The first time the Jays clinched the AL East was 1985. The 1985 team ended with 99 wins, the highest total in team history. The 1985 team was lead on the field by the outfield that was called one of the best, in George Bell, Lloyd Moseby, and Jesse Barfield. The infield had Willie Upshaw at 1st, Damaso Garcia at 2nd, Tony Fernandez at SS, and the two-headed monster that was Rance Mulliniks and Garth Iorg at 3rd. Catching was another platoon, Ernie Whitt and current Jays broadcaster Buck Martinez.
On the pitching side, Dave Stieb, Doyle Alexander, and Jimmy Key headed the rotation while Bill Caudill, Dennis Lamp, and Tom Henke headed the relief corps.
One notable injury that happened this season was to Buck Martinez. In a game against Seattle, he was bowled over at the plate, breaking his leg. What's truly notable about this, however, was that Martinez got two outs at the plate after his leg was broken. The first out came on the original play that broke his leg. He then threw the ball to third but threw wildly. They got the ball back to Martinez and he tagged the second runner coming to the plate. He was then carried off the field.
The Jays clinched their Postseason berth October 5, when Doyle Alexander beat the Yankees. They ended up losing in seven games to the eventual World Series Champion Kansas City Royals in the first best-of-seven Championship Series. (Prior to 1985, it was a best of five. If it was the same in 1985 the Jays would have went to the Series)
Next will be 1989.
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