2-03-1978 – The BLUE JAYS signed their 8th Canadian-born player,
17-year-old pitcher JOHN GILL from Niagara Falls, who was allocated to
the Class-A UTICA BLUE JAYS roster. 2-04-1983 – The KANSAS CITY ROYALS
sent CECIL FIELDER to the BLUE JAYS for LEON ROBERTS. Promoted to the
big league squad on 18 July 1985, he went on to hit .311, collecting 4
homers and 16 RBI in only 74 at-bats.
2-04-1983 – RHP STEVE SENTENEY was traded by the TORONTO BLUE JAYS to the NEW YORK METS for OF JORGE ORTA.
2-05-1979 – DR. RON TAYLOR, a former MLB pitcher and member of the
Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame, is appointed to the position of team
physician. In his career, he posted a 45-43 record with 72 saves and
appeared in the 1964 and 1968 World Series.
2-06-1986 – NEW YORK YANKEES outfielder DAVE WINFIELD presented the
Easter Seal Society with a beautiful painting depicting Toronto's
division clinching 5-1 victory on 5 October 1985.
2-10-1975 – IF DAMASO GARCIA is signed by EPY GUERRERO of the NEW YORK YANKEES as a non-drafted free-agent.
2-10-1983 – DAVE STIEB was awarded the richest contract ever given to a
BLUE JAYS player, when he agreed to a 6-year pact, valued at $ 5
million.
2-11-1981 – The BLUE JAYS rewarded JIM CLANCY, who had a 13-6 record
with a 3.30 ERA in 1980, with a $ 200000 deal, making him the second
highest paid player behind JOHN MAYBERRY.
2-13-1985 – GEORGE BELL, who had smashed 26 homers in 1984, landed a
one-year deal worth about $ 400000, as JIMMY KEY, also, signed a
one-year agreement.
2-17-1977 – The BLUE JAYS traded pitchers with DAVE ROBERTS going to
the SAN DIEGO PADRES in exchange for JERRY JOHNSON, who became the
winning pitcher in their firest-ever game on 7 April 1977 against the
WHITE SOX.
2-18-1980 – OTTO VELEZ is signed to a 2-year pact with the BLUE JAYS,
after belting 15 homers in 1979, hitting at a .288 clip with 49 RBI.
2-18-1994 –- IF/OF MATT STAIRS and RHP PETE YOUNG are sold to the BOSTON RED SOX.
2-20-1985 – Reliever BILL CAUDILL signed a 5-year pact worth $8 million
to become the highest paid athlete in the history of Toronto sports.
2-21-1977 – BLUE JAYS inaugural manager ROY HARTSFIELD passed a ruling
stating that no player would be allowed to have long hair or a beard,
with only neatly trimmed moustaches being allowed.
2-23-1982 – BLUE JAYS pitchers and catchers opened training camp under
the tutelage of their new manager, BOBBY COX. In his four years guiding
the club he compiled an impressive 355-292 record.
2-24-1977 – Veteran 1B RON FAIRLY was acquired from the OAKLAND A's in
exchange for MIKE WEATHERS and cash, and then he went on to lead the
team in1977 with 19 homers and 64 RBI.
2-25-1977 – Excitement grew for Toronto fans as BLUE JAYS pitchers and
catchers reported to DUNEDIN for the start of the club's first training
camp.
2-26-1985 – Players reported to DUNEDIN for the start of the BLUE JAYS
ninth exhibition season as coaches and players were all confident that
1985 would be their greatest season ever.
2-27-1982 – BOBBY COX's first training camp as the BLUE JAYS new
skipper got into full swing as the remainder of the team reported to
DUNEDIN to join the pitchers and catchers in workouts.
2-28-1978 – The BLUE JAYS appointed JOHN McLAREN field manager of their
new Rookie MEDICINE HAT BLUE JAYS team, which will play in the PIONEER
LEAGUE.