"What is the evidence, and what does it mean?" Bill JamesThis article was posted to the alt.sports.baseball.tor-bluejays newsgroup on April 24, 2001.
If you want to see the new murals on the SkyDome outfield fence, bring your binoculars, especially if you want to read the headlines. They're a lot harder to read than you might think from seeing them on TV.
I didn't have binoculars, and there may be some minor gaps and inaccuracies in the below list, but I think it's mostly right. After the list, I'll make some comments on the choice of memorable players and moments.
Starting in left-field corner:
Bill Singer's First Pitch (April 7, 1977)
Griffin A.L. Rookie of the Year (1979) (picture includes Tony Kubek presenting award)
A.L. East Division Champs (1985) (picture is the famous one with Upshaw's back, and Doyle Alexander and Damaso Garcia celebrating)
(bullpen windows: 5 screens)
George Bell A.L. MVP (1987) (picture has George Bell in a tuxedo; not sure who is presenting the award)
(375 ft.)
(ad: GAP)
Canada's 1st World Series (1992) (picture of Cito Gaston) (note: I think this is the only mural which is out of chronological order)
(ad: Dundee Wealth Management)
Gruber Hits for Cycle (1989)
Dave Stieb No-Hitter (1990)
Alomar Hits ALCS Homer (1992)
Jack Morris First Jays Pitcher To Win 20 Games (this is in straightaway centre-field) (this mural is slightly out of chronological order)
Devon White WS Catch (1992) (picture of Devo making the catch is smaller than the others; perhaps it's actual size) (this might be right where the catch was made; not sure offhand)
(400 ft. -- as per Jays tradition, the marker is right of centre, where it's less than 400 ft.)
Pat Borders WS MVP (1992)
Carter WS Home Run (1993)
Paul Molitor WS MVP (1993)
(ad: Dynamic Mutual Funds)
picture: 2 World Series trophies
(ad: GAP)
(375 ft.)
Back to Back to Back Cy Youngs (1996-98) (picture of Clemens and Hentgen standing back to back)
(bullpen windows: 5 screens)
Rookie Koch Saves Record (1999)
Delgado, Mondesi, Batista, Cruz 20+ HR Before All-Star Break
Sporting News Player of the Year (1999-2000) (Carlos)
There are also various pitchers pictured on the bullpen walls. It appears to be the same pitchers in both bullpens. These pictures are really hard to make out, but I'm pretty sure Stieb, Henke, Ward, Key and Carpenter were among them. Next time I'll bring my binoculars to try to get the full list.
Now for comments:
* What on earth is Jack Morris doing on the SkyDome wall? In straightaway centre-field no less? Sure, he had one decent season for the Jays. But I'd drop him and memorialize Jimmy Key's ERA Title, shifting the other murals to keep them in chronological order. Morris should be memorialized in Detroit.
* No mention of Olerud's batting title. They should put that in place of Gruber's cycle.
* Surely Ernie Whitt should be on the wall instead of Pat Borders. The headline could just be Ernie! Ernie!
* Tom Henke's team saves total is much more worthy of mention than Koch's first year.
* I'd rather have the Best Outfield In Baseball (Bell/Moseby/Barfield) on the wall than the 4 current Jays with 20 HRs before the break.
* I think they could squeeze in an image of Tony Fernandez with the 1985 division win.
* Since it's out of order anyway, I'd drop the memorial of Canada's 1st World Series, in favour of Fred McGriff (remember the 1989 home run title, or just put a headline of Freddie). There are still plenty of WS momentos.
* I'm glad Alomar is on the wall. He still may enter the Hall of Fame as a Jay.
* I'm also okay with Rocket's fantastic two seasons getting him on the wall, despite his current unpopularity. He really was a hard worker.
* Of the picture of Griffin and Kubek, it's Kubek who's more worthy of the wall space, though Alfredo was a favorite of mine at the time.
* I like that the murals are (for the most part) in chronological order, though I'd allow an exception to put Devo's catch in the right spot.
Note that there is still a Circle of Fame which is now up near the 5th? level. If I recall correctly, it features Stieb, Bell, Carter and Gaston (just their names, numbers and years of service, no pictures).
Last Updated: 2001 Nov 26
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