Time to celebrate Carter's homer, 25th anniversary of Back2Back wins
Jumpin’ Jooe Carter was jumping for joy when he hit his walk-off homer facing Mitch Williams in 1993.
At 11:39 p.m. on Oct. 23, 1993, Joe Carter hit a walk-off home run to win the World Series and capture a second consecutive World Championship for the Toronto Blue Jays. To celebrate this historical moment in Canadian history and the back to back championships, a Back2Back 25th Anniversary Reunion Dinner will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 23 at the Westin Harbour Castle in Toronto.
Proceeds from the Back2Back 25th Anniversary Reunion Dinner will benefit Jays Care Foundation, and Foundation 12. Blue Jays legends Roberto Alomar and Joe Carter will serve as Honorary Chairs for the event. James Dodds and John Thistlewaite will serve as co-chairs for the event.
Confirmed alumni include Joe Carter, Roberto Alomar, Cito Gaston, Devon White, Candy Maldonado, Pat Gillick, Paul Beeston, Pat Borders, Duane Ward, Derek Bell, Dick Schofield, Pat Tabler, Danny Cox, Tony Fernandez, Rob Butler, Rance Mulliniks, Alfredo Griffin, Juan Guzman, Dave Stewart, and many more.
“The date of October 23 holds a special place in my heart and for the country of Canada. To be able to celebrate 25 years later with my teammates, coaches, manager, and most importantly, the fans, is something that we will truly cherish. I am looking forward to seeing everyone at the Back2Back Dinner.” – Joe Carter
The event will also feature a special guest appearance by Gerry Dee, along with on stage panel discussions with Blue Jays alumni, hosted by emcee Rod Black. Fans in attendance will have the opportunity to bid on several unique items at both a silent and live auction.
Individual tickets are priced from $500/ticket and tables of 10 are priced from $3,000/table. Both tickets and tables can be purchased at www.jayscare.com
Media inquires should be sent to info@alomarsports.com.
About Jays Care Foundation: Jays Care uses baseball to teach life skills and create lasting social change for children and youth in marginalized communities across Canada. We proudly work in all 10 provinces and two territories running eight programs to level the playing field for Canadian kids facing some of the most pronounced opportunity gaps, including: kids living in inner cities; kids living in First Nation and northern communities; kids living with physical and/or cognitive disabilities; and girls without access to sport.
In 2018, Jays Care will invest over $6 million to positively impacting the lives of more than 65,000 Canadian children and youth.
About Foundation 12: Established in 2016, Foundation 12 is Roberto Alomar’s Canadian charitable organization that serves and empowers youth baseball players. Foundation 12 focuses on empowering youth baseball players living in high priority communities; youth players with physical or cognitive disabilities; and, elite level youth players considering baseball as a profession.
BIOS
#43 CITO GASTON (Manager)
Is the winningest manager in Blue Jay history with 913 career victories (1764 games).
Was manager of the 1992-93 World Series Toronto Blue Jays.
Managed the AL team in the 1993 and 1994 Major League All-Star Games.
In 1999, his name and number (#43) was added to the Rogers Centre’s Blue Jays “Level of Excellence.”
In 2002, was elected into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame.
In 2008, was presented with the Negro League Hall of Fame Legacy Award (“Jackie Robinson Award”).
#12 ROBERTO ALOMAR (2B)
Was a impact player of both World Series teams with the Toronto Blue Jays (’92, ’93).
Was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in his second year of eligibility with 90% of the vote (523 of 581 ballots cast).
Is the third Puerto Rican in the Hall of Fame, after Roberto Clemente and Orlando Cepeda. On July 24, 2011, was formally inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y. as a member of the Toronto Blue Jays.
On July 31, 2011, the Toronto Blue Jays officially retired his #12 as the first retired number in franchise history.
His game-tying, ninth inning home run against Oakland off Dennis Eckersley, in Game 4 of the 1992 ALCS, is considered by many as the most important hit in the club’s history. Named the Most Valuable Player of that series vs. OAK in 1992.
On March 20, 2008, the Jays announced that Alomar would be elevated to the Level of Excellence at Toronto’s Rogers Centre.
Other awards include being a 12 time MLB All-Star, MLB All-Star Game MVP (1998), 10 time Rawlings Gold Glove Award winner at second base and four time Silver Slugger Award winner at 2B.
#29 JOE CARTER (RF/1B)
In Game 6 vs. Philadelphia in the 1993 World Series, hit a three-run walk-off home run off Mitch to win the World Series. It marked the second time in MLB history that a Series had ended with a home (the other being in 1960, when Bill Mazeroski did it with Pittsburgh Pirates vs. the New York Yankees, breaking a tie score), and the only time the home run has been hit by a player whose team was trailing in the bottom of the 9th inning in a potential championship clinching game.
That homer is where late Toronto Blue Jays radio broadcaster, Ton Cheek, coined the famous phrase – “Touch Em All Joe You’ll never hit a bigger home run in your life!”
In 1992, he helped the Jays win their first World Series championship, the first ever won by a Canadian-based team. Hit two home runs and recorded the final out of the Series, taking a throw to first base from reliever Mike Timlin to nab Otis Nixon of the Atlanta Braves.
Is a five time All-Star (1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996) and a 2 time Silver Slugger Award winner (1991, 1992).
On July 30, 1999 was inducted into the Blue Jays Level of Excellence.
In 2003, was inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame.
#25 DEVON WHITE (CF)
Is a three-time World Series Champion, two with the Blue Jays (92, 93) and one with the Marlins (97).
Won five Gold Gloves with the Toronto Blue Jays (seven total), which led to hhis nickname Gold Glove.
Posted a .336 batting average in his post-season career with the Blue Jays (29 games).
Was selected to play in three All-Star Games (’89, ’93, ’98).
In January 2017, was hired by the Blue Jays organization to coach of the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons.
#31 DUANE WARD (RHP, Reliever)
Became the Blue Jays closer in 1993. That season, he set Toronto’s single-season team record for saves with 45. He was tied with Jeff Montgomery of the Royals for most saves in the AL.
In the 1993 World Series, earned two saves over Philadelphia, in Game 1 and Game 4. Was the winning pitcher for the decisive Game 6 vs. PHI.
Appeared in one All-Star game (1993).
Ranks second all-time in saves by a Blue Jay with 121 (Henke – 217). His 45 saves in 1993 is the most by any Jay in a single season.
#50 DANNY COX (RHP, Reliever)
Was a member of the 1993 World Series Blue Jays team.
Pitched in three seasons for the Blue Jays from 1993-1995.
He won Game 3 of the 1985 NLCS with the Cardinals.
Pitched a shutout with St. Louis in Game 7 of the 1987 NLCS, and was the winning pitcher in Game 5 of that series, making him just the third European born pitcher (Northampton, U.K.) to start a World Series game.
#1 TONY FERNANDEZ (SS)
Is the Blue Jays all-time leader in games played (1,450), hits (1,583), triples (72), is 3rd in doubles (291) and batting average AVG (.297).
Had four separate stints with the Blue Jays totalling 12 seasons and was a member of the 1993 World Series champions where he led the team with nine RBI and batted .333 in the six World Series games.
Was selected to play on five All-Star teams, including four with Toronto, and won four straight AL Gold Glove Awards at shortstop from 1986-1989 with the Jays.
Ranks 11th on the all-time hits list for a Dominican-born players with 2,276 total.
His 213 hits in 1986 with Toronto, were at the time a major league single-season record for a shortstop.
#23 CANDY MALDONADO (LF)
Was a member of the 1992 World Series Toronto Blue Jays team.
In Game 3 of the 1992 World Series, he recorded a walk-off hit off Atlanta Braves closer Jeff Reardon and also hit a solo home run in Game 6 of the series.
Named National League Player of the Week in both 1984 with the Los Angeles Dodgers and in 1987 with the San Francisco Giants.
Played 15 seasons in the majors with seven different teams for a total of 1410 games.
#57 JUAN GUZMAN (Starter, RHP)
Was a member of both Toronto Blue Jays World Series teams.
In his first three seasons with the Blue Jays, he went a combined 40–11 with a 3.28 ERA ... and he lost his first two starts in the big leagues against Baltimore.
Won two games in both the 1992 and 1993 ALCS.
His playoff record with Toronto was 5–1 in eight starts with a 2.44 ERA.
Led the American League with a 2.93 ERA in 1996 (27 starts).
#15 PAT TABLER (1B/OF)
Was a member of the Blue Jays 1992 World Series Championship team. The ’92 season was his last in MLB.
Post a career batting average of .489 (43-88) with the bases loaded.
Retired after the ’92 season and became a studio analyst on TSN Baseball Tonight the following year in 1993.
Has been calling Blue Jays games on TV since 2001 after taking over for Buck Martinez, who then became the Manager of the Blue Jays.
Moved over to Sportsnet exclusively in 2005 and has since been the Blue Jays main colour broadcaster on the TV network. Has been working along the side of Buck Martinez (play by play) since 2010 when Martinez returned to Toronto.
#34 DAVE STEWART (Starter, RHP)
Was a key member of the starting rotation for the 1993 World Series Blue Jays club.
Won both starts in the ALCS vs. the White Sox in 1993. Named MVP of that series – third time in his career to be named the MVP of a postseason series.
Was the starting pitcher in the clinching Game 6 vs. the Phillies (no decision).
Led the American League with 20 victories in 1987 with the Oakland A’s.
Is a three time World Series winner (1981 with the Dodgers, 1989 with Oakland and 1993 with the Blue Jays).
Received the Roberto Clemente Award in 1990.
Tossed a no-hitter on June 29, 1990 vs. Toronto at Rogers Centre.
Was the General Manager of the Arizona Diamondback from 2014-2016.
#17 KELLY GRUBER (3B)
Was a member of the 1992 World Series Blue Jays team.
On April 16, 1989, became the first Blue Jay in history to hit for the cycle when he got four hits in six at–bats with six RBI.
Had his best season in 1990 after hitting 31 homers with 118 RBI, winning Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards and ending up fourth in MVP balloting that year.
Represented the Blue Jays in two All-Star games (1989 and 1990).
Hit 107 home runs as a third basemen for the Blue Jays which is the most by any Toronto player at that position.
#14 DEREK BELL (OF)
Was a member of the 1992 World Series Blue Jays team.
Is one of only 11 players to play in both the Little League World Series and the Major League World Series.
Won the International League Most Valuable Player award in 1991 with Syracuse – Toronto’s triple A team. Baseball America magazine named him the Minor League Player of the Year that season.
Helped lead the Houston Astros to three straight NL Central Division titles from 1997-1999.
Finished in 14th place for NL MVP consideration in 1995 while with the Astros.
#5 RANCE MULLINIKS (3B)
Was a member of the 1992 World Series Blue Jays team.
Batted over .300 three times while with the Blue Jays in 1984, 1987 and 1988.
He holds the Blue Jays franchise single season fielding percentage record for third basemen (.975).
Was a colour commentator for Sportsnet’s Blue Jays coverage and worked alongside Jim Hughson and Jesse Barfield on CBC Sports, broadcasting Blue Jays baseball during the 2007-2008 seasons.
#2 ROB BUTLER (OF)
Was a member of the 1993 Blue Jays World Series team.
Made two separate stints as a Blue Jay (1993-94 and 1999).
The East York, Ont. native signed with the Blue Jays as an amateur free agent on Sept. 24, 1990.
Is the only Canadian player to have won a World Series with the Blue Jays
PAUL BEESTON (President)
Is one of the Toronto Blue Jays founding fathers. Was the first employee of the Toronto Blue Jays, joining the club on May 10, 1976 only a month and a half after the granting of the Franchise.
Became Vice-President of Business Operations in 1977, Executive Vice-President, Business in 1984, President and Chief Operating Officer in 1989 & Chief Executive Officer in 1991.
Elected to the Board of Directors of the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1998 and in 2002 was inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame.
From 1997 until 2002, was President and COO of Major League Baseball in New York City.
He returned to Toronto in 2002 and served on the board of a number of philanthropic endeavours. On Oct.14, 2008, was appointed CEO of the Toronto Blue Jays on an interim basis, responsible for the day-to-day operations of the baseball club and Rogers Centre. On Oct. 27, 2009 had the interim tag lifted and was appointed CEO of the Toronto Blue Jays and Rogers Centre. He had attempted to hire Keli McGregor from the Colorado Rockies.
Joined the Toronto Blue Jays Level of Excellence on April 4, 2008.
#8 JOHN SULLIVAN (Coach)
He played in five major league seasons with Detroit (1963–65), the New York Mets (1967) and Philadelphia Phillies (1968), appearing in 116 games.
In 1979, began a 15-year run as a Major League coach, serving with the Royals (1979), Atlanta Braves (1980–81) and Toronto Blue Jays (1982–93).
Was brought to Toronto by Bobby Cox after Cox’ first term as Braves’ manager, and remained with the club under Cox successors Jimy Williams and Cito Gaston, coaching on the Blue Jays’ 1992 and 1993 World Series championship teams.
Hall of Famer PAT GILLICK (General Manager)
Was instrumental in building the organization from an expansion team in 1977 to World Series Champions in 1992 and 1993.
Inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown on July 24, 2011 along with the player he brought over from San Diego to Toronto, Roberto Alomar.
Was the sixth man to be honoured by the Toronto Blue Jays to the Level of Excellence in August of 2002.
Began his career with the Blue Jays in 1976 as the VP of Player Personnel. Was responsible for the development of players like Dave Stieb, Jesse Barfield and Jimmy Key through the draft and utilized the Major League Rule 5 draft to secure talents such as Willie Upshaw, George Bell, Jim Gott and Kelly Gruber.
Acquired franchise-changing players in through free agency and trades such as the likes of Alfredo Griffin, Damaso Garcia, Fred McGriff, Roberto Alomar, Joe Carter, Tom Henke, Devon White, Dave Winfield, Jack Morris and Paul Molitor.
During his tenure, the Blue Jays produced 11 consecutive winning seasons from 1983 to 1993 and in that span, brought five American League East Division titles to Toronto, two American League Championships and World Series victories in 1992 and 1993
#42 GALEN CISCO (Pitching Coach)
Following his playing retirement, became a pitching coach for the Kansas City Royals, Montreal Expos, San Diego Padres, Toronto Blue Jays and Philadelphia Phillies, serving for all or parts of 28 years.
Spent six seasons with the Blue Jays (from 1990 to 1995), helping his team to win three consecutive American League East Division titles (1991–93) and two World Series (1992–93).
GORD ASH (Front Office, Baseball Operations)
Worked in the Toronto Blue Jays front office for many years, including the World Series teams of 1992-93, before becoming the team’s General Manager on October 14, 1994.
Served as Toronto’s General Manager from 1995-2001.
Prior to becoming GM of the Blue Jays, he was an operations supervisor in 1979, assistant director of operations in 1980-1984, player personnel administrator in 1985-1988 and assistant GM in 1989-1994.
During his time as GM of the Blue Jays, made many franchise-shaping draft picks, such as Roy Halladay, Billy Koch, Vernon Wells, Michael Young, Orlando Hudson and Alex Ríos to name a few.
Became the Assistant General Manager for the Milwaukee Brewers and served in that role under fellow Canadian, Doug Melvin, from 2003-2015.=
#27 RANDY KNORR (Catcher)
Was a member of both Toronto Blue Jays World Series teams from 1992-93.
Played for the Toronto Blue Jays (1991–95), Houston Astros (1996–97 and 1999), Florida Marlins (1998), Texas Rangers (2000) and Montreal Expos (2001).
Is currently the manager for the Syracuse Chiefs of the International League (AAA) in the Washington Nationals organization.
In July 2004, he became a citizen of Canada.
#4 ALFREDO GRIFFIN (SS)
His last two seasons in the Majors were with the Blue Jays during their World Series championship campaigns. Had returned to Toronto after spending six seasons with them from 1979-1984.
In his first season with the Jays after being acquired from the Indians, shared the American League Rookie of the Year Award in 1979 with John Castino.
In 1980, he led the majors in triples, tying Willie Wilson of the Royals with 15; both Griffin and Wilson set an AL record for most triples in a single season by a switch-hitter.
Is a 4 time World Series Champion (Dodgers – ’88, Blue Jays – ’92, ’93 and ’02 with Angels as a coach).
Selected to the 1984 All-Star team as a member of the Blue Jays.
Won the Gold Glove Award in his first season with the Athletics in 1985.
Has been the first base coach with the Angels since the 2000 season.
#24 TURNER WARD (OF)
Was a member of the Toronto Blue Jays postseason run from 1991-1993.
Played in 12 seasons during his Major League Baseball career, appearing in 626 games.
Is the current hitting coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
#11 DARNELL COLES (OF)
Played two seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays and was part of the 1993 World Series team.
Appeared 957 career games which spanned over 14 seasons in the Majors.
Following his playing career began coaching in the Washington Nationals organization serving as the hitting coach for their AAA team in Syracuse.
Has been Milwaukee Brewers’ hitting coach since 2015.
#10 PAT BORDERS (Catcher)
Played a key role in both Toronto Blue Jays World Series campaigns in 1992-93.
Named the Most Valuable Player of the 1992 World Series as a member of the Blue Jays. Batted .450 (9-20) in that World Series vs. the Braves.
On September 2, 1990, caught Dave Stieb’s no-hitter—the only one in Blue Jays history.
Is one of only four players to have won both a World Series championship and an Olympic gold medal.
#22 DICK SCHOFIELD (INF)
Spent two seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays, including the 1993 World Series campaign.
Played 14 seasons in Major League Baseball from 1983 to 1996 for the California Angels, New York Mets, Toronto Blue Jays, and Los Angeles Dodgers.