1997 Toronto Blue Jays season

March 2026 November 2013 Toronto Blue Jays 1997 American League East SkyDome Toronto 76–86 (.469) 5th Interbrew,Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Gord Ash Cito Gaston, Melvin Douglas Queen CBC Television(Brian Williams, John Cerutti)The Sports Network(Dan Shulman, Buck Martinez) CJCL (AM)(Jerry Howarth, Tom Cheek) The 1997 Toronto Blue Jays season was the franchise's 21st season of Major League Baseball. It resulted in the Blue Jays finishing fifth in the American League East with a record of 76 wins and 86 losses. With a massive redesign of their logos and uniforms, the Blue Jays attempted to re-establish themselves in the American League East by signing Roger Clemens via free agency and bringing All-Stars Carlos García and Orlando Merced through trade. Although Clemens rejuvenated himself with the Blue Jays (en route to one of the best-ever single seasons by a starting pitcher, winning the Cy Young Award and the pitchers' triple crown), both Garcia and Merced ended up being flops as dismal overall hitting and an inconsistent bullpen doomed the Blue Jays once again to a last-place finish. 1997 also marked the end of the road for manager Cito Gaston, being fired near the end of the season (Gaston would eventually return to the team in 2008). Longtime fan-favourite Joe Carter also played in his final season for the Blue Jays, as he was released at the end of the season. Transactions Transactions by the Toronto Blue Jays during the off-season before the 1997 season.1997 Toronto Blue Jays Trades and Transactions https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/TOR/1997-transactions.shtml baseball-reference.com 17 July 2023 October 1996 October 2 Dane Johnson selected off of waivers by the Oakland Athletics.October 3 Brian Bohanon granted free agency (signed with New York Mets to a one-year, $205,000 contract on December 18, 1996).October 15 Mike Huff granted free agency. Félix José granted free agency. Scott Pose granted free agency (signed with New York Yankees to a one-year contract on November 27, 1996). November 1996 November 14 Acquired Carlos García, Orlando Merced and Dan Plesac from the Pittsburgh Pirates for José Silva, Brandon Cromer, José Pett and players to be named later (Craig Wilson, Abraham Núñez and Mike Halperin on December 11, 1996). Re-signed Juan Guzmán to a two-year, $9.5 million contract.November 18 Juan Samuel granted free agency (signed with Toronto Blue Jays to a one-year, $375,000 contract on December 18, 1996).November 20 Acquired Jason Stevenson from the Chicago Cubs for Miguel Cairo.November 27 Jeff Ware selected off of waivers by the Milwaukee Brewers. December 1996 December 9 Travis Baptist drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 1996 MLB Rule 5 draft. Mike Johnson drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the 1996 MLB Rule 5 draft. Tom Davey selected by the Baltimore Orioles in the 1996 Minor League Draft. Signed free agent Benito Santiago from the Philadelphia Phillies to a two-year, $6.5 million contract.December 11 Acquired Anton French from the Detroit Tigers for Roberto Durán.December 11 Signed Pat Hentgen to a contract extension through the 2001 season (three-year, $20 million contract).December 13 Signed free agent Roger Clemens from the Boston Red Sox to a four-year, $40 million contract.December 18 Re-signed free agent Juan Samuel to a one-year, $375,000 contract.December 20 Acquired Robert Person from the New York Mets for John Olerud and cash. February 1997 February 17 Signed free agent Jeff Manto from the Cleveland Indians to a one-year, $240,000 contract. March 1997 March 20 Tom Davey returned from the Baltimore Orioles. Regular season Opening-day starters Joe Carter Carlos Delgado Carlos García Alex Gonzalez Shawn Green Pat Hentgen Orlando Merced Otis Nixon Benito Santiago Ed Sprague Jr.http://baseball-almanac.com/teamstats/roster.php?y=1997&t=TOR 1997 Toronto Blue Jays Roster by Baseball Almanac Interleague play June 30 – The first interleague game between the Montreal Expos and the Toronto Blue Jays took place at the SkyDome. The Expos won the game by a score of 2–1.http://baseball-almanac.com/teamstats/schedule.php?y=1997&t=TOR 1997 Toronto Blue Jays Schedule by Baseball Almanac Expos vs. Jays June 30, SkyDome, Toronto, Ontario Team123456789RHEMontreal010001000260Toronto000000100130W: Pedro Martínez (10–3)  L: Pat Hentgen (8–5)   Home Runs: Vladimir Guerrero (4), Carlos Delgado (15) Attendance: 37,430 Time: 2:03 Batting Montreal ExposABRHRBIToronto Blue JaysABRHRBIGrudzielanek, ss3110Nixon cf4010Lansing 2b4000Merced dh4000Santangelo 3b4000Carter lf4000Segui 1b3021Delgado 1b2111Rodriguez lf4000Sprague 3b3000Orsulak lf0000Green rf300 0Guerrero rf4121Santiago c3000McGuire dh3000Gonzalez ss3010White cf3000Garcia 2b3000Widger c3010NONE0000Totals31262Totals29131 Pitching Montreal ExposIPHRERBBSOMartinez W (10–3)9.0311110Totals9.0311110 Toronto Blue JaysIPHRERBBSOHentgen L (8–5)9.062213Totals9.062213 Canada Day game The Blue Jays and Expos played to a sold-out Skydome crowd on Canada Day. Legendary Roger Clemens would get the start as the Blue Jays donned red uniforms for the second time. Montreal pitcher Jeff Juden would have a no-hitter through the first six innings until Shawn Green would hit a dramatic home run to break Juden's bid for a no-hitter. Season standings Toronto Blue Jays Record vs. opponents TOR Transactions Transactions for the Toronto Blue Jays during the 1997 regular season.1997 Toronto Blue Jays Trades and Transactions https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/TOR/1997-transactions.shtml baseball-reference.com 19 July 2023 May 1997 May 11 Signed free agent Rubén Sierra from the Cincinnati Reds to a contract. June 1997 June 5 Acquired Ryan Thompson from the Cleveland Indians for Jeff Manto.June 16 Released Rubén Sierra. July 1997 July 25 Selected Omar Daal of off waivers from the Montreal Expos.July 29 Acquired Mariano Duncan from the New York Yankees for Angel Ramirez.July 31 Acquired José Cruz Jr. from the Seattle Mariners for Mike Timlin and Paul Spoljaric. August 1997 August 8 Tilson Brito selected off of waivers by the Oakland Athletics.August 12 Acquired Bobby Cripps from the Los Angeles Dodgers for Otis Nixon. Roster 1997 Toronto Blue Jays Roster Pitchers 40 Carlos Almanzar 49 Luis Andújar 50 Chris Carpenter 21 Roger Clemens 37 Tim Crabtree 54 Omar Daal 45 Kelvim Escobar 38 Huck Flener 57 Juan Guzmán 39 Erik Hanson 41 Pat Hentgen 36 Marty Janzen 31 Robert Person 19 Dan Plesac 48 Paul Quantrill 55 Bill Risley 52 Kenny Robinson 24 Paul Spoljaric 40 Mike Timlin 54,30 Woody Williams Catchers 35 Sandy Martínez 46 Julio Mosquera 22 Charlie O'Brien 18 Benito Santiago Infielders 12 Tilson Brito 43,29 Joe Carter  3 Felipe Crespo 25 Carlos Delgado 24 Mariano Duncan 28 Tom Evans 13 Carlos García  8 Alex Gonzalez  1 Tomás Pérez 11 Juan Samuel 33 Ed Sprague Outfielders  5 Jacob Brumfield 12 Rich Butler 23 José Cruz Jr. 15 Shawn Green  6 Orlando Merced  2 Otis Nixon 17 Robert Pérez 14 Rubén Sierra  7 Shannon Stewart Manager 43 Cito Gaston 34 Mel Queen Coaches  4 Alfredo Griffin (First Base) 10 Jim Lett (Bench) 16 Nick Leyva (Third Base) 34 Mel Queen (Pitching) 18 Gene Tenace (Bullpen) 26 Willie Upshaw (Hitting) Game log background:#6E8B3D 1997 Game Log y background:#9EBD69; April: 11–12 (Home: 5–7; Away: 6–5) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 1 || April 1 || White Sox || 6–5 (10) || Castillo (1–0) || Plesac (0–1) || Hernández (1) || 40,299 || 0–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 2 || April 2 || White Sox || 6–1 || Clemens (1–0) || Álvarez (0–1) || || 31,310 || 1–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 3 || April 4 || Brewers || 6–2 || Guzmán (1–0) || Karl (0–1) || Crabtree (1) || 26,331 || 2–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 4 || April 5 || Brewers || 5–2 || McAndrew (1–0) || Williams (0–1) || Jones (1) || 31,226 || 2–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 5 || April 6 || Brewers || 4–2 || McDonald (1–1) || Hentgen (0–1) || Jones (2) || 29,106 || 2–3 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbbbbb" | -- || April 8 || @ White Sox || colspan=6|Postponed (cold weather) Rescheduled for August 19 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 6 || April 9 || @ White Sox || 5–0 || Clemens (2–0) || Álvarez (0–2) || || 746 || 3–3 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 7 || April 10 || @ White Sox || 4–0 || Guzmán (2–0) || Baldwin (0–1) || || 14,180 || 4–3 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbbbbb" | -- || April 11 || @ Brewers || colspan=6|Postponed (snow) Rescheduled for July 28 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbbbbb" | -- || April 12 || @ Brewers || colspan=6|Postponed (snow) Rescheduled for July 29 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 8 || April 13 || @ Brewers || 3–2 || Wickman (1–0) || Crabtree (0–1) || || 19,143 || 4–4 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 9 || April 14 || Royals || 3–2 || Rusch (2–0) || Quantrill (0–1) || Pichardo (2) || 25,642 || 4–5 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 10 || April 15 || Royals || 7–5 || Rosado (1–0) || Guzmán (2–1) || Pichardo (3) || 25,582 || 4–6 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 11 || April 16 || Athletics || 4–3 || Crabtree (1–1) || Taylor (0–1) || || 26,139 || 5–6 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 12 || April 17 || Athletics || 5–4 || Quantrill (1–1) || Groom (0–1) || Timlin (1) || 25,625 || 6–6 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 13 || April 18 || @ Rangers || 6–5 || Hentgen (1–1) || Pavlik (1–2) || Timlin (2) || 30,452 || 7–6 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 14 || April 19 || @ Rangers || 6–0 || Clemens (3–0) || Hill (1–2) || || 44,206 || 8–6 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 15 || April 20 || @ Rangers || 10–5 || Witt (3–0) || Guzmán (2–2) || || 34,333 || 8–7 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 16 || April 21 || @ Angels || 5–4 (13) || DeLucia (1–0) || Spoljaric (0–1) || || 13,413 || 8–8 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 17 || April 22 || @ Angels || 7–6 || Quantrill (2–1) || James (1–2) || Plesac (1) || 13,353 || 9–8 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 18 || April 23 || @ Angels || 5–4 (10) || DeLucia (2–0) || Spoljaric (0–2) || || 13,117 || 9–9 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 19 || April 25 || Mariners || 13–8 || Ayala (2–0) || Plesac (0–2) || || 31,215 || 9–10 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 20 || April 26 || Mariners || 4–3 || Quantrill (3–1) || Lowe (0–1) || || 31,420 || 10–10 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 21 || April 27 || Mariners || 2–1 || Johnson (3–0) || Person (0–1) || Charlton (7) || 32,160 || 10–11 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 22 || April 29 || @ Royals || 6–5 (10)|| Pichardo (1–0) || Quantrill (3–2) || || 12,533 || 10–12 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 23 || April 30 || @ Royals || 1–0 || Clemens (4–0) || Appier (3–1) || Spoljaric (1) || 13,004 || 11–12 |- y background:#9EBD69; May: 15–13 (Home: 8–7; Away: 7–6) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 24 || May 1 || @ Royals || 8–0 || Rosado (2–0) || Williams (0–2) || || 12,046 || 11–13 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 25 || May 2 || Twins || 3–2 (10)|| Radke (2–1) || Crabtree (1–2) || Aguilera (5) || 30,226 || 11–14 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 26 || May 3 || Twins || 6–5 || Quantrill (4–2) || Ritchie (2–3) || || 29,150 || 12–14 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 27 || May 4 || Twins || 1–0 || Hentgen (2–1) || Tewksbury (1–5) || || 29,114 || 13–14 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 28 || May 5 || Tigers || 3–1 || Clemens (5–0) || Olivares (1–2) || || 27,169 || 14–14 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 29 || May 6 || Tigers || 2–1 (10)|| Crabtree (2–2) || Jones (1–2) || || 26,294 || 15–14 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 30 || May 7 || @ Indians || 7–1 || McDowell (3–2) || Person (0–2) || || 42,463 || 15–15 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 31 || May 8 || @ Indians || 4–3 || Guzmán (3–2) || Ogea (2–3) || Quantrill (1) || 42,567 || 16–15 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 32 || May 9 || @ Twins || 4–1 || Hentgen (3–1) || Rodriguez (1–3) || Timlin (3) || 13,277 || 17–15 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 33 || May 10 || @ Twins || 6–4 || Clemens (6–0) || Swindell (2–2) || Crabtree (2) || 20,932 || 18–15 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 34 || May 11 || @ Twins || 3–2 || Williams (1–2) || Aldred (1–5) || Timlin (4) || 32,552 || 19–15 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 35 || May 12 || @ Twins || 12–2 || Radke (3–2) || Carpenter (0–1) || || 10,830 || 19–16 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 36 || May 13 || @ Tigers || 4–0 || Lira (2–2) || Guzmán (3–3) || || 9,992 || 19–17 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 37 || May 14 || @ Tigers || 7–2 || Hentgen (4–1) || Moehler (2–3) || || 11,788 || 20–17 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 38 || May 16 || Indians || 5–2 || Clemens (7–0) || Hershiser (3–2) || Timlin (5) || 35,195 || 21–17 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 39 || May 17 || Indians || 8–1 || Lopez (1–2) || Williams (1–3) || || 36,220 || 21–18 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 40 || May 18 || Indians || 8–6 || Ogea (4–3) || Carpenter (0–2) || Jackson (4) || 31,137 || 21–19 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 41 || May 20 || @ Yankees || 2–0 || Hentgen (5–1) || Pettitte (6–2) || || 20,220 || 22–19 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 42 || May 21 || @ Yankees || 4–1 || Clemens (8–0) || Rogers (3–2) || || 19,863 || 23–19 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 43 || May 23 || Angels || 12–2 || Springer (3–1) || Guzmán (3–4) || || 30,209 || 23–20 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 44 || May 24 || Angels || 3–1 || Watson (2–3) || Williams (1–4) || Percival (2) || 28,351 || 23–21 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 45 || May 25 || Angels || 4–3 (11)|| Timlin (1–0) || DeLucia (4–2) || || 28,180 || 24–21 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 46 || May 26 || Rangers || 8–1 || Clemens (9–0) || Santana (2–2) || || 28,113 || 25–21 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 47 || May 27 || Rangers || 15–5 || Burkett (4–3) || Person (0–3) || || 28,126 || 25–22 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 48 || May 28 || Yankees || 6–4 || Wells (5–3) || Guzmán (3–5) || Rivera (15) || 32,338 || 25–23 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 49 || May 29 || Yankees || 4–0 || Cone (6–3) || Williams (1–5) || Nelson (1) || 43,155 || 25–24 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 50 || May 30 || @ Athletics || 12–7 || Prieto (4–3) || Hentgen (5–2) || || 11,004 || 25–25 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 51 || May 31 || @ Athletics || 13–3 || Clemens (10–0) || Telgheder (1–3) || || 15,027 || 26–25 |- y background:#9EBD69; June: 11–15 (Home: 5–11; Away: 6–4) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 52 || June 1 || @ Athletics || 8–2 || Oquist (1–1) || Person (0–4) || || 21,127 || 26–26 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 53 || June 2 || @ Mariners || 3–0 || Johnson (8–1) || Andújar (0–1) || || 40,312 || 26–27 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 54 || June 3 || @ Mariners || 6–3 || Moyer (5–2) || Williams (1–6) || || 28,786 || 26–28 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 55 || June 5 || Athletics || 4–3 || Reyes (1–0) || Hentgen (5–3) || Taylor (10) || 30,189 || 26–29 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 56 || June 6 || Athletics || 4–1 || Clemens (11–0) || Oquist (1–2) || Quantrill (2) || 32,208 || 27–29 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 57 || June 7 || Athletics || 3–1 || Person (1–4) || Karsay (1–7) || Quantrill (3) || 28,490 || 28–29 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 58 || June 8 || Athletics || 7–5 || Wengert (3–3) || Andújar (0–2) || Taylor (11) || 29,404 || 28–30 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 59 || June 10 || Mariners || 8–3 || Hentgen (6–3) || Sanders (2–6) || || 33,124 || 29–30 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 60 || June 11 || Mariners || 5–1 || Fassero (6–2) || Clemens (11–1) || || 41,099 || 29–31 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 61 || June 13 || @ Phillies || 4–3 || Gomes (1–0) || Spoljaric (0–3) || Bottalico (14) || 26,799 || 29–32 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 62 || June 14 || @ Phillies || 3–2 || Person (2–4) || Nye (0–2) || Quantrill (4) || 22,582 || 30–32 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 63 || June 15 || @ Phillies || 11–1 || Hentgen (7–3) || Leiter (4–7) || || 30,516 || 31–32 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 64 || June 16 || Braves || 3–0 || Neagle (10–1) || Clemens (11–2) || || 34,409 || 31–33 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 65 || June 17 || Braves || 8–7 || Maddux (8–3) || Andújar (0–3) || Wohlers (14) || 31,356 || 31–34 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 66 || June 18 || Braves || 5–3 || Williams (2–6) || Smoltz (6–6) || Timlin (6) || 31,717 || 32–34 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 67 || June 20 || Orioles || 3–0 || Hentgen (8–3) || Mussina (8–2) || || 30,266 || 33–34 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 68 || June 21 || Orioles || 5–1 || Erickson (10–2) || Plesac (0–3) || || 40,139 || 33–35 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 69 || June 22 || Orioles || 5–2 || Kamieniecki (6–3) || Person (2–5) || Myers (25) || 35,106 || 33–36 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 70 || June 23 || Red Sox || 7–6 || Sele (9–5) || Williams (2–7) || Slocumb (8) || 30,380 || 33–37 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 71 || June 24 || Red Sox || 9–6 || Wasdin (2–3) || Andújar (0–4) || Slocumb (9) || 27,263 || 33–38 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 72 || June 25 || Red Sox || 13–12 || Wakefield (3–7) || Hentgen (8–4) || Slocumb (10) || 27,605 || 33–39 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 73 || June 26 || @ Orioles || 3–0 || Clemens (12–2) || Erickson (10–3) || Timlin (7) || 47,617 || 34–39 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 74 || June 27 || @ Orioles || 2–1 || Person (3–5) || Kamieniecki (6–4) || Spoljaric (2) || 47,900 || 35–39 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 75 || June 28 || @ Orioles || 5–2 || Williams (3–7) || Key (11–4) || Timlin (8) || 47,687 || 36–39 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 76 || June 29 || @ Orioles || 3–2 || Escobar (1–0) || Benítez (0–3) || Timlin (9) || 47,763 || 37–39 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 77 || June 30 || Expos || 2–1 || Martínez (10–3) || Hentgen (8–5) || || 37,430 || 37–40 |- y background:#9EBD69; July: 13–15 (Home: 8–4; Away: 5–11) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 78 || July 1 || Expos || 2–1 || Juden (10–2) || Clemens (12–3) || Urbina (15) || 50,436 || 37–41 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 79 || July 2 || Expos || 7–6 (13)|| Timlin (2–0) || Telford (2–2) || || 34,176 || 38–41 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 80 || July 3 || Yankees || 3–1 || Wells (9–4) || Williams (3–8) || Rivera (27) || 31,227 || 38–42 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 81 || July 4 || Yankees || 1–0 || Escobar (2–0) || Cone (8–4) || || 34,134 || 39–42 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 82 || July 5 || Yankees || 8–0 || Pettitte (9–5) || Hentgen (8–6) || || 44,206 || 39–43 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 83 || July 6 || Yankees || 2–0 || Clemens (13–3) || Mendoza (3–4) || || 41,137 || 40–43 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 84 || July 10 || @ Red Sox || 8–7 (11)|| Eshelman (3–3) || Timlin (2–1) || || 30,913 || 40–44 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 85 || July 11 || @ Red Sox || 8–4 || Hentgen (9–6) || Wasdin (3–4) || || 32,543 || 41–44 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 86 || July 12 || @ Red Sox || 3–1 || Clemens (14–3) || Sele (10–7) || Spoljaric (3) || 33,106 || 42–44 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 87 || July 13 || @ Red Sox || 3–2 || Williams (4–8) || Wakefield (3–10) || Escobar (1) || 32,418 || 43–44 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 88 || July 14 || @ Orioles || 9–5 || Mathews (2–1) || Person (3–6) || || 47,042 || 43–45 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 89 || July 15 || @ Orioles || 8–4 || Boskie (5–3) || Guzmán (3–6) || || 47,062 || 43–46 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 90 || July 16 || @ Rangers || 6–0 || Oliver (6–9) || Hentgen (9–7) || || 45,313 || 43–47 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 91 || July 17 || @ Rangers || 9–1 || Clemens (15–3) || Burkett (7–8) || || 46,239 || 44–47 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 92 || July 18 || @ Angels || 2–1 || Williams (5–8) || Watson (8–6) || Escobar (2) || 26,087 || 45–47 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 93 || July 19 || @ Angels || 5–4 || Percival (4–4) || Timlin (2–2) || || 28,288 || 45–48 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 94 || July 20 || @ Angels || 9–5 || Finley (8–6) || Andújar (0–5) || || 19,671 || 45–49 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 95 || July 22 || Brewers || 5–2 || Hentgen (10–7) || Eldred (9–10) || Escobar (3) || 33,181 || 46–49 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 96 || July 23 || Brewers || 8–0 || Clemens (16–3) || McAndrew (1–1) || || 31,580 || 47–49 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 97 || July 24 || Brewers || 5–4 || Williams (6–8) || Mercedes (3–6) || Escobar (4) || 30,114 || 48–49 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 98 || July 25 || Royals || 2–1 || Person (4–6) || Rusch (3–6) || Escobar (5) || 31,308 || 49–49 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 99 || July 26 || Royals || 6–5 || Timlin (3–2) || Carrasco (0–1) || || 34,133 || 50–49 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 100 || July 27 || Royals || 3–2 || Olson (1–0) || Quantrill (4–3) || || 32,341 || 50–50 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 101 || July 28 || @ Brewers || 1–0 || Woodard (1–0) || Clemens (16–4) || Fetters (3) || || 50–51 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 102 || July 28 || @ Brewers || 9–3 || Adamson (3–1) || Flener (0–1) || || 18,034 || 50–52 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 103 || July 29 || @ Brewers || 2–0 || Mercedes (4–6) || Williams (6–9) || Fetters (4) || 22,549 || 50–53 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 104 || July 29 || @ Brewers || 4–2 || Karl (6–10) || Carpenter (0–3) || Fetters (5) || 12,237 || 50–54 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 105 || July 31 || @ Tigers || 4–2 || Thompson (9–8) || Person (4–7) || Jones (19) || 16,294 || 50–55 |- y background:#9EBD69; August: 15–15 (Home: 8–6; Away: 7–9) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 106 || August 1 || @ Tigers || 7–5 || Hentgen (11–7) || Miceli (2–2) || Escobar (6) || 23,682 || 51–55 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 107 || August 2 || @ Tigers || 8–7 || Brocail (3–4) || Quantrill (4–4) || Jones (20) || 22,254 || 51–56 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 108 || August 3 || @ Tigers || 5–2 || Blair (11–4) || Williams (6–10) || Jones (21) || 27,848 || 51–57 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 109 || August 4 || @ Twins || 9–3 || Radke (16–5) || Carpenter (0–4) || || 19,018 || 51–58 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 110 || August 5 || @ Twins || 8–3 || Person (5–7) || Miller (0–2) || || 17,920 || 52–58 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 111 || August 6 || Indians || 6–3 || Hentgen (12–7) || Lopez (3–5) || Escobar (7) || 36,463 || 53–58 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 112 || August 7 || Indians || 4–0 || Clemens (17–4) || Smiley (1–1) || || 35,194 || 54–58 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 113 || August 8 || Tigers || 6–3 || Williams (7–10) || Blair (11–5) || Escobar (8) || 30,228 || 55–58 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 114 || August 9 || Tigers || 3–2 || Sanders (4–9) || Carpenter (0–5) || Jones (23) || 37,166 || 55–59 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 115 || August 10 || Tigers || 4–2 || Thompson (11–8) || Person (5–8) || || 32,354 || 55–60 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 116 || August 11 || Tigers || 8–2 || Hentgen (13–7) || Jarvis (0–2) || || 30,105 || 56–60 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 117 || August 12 || Twins || 9–1 || Clemens (18–4) || Bowers (0–2) || || 33,108 || 57–60 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 118 || August 13 || Twins || 3–2 || Quantrill (5–4) || Trombley (1–2) || || 31,292 || 58–60 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 119 || August 15 || @ Indians || 5–4 (10)|| Assenmacher (4–0) || Crabtree (2–3) || || 43,011 || 58–61 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 120 || August 16 || @ Indians || 8–4 || Shuey (3–1) || Quantrill (5–5) || || 42,908 || 58–62 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 121 || August 17 || @ Indians || 10–5 || Clemens (19–4) || Wright (3–2) || || 42,861 || 59–62 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 122 || August 18 || @ Indians || 5–3 || Hershiser (11–5) || Williams (7–11) || Mesa (6) || 42,471 || 59–63 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 123 || August 19 || @ White Sox || 6–5 || Carpenter (1–5) || Cruz (0–1) || Escobar (9) || || 60–63 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 124 || August 19 || @ White Sox || 5–3 || Bere (1–0) || Andújar (0–6) || Karchner (7) || 19,643 || 60–64 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 125 || August 20 || @ White Sox || 12–6 || Baldwin (9–13) || Person (5–9) || || 20,003 || 60–65 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 126 || August 21 || @ White Sox || 6–3 || Drabek (10–8) || Hentgen (13–8) || Karchner (8) || 20,120 || 60–66 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 127 || August 22 || @ Royals || 5–3 || Clemens (20–4) || Rosado (8–10) || Escobar (10) || 29,604 || 61–66 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 128 || August 23 || @ Royals || 6–5 || Janzen (1–0) || Walker (3–3) || Quantrill (5) || 19,249 || 62–66 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 129 || August 24 || @ Royals || 11–8 (13)|| Crabtree (3–3) || Casian (0–2) || || 14,434 || 63–66 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 130 || August 26 || White Sox || 8–5 || Baldwin (10–13) || Williams (7–12) || Karchner (10) || 31,198 || 63–67 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 131 || August 27 || White Sox || 13–2 || Hentgen (14–8) || Drabek (10–9) || || 30,219 || 64–67 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 132 || August 28 || White Sox || 3–2 (11)|| Quantrill (6–5) || McElroy (0–3) || || 36,181 || 65–67 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 133 || August 29 || Marlins || 8–0 || Leiter (9–9) || Person (5–10) || || 29,223 || 65–68 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 134 || August 30 || Marlins || 4–1 || Fernandez (17–9) || Carpenter (1–6) || Nen (32) || 35,229 || 65–69 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 135 || August 31 || Marlins || 8–3 || Hernández (9–0) || Williams (7–13) || || 31,125 || 65–70 |- y background:#9EBD69; September: 11–16 (Home: 9–3; Away: 2–13) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 136 || September 1 || @ Mets || 3–0 || Isringhausen (2–0) || Hentgen (14–9) || Franco (34) || 19,196 || 65–71 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 137 || September 2 || @ Mets || 8–5 || Acevedo (2–1) || Clemens (20–5) || Wendell (5) || 17,635 || 65–72 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 138 || September 3 || @ Mets || 4–2 || Mlicki (7–10) || Quantrill (6–6) || Franco (35) || 14,513 || 65–73 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 139 || September 4 || Rangers || 6–2 || Helling (2–1) || Carpenter (1–7) || || 26,178 || 65–74 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 140 || September 5 || Rangers || 5–1 || Williams (8–13) || Pavlik (2–4) || || 27,121 || 66–74 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 141 || September 6 || Rangers || 2–1 || Hentgen (15–9) || Burkett (7–12) || Escobar (11) || 31,232 || 67–74 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 142 || September 7 || Rangers || 4–0 || Clemens (21–5) || Oliver (11–11) || || 30,212 || 68–74 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 143 || September 8 || Angels || 12–10 || Plesac (1–3) || James (4–5) || Escobar (12) || 25,775 || 69–74 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 144 || September 9 || Angels || 2–0 || Carpenter (2–7) || Hill (7–12) || || 25,674 || 70–74 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 145 || September 10 || @ Athletics || 3–2 || Mathews (5–2) || Plesac (1–4) || || 4,764 || 70–75 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 146 || September 11 || @ Athletics || 8–7 || Mathews (6–2) || Escobar (2–1) || || 6,135 || 70–76 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 147 || September 12 || @ Mariners || 7–3 || Ayala (10–4) || Clemens (21–6) || || 37,044 || 70–77 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 148 || September 13 || @ Mariners || 6–3 || Escobar (3–1) || Ayala (10–5) || || 51,631 || 71–77 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 149 || September 14 || @ Mariners || 3–2 || Timlin (6–4) || Risley (0–1) || Slocumb (24) || 45,477 || 71–78 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 150 || September 15 || @ Mariners || 7–3 || Cloude (3–2) || Williams (8–14) || Slocumb (25) || 41,684 || 71–79 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 151 || September 17 || @ Red Sox || 4–3 || Mahay (3–0) || Quantrill (6–7) || Gordon (9) || 23,648 || 71–80 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 152 || September 18 || @ Red Sox || 3–2 || Corsi (4–2) || Escobar (3–2) || || 27,990 || 71–81 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 153 || September 19 || @ Yankees || 3–0 || Daal (1–0) || Gooden (8–5) || Escobar (13) || 31,195 || 72–81 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 154 || September 20 || @ Yankees || 4–3 (11)|| Banks (3–0) || Janzen (1–1) || || 38,332 || 72–82 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 155 || September 21 || @ Yankees || 5–4 (10)|| Boehringer (3–2) || Almanzar (0–1) || || 40,038 || 72–83 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 156 || September 22 || @ Yankees || 8–1 || Wells (15–10) || Hentgen (15–10) || || 23,380 || 72–84 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 157 || September 23 || Orioles || 3–2 || Rodríguez (2–1) || Clemens (21–7) || Myers (44) || 29,276 || 72–85 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 158 || September 24 || Orioles || 9–3 || Kamieniecki (10–6) || Daal (1–1) || || 27,443 || 72–86 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 159 || September 25 || Orioles || 4–3 || Carpenter (3–7) || Mussina (15–8) || Escobar (14) || 28,324 || 73–86 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 160 || September 26 || Red Sox || 3–0 || Williams (9–14) || Henry (7–3) || || 34,155 || 74–86 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 161 || September 27 || Red Sox || 12–5 || Janzen (2–1) || Corsi (5–3) || || 37,401 || 75–86 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 162 || September 28 || Red Sox || 3–2 || Plesac (2–4) || Gordon (6–10) || || 40,251 || 76–86 |- Player stats = Indicates team leader Batting Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; Avg. = Batting average Pos Player G AB H HR RBI Avg. C Benito Santiago 97 341 83 13 42 .243 1B Carlos Delgado 153 519 136 30 91 .262 2B Carlos García 103 350 77 3 23 .220 3B Ed Sprague Jr. 138 504 115 14 48 .228 SS Alex Gonzalez Alex Gonzalez (shortstop, born 1973) 126 426 102 12 35 .239 LF José Cruz Jr. 55 212 49 14 34 .231 CF Otis Nixon 103 401 105 1 26 .262 RF Orlando Merced 98 368 98 9 40 .266 DH Joe Carter 157 612 143 21 102 .2341997 Toronto Blue Jays Statistics and Roster Baseball-Reference.com Other batters Note: G = Games; AB = At bats; H = Hits; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; Avg. = Batting average Player G AB H HR RBI Avg. Shawn Green 135 429 123 16 53 .287 Charlie O'Brien 69 225 49 4 27 .218 Jacob Brumfield 58 174 36 2 20 .207 Shannon Stewart 44 168 48 0 22 .286 Mariano Duncan 39 167 38 0 12 .228 Tilson Brito 49 126 28 0 8 .222 Tomás Pérez 40 123 24 0 9 .195 Juan Samuel 45 95 27 3 15 .284 Robert Pérez 37 78 15 2 6 .192 Rubén Sierra 14 48 10 1 5 .208 Tom Evans 12 38 11 1 2 .289 Felipe Crespo 12 28 8 1 5 .286 Rich Butler 7 14 4 0 2 .286 Julio Mosquera 3 8 2 0 0 .250 Sandy Martínez 3 2 0 0 0 .000 Starting pitchers = Indicates league leader Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts Player G IP W L ERA SO Pat Hentgen 35 264.0 15 10 3.68 160 Roger Clemens 34 264.0 21 7 2.05 292 Woody Williams 31 194.2 9 14 4.35 124 Robert Person 23 128.1 5 10 5.61 99 Chris Carpenter 14 81.1 3 7 5.09 55 Juan Guzmán 13 60.0 3 6 4.95 52 Other pitchers Note: G = Games; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts Player G IP W L ERA SO Luis Andújar 17 50.0 0 6 6.48 28 Omar Daal 9 27.0 1 1 4.00 28 Huck Flener 8 17.1 0 1 9.87 9 Erik Hanson 3 15.0 0 0 7.80 18 Relief pitchers Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts Player G W L SV ERA SO Kelvim Escobar 27 3 2 14 2.90 36 Paul Quantrill 77 6 7 5 1.94 56 Dan Plesac 73 2 4 1 3.58 61 Mike Timlin 38 3 2 9 2.87 36 Paul Spoljaric 37 0 3 3 3.19 43 Tim Crabtree 37 3 3 2 7.08 26 Marty Janzen 12 2 1 0 3.60 17 Carlos Almanzar 4 0 1 0 2.70 4 Bill Risley 3 0 1 0 8.31 2 Kenny Robinson 3 0 0 0 2.70 4 Award winners Roger Clemens, Pitcher of the Month Award, May Roger Clemens, Pitcher of the Month Award, August Roger Clemens, Cy Young Award Roger Clemens, MLB Leader, 21 Wins Roger Clemens, AL Strikeout Crown, 292 Strikeouts Roger Clemens, AL ERA Crown, 2.05 Roger Clemens, American League Leader, Complete Games (9) Roger Clemens, American League Leader, Shutouts (3) Roger Clemens, American League Leader, Innings Pitched (264) All-Star Game Roger Clemens, P Pat Hentgen, P Blue Jays All-Stars | bluejays.com: History Farm system Minor League Baseball AAA Syracuse SkyChiefs International League Garth Iorg AA Knoxville Smokies Southern League Omar Malavé A Dunedin Blue Jays Florida State League Dennis Holmberg A Hagerstown Suns South Atlantic League J. J. Cannon A-Short Season St. Catharines Stompers New York–Penn League Rocket Wheeler Rookie Medicine Hat Blue Jays Pioneer League Marty PeveyJohnson, Lloyd, and Wolff, Miles, ed., The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball, 3rd edition. Durham, North Carolina: Baseball America, 2007 References External links 1997 Toronto Blue Jays at Baseball Reference 1997 Toronto Blue Jays at Baseball Almanac Category:Toronto Blue Jays seasons Category:1997 in Canadian sports Toronto BLue Jays Category:1997 in Toronto Category:1997 in sports in Ontario