The 1992 World Series was special because Canada was represented in the Fall Classic for the first time in 89 years. Led by Roberto Alomar, Joe Carter, and Dave Winfield, the Toronto Blue Jays were ready to make a statement to the rest of the baseball world. Meanwhile, their opponents, the Atlanta Braves, were coming off beating the Pittsburgh Pirates with a three-run ninth-inning rally in Game 7 of the NLCS. The Braves had the best regular-season record in baseball, as it was Toronto’s toughest assignment of the playoffs.
Toronto remains the only Canadian team to have appeared and won a World Series. These are the most memorable plays and moments from their triumphant playoff run.
1992 World Series: Toronto’s Top Plays
Roberto Alomar’s Homer off Dennis Eckersley
Date: October 11, 1992, Game 4 ALCS
Roberto Alomar faced off against Dennis Eckersley four times from 1988 to 1991. Alomar had never recorded a hit against the future Hall of Fame reliever. With two out and Devon White on third base, the Blue Jays trailed Oakland 6-4 in the top of the ninth inning. Alomar faced two strike calls before he drilled a pitch from the reigning AL MVP and Cy Young Award winner over the right-center field fence to tie Game 4 of the 1992 ALCS. Alomar’s efforts were a turning point for Toronto in the series, who went on to win their first AL pennant on October 14.
Ed Sprague‘s Heroics In Game 2
Date: October 18, 1992, Game 2 World Series
Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston has Ed Sprague hit for Duane Ward with Derek Bell on first base. Sprague didn’t take long to hit one off of Braves closer Jeff Reardon as the ball went over the left-field fence. The home run gave Toronto the come-from-behind 5-4 victory in Game 2 of the 1992 World Series. Sprague’s homer evened the series for the Blue Jays on a night that saw the U.S. Marine Corps Color Guard fly the Canadian flag upside down during the national anthems.
Devon White’s Catch
Date: October 20, 1992, Game 3 World Series
Devon White made a spectacular catch with two on and no one out in the fourth inning. White rushed back to the center field wall as he robbed David Justice of extra bases. The catch was magnificent that it caught the two Braves baserunners off-guard. It resulted in Terry Pendleton being called out for passing Deion Sanders, meaning the Blue Jays had a chance at a rare triple play. Third baseman Kelly Gruber dove for Sanders, tagging his heel as he scrambled back to second. However, umpire Bob Davidson called Sanders safe. Despite the hiccup, White’s catch was nothing but a signature defensive play of a respected center fielder.
Dave Winfield’s Double In Game 6
Date: October 24, 1992, Game 6 World Series
Dave Winfield was a veteran leader looking for his first World Series ring. But, the 41-year-old removed the demons of his past with one swing, which earned him a well-respected place as a champion. With Toronto leading 2-1, the Blue Jays felt his presence in the eighth inning when his sliding catch of a Ron Gant liner avoided a leadoff hit. Then in the 11th inning, with the score tied, Winfield hit a 3-2 pitch for a two-out, two-run double down the third base line. Winfield scored White and Alomar to give Toronto a 4-3 lead.
Winfield’s two-run double in the 11th inning of Game 6 was the series’ winning run.
The Final Out
Date: October 24, 1992, Game 6 World Series
The Blue Jays were up by two thanks to Winfield’s two-run double. Toronto had three outs as they already used their setup man and closer. Jimmy Key got two outs, but he allowed a run score to make it a 4-3 game. With Otis Nixon up next and the tying run at third, the Blue Jays called on reliever Mike Timlin. The first pitch Timlin threw resulted in a bunt from Nixon. Although, he was able to field the ball quickly and flipped it to Carter at first to clinch the championship for the Blue Jays.
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
Players/managers mentioned:
Roberto Alomar, Joe Carter, Dave Winfield, Dennis Eckersley, Devon White, Ed Sprague, Cito Gaston, Duane Ward, Derek Bell, Jeff Reardon, David Justice, Terry Pendleton, Deion Sanders, Kelly Gruber, Ron Gant, Jimmy Key, Otis Nixon, Mike Timlin
