1979 Toronto Blue Jays season explained

Toronto Blue Jays
Season:	1979
League:	American League
Division:	East
Ballpark:	Exhibition Stadium
City:	Toronto
Record:	53–109 (.327)
Divisional Place:	7th
Owners:	Labatt Breweries, Imperial Trust, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
General Managers:	Pat Gillick
Managers:	Roy Hartsfield
Television:	CBC Television (Don Chevrier, Tony Kubek, Tom McKee) CBFT (Jean-Pierre Roy, Guy Ferron)
Radio:	CKFH (Early Wynn, Tom Cheek)

The 1979 Toronto Blue Jays season was the franchise's third season of Major League Baseball. It resulted in the Blue Jays finishing seventh in the American League East with a record of 53 wins and 109 losses. The Blue Jays were the only American League East team to finish 1979 with a losing record and the loss total of 109 set the franchise mark; it is also the last time as of 2023 the team lost over 100 games in a season. Attendance for the season decreased to 1,431,651.^[1]

Offseason

Transactions

Transactions by the Toronto Blue Jays during the off-season before the 1979 season.^[2]

October 1978

	Purchased Rico Carty from the Oakland Athletics.

November 1978

	Joe Coleman granted free agency. Rico Carty granted free agency.
	Acquired Dave Freisleben from the Cleveland Indians for a player to be named later (Sheldon Mallory on March 27, 1979).
	Signed amateur free agent Fred Manrique. Signed amateur free agent Toby Hernández.
	Signed amateur free agent José Escobar. Acquired Joe Cannon, Pedro Hernández and Mark Lemongello from the Houston Astros for Alan Ashby.

December 1978

	Willie Horton became a free agent. Released Bill Singer.
	Acquired Don Pisker from the Houston Astros for Gary Woods. Selected Bob Davis from the San Diego Padres in the 1978 MLB Rule 5 draft. Selected Ted Wilborn from the New York Yankees in the 1978 MLB Rule 5 draft.
	Acquired Alfredo Griffin and Phil Lansford from the Cleveland Indians for Víctor Cruz.

January 1979

	Signed amateur free agent Luis Leal.
	Signed free agent Chuck Scrivener of the Detroit Tigers to a contract.
	Signed free agent Rico Carty to a multi-year contract.
	Player rights of Sam Ewing sold to Nippon-Ham Fighters of the Nippon Professional Baseball.

March 1979

	Signed free agent Steve Luebber of the Chicago White Sox to a contract.
	Claimed Bobby Brown off of waivers from the New York Mets.
	Released Jeff Byrd. Released Don Kirkwood.

Regular season

Following the team's poor performance, manager Roy Hartsfield was fired at the end of the season. One highlight of the season was the awarding of the American League Rookie of the Year Award to Alfredo Griffin.^[3]

The end of the 1979 season marked a crossroads for the franchise. The first real talent from the minor leagues had made it to the major league roster. Such talent included pitcher Dave Stieb and third baseman Danny Ainge.^[1]

Opening Day starters

Transactions

Transactions for the Toronto Blue Jays during the 1979 regular season.^[4]

April 1979

	Signed free agent Mike Sember from the Chicago Cubs to a contract.
	Player rights of Mike Stanton sold to the Petroleros de Zulia of the Inter-American League.
	Signed free agent Jackson Todd from the Philadelphia Phillies to a contract.
	Player rights of Bobby Brown sold to the New York Yankees.
	Signed free agent Bob Robertson from the Seattle Mariners to a contract.
	Signed amateur free agent Tony Fernández to a contract.

May 1979

	Released Tom Murphy.

June 1979

	Purchased Dyar Miller from the California Angels.
	Signed amateur free agent Steve Senteney to a contract.
	Released Bob Robertson.

July 1979

	Purchased Craig Kusick from the Minnesota Twins.
	Acquired Tony Solaita from the Montreal Expos for a player to be named later (Dyar Miller on October 24, 1979).

Draft picks

June 5, 1979: 1979 Major League Baseball draft
- Future NFL quarterback Jay Schroeder was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 1st round, but did not sign.^[5]
- Ron Shepherd was drafted by the Blue Jays in the 2nd round.^[6]
- Ron Romanick was drafted by the Blue Jays in the 3rd round, but did not sign.^[7]
- Andre Robertson was drafted by the Blue Jays in the 4th round.^[8]

Roster

1979 Toronto Blue Jays
Roster
Pitchers		CatchersInfielders		OutfieldersOther batters		ManagerCoaches (Hitting) (First Base) (Pitching) (Third Base) (Bullpen)

Game log

|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 1 || April 5 || @ Royals || 11–2 || Leonard (1–0) || Underwood (0–1) || Mingori (1) || 37,754 || 0–1|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 2 || April 7 || @ Royals || 7–4 || Gura (1–0) || Clancy (0–1) || Hrabosky (1) || 21,850 || 0–2|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 3 || April 8 || @ Royals || 8–3 || Splittorff (1–0) || Lemongello (0–1) || || 23,477 || 0–3|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 4 || April 10 || @ White Sox || 10–2 || Huffman (1–0) || Kravec (0–2) || Freisleben (1) || 41,043 || 1–3|- align="center" bgcolor="bbbbbb"| – || April 11 || @ White Sox || colspan=6|Postponed (rain) Rescheduled for April 12|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 5 || April 12 || @ White Sox || 9–7 || Murphy (1–0) || LaGrow (0–1) || || 1,205 || 2–3|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 6 || April 13 || Royals || 4–1 (6) || Clancy (1–1) || Splittorff (1–1) || || 40,035 || 3–3|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 7 || April 14 || Royals || 8–6 || Freisleben (1–0) || Leonard (1–1) || || 11,683 || 4–3|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 8 || April 15 || Royals || 12–10 || Rodríguez (2–0) || Murphy (1–1) || Hrabosky (2) || 12,287 || 4–4|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 9 || April 16 || White Sox || 8–4 || Scarbery (1–0) || Murphy (1–2) || Proly (1) || 11,211 || 4–5|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 10 || April 17 || White Sox || 6–1 || Barrios (1–0) || Underwood (0–2) || Proly (2) || 10,074 || 4–6|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 11 || April 18 || White Sox || 12–5 || Wortham (3–0) || Clancy (1–2) || || 10,478 || 4–7|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 12 || April 20 || @ Tigers || 7–2 || Wilcox (2–0) || Lemongello (0–2) || || 13,617 || 4–8|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 13 || April 21 || @ Tigers || 5–4 || Huffman (2–0) || Billingham (1–1) || Freisleben (2) || 10,904 || 5–8|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 14 || April 22 || @ Tigers || 4–1 || Rozema (1–1) || Underwood (0–3) || || 14,543 || 5–9|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 15 || April 23 || @ Rangers || 5–0 || Alexander (1–0) || Clancy (1–3) || Kern (2) || 12,661 || 5–10|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 16 || April 24 || @ Rangers || 2–0 || Lemanczyk (1–0) || Comer (1–2) || || 14,411 || 6–10|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 17 || April 25 || @ Rangers || 4–3 (10) || Lyle (2–1) || Jefferson (0–1) || || 15,731 || 6–11|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 18 || April 27 || Brewers || 8–5 || Sorensen (3–2) || Huffman (2–1) || McClure (1) || 10,306 || 6–12|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 19 || April 28 || Brewers || 11–8 (10) || McClure (3–0) || Willis (0–1) || || 12,683 || 6–13|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 20 || April 29 || Brewers || 3–0 || Caldwell (4–1) || Clancy (1–4) || || || 6–14|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 21 || April 29 || Brewers || 5–3 || Lemanczyk (2–0) || Travers (0–2) || || 16,083 || 7–14|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 22 || April 30 || Twins || 6–3 || Hartzell (1–0) || Lemongello (0–3) || || 10,170 || 7–15|-|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 23 || May 1 || Twins || 3–2 || Koosman (5–0) || Jefferson (0–2) || Marshall (8) || 10,155 || 7–16|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 24 || May 2 || Twins || 7–5 || Goltz (3–3) || Huffman (2–2) || Marshall (9) || 20,110 || 7–17|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 25 || May 3 || @ Brewers || 5–4 || Travers (1–2) || Underwood (0–4) || || 7,801 || 7–18|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 26 || May 4 || @ Brewers || 5–4 || Clancy (2–4) || Caldwell (4–2) || Freisleben (3) || 28,896 || 8–18|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 27 || May 5 || @ Brewers || 6–1 || Slaton (3–1) || Lemanczyk (2–1) || || 14,910 || 8–19|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 28 || May 6 || @ Brewers || 4–0 || Sorensen (4–3) || Lemongello (0–4) || || 53,962 || 8–20|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 29 || May 7 || @ Twins || 6–1 || Goltz (4–3) || Huffman (2–3) || || 4,571 || 8–21|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 30 || May 8 || @ Twins || 16–6 || Bacsik (1–0) || Willis (0–2) || || 3,126 || 8–22|- align="center" bgcolor="bbbbbb"| – || May 9 || @ Twins || colspan=6|Postponed (rain) Rescheduled for July 21|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 31 || May 11 || Rangers || 3–1 || Matlack (1–2) || Clancy (2–5) || || 12,153 || 8–23|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 32 || May 12 || Rangers || 3–1 || Comer (3–3) || Lemanczyk (2–2) || Lyle (5) || 14,109 || 8–24|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 33 || May 13 || Rangers || 3–1 || Lemongello (1–4) || Alexander (1–2) || || || 9–24|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 34 || May 13 || Rangers || 7–5 || Farmer (2–0) || Huffman (2–4) || Lyle (6) || 16,531 || 9–25|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 35 || May 14 || @ Indians || 1–0 || Waits (4–3) || Underwood (0–5) || || 3,867 || 9–26|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 36 || May 15 || @ Indians || 5–3 || Monge (2–3) || Garvin (0–1) || || 3,978 || 9–27|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 37 || May 16 || @ Indians || 4–3 || Lemanczyk (3–2) || Wise (3–4) || || 4,079 || 10–27|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 38 || May 17 || @ Indians || 8–3 || Paxton (3–2) || Lemongello (1–5) || || 4,409 || 10–28|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 39 || May 18 || Orioles || 7–6 (11) || Stanhouse (3–1) || Freisleben (1–1) || || 12,088 || 10–29|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 40 || May 19 || Orioles || 4–3 || Palmer (5–2) || Underwood (0–6) || Stanhouse (4) || 18,144 || 10–30|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 41 || May 20 || Orioles || 6–2 || Martínez (6–2) || Jefferson (0–3) || || 30,065 || 10–31|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 42 || May 21 || Indians || 8–1 || Lemanczyk (4–2) || Wise (3–5) || || 12,260 || 11–31|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 43 || May 22 || Indians || 8–6 || Wilkins (2–2) || Lemongello (1–6) || Monge (5) || 10,182 || 11–32|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 44 || May 23 || Indians || 4–3 || Garland (2–4) || Freisleben (1–2) || || 20,283 || 11–33|- align="center" bgcolor="bbbbbb"| – || May 25 || Red Sox || colspan=6|Postponed (rain) Rescheduled for September 17|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 45 || May 26 || Red Sox || 7–6 || Buskey (1–0) || Campbell (2–2) || || 31,590 || 12–33|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 46 || May 27 || Red Sox || 1–0 || Rainey (3–2) || Jefferson (0–4) || || 33,556 || 12–34|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 47 || May 28 || Tigers || 6–2 || Morris (2–1) || Lemanczyk (4–3) || || 10,740 || 12–35|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 48 || May 29 || Tigers || 9–8 || Tobik (1–0) || Buskey (1–1) || Hiller (3) || 11,449 || 12–36|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 49 || May 30 || Tigers || 8–2 || Wilcox (4–2) || Huffman (2–5) || || 21,359 || 12–37|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 50 || May 31 || Tigers || 1–0 || Underwood (1–0) || Underwood (0–7) || Hiller (4) || 12,423 || 12–38|-|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 51 || June 1 || @ Mariners || 7–2 || Mitchell (1–4) || Jefferson (0–5) || || 4,113 || 12–39|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 52 || June 2 || @ Mariners || 6–2 || Lemanczyk (5–3) || Jones (0–6) || || 8,011 || 13–39|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 53 || June 3 || @ Mariners || 10–5 || Parrott (3–1) || Lemongello (1–7) || || 4,436 || 13–40|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 54 || June 4 || @ Angels || 4–2 || Barlow (1–1) || Huffman (2–6) || Clear (5) || 16,979 || 13–41|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 55 || June 5 || @ Angels || 3–0 || Tanana (5–3) || Underwood (0–8) || || 18,862 || 13–42|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 56 || June 6 || @ Angels || 5–4 || Jefferson (1–5) || LaRoche (2–5) || || 18,835 || 14–42|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 57 || June 8 || @ Athletics || 2–1 || Buskey (2–1) || Heaverlo (2–6) || || 2,022 || 15–42|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 58 || June 9 || @ Athletics || 5–0 || Huffman (3–6) || Keough (0–8) || || 1,725 || 16–42|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 59 || June 10 || @ Athletics || 12–1 || Hamilton (2–0) || Underwood (0–9) || || 2,400 || 16–43|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 60 || June 11 || Mariners || 2–0 || Lemanczyk (6–3) || Bannister (3–6) || || 10,213 || 17–43|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 61 || June 12 || Mariners || 5–1 || Abbott (3–7) || Jefferson (1–6) || || 12,056 || 17–44|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 62 || June 13 || Angels || 9–8 || Freisleben (2–2) || LaRoche (2–6) || || || 18–44|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 63 || June 13 || Angels || 10–2 || Aase (6–4) || Willis (0–3) || || 28,577 || 18–45|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 64 || June 14 || Angels || 10–2 || Ryan (8–3) || Huffman (3–7) || || 15,097 || 18–46|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 65 || June 15 || Athletics || 6–0 || Underwood (1–9) || Hamilton (2–1) || || 13,124 || 19–46|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 66 || June 16 || Athletics || 3–2 || Lemanczyk (7–3) || McCatty (4–2) || || 19,270 || 20–46|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 67 || June 17 || Athletics || 10–9 || Buskey (3–1) || Heaverlo (2–7) || || 25,518 || 21–46|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 68 || June 19 || @ Yankees || 5–4 || Huffman (4–7) || John (10–3) || Buskey (1) || 36,211 || 22–46|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 69 || June 20 || @ Yankees || 2–1 || Hood (2–0) || Underwood (1–10) || Davis (1) || || 22–47|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 70 || June 20 || @ Yankees || 3–2 || Moore (1–0) || Burris (1–3) || || 32,129 || 23–47|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 71 || June 21 || @ Yankees || 3–1 || Tiant (3–2) || Lemanczyk (7–4) || Davis (2) || 19,278 || 23–48|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 72 || June 22 || @ Red Sox || 12–1 || Rainey (5–4) || Jefferson (1–7) || Burgeier (2) || 31,089 || 23–49|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 73 || June 23 || @ Red Sox || 4–3 (11) || Drago (6–3) || Buskey (3–2) || || 34,130 || 23–50|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 74 || June 24 || @ Red Sox || 8–4 || Torrez (8–4) || Huffman (4–8) || || 33,560 || 23–51|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 75 || June 25 || Yankees || 3–1 || Underwood (2–10) || Clay (1–3) || || 37,612 || 24–51|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 76 || June 26 || Yankees || 11–2 || Tiant (4–2) || Lemanczyk (7–5) || || 38,696 || 24–52|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 77 || June 28 || Yankees || 5–3 (10) || Davis (6–0) || Lemongello (1–8) || || 39,347 || 24–53|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 78 || June 29 || @ Orioles || 6–1 || McGregor (2–2) || Stieb (0–1) || || || 24–54|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 79 || June 29 || @ Orioles || 4–0 || Stone (6–5) || Huffman (4–9) || Stanhouse (9) || 20,872 || 24–55|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 80 || June 30 || @ Orioles || 2–0 || Flanagan (10–5) || Underwood (2–11) || || 19,807 || 24–56|-|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 81 || July 1 || @ Orioles || 10–7 || Stewart (5–2) || Jefferson (1–8) || Stanhouse (10) || 33,592 || 24–57|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 82 || July 3 || @ Tigers || 9–1 || Moore (2–0) || Billingham (7–5) || || 20,885 || 25–57|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 83 || July 4 || @ Tigers || 7–6 (11) || Buskey (4–2) || Tobik (1–4) || || 13,772 || 26–57|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 84 || July 5 || @ Tigers || 3–2 || Young (2–1) || Huffman (4–10) || López (2) || 13,199 || 26–58|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 85 || July 6 || @ Rangers || 5–1 || Underwood (3–11) || Johnson (4–9) || Buskey (2) || 19,539 || 27–58|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 86 || July 7 || @ Rangers || 2–0 || Medich (2–3) || Lemanczyk (7–6) || Kern (15) || 23,935 || 27–59|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 87 || July 8 || @ Rangers || 4–3 || Comer (9–6) || Moore (2–1) || Lyle (9) || 17,489 || 27–60|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 88 || July 9 || Brewers || 7–1 || Stieb (1–1) || Sorensen (10–9) || || 14,240 || 28–60|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 89 || July 11 || Brewers || 2–1 (10) || Slaton (9–4) || Buskey (4–3) || || 22,523 || 28–61|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 90 || July 12 || Brewers || 5–3 || Haas (6–6) || Underwood (3–12) || Galasso (1) || 14,207 || 28–62|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 91 || July 13 || Twins || 6–4 || Goltz (8–6) || Lemanczyk (7–7) || Marshall (18) || 14,095 || 28–63|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 92 || July 14 || Twins || 4–2 || Stieb (2–1) || Koosman (11–7) || || 19,187 || 29–63|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 93 || July 15 || Twins || 9–4 || Zahn (8–2) || Clancy (2–6) || || 19,069 || 29–64|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 94 || July 19 || @ Brewers || 3–2 (11) || Castro (3–0) || Buskey (4–4) || || 21,152 || 29–65|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 95 || July 20 || @ Brewers || 2–0 || Slaton (10–4) || Underwood (3–13) || || 27,010 || 29–66|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 96 || July 21 || @ Twins || 6–4 || Goltz (9–6) || Huffman (4–11) || Marshall (19) || || 29–67|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 97 || July 21 || @ Twins || 4–3 || Hartzell (5–6) || Moore (2–2) || || 12,887 || 29–68|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 98 || July 22 || @ Twins || 13–1 || Redfern (5–0) || Lemanczyk (7–8) || || 18,927 || 29–69|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 99 || July 23 || @ Twins || 7–6 || Marshall (10–9) || Lemongello (1–9) || || 7,482 || 29–70|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"|100 || July 25 || Rangers || 8–3 || Stieb (3–1) || Johnson (4–12) || Buskey (3) || 24,705 || 30–70|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"|101 || July 26 || Rangers || 8–4 || Underwood (4–13) || Medich (4–4) || || 14,605 || 31–70|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"|102 || July 27 || Tigers || 4–3 (11) || López (5–2) || Buskey (4–5) || || 23,814 || 31–71|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"|103 || July 28 || Tigers || 3–0 || Lemanczyk (8–8) || Robbins (0–1) || || 30,131 || 32–71|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"|104 || July 29 || Tigers || 5–4 || Underwood (6–1) || Clancy (2–7) || López (8) || 33,824 || 32–72|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"|105 || July 30 || @ Royals || 9–0 || Gura (7–7) || Stieb (3–2) || || 31,572 || 32–73|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"|106 || July 31 || @ Royals || 6–5 || Pattin (4–2) || Jefferson (1–9) || Hrabosky (9) || 22,156 || 32–74|-|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"|107 || August 1 || @ Royals || 4–3 || Gale (9–8) || Huffman (4–12) || Hrabosky (10) || 24,077 || 32–75|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"|108 || August 3 || White Sox || 8–5 || Trout (6–4) || Moore (2–3) || Farmer (5) || 14,232 || 32–76|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"|109 || August 4 || White Sox || 5–2 || Buskey (5–5) || Wortham (11–11) || || 15,130 || 33–76|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"|110 || August 5 || White Sox || 5–4 || Kravec (10–10) || Lemanczyk (8–9) || Farmer (6) || 21,203 || 33–77|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"|111 || August 6 || Royals || 16–12 || Mingori (3–2) || Stieb (3–3) || || 15,108 || 33–78|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"|112 || August 7 || Royals || 3–2 || Underwood (5–13) || Splittorff (10–12) || || 23,779 || 34–78|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"|113 || August 9 || Royals || 10–3 || Gura (8–8) || Huffman (4–13) || || 20,102 || 34–79|- align="center" bgcolor="bbbbbb"| – || August 10 || @ White Sox || colspan=6|Postponed (rain) Rescheduled for August 11|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"|114 || August 11 || @ White Sox || 6–1 || Kravec (11–10) || Todd (0–1) || Farmer (8) || || 34–80|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"|115 || August 11 || @ White Sox || 6–0 || Stieb (4–3) || Scarbery (2–7) || || 19,420 || 35–80|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"|116 || August 12 || @ White Sox || 7–0 || Baumgarten (10–7) || Underwood (5–14) || || || 35–81|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"|117 || August 12 || @ White Sox || 7–5 || Moore (3–3) || Proly (1–4) || Buskey (4) || 14,712 || 36–81|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"|118 || August 13 || @ Athletics || 4–2 || Edge (1–0) || Norris (3–5) || Buskey (5) || 3,183 || 37–81|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"|119 || August 14 || @ Athletics || 6–2 || Huffman (5–13) || Minetto (1–4) || || 1,289 || 38–81|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"|120 || August 15 || @ Athletics || 3–1 || Kingman (3–4) || Jefferson (1–10) || Heaverlo (9) || 2,151 || 38–82|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"|121 || August 17 || @ Angels || 6–5 || Stieb (5–3) || Clear (10–4) || || 25,050 || 39–82|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"|122 || August 18 || @ Angels || 7–5 || Ryan (13–8) || Underwood (5–15) || Clear (13) || 30,361 || 39–83|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"|123 || August 19 || @ Angels || 4–2 || Aase (9–8) || Moore (3–4) || || 23,814 || 39–84|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"|124 || August 20 || @ Mariners || 7–4 || Parrott (11–8) || Edge (1–1) || || 5,642 || 39–85|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"|125 || August 21 || @ Mariners || 8–4 || Montague (6–4) || Huffman (5–14) || McLaughlin (11) || 8,376 || 39–86|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"|126 || August 22 || @ Mariners || 6–3 || Honeycutt (9–9) || Stieb (5–4) || || 7,365 || 39–87|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"|127 || August 24 || Angels || 6–4 || Underwood (6–15) || Knapp (3–3) || Buskey (6) || 18,077 || 40–87|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"|128 || August 25 || Angels || 24–2 || Frost (13–8) || Moore (3–5) || || 25,207 || 40–88|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"|129 || August 26 || Angels || 9–3 || Edge (2–1) || Ryan (13–10) || || 22,619 || 41–88|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"|130 || August 27 || Athletics || 7–0 || Huffman (6–14) || McCatty (8–9) || || 12,047 || 42–88|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"|131 || August 28 || Athletics || 6–3 || Langford (10–13) || Stieb (5–5) || || 21,736 || 42–89|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"|132 || August 29 || Athletics || 6–4 || Norris (5–6) || Underwood (6–16) || || 13,071 || 42–90|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"|133 || August 30 || Mariners || 8–2 || Parrott (13–8) || Moore (3–6) || || 11,850 || 42–91|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"|134 || August 31 || Mariners || 5–4 (11) || Buskey (6–5) || McLaughlin (6–5) || || 11,254 || 43–91|-|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"|135 || September 1 || Mariners || 3–2 (10) || Honeycutt (10–9) || Buskey (6–6) || || 23,139 || 43–92|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"|136 || September 2 || Mariners || 8–5 || Stieb (6–5) || Twitchell (0–2) || Jefferson (1) || 14,776 || 44–92|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"|137 || September 3 || @ Orioles || 2–1 (11) || Martinez (9–2) || Buskey (6–7) || || || 44–93|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"|138 || September 3 || @ Orioles || 5–1 || Flanagan (20–7) || Lemanczyk (8–10) || || 20,432 || 44–94|- align="center" bgcolor="bbbbbb"| – || September 5 || @ Orioles || colspan=6|Postponed (rain) Rescheduled for September 6|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"|139 || September 6 || @ Orioles || 5–0 || Martínez (15–12) || Edge (2–2) || || 7,053 || 44–95|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"|140 || September 7 || @ Indians || 9–8 || Reuschel (2–1) || Buskey (6–8) || || 4,222 || 44–96|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"|141 || September 8 || @ Indians || 5–4 || Wise (15–7) || Stieb (6–6) || || 4,439 || 44–97|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"|142 || September 9 || @ Indians || 14–10 || Monge (9–9) || Buskey (6–9) || || 9,166 || 44–98|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"|143 || September 11 || Orioles || 3–1 || Underwood (7–16) || McGregor (11–5) || || 12,092 || 45–98|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"|144 || September 12 || Orioles || 3–2 || Edge (3–2) || Palmer (8–6) || || 21,213 || 46–98|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"|145 || September 13 || Orioles || 10–4 || Flanagan (22–7) || Huffman (6–15) || || 11,080 || 46–99|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"|146 || September 14 || Indians || 4–3 || Stieb (7–6) || Wise (15–8) || || 11,010 || 47–99|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"|147 || September 15 || Indians || 5–2 || Moore (4–6) || Barker (6–5) || || 12,160 || 48–99|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"|148 || September 16 || Indians || 8–2 || Underwood (8–16) || Garland (4–10) || || 17,078 || 49–99|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"|149 || September 17 || Red Sox || 5–4 || Jefferson (2–10) || Drago (9–6) || || || 50–99|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"|150 || September 17 || Red Sox || 5–3 || Rainey (7–5) || Freisleben (2–3) || Campbell (9) || 15,644 || 50–100|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"|151 || September 18 || Red Sox || 8–3 || Torrez (15–12) || Huffman (6–16) || || 13,208 || 50–101|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"|152 || September 19 || Red Sox || 8–0 || Stanley (16–10) || Stieb (7–7) || || 21,650 || 50–102|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"|153 || September 20 || Red Sox || 6–2 || Moore (5–6) || Renko (10–9) || || 13,201 || 51–102|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"|154 || September 21 || Yankees || 3–2 || Underwood (9–16) || Guidry (17–8) || Buskey (7) || 22,331 || 52–102|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"|155 || September 22 || Yankees || 7–4 || Tiant (12–8) || Edge (3–3) || Gossage (16) || 37,408 || 52–103|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"|156 || September 23 || Yankees || 7–5 || John (20–9) || Huffman (6–17) || Gossage (17) || 28,137 || 52–104|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"|157 || September 25 || @ Red Sox || 5–3 || Stieb (8–7) || Stanley (16–11) || || 18,929 || 53–104|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"|158 || September 26 || @ Red Sox || 6–4 || Rainey (8–5) || Moore (5–7) || Drago (12) || 18,010 || 53–105|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"|159 || September 27 || @ Red Sox || 6–5 || Drago (10–6) || Buskey (6–10) || || 20,853 || 53–106|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"|160 || September 28 || @ Yankees || 7–3 || Tiant (13–8) || Edge (3–4) || || 17,647 || 53–107|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"|161 || September 29 || @ Yankees || 9–4 || John (21–9) || Huffman (6–18) || || 30,016 || 53–108|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"|162 || September 30 || @ Yankees || 9–2 || Davis (14–2) || Stieb (8–8) || Griffin (1) || 28,150 || 53–109|-

Player stats

Batting

Starters by position

Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; R = Runs scored; H = Hits; 2B = Doubles; 3B = Triples; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; SB = Stolen bases

Pos	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	Avg.	HR	RBI	SB
C	136	469	47	112	27	4	.239	7	61	1
1B	137	464	61	127	22	1	.274	21	74	1
2B	87	308	26	73	7	1	.237	2	19	1
3B	138	511	60	126	28	4	.247	15	72	1
SS	153	624	81	179	22	10	.287	2	31	21
LF	132	436	57	121	24	4	.278	5	36	6
CF	162	619	59	161	35	2	.260	8	65	13
RF	130	414	50	95	11	5	.229	1	38	14
DH	132	461	48	118	26	0	.256	12	55	3

Other batters

Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; R = Runs scored; H = Hits; 2B = Doubles; 3B = Triples; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; SB = Stolen bases

G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	Avg.	HR	RBI	SB
99	274	45	79	21	0	.288	15	48	0
59	163	11	39	7	0	.239	0	11	1
47	156	19	34	9	0	.218	0	12	1
61	142	14	30	1	1	.211	1	5	12
36	102	14	27	8	1	.265	2	13	0
32	89	6	11	2	0	.124	1	8	0
43	86	6	16	2	1	.186	0	6	0
23	54	3	11	1	0	.204	2	7	0
15	29	1	3	0	0	.103	1	1	0
22	12	3	0	0	0	.000	0	0	0
4	10	1	0	0	0	.000	0	0	0
3	0	1	0	0	0	----	0	0	0

Pitching

Starting pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; R = Runs allowed; ER = Earned runs allowed; BB = Walks allowed; K = Strikeouts

G	GS	IP	W	L	ERA	R	ER	BB	K
33	32	227.0	9	16	3.69	113	93	95	127
31	31	173.0	6	18	5.77	130	111	68	56
22	20	143.0	8	10	3.71	65	59	45	63
18	18	129.1	8	8	4.31	70	62	48	52
12	11	63.2	2	7	5.51	44	39	31	33
9	9	51.2	3	4	5.23	32	30	24	19

Other pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; R = Runs allowed; ER = Earned runs allowed; BB = Walks allowed; K = Strikeouts

G	GS	IP	W	L	SV	ERA	R	ER	BB	K
34	16	139.1	5	7	0	4.84	85	75	79	51
34	10	116.0	2	10	1	5.51	75	71	45	43
18	10	83.0	1	9	0	6.29	64	58	34	40

Relief pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; R = Runs allowed; ER = Earned runs allowed; BB = Walks allowed; K = Strikeouts

G	IP	W	L	SV	ERA	R	ER	BB	K
44	78.2	6	10	7	3.43	33	30	25	44
42	91.0	2	3	3	4.95	57	50	53	35
17	26.2	0	3	0	8.44	27	25	16	8
12	32.1	0	1	0	5.85	26	21	7	14
10	18.1	1	2	0	5.40	11	11	8	6
10	15.1	0	0	0	10.57	18	18	5	7
8	22.2	0	1	0	2.78	9	7	10	14
1	2.1	0	0	0	0.00	0	0	0	1
1	3.2	0	0	0	4.91	2	2	0	0
1	0.0	0	0	0	inf	1	1	1	0

Awards and honours

Alfredo Griffin, American League Rookie of the Year Award
Alfredo Griffin, Player of the Month Award, September

All-Star Game

Dave Lemanczyk, reserve^[9]

Farm system

References

Book: Johnson. Lloyd. Wolff. Miles. The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball. 2nd. Durham, North Carolina. Baseball America. 1997. 978-0-9637189-8-3.

External links

1979 Toronto Blue Jays at Baseball Reference
1979 Toronto Blue Jays at Baseball Almanac

Notes and References

Diamond Dreams: 20 Years of Blue Jays Baseball, Stephen Brunt, p. 125, Penguin Books,
Web site: 1979 Toronto Blue Jays Trades and Transactions . baseball-reference.com . 15 July 2023.
Diamond Dreams, p. 136
Web site: 1979 Toronto Blue Jays Trades and Transactions . baseball-reference.com . 15 July 2023.
Web site: 1979 Toronto Blue Jays Picks in the MLB June Amateur Draft.
https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/shephro01.shtml Ron Shepherd
https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/romanro01.shtml Ron Romanick
https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/roberan01.shtml Andre Robertson
http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/tor/history/all_stars.jsp Blue Jays All-Stars | bluejays.com: History
Johnson, Lloyd, and Wolff, Miles, ed., The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball, 2nd and 3rd editions. Durham, North Carolina: Baseball America, 1997 and 2007