Blue Jays’ Legacy: Remembering Their Historic Game in Regina

The legacy of the Toronto Blue Jays continues to resonate in Regina as fans reminisce about the team’s historic visit on May 11, 1989. During this exhibition game against the National Baseball Institute Blues, the Blue Jays, then the reigning champions of Major League Baseball, drew a crowd of 25,676 at Taylor Field. This marked a significant moment in the franchise’s efforts to build a fan base across Canada.

George Springer, the current star outfielder for the Blue Jays, was not yet born during that visit. Yet, on the evening of October 23, 2023, he captured the attention of Regina fans once again. In a thrilling moment during Game 7 of the American League Championship Series, Springer hit a three-run home run, propelling Toronto to its first World Series appearance in over three decades. As residents watched from local sports bars and homes, the echoes of past Blue Jays visits filled the air.

At the 1989 exhibition game, the Blue Jays featured a roster that included notable players such as George Bell, Tony Fernandez, and Dave Stieb. The game itself was marked by a rain delay, yet it was a memorable event for Regina, where baseball was not a regular occurrence. The Blue Jays won 8-7, thanks in part to a two-run homer from backup catcher Bob Brenly, who later became a World Series-winning manager with the 2001 Arizona Diamondbacks.

Despite the excitement, not all players were thrilled about spending time in Regina. Some, including Bell and Fernandez, were reportedly less than enthusiastic during media interactions. Nevertheless, Stieb, Wells, and Tom Henke participated in goodwill activities with local students, fostering a connection that Blue Jays General Manager Pat Gillick envisioned as a way to expand the team’s reach across Canada.

“People who put this together have invested a lot of time and effort,” Rance Mulliniks, then a Blue Jays third baseman, remarked. “For the people of Regina, it’s obviously a very big deal because they don’t get to see Major League Baseball every day.” Mulliniks acknowledged that while the players appreciated the cause, they would have preferred a day off during the long season.

In subsequent years, the Blue Jays continued to engage Canadian fans through initiatives such as winter caravans. These tours brought players like reliever Mark Eichhorn and longtime broadcaster Tom Cheek to Regina, where they shared stories and fostered goodwill among fans.

A second exhibition game in Regina took place on May 3, 1993, when the Blue Jays returned as defending champions. By then, the left-field distance at Taylor Field had increased to 240 feet, although it remained significantly shorter than the 368-foot wall at Rogers Centre, where Springer now plays. The game featured a total of 26,213 fans and saw the Blue Jays defeat the local team 16-6, showcasing their championship roster which included stars like Roberto Alomar and Joe Carter.

Carter, who would later cement his legacy with a three-run homer to win the 1993 World Series, was unable to travel to Regina for the 1993 game due to personal commitments. Nevertheless, the excitement surrounding his future heroics, along with the memories of past Blue Jays visits, continued to inspire Regina fans.

As the Blue Jays prepare to face the Los Angeles Dodgers in the upcoming World Series, many in Regina reflect on the team’s early efforts to connect with their community. The spirit of those initial visits remains alive, as local fans look forward to cheering on a team that once played on the “funny porch” of Taylor Field.

In a time when sports can unite communities, the legacy of the Toronto Blue Jays in Regina is a testament to the power of connection and shared experiences in fostering lasting loyalty among fans.