Blue Jays unveil statue outside Rogers Centre honouring World Series championships
The Toronto Blue Jays have unveiled a new statue outside Rogers Centre, commemorating their 1992 and 1993 World Series championships. The statue, located at the southeast corner of the ballpark near Gate 5, depicts right-fielder Joe Carter in mid-jump as he rounds the bases after his walk-off home run that secured the 1993 World Series title. This unveiling is part of the franchise’s 50th anniversary celebrations.
The ceremony for the statue’s debut saw nearly 30 alumni from the two championship teams in attendance. Among them were Carter himself, 1992 World Series MVP Pat Borders, and 1993 World Series MVP Paul Molitor. The new monument replaces a previous statue of former Blue Jays owner Edward S. Rogers, who passed away in 2008.
The unveiling event caused a delay in the scheduled start time for Saturday’s game between the Blue Jays and the Chicago White Sox. The game, originally set for 3:07 p.m. ET, was pushed back to 3:48 p.m. ET, following a 41-minute delay for the ceremony. The Rogers Centre was reportedly sold out for this special tribute.
Celebrating Championship Teams
The 1992 and 1993 Blue Jays teams, while both achieving World Series victories under manager Cito Gaston, were constructed in distinct ways. The 1992 squad won 96 regular-season games, while the 1993 team secured 95 regular-season wins. Both teams were noted for their talent, determination, and the integration of new players.
A significant portion of the 1992 team’s roster changed before the 1993 season. Approximately 45 per cent of the 6,224 plate appearances from the 1992 team were by players who were no longer with the club for the subsequent season. Similarly, about 41 per cent of the 1,440 innings pitched in 1992 were by pitchers who departed after October.
Despite these changes, a core group of players remained, including Roberto Alomar, John Olerud, Joe Carter, Devon White, Jack Morris, Juan Guzman, Todd Stottlemyre, Duane Ward, and Pat Borders. Notable departures after 1992 included Dave Winfield, Candy Maldonado, Kelly Gruber, Manny Lee, Jeff Kent, Derek Bell, and Pat Tabler. Pitchers like Jimmy Key, David Wells, Dave Stieb, Tom Henke, Bob MacDonald, and David Cone also moved on.
Key Additions and Player Impact
The 1993 team saw the arrival of several key players who contributed to their second championship. Among the significant additions were Hall of Famers Paul Molitor, who joined as a free agent, and Rickey Henderson, acquired at the trade deadline. Other new players included Tony Fernández, Darnell Coles, Darrin Jackson, and Dick Schofield Jr.
On the pitching side, the team added Dave Stewart, Danny Cox, Woody Williams, and Tony Castillo. Internal promotions also played a role, with Ed Sprague taking over at third base and Pat Hentgen moving into the rotation, winning 19 games. Duane Ward assumed the role of closer after Tom Henke‘s departure.
John Olerud had a standout season in 1993, leading the league in batting average at .363 with 200 hits and 54 doubles. Paul Molitor, who had not been to the postseason in 11 years, was a significant force, leading the league with 211 hits and batting .500 in the World Series to earn the MVP award. These strategic changes and strong individual performances contributed to the team’s continued success in 1993.
A Lasting Legacy
The statue of Joe Carter marks the first time the Blue Jays franchise has erected a monument to an individual player outside Rogers Centre. This decision comes after more than three decades without such a tribute, highlighting Carter’s iconic moment in Blue Jays history.
The pre-game ceremony not only honored Carter but also served as a reunion for players from both the 1992 and 1993 championship teams. Several alumni, including pitcher Dave Stieb and first baseman John Olerud, were present on the field before the game. The first 15,000 fans attending the game received replica 1992 and 1993 championship rings, further celebrating the franchise’s golden anniversary.
The unveiling of the statue and the accompanying celebrations underscore the enduring legacy of the Blue Jays’ back-to-back World Series victories, which remain the only two championships in franchise history. The statue was officially unveiled on July 18, 2026.
Source: toronto.citynews.ca
