slated for DH. Doug wound up serving as a reserve at both slots, and also seeing limited work in left. His production suffered, and the promising rookie from 1977 was gone after 1980.
Luis Gomez, IF:
Luis was acquired as a free agent from Minnesota in November of 1977 to help shore up Toronto's defense, and he did just that. His .223 average could be overlooked because he was the 6th best fielding shortstop in the majors, he was 6th among major league shortstops in turning double plays, and he combined with second baseman Dave McKay (5th in fielding percentage, 4th in DPs turned) to give the Jays what was arguably the best DP combination in the majors.
Roy Howell, IF:
Although Hartsfield experimented with Roy in right and Bob Bailor at third for a few games in April, he quickly corrected himself and allowed Howell to make a permanent home at third. His reliability there, to include his career-high total of 149 hits, and near-career highs in RBI and batting average, earned him a spot as Toronto's lone representative at the All Star Game that summer (in response to his selection as a reserve, Roy bought champaign for his Blue Jays teammates). A bone spur in his ankle caused him to miss 4 games in May and a jammed ring finger had a similar impact in September.
Garth Iorg, IF:
A rookie, Garth made his major league debut starting at second against the Tigers on April 9th. He and Dave McKay platooned at second through the beginning of May, at which time McKay took over the post on a full-time basis. On May 20, Garth was sent to Syracuse, in large part because of his hitting (.163 average, 3 RBI). He didn't return to the Blue Jays until 1979.
Tom Hutton, IF:
Tommy was happy to come to Toronto for 1978 - a reserve in Philadelphia, he looked forward to being an everyday first baseman (Hartsfield called him the best fielding first baseman he had ever seen). Then the Jays went and signed John Mayberry. With Mayberry being the obvious choice at first, Hutton served almost exclusively as an outfield reserve, playing just about full-time filling in in right and left. On July 20, he was sold to the Expos.
John Mayberry, IF:
Purchased from the Royals just days before the season began, John immediately became the Blue Jays' starting first baseman. He had a good year at the plate, belting 22 HRs and knocking in 70 runs, both of which were tops on the club.
Dave McKay, IF:
Originally intended to be the Jays' third baseman in 1977, Dave lost the post to Roy Howell. He then lost the second base job to Steve Staggs. In 1978, the future long-time big league coach took over from Garth Iorg as the Toronto second baseman in early May, and never looked back. In '78 he had career highs in HR and RBI with 7 and 45, respectively. At one point during the season, he authored a 16 game hitting streak, and he was one of the finest fielding second baseman in the majors.
Tim Nordbrook, IF:
The well-traveled infield reserve got into only 7 games with the Jays before being traded to the Brewers for Tim Johnson on April 28.
Bob Bailor, OF:
Bailor was one of the best young prospects on the Jays' team in 1978. He started 123 games in the outfield, mainly in right, and started an additional 28 at third, mostly covering for Howell when he needed to sit because of injury. He had career highs in hits with 164 and RBI with 52, and struck out just 21 times in 621 at-bats.
Rick Bosetti, OF:
Another of Toronto's promising young outfielders, Rick was acquired during spring training from the Cardinals for Tom Bruno. He spent 1978 as the Jays' starting center fielder, but missed 4 games at the end of April due to a pulled hamstring, and was on the DL from June 12 through June 27 after suffering a badly sprained ankle sliding into first. His primary offensive stats (average, HR, RBI) were all the second best of his career, eclipsed only by numbers he would put up in 1979. After that, he declined quickly and was gone by the end of 1982.
Rico Carty, OF:
Rico was acquired from Cleveland during spring training to fill the role Ron Fairly had played in '77 - the steady, veteran DH. He got off to a fine start, driving in 19 runs in April. He slumped in mid-June, enduring an 0-for-17 streak at one point, but recovered, going 8-for-24 with 3 HR and 6 RBI during a 7 game homestand at the beginning of August. Then, on August 15, he was traded to the A's for Willie Horton, the Jays' next steady, veteran DH. A free agent after 1978, Rico was signed again by Toronto and finished his career in 1979 as the Jays' DH.
Otto Velez, OF:
One of the Jays' primary reserve outfielders through the 1978 season, Otto saw action in 29 games in right, and 29 games in left. In this limited capacity he managed to record 9 RBI, drive in 38 runs and hit .266.
Willie Upshaw, OF:
Yet another outstanding young outfielder, Willie made his major league debut on April 9 and in his first at-bat got a single off the Tigers' Jack Billingham. When Al Woods was sent down to Syracuse in late April, Willie was given left field to see what he could do with it. He was the regular left fielder through late June when he began sharing that role with Tommy Hutton. Once Woods returned in late July, Willie was used as a general outfield reserve for the rest of the year.
Alvis Woods, OF:
As a rookie in 1977, Al was the Jays' primary left fielder, and it was expected that he would be so again in 1978. Despite having hit .284 in '77, by mid-April 1978 he was hitting only .118. On April 24, he was sent down to Syracuse to find his bat. He was called back up on July 20, and was the team's left fielder the rest of the way, his average standing at .245 when the season ended.
In-Season Moves:
Don Kirkwood, RP:
The veteran was purchased from the White Sox on April 11th, bringing the Jays' roster to the 25 man limit. After making only 3 appearances, his shoulder was examined and he was placed on the DL on April 25. He returned on May 20, but after only 4 more appearances, including a spot start, he was returned to the DL on June 22. He returned to stay on August 16, and spent the rest of the year in the rotation. He pitched 3 complete games, including his final major league appearance on October 1 when he lost to Boston 5-0, propelling them into the tiebreaker.
Balor Moore, RP:
Balor was purchased from the Angels on April 13, allowing the Jays to demote Dave Wallace. He spent the first part of 1978 as a reliever, but was inserted into the rotation when Dave Lemanczyk was sent to the pen in mid-June. Even after the latter's return, Balor stayed in the rotation for the remainder of the season, putting together a 5-7 record and 4.84 ERA.
Sam Ewing, OF:
Sam was brought up from Syracuse on April 24 when Alvis woods went down. He was used mainly as a pinch-hitter but also saw action in the outfield and at DH, getting into 40 games, and hitting only .179 with 2 HR and 9 RBI. His final major league appearance came on October 1 when he pinch hit and grounded out against Luis Tiant.
Joe Coleman, RP:
The 13-year veteran and two-time 20 game winner was purchased from the A's on May 22. Joe was used by the Blue Jays in relief, making 31 appearances and getting credited with 2 wins along the way. He was disappointed he wasn't used more - he only threw 80.2 innings. At the end of the season, he was told by Blue Jays management that he didn't fit into their plans for 1979, and he was granted free agency on November 2. He eventually signed with San Francisco.
Tim Johnson, IF:
Acquired on April 28 in a trade with the Brewers for Tim Nordbrook, Tim spent out the rest of 1978 as a reserve infielder for the Jays, getting into 68 games. Mostly he was used as a late-inning defensive replacement after Luis Gomez or Dave McKay were pinch-hit for, but he occasional did some pinch-hitting and pinch-running of his own.
Victor Cruz, CL:
Victor was called up from Syracuse when Don Kirkwood went on the DL for the second time on June 22. He finished out a game at Cleveland in his major league debut on June 24, and from then on was the Blue Jays' closer. The rookie finished the season with a record of 7-3 and 9 saves with an ERA of 1.71 and 51 strikeouts in 47.1 innings of relief. Despite his success he was traded to the Indians during the off season for Alfredo Griffin. He would have some success in Cleveland as a closer for a couple of years.
Brian Milner, C:
Drafted on June 6 out of high school, Brian became one of the few players to skip the minors and go straight to the bigs. He took Rick Bosetti's roster spot when Rick went to the DL on June 12, and made his major-league debut on June 23. He started behind the plate in Cleveland and went 1-for-4. He started again on June 26 against the Orioles and went 3-for-5, including a triple, with 3 runs scored and 2 RBI in the Jays' 24-10 beating of the Birds. When Rick Bosetti came off the DL on June 27, Brian was sent to Medicine Hat where he spent the rest of the year. He played in the Jays' system through 1982 but never got into another major league game.
Tom Buskey, RP:
The journeyman reliever was brought up when rosters expanded in September. He worked in 8 games out of the bullpen. In 1979, his final season in the majors, he filled in as the closer while the Jays tried to figure out how to replace Cruz.
Willie Horton, DH:
The Jays traded Rico Carty to the A's for Horton on August 14. Willie (with his third team of the season) was Toronto's starting DH the rest of the way, collecting 3 HRs and 19 RBI in that role. The veteran signed with Seattle for 1979. He played in all 162 games for the Mariners and had his best power year since the 1960s. He retired after 1980.
Gary Woods, OF:
Another September call-up, Gary got into 8 games for the Jays as they ran out the clock on the 1978 season. He'd later play regularly for the Astros and the Cubs for a few years.
Ernie Whitt, C:
Brought to the Jays when rosters expanded in September, Ernie got into just two games. He would go on to be the Blue Jays' regular catcher for much of the 1980s, appearing in both the 1985 and 1989 ALCS.
Butch Alberts, DH:
In yet another September audition of minor league talent, Butch started 4 games as DH, and pinch-hit in another two. In his DH role, he actually collected 7 hits, including a double. Butch had labored for 6 years in the Pirates and Angels systems, but these 6 games would be his only major league appearances.
Mark Wiley, RP:
Mark was acquired in a trade with the Padres for minor leaguer Andy Dyes on September 12. He made two appearances, with the one coming on September 29 in Boston, when he got shelled in 0.2 innings of relief, being the final one of his career.
Don Leppert
Summary of Roster Moves:
April 11 - Kirkwood purchased from White Sox
(active roster to 25)
April 13 - Moore purchased from Angels,
Wallace to Syracuse
April 24 - A. Woods to Syracuse, Ewing from Syracuse
April 25 - Kirkwood to DL, Wallace from Syracuse
April 28 - Nordbrook to Brewers for Johnson
May 20 - Kirkwood from DL, Iorg to Syracuse
May 22 - Coleman purchased from A's,
Wallace to Syracuse
June 12 - Bosetti to DL, Milner activated
June 22 - Kirkwood to DL, Cruz from Syracuse
June 27 - Bosetti from DL, Milner to Medicine Hat
July 20 - Hutton sold to Expos, A. Woods from Syracuse
August 15 - Carty to A's for Horton
August 16 - Kirkwood from DL, Lemanczyk to DL
September 5 - Lemanczyk from DL
September 12 - Wiley from Padres for minor leaguer
September Call-Ups: Buskey, Whitt, G. Woods, Alberts
Other 1978 Blue Jays Stuff:
Exhibition Stadium
Lake Shore Blvd., W. and Ontario Drive
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Owner - LaBatt Brewing Company
General Manager - Pat Gillick
Minor League Affiliates:
Rookie: Medicine Hat Blue Jays (Pioneer League)
28-40, 7th of 8
Manager: John McClaren
Future Star: Lloyd Moseby
A (Short Season): Utica Blue Jays (NY-Penn League)
37-34, 2nd of 5
Manager: Duane Larson
Future Star: Charlie Puleo
A: Dunedin Blue Jays (Florida State League)
59-83, 5th of 5
Manager: Denis Menke
Future Star: Dave Stieb
AAA: Syracuse Chiefs (International League)
50-90, 8th of 8
Manager: Vern Benson
Future Star: Danny Ainge
Blue Jays' Coaches:
Bobby Doerr
Jackie Moore
Bob Miller
Harry Warner
