1987 Toronto Blue Jays season explained

Toronto Blue Jays
Season:	1987
League:	American League
Division:	East
Ballpark:	Exhibition Stadium
City:	Toronto
Record:	96–66 (.593)
Divisional Place:	2nd
Owners:	Labatt Breweries, Imperial Trust, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
General Managers:	Pat Gillick
Managers:	Jimy Williams
Television:	CFTO-TV (Don Chevrier, Tony Kubek, Fergie Olver) The Sports Network (Buck Martinez, Fergie Olver)
Radio:	CJCL (AM) (Jerry Howarth, Tom Cheek)

The 1987 Toronto Blue Jays season was the franchise's 11th season of Major League Baseball. It resulted in the Blue Jays finishing second in the American League East with a record of 96 wins and 66 losses. They had been in first place by 3½ games over the Detroit Tigers with a week left to play, but they dropped their next seven games in a row, capped off by a sweep at the hands of Detroit at Tiger Stadium on the last weekend of the season, and lost the division by two games.

Transactions

Transactions by the Toronto Blue Jays during the off-season before the 1987 season.^[1]

October 1986

	Released Mickey Mahler.
	Released Dennis Lamp.

November 1986

	Jim Clancy granted free agency. Cliff Johnson granted free agency. Buck Martinez granted free agency. Ernie Whitt granted free agency.

December 1986

	Drafted José Núñez from the Kansas City Royals in the 1986 MLB Rule 5 draft. Stan Clarke drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 1986 MLB Rule 5 draft. Cliff Young drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 1986 MLB Rule 5 draft.
	Gibson Alba selected by the Cleveland Indians in the 1986 Minor League Draft.

January 1987

	Re-signed free agent Jim Clancy to a two-year, $1.75 million contract.
	Re-signed free agent Ernie Whitt to a three-year, $2.3 million contract.^[2]
	Signed free agent Steve Fireovid from the Seattle Mariners to a contract.

February 1987

	Acquired Craig McMurtry from the Atlanta Braves for Dámaso García and Luis Leal.

March 1987

	Released Ron Shepherd.

April 1987

	Released Bill Caudill.
	Signed free agent Odell Jones from the Baltimore Orioles to a contract.
	Cliff Young returned from the Oakland Athletics.

Regular season

Blue Jays left fielder George Bell drove in 134 runs to lead the American League, along with 47 home runs, and was selected the league's Most Valuable Player in a close vote over the Tigers' Alan Trammell.
Tom Henke established himself as an elite closer, as he led the American League in saves with 34.
Starting pitcher Jimmy Key led the American League with a 2.76 ERA.
July 21, 1987: Jimmy Key threw exactly three pitches and recorded three outs.^[3] This was accomplished in the second inning.
September 14, 1987: The Blue Jays set a Major League record by hitting 10 home runs in a game against the Baltimore Orioles.

Transactions

Transactions for the Toronto Blue Jays during the 1987 regular season.^[4]

April 1987

	Released Steve Fireovid.

June 1987

	Signed free agent Charlie Moore from the Milwaukee Brewers to a one-year, $256,000 contract.

July 1987

	Acquired Juan Beníquez from the Kansas City Royals for Luis Aquino.
	Signed amateur free agent Nigel Wilson to a contract.

August 1987

	Signed amateur free agent Domingo Cedeño to a contract.
	Acquired Phil Niekro from the Cleveland Indians for Darryl Landrum and a player to be named later (Don Gordon on August 10, 1987).
	Signed amateur free agent Denis Boucher to a contract.
	Released Gary Lavelle.
	Released Phil Niekro. Acquired Mike Flanagan from the Baltimore Orioles for Oswaldo Peraza and a player to be named later (José Mesa on September 4, 1987).

September 1987

	Acquired Juan Guzmán from the Los Angeles Dodgers for Mike Sharperson.

Roster

1987 Toronto Blue Jays roster
Roster
Pitchers		CatchersInfielders		OutfieldersOther batters		ManagerCoaches (Hitting) (Third base) (First base) (Bullpen) (Pitching)

Game log

|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 1 || April 6 || Indians || 7–3 || Key (1–0) || Candiotti (0–1) || || 40,404 || 1–0|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 2 || April 8 || Indians || 5–1 || Clancy (1–0) || Swindell (0–1) || || 20,388 || 2–0|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 3 || April 9 || Indians || 14–3 || Niekro (1–0) || Johnson (0–1) || Carlton (1) || 21,088 || 2–1|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 4 || April 10 || @ Red Sox || 3–0 || Hurst (1–0) || Stieb (0–1) || || 33,679 || 2–2|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 5 || April 11 || @ Red Sox || 11–1 || Key (2–0) || Clemens (0–1) || || 33,365 || 3–2|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 6 || April 12 || @ Red Sox || 8–3 || Stanley (1–1) || Clancy (1–1) || || 27,521 || 3–3|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 7 || April 14 || White Sox || 4–3 (13) || Eichhorn (1–0) || McKeon (0–1) || || 17,324 || 4–3|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 8 || April 15 || White Sox || 5–0 || DeLeón (2–0) || Stieb (0–2) || || 17,285 || 4–4|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 9 || April 16 || Red Sox || 4–2 || Key (3–0) || Clemens (0–2) || Henke (1) || 22,065 || 5–4|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 10 || April 17 || Red Sox || 10–5 || Cerutti (1–0) || | Stanley (1–2) || Eichhorn (1) || 36,400 || 6–4|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 11 || April 18 || Red Sox || 6–4 || Sellers (1–0) || Clancy (1–2) || Schiraldi (2) || 39,107 || 6–5|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 12 || April 19 || Red Sox || 4–1 || Nipper (2–0) || Johnson (0–2) || Gardner (2) || 28,140 || 6–6|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 13 || April 20 || @ Indians || 8–7 (10) || Musselman (1–0) || Jones (0–1) || || 11,164 || 7–6|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 14 || April 21 || @ Indians || 5–0 || Candiotti (1–3) || Key (3–1) || || 7,203 || 7–7|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 15 || April 22 || @ Indians || 6–3 || Eichhorn (2–0) || Carlton (1–2) || Henke (2) || 6,000 || 8–7|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 16 || April 24 || @ White Sox || 4–2 (10) || Eichhorn (3–0) || James (0–1) || Henke (3) || 10,105 || 9–7|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 17 || April 25 || @ White Sox || 5–4 || James (1–1) || Eichhorn (3–1) || || 18,644 || 9–8|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 18 || April 26 || @ White Sox || 5–2 || Key (4–1) || DeLeón (2–2) || Henke (4) || 20,443 || 10–8|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 19 || April 28 || Twins || 5–1 || Clancy (2–2) || Viola (1–3) || || 21,182 || 11–8|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 20 || April 29 || Twins || 8–1 || Johnson (1–2) || Smithson (3–1) || || 19,020 || 12–8|-|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 21 || May 1 || Rangers || 3–2 (10) || Musselman (2–0) || Williams (2–2) || || 22,154 || 13–8|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 22 || May 2 || Rangers || 9–8 || Eichhorn (4–1) || Harris (1–3) || || 28,352 || 14–8|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 23 || May 3 || Rangers || 3–1 || Clancy (3–2) || Correa (1–2) || Henke (5) || 32,325 || 15–8|- align="center" bgcolor="bbbbbb"| -- || May 4 || @ Royals || colspan=6|Postponed (rain) Rescheduled for July 3|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 24 || May 5 || @ Royals || 6–4 || Leibrandt (4–1) || Johnson (1–3) || Gleaton (1) || 19,245 || 15–9|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 25 || May 6 || @ Royals || 6–3 || Black (1–0) || Key (4–2) || Gleaton (2) || 28,083 || 15–10|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 26 || May 8 || @ Rangers || 7–4 || Clancy (4–2) || Guzmán (1–2) || Eichhorn (2) || 21,832 || 16–10|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 27 || May 9 || @ Rangers || 15–4 || Stieb (1–2) || Correa (1–3) || || 28,847 || 17–10|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 28 || May 10 || @ Rangers || 9–8 || Witt (1–1) || Eichhorn (4–2) || Mohorcic (3) || 17,356 || 17–11|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 29 || May 11 || Royals || 4–0 || Key (5–2) || Leibrandt (4–2) || || 24,154 || 18–11|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 30 || May 12 || Royals || 3–1 || Black (2–0) || Cerutti (1–1) || Quisenberry (3) || 30,034 || 18–12|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 31 || May 13 || @ Twins || 7–0 || Clancy (5–2) || Portugal (1–2) || || 9,158 || 19–12|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 32 || May 14 || @ Twins || 16–4 || Stieb (2–2) || Straker (2–1) || || 10,053 || 20–12|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 33 || May 15 || @ Athletics || 3–2 || Johnson (2–3) || Plunk (1–2) || Henke (6) || 13,139 || 21–12|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 34 || May 16 || @ Athletics || 10–3 || Haas (1–0) || Key (5–3) || || 20,900 || 21–13|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 35 || May 17 || @ Athletics || 3–0 || Stewart (5–3) || Cerutti (1–2) || || 30,511 || 21–14|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 36 || May 18 || @ Angels || 12–0 || Clancy (6–2) || Cook (1–2) || || 23,710 || 22–14|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 37 || May 19 || @ Angels || 2–1 || Buice (2–2) || Musselman (2–1) || Moore (5) || 23,622 || 22–15|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 38 || May 20 || @ Angels || 5–4 (10) || Lucas (1–1) || Henke (0–1) || || 23,766 || 22–16|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 39 || May 22 || @ Mariners || 7–5 || Eichhorn (5–2) || Bankhead (5–3) || Henke (7) || 10,012 || 23–16|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 40 || May 23 || @ Mariners || 6–2 || Clancy (7–2) || Moore (2–5) || || 13,489 || 21–12|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 41 || May 24 || @ Mariners || 5–2 || Langston (5–4) || Stieb (2–3) || || 12,751 || 24–17|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 42 || May 25 || @ Mariners || 6–5 || Key (6–3) || Morgan (4–5) || Musselman (1) || 8,499 || 25–17|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 43 || May 27 || Athletics || 4–1 || Haas (2–1) || Johnson (2–4) || Ontiveros (1) || 25,245 || 25–18|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 44 || May 28 || Athletics || 4–3 || Stewart (6–4) || Clancy (7–3) || Leiper (1) || 27,017 || 25–19|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 45 || May 29 || Angels || 3–1 || Stieb (3–3) || Sutton (2–5) || Henke (8) || 33,107 || 26–19|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 46 || May 30 || Angels || 4–3 (10) || Eichhorn (6–2) || Lazorko (0–2) || || 36,055 || 27–19|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 47 || May 31 || Angels || 7–2 || Cerutti (2–2) || Candelaria (4–2) || || 40,313 || 28–19|-|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 48 || June 1 || Mariners || 2–0 || Bankhead (6–3) || Johnson (2–5) || Wilkinson (2) || 28,294 || 28–20|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 49 || June 2 || Mariners || 4–3 || Musselman (3–1) || Moore (2–7) || Henke (9) || 31,076 || 29–20|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 50 || June 3 || Mariners || 7–2 || Stieb (4–3) || Langston (6–5) || Eichhorn (3) || 30,502 || 30–20|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 51 || June 5 || Orioles || 6–2 || Key (7–3) || Bell (5–3) || || 32,514 || 31–20|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 52 || June 6 || Orioles || 8–5 (11) || Musselman (4–1) || Dixon (3–5) || || 36,345 || 32–20|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 53 || June 7 || Orioles || 3–2 || Eichhorn (7–2) || Boddicker (5–2) || || 42,254 || 33–20|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 54 || June 8 || @ Yankees || 11–0 || Stieb (5–3) || Rhoden (6–4) || || 25,526 || 34–20|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 55 || June 9 || @ Yankees || 7–2 || Cerutti (3–2) || Guidry (0–2) || || 29,765 || 35–20|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 56 || June 10 || @ Yankees || 4–1 || Key (8–3) || John (6–2) || Henke (10) || 26,806 || 36–20|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 57 || June 11 || @ Orioles || 8–6 || Johnson (3–5) || Habyan (1–2) || Henke (11) || 17,409 || 37–20|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 58 || June 12 || @ Orioles || 8–5 || Eichhorn (8–2) || Boddicker (5–3) || Musselman (2) || 27,521 || 38–20|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 59 || June 13 || @ Orioles || 8–2 || Cerutti (4–2) || McGregor (2–6) || || 25,359 || 39–20|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 60 || June 14 || @ Orioles || 8–5 || Schmidt (7–1) || Eichhorn (8–3) || DeLeón (1) || 31,358 || 39–21|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 61 || June 15 || Tigers || 2–1 || Terrell (5–6) || Key (8–4) || King (4) || 36,225 || 39–22|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 62 || June 16 || Tigers || 10–4 || Lavelle (1–0) || Robinson (4–3) || || 36,398 || 40–22|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 63 || June 17 || Tigers || 3–2 || Tanana (6–3) || Clancy (7–4) || Hernández (2) || 46,227 || 40–23|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 64 || June 18 || Brewers || 6–3 || Nieves (5–4) || Stieb (5–4) || Plesac (15) || 31,353 || 40–24|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 65 || June 19 || Brewers || 15–6 || Musselman (5–1) || Clear (5–2) || || 31,230 || 41–24|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 66 || June 20 || Brewers || 3–2 || Wegman (6–6) || Key (8–5) || Plesac (16) || 38,465 || 41–25|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 67 || June 21 || Brewers || 7–6 || Musselman (6–1) || Crim (3–5) || Henke (12) || 44,444 || 42–25|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 68 || June 22 || @ Tigers || 2–0 || Tanana (7–3) || Clancy (7–5) || || 28,978 || 42–26|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 69 || June 23 || @ Tigers || 8–7 || Stieb (6–4) || Robinson (4–4) || Henke (13) || 29,275 || 43–26|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 70 || June 24 || @ Tigers || 5–3 || Cerutti (5–2) || Morris (10–3) || Musselman (3) || 34,866 || 44–26|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 71 || June 26 || @ Brewers || 10–5 || Plesac (4–0) || Henke (0–2) || || 29,461 || 44–27|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 72 || June 27 || @ Brewers || 8–1 || Clancy (8–5) || Nieves (5–5) || || 48,159 || 45–27|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 73 || June 28 || @ Brewers || 11–5 || Higuera (6–7) || Stieb (6–5) || || 42,389 || 45–28|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 74 || June 29 || Yankees || 15–14 || Righetti (5–3) || Henke (0–3) || || 42,179 || 45–29|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 75 || June 30 || Yankees || 4–0 || Guidry (1–3) || Wells (0–1) || || 45,297 || 45–30|-|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 76 || July 1 || Yankees || 6–1 (12) || Clements (2–0) || Musselman (6–2) || || 47,828 || 45–31|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 77 || July 3 || @ Royals || 6–4 || Gubicza (7–8) || Clancy (8–6) || Gleaton (4) || || 45–32|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 78 || July 3 || @ Royals || 5–4 || Farr (3–2) || Henke (0–4) || || 40,619 || 45–33|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 79 || July 4 || @ Royals || 9–1 || Black (4–2) || Wells (0–2) || Stoddard (1) || 40,746 || 45–34|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 80 || July 5 || @ Royals || 4–3 (10) || Quisenberry (4–0) || Eichhorn (8–4) || || 25,607 || 45–35|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 81 || July 6 || Rangers || 6–4 || Key (9–5) || Hough (9–4) || Henke (14) || 28,264 || 46–35|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 82 || July 7 || Rangers || 6–2 || Clancy (9–6) || Loynd (1–5) || Henke (15) || 28,013 || 47–35|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 83 || July 8 || Rangers || 5–2 || Musselman (7–2) || Witt (4–4) || Henke (16) || 30,341 || 48–35|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 84 || July 9 || Royals || 7–1 || Núñez (1–0) || Black (4–3) || || 31,290 || 49–35|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 85 || July 10 || Royals || 7–0 || Stieb (7–5) || Leibrandt (8–7) || || 35,200 || 50–35|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 86 || July 11 || Royals || 2–1 || Saberhagen (15–3) || Key (9–6) || || 38,289 || 50–36|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 87 || July 12 || Royals || 3–2 || Clancy (10–6) || Black (4–4)|| Henke (17) || 40,268 || 51–36|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 88 || July 16 || @ Twins || 5–2 || Key (10–6) || Blyleven (8–7)|| Henke (18) || 34,334 || 52–36|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 89 || July 17 || @ Twins || 3–2 || Viola (9–6) || Eichhorn (8–5) || Reardon (18) || 28,234 || 52–37|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 90 || July 18 || @ Twins || 7–5 || Stieb (8–5) || Niekro (5–7) || || 38,365 || 53–37|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 91 || July 19 || @ Twins || 7–6 || Schatzeder (1–0) || Lavelle (1–1) || Reardon (19) || 32,095 || 53–38|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 92 || July 20 || @ Rangers || 5–3 || Cerutti (6–2) || Hough (10–6) || Henke (19) || 27,501 || 54–38|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 93 || July 21 || @ Rangers || 6–4 || Mohorcic (6–2) || Musselman (7–3)|| || 13,791 || 54–39|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 94 || July 22 || @ Rangers || 5–3 || Russell (3–1) || Lavelle (1–2) || Mohorcic (13) || 16,380 || 54–40|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 95 || July 23 || Twins || 4–3 || Stieb (9–5) || Frazier (5–5) || || 35,320 || 55–40|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 96 || July 24 || Twins || 8–6 || Eichhorn (9–5) || Reardon (5–5)|| Henke (20) || 30,382 || 56–40|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 97 || July 25 || Twins || 13–9 || Schatzeder (2–0) || Musselman (7–4)|| || 36,395 || 56–41|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 98 || July 26 || Twins || 4–2 || Key (11–6) || Blyleven (9–8) || Henke (21) || 33,353 || 57–41|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 99 || July 27 || Red Sox || 10–8 || Musselman (8–4) || Schiraldi (5–5)|| Henke (22) || 35,425 || 58–41|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 100 || July 28 || Red Sox || 5–4 || Musselman (9–4) || Sambito (1–3)|| Henke (23) || 36,122 || 59–41|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 101 || July 29 || Red Sox || 6–5 || Schiraldi (6–5) || Lavelle (1–3) || || 35,052 || 59–42|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 102 || July 31 || Indians || 8–3 || Key (12–6) || Ritter (0–1) || || 30,256 || 60–42|-|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 103 || August 1 || Indians || 3–0 || Bailes (4–4) || Clancy (10–7) || Stewart (2) || 38,435 || 60–43|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 104 || August 2 || Indians || 11–5 || Stieb (10–5) || Akerfelds (0–2) || Lavelle (1) || 33,351 || 61–43|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 105 || August 3 || @ White Sox || 14–5 || Musselman (10–4) || Bannister (6–9) || || 12,193 || 62–43|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 106 || August 4 || @ White Sox || 4–1 || Cerutti (7–2) || Allen (0–6) || Henke (24) || 13,319 || 63–43|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 107 || August 5 || @ White Sox || 3–2 || Key (13–6) || Dotson (8–8) || Henke (25) || 13,360 || 64–43|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 108 || August 6 || @ Indians || 14–5 || Bailes (5–4) || Clancy (10–8) || || 7,978 || 64–44|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 109 || August 7 || @ Indians || 15–1 || Stieb (11–5) || Akerfelds (0–3) || || 24,049 || 65–44|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 110 || August 8 || @ Indians || 3–1 || Candiotti (5–11) || Núñez (1–1) || || 16,706 || 65–45|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 111 || August 9 || @ Indians || 5–1 || Cerutti (8–2) || Schrom (5–8) || || 13,890 || 66–45|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 112 || August 10 || @ Red Sox || 9–1 || Clemens (12–7) || Clancy (10–9) || || 30,606 || 66–46|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 113 || August 11 || @ Red Sox || 8–3 || Key (14–6) || | Stanley (3–12) || || 32,555 || 67–46|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 114 || August 12 || @ Red Sox || 10–4 || Stieb (12–5) || Sellers (4–5) || || 33,403 || 68–46|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 115 || August 13 || White Sox || 10–3 || Bannister (8–9) || Niekro (7–12) || || 45,152 || 68–47|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 116 || August 14 || White Sox || 3–2 || Cerutti (9–2) || DeLeón (5–11) || Henke (26) || 37,236 || 69–47|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 117 || August 15 || White Sox || 1–0 || Dotson (10–8) || Clancy (10–10) || || 37,155 || 69–48|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 118 || August 16 || White Sox || 6–4 || Eichhorn (10–5) || Searage (2–3) || Henke (27) || 41,384 || 70–48|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 119 || August 18 || @ Athletics || 2–1 || Stieb (13–5) || Eckersley (6–6) || Henke (28) || 34,823 || 71–48|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 120 || August 19 || @ Athletics || 7–3 || Stewart (17–8) || Cerutti (9–3) || || 16,039 || 71–49|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 121 || August 20 || @ Athletics || 7–6 || Lavelle (2–3) || Cadaret (2–1) || Henke (29) || 12,607 || 72–49|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 122 || August 21 || @ Angels || 3–1 || Reuss (4–1) || Niekro (7–13) || Minton (10) || 47,925 || 72–50|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 123 || August 22 || @ Angels || 2–0 || Núñez (2–1) || Witt (15–9) || Henke (30) || 34,209 || 73–50|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 124 || August 23 || @ Angels || 5–2 || McCaskill (4–5) || Stieb (13–6) || Buice (14) || 42,000 || 73–51|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 125 || August 24 || @ Mariners || 7–3 || Cerutti (10–3) || Morgan (10–14) || || 11,869 || 74–51|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 126 || August 25 || @ Mariners || 6–3 || Clancy (11–10) || Moore (6–16) || Eichhorn (4) || 12,367 || 75–51|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 127 || August 27 || Athletics || 9–4 || Key (15–6) || Cadaret (3–2) || || 38,026 || 76–51|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 128 || August 28 || Athletics || 3–2 || Stewart (18–9) || Stieb (13–7) || Eckersley (10) || 32,256 || 76–52|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 129 || August 29 || Athletics || 6–5 (10) || Plunk (2–4) || Eichhorn (10–6) || Eckersley (11) || 42,388 || 76–53|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 130 || August 30 || Athletics || 13–3 || Clancy (12–10) || Rijo (2–7) || || 38,211 || 77–53|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 131 || August 31 || Angels || 8–7 (11) || Fraser (9–8) || Henke (0–5) || Lucas (3) || 30,224 || 77–54|-|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 132 || September 1 || Angels || 4–3 (10) || Musselman (11–4) || Witt (15–10) || || 31,101 || 78–54|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 133 || September 2 || Angels || 7–6 || Wells (1–2) || Buice (5–6) || || 33,408 || 79–54|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 134 || September 4 || Mariners || 6–5 (10) || Núñez (3–1) || Powell (0–3) || || 33,042 || 80–54|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 135 || September 5 || Mariners || 3–0 || Flanagan (4–6) || Campbell (0–3) || Henke (31) || 38,436 || 81–54|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 136 || September 6 || Mariners || 3–2 (11) || Núñez (4–1) || Núñez (3–3) || || 44,287 || 82–54|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 137 || September 7 || @ Brewers || 5–3 || Ward (1–0) || Plesac (5–6) || Henke (32) || 16,935 || 83–54|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 138 || September 8 || @ Brewers || 6–4 || Bosio (10–5) || Stieb (13–8) || Crim (9) || 8,053 || 83–55|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 139 || September 9 || @ Brewers || 6–4 || Clear (7–5) || Wells (1–3) || || 10,555 || 83–56|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 140 || September 11 || Yankees || 6–5 (10) || Wells (2–3) || Righetti (7–4) || || 38,540 || 84–56|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 141 || September 12 || Yankees || 13–1 || Key (16–6) || Rhoden (16–10) || || 45,648 || 85–56|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 142 || September 13 || Yankees || 8–5 || Hudson (10–6) || Cerutti (10–4) || Righetti (27) || 45,312 || 85–57|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 143 || September 14 || Orioles || 18–3 || Clancy (13–10) || Dixon (7–10) || || 27,446 || 86–57|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 144 || September 15 || Orioles || 6–2 || Flanagan (5–6) || Mesa (0–1) || || 27,192 || 87–57|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 145 || September 16 || Orioles || 7–0 || Key (17–6) || Boddicker (10–9) || || 29,353 || 88–57|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 146 || September 17 || @ Yankees || 6–5 || Righetti (8–4) || Henke (0–6) || || 27,032 || 88–58|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 147 || September 18 || @ Yankees || 6–3 || Clancy (14–10) || Allen (0–8) || Wells (1) || 34,110 || 89–58|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 148 || September 19 || @ Yankees || 4–2 || Gullickson (3–2) || Flanagan (5–7) || Righetti (29) || 38,239 || 89–59|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 149 || September 20 || @ Yankees || 6–2 || Wells (3–3) || Leiter (1–1) || || 45,267 || 90–59|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 150 || September 21 || @ Orioles || 2–1 || Cerutti (11–4) || Boddicker (10–10) || Henke (33) || 13,683 || 91–59|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 151 || September 22 || @ Orioles || 8–4 || Wells (4–3) || Ballard (2–7) || || 13,923 || 92–59|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 152 || September 23 || @ Orioles || 6–1 || Clancy (15–10) || Habyan (5–6) || || 22,590 || 93–59|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 153 || September 24 || Tigers || 4–3 || Flanagan (6–7) || Morris (18–10) || Henke (34) || 42,436 || 94–59|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 154 || September 25 || Tigers || 3–2 || Musselman (12–4) || Hernández (3–4) || || 46,233 || 95–59|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 155 || September 26 || Tigers || 10–9 || Núñez (5–1) || Henneman (9–3) || || 46,429 || 96–59|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 156 || September 27 || Tigers || 3–2 (13) || Henneman (10–3) || Núñez (5–2) || Noles (2) || 46,346 || 96–60|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 157 || September 28 || Brewers || 6–4 || Wegman (11–11) || Flanagan (6–8) || Clear (6) || 34,113 || 96–61|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 158 || September 29 || Brewers || 5–3 || Bosio (11–7) || Key (17–7) || || 34,314 || 96–62|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 159 || September 30 || Brewers || 5–2 || Nieves (14–8) || Stieb (13–9) || || 35,245 || 96–63|-|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 160 || October 2 || @ Tigers || 4–3 || Alexander (9–0) || Clancy (15–11) || Henneman (7) || 45,167 || 96–64|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 161 || October 3 || @ Tigers || 3–2 (12) || Henneman (11–3) || Musselman (12–5) || || 45,026 || 96–65|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 162 || October 4 || @ Tigers || 1–0 || Tanana (15–10) || Key (17–8) || || 51,005 || 96–66|-

Player stats

= Indicates team leader

= Indicates league leader

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

Pos	G	AB	H	Avg.	HR	RBI
C	135	446	120	.269	19	75
1B	150	512	125	.244	15	58
2B	122	310	65	.210	4	30
3B	138	341	80	.235	12	36
SS	146	578	186	.322	5	67
LF	156	610	188	.308	47	134
CF	155	592	167	.282	26	96
RF	159	590	155	.263	28	84
DH	107	295	73	.247	20	43

Other batters

Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in

G	AB	H	Avg.	HR	RBI
124	332	103	.310	11	44
98	195	55	.282	3	25
82	175	47	.269	14	32
37	158	38	.241	2	10
56	121	31	.256	1	11
51	107	23	.215	1	27
32	96	20	.208	0	9
39	81	23	.284	5	21
34	48	9	.188	1	6
13	25	3	.120	1	2
5	12	1	.083	0	0
7	9	1	.111	0	0
12	2	1	.500	0	0
1	0	0	----	0	0

Pitching

Starting pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

G	IP	W	L	ERA	SO
36	261.0	17	8	2.76	161
37	241.1	15	11	3.54	180
33	185.0	13	9	4.09	115
14	66.2	3	5	5.13	27
7	49.1	3	2	2.37	43
3	12.0	0	2	8.25	7

Other pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

G	IP	W	L	ERA	SO
44	151.1	11	4	4.40	92
37	97.0	5	2	5.01	99

Relief pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

G	W	L	SV	ERA	SO
72	0	6	34	2.49	128
89	10	6	4	3.17	96
68	12	5	3	4.15	54
23	2	3	1	5.53	17
18	4	3	1	3.99	32
12	1	0	0	6.94	10
5	0	0	0	4.09	3

Award winners

Jesse Barfield, Gold Glove Award
George Bell, American League RBI Champion, 134
George Bell, American League MVP
George Bell, Silver Slugger Award
George Bell, The Sporting News Player of the Year Award
Jim Clancy, Pitcher of the Month Award, May
Tony Fernández, Gold Glove Award
Tom Henke, American League Leader, Saves, 34
Jimmy Key, American League ERA Champion, 2.76 ERA

All-Star Game

George Bell, OF, starter
Tony Fernández, shortstop, reserve ^[5]
Tom Henke, pitcher, reserve

Farm system

References

Web site: 1987 Toronto Blue Jays Trades and Transactions . baseball-reference.com . 16 July 2023.
Web site: Catcher Ernie Whitt accepted a lesser contract from the... . www.upi.com . 17 July 2023.
http://www.baseball-almanac.com/feats/3_pitch_inning.shtml 3 Pitch Inning
Web site: 1987 Toronto Blue Jays Trades and Transactions . baseball-reference.com . 16 July 2023.
https://web.archive.org/web/20071012192230/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

External links

1987 Toronto Blue Jays at Baseball Reference
1987 Toronto Blue Jays at Baseball Almanac
The Fall of '87 — Sportsnet article by Gare Joyce