For years leading up to 1992 the Great White North, known as Toronto Blue Jays to the Locals, had been quietly building a team ready to compete for a World Series. There had been many successful seasons leading up to this one but the team always fell short. Something had been missing.
The big news that offseason was the signing of Jack Morris to a three year contract. Morris had just come off a World Series title and MVP performance with his hometown team the Minnesota Twins.
So while Jays fans were excited to bring what was now the highest paid pitcher in baseball over to the good side a more subtle move a couple days later would prove even more significance.
The GM of the Jays at the time Pat Gillicksigned 41 year old Dave Winfield to a one year $2.5 million contract. A paltry amount considering Jack Morris was getting ready to cash in on 3years and $30 million.
But the investment in Dave Winfield paid off and then some. He instantly became the leader of the team. His age made him the elder statesmen of the team and he embraced his role with a confidence and swagger never before seen in this part to of town. He batted .290 with 26 home runs and 108 RBI.
Though his on field productivity made him a fan favorite they too were not immune to the extreme pressures and high expectations he placed on his teammates. At one point during the dog days of summer Winfield called out the fans, criticizing them for sitting on their hands too much and not providing enough of a home field advantage.
His accusations lead to the now legendary phrase, “Winfield wants noise.” His attempt to add more emotion to what was and can still be a relatively subdued fan base was well received. The team was already on its way to breaking another attendance record with over 4 million fans coming through the turnstile.
But Winfield didn’t want fans to just show up. He wanted and got a 10th man. The urgency he felt both the team and the city needed had come.
The team would clinch their fourth division title in nine years. After six difficult games against the Oakland Athletics the Blue Jays would qualify for their first World Series appearance.
It was a see saw battle that reached its climax in game six on a Saturday night in Atlanta. Having surrendered a ninth inning league the game was now in extra innings. With two on and two out Winfield stroked a double down the third base line that would prove to be the game winning runs.
The branding of, “Mr. May” given to Winfield by George Steinbrenner after his poor one hit performance in the 1981 World Series was. Mr. May had turned into Mr. Jay as Dave Winfield became the oldest player in World Series history to get an extra base hit. The World Series banner had come to Canada and a grateful nation had Mr. Winfield to thank.
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