Rico came "home" during the Blue Jays' second year, adding punch to a lackluster batting order. Bob Bailor, who his .310 the first year, faded in an injury-filled sophomore year. No beer was sold at Exhibition Stadium. The pattern of the losses was routinized; the city fell into the habits of despair.
Reliever Victor Cruz provided a glimmer of delight with several late-inning fireman exploits. At the end of the season, he was promptingly traded, along with his sparkling earned run average, to Cleveland.
Before the third campaign began, Doug Ault was cut. Solid catcher Alan Ashby was traded to Houston for pitcher Mark Lemongello. Soon, the squad's lone Canadian, switch-hitting infielder Dave McKay of British Columbia, was demoted. On Opening Day, 1979, about 23,000 people turned out in freezing rain. The Jays dumped the Kansas City Royals.
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Summer, 1979: It appeared we would be a few minutes late for the game. My friend and I discussed what a pity it would be to miss a grand slam home run in the top of the first. When we arrived, Willie Mays Aikens was rounding the bases after blasting a shot into the bleachers with the bases loaded, giving the Angels a 4-0 lead.
But we still got to the stadium in time to see California's six-run rally in the top of the second.
Much-heralded pitcher Mark Lemongello hurled more chairs than strikes last year, and wound up the season with a petulant 6.29 ERA.
Oh, there have been moments before the New Jays sprinted to the head of the A.L. East pack this spring. The 19-3 thrashing of the Yanks, the two-touchdown 24-10 win over the Orioles. But as the 1980 baseball season enters its stretch drive, long-suffering Jays lovers have nothing to complain about, except perhaps the dearth of beer.
Consider the pitching staff: Dave Stieb, 4-1, 2.23 ERA pending last night's contest with those pesky Mariners of Seattle, is a prime candidate for the Cy Young. Joey McLaughlin might grab the fireman of the year laurels.
And if Otto Velez goes on a tear before Memorial Day, he has a chance to capture the Triple Crown, something no batter has won since Yaz in 1967.
Further, brilliant fielder John Mayberry is in line for a Golden Glove.
Aborted season or not, the May Jays deserve a pat on the back, or at least a frosty brew, for their efforts. But the fans merit it more.