#19: Stieb Shines in Jays’ First ALCS
Game, 1985
Kansas City Royal (1) at Toronto Blue
Jays (6)
American League Championship Series,
Game 1
Tuesday, October 8, 1985
Exhibition Stadium
After
the Jays had eliminated the New York Yankees and had advanced to the
post-season for the first time in club history, the questions started to arise
on how they would perform. After all, they had stumbled in the final week of
the season, getting swept by the Detroit Tigers and losing two of three to the
Yankees.
Add that to the fact
that they were playing the battle-hardened Kansas City Royals who had won the
A.L. West Division for the sixth time since 1976 and had also secured a spot in
the 1981 strike-necessitated ALDS. Seven play off appearances in ten years, but
they had yet to win the big one.
Also of concern was the
circulating rumour among Canadian media and fans that the hierarchy of MLB did
not necessarily want a Canadian-based team participating in the World Series
and in turn would have the umpires rule against the Jays in any close play. As
ridiculous as that sounds, some people truly believed it.
But game one in the
friendly confines of Exhibition Stadium (as friendly as cold breezes off the
Lake Ontario could be), the Jays had their ace, Dave Stieb, on the hill in the
first game. The 1985 American League’s ERA leader was scheduled to pitch three
games in the series, if it went the full seven.
After a scoreless
first—and after Stieb retired the Royals in order in the second—Toronto jumped
on Kansas City starter Charlie Liebrandt for two runs. Right fielder Jesse
Barfield led off the inning with a single and moved to second when first
baseman Willie Upshaw was hit by a pitch. Third baseman Garth Iorg grounded
into a fielder’s choice with the putout at third. Catcher Ernie Whitt then
singled in Upshaw for the game’s first run. The next batter, shortstop Tony
Fernandez singled in Iorg and the Jays were up 2-0.
After Stieb retired the
Royals in order again in the third, designated hitter Cliff Johnson would lead
off Toronto’s half of the third with a double. Barfield would then walk, and
Upshaw singled to load the bases and knock Liebrandt out of the game. Rance
Mulliniks would pinch hit for Iorg and greet the new Kansas City hurler, Steve
Farr, with an RBI single. Whitt would then walk forcing in another run and
Upshaw’s sacrifice fly scored the third run of the inning: Toronto up 5-0.
In the fifth, with
left-fielder George Bell on base, Johnson grounded out to short. Bell rounded
second and tried to challenge the arm of Royal first baseman, Steve Balboni.
Balboni’s throw was too high and Bell was able to score on the error: 6-0 Jays.
Stieb was magnificent
on the hill, pitching eight scoreless innings, yielding only three hits and one
walk while striking out eight. Tom Henke pitched the ninth and gave up Kansas
City’s only run of the game. Final score, Blue Jays-6, Royals-1.
The Jays had drawn
first blood in the series and had given their confidence a boost. While many predicted
the Jays would be in awe of being in the postseason for the first time, it was
the play-off experienced Royals who appeared a bit apprehensive in the first
game. The Jays and their fans were starting to believe they could win it all.
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