The 1991 Toronto Blue Jays season was the franchise's 15th season of Major League Baseball. It resulted in the Blue Jays finishing first in the American League East with a record of 91 wins and 71 losses. The team's paid attendance of 4,001,527 led the major leagues, as the Jays became the first team in MLB history to draw four million fans in a season. Toronto lost the ALCS to the eventual world champion Minnesota Twins in five games.
Offseason
On December 4, 1990, the San Diego Padres and Blue Jays made one of the biggest blockbuster deals of the decade. The Padres traded second baseman Roberto Alomar and outfielder Joe Carter to the Blue Jays in exchange for first baseman Fred McGriff and shortstop Tony Fernández. Blue Jays GM Pat Gillick and Padres GM Joe McIlvaine originally talked about just trading Joe Carter for Fred McGriff. The Padres were losing Jack Clark and needed a new first baseman. The Blue Jays had John Olerud ready to take over at first base but were losing outfielder George Bell. Gillick decided to up the ante by trying to get Alomar. Gillick figured that with Garry Templeton in the twilight of his career, Fernández would be an adequate replacement. Alomar feuded with Padres manager Greg Riddoch and the thinking was that Bip Roberts and Joey Cora could platoon at second base. Over the next two seasons, Alomar and Carter would help the Blue Jays win the 1992 and 1993 World Series.
Transactions
October 24, 1990: Jim Eppard was released by the Blue Jays.
August 13, 1991: After making 25 consecutive save opportunities, Tom Henke picked up a blown save after Paul Molitor hit a home run in the ninth.
October 2, 1991: The Blue Jays clinched the American League East title in a 6-5 walk-off win over the California Angels. Joe Carter hit the game-winning single. The Jays also became the first team to have their season attendance pass the 4 million mark.
July 14, 1991: Shawn Jeter and a player to be named later were traded by the Blue Jays to the Chicago White Sox for Cory Snyder. The Blue Jays completed the deal by sending Steve Wapnick to the White Sox on September 4.
August 9, 1991: Rob Wishnevski and a player to be named later were traded by the Blue Jays to the Milwaukee Brewers for Candy Maldonado. The Blue Jays completed the deal by sending William Suero to the Brewers on August 14.
Manager Cito Gaston was sidelined with a herniated disc from August 21 to September 25. Gene Tenace served as the team's interim manager, going 19–14 and keeping the Jays in first place in the AL East for the duration of Gaston's absence.
Game log
All-Star game
The Blue Jays hosted the 1991 Major League Baseball All-Star Game. It was the 62nd Midsummer Classic and was played on July 9 at SkyDome. Roberto Alomar was voted in as the starting second baseman for the American League, while pitcher Jimmy Key and outfielder Joe Carter were named as reserves on the AL team. Key got the win as the American League's All-Stars triumphed over the National League All-Stars, 4-2.
Player stats
Batting
Starters by position
Note: Pos = position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in
