What Is 1987 Toronto Blue Jays baseball team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1987 Toronto Blue Jays finished the season with a 78–84 record, placing fifth in the American League East. It was their first losing season since 1982 and marked a decline after two consecutive playoff appearances.

Key Facts

The 1987 Toronto Blue Jays had a final record of 78 wins and 84 losses.
They finished fifth in the AL East, 20 games behind the division-winning Detroit Tigers.
Manager Jimy Williams led the team in his first full season as skipper.
Key players included George Bell, who hit 32 home runs and drove in 108 runs.
The team played home games at Exhibition Stadium in Toronto, Ontario.

Overview

The 1987 Toronto Blue Jays represented a transitional year for the franchise, marking a step back after a period of consistent competitiveness. After reaching the American League Championship Series in 1985 and narrowly missing the playoffs in 1986, the 1987 season saw the team struggle with consistency and underperform expectations.

Despite individual standout performances, the Blue Jays failed to maintain the momentum of previous years. They ended the season with a losing record and missed the postseason for the first time since 1982, signaling a need for roster adjustments and strategic reevaluation.

Final record of 78–84: The team posted a below-.500 win-loss mark, their first losing season in five years, finishing 20 games behind the first-place Detroit Tigers.
Fifth-place finish in AL East: The Blue Jays trailed behind the Tigers, Brewers, Orioles, and Red Sox in the division standings, highlighting a competitive but inconsistent season.
Jimy Williams as manager: In his first full season as manager, Williams guided a young roster but faced challenges with pitching depth and late-inning execution.
George Bell’s 108 RBIs: Bell led the American League in runs batted in, becoming the first Blue Jay to achieve this feat and earning All-Star honors.
Exhibition Stadium attendance: The team averaged just over 27,000 fans per game, reflecting steady but unspectacular fan engagement during a down season.

Performance & Roster

The 1987 season showcased a mix of veteran leadership and emerging talent, though the pitching staff struggled to maintain the pace set by the offense. While the lineup produced runs, the rotation and bullpen faltered under pressure, contributing to the team’s inability to sustain winning streaks.

George Bell: 32 HR, 108 RBI: Bell had a career year, leading the AL in RBIs and finishing fourth in MVP voting, earning his second All-Star selection.
Jim Clancy led the rotation: With a 12–14 record and 4.50 ERA, Clancy was the workhorse of a pitching staff that ranked near the bottom in team ERA.
Devon White’s defensive impact: In his rookie season, White played elite center field defense and contributed 11 stolen bases despite a .234 batting average.
Fred McGriff’s emergence: Acquired mid-season, McGriff hit .264 with 5 HR in 44 games, foreshadowing his future role as a franchise cornerstone.
Bobby Cox as GM: The general manager continued building through trades and player development, setting the foundation for the team’s late-1980s resurgence.

Comparison at a Glance

Comparing the 1987 Blue Jays to recent seasons reveals a clear dip in performance despite strong individual achievements. The table below outlines key statistical comparisons:

Season	Wins	Losses	AL East Rank	Manager
1985	99	63	1st	Jimy Williams
1986	86	76	2nd	Jimy Williams
1987	78	84	5th	Jimy Williams
1988	87	75	2nd	Jimy Williams
1989	89	73	1st	Jimy Williams

The decline in 1987 was temporary, as the team rebounded strongly by 1989, winning the division. This season served as a bridge between two competitive eras, emphasizing the importance of roster continuity and managerial stability under Williams and Cox.

Why It Matters

The 1987 season is significant not for its results, but for what it revealed about the Blue Jays’ long-term trajectory. It underscored the volatility of competitive balance in baseball and highlighted the need for sustained investment in both pitching and player development.

Set the stage for 1990s success: The lessons from 1987 influenced front-office decisions that led to back-to-back World Series titles in 1992 and 1993.
George Bell’s MVP-caliber year: His performance proved the team could produce elite individual talent even during team downturns.
Exposure of pitching weaknesses: The staff’s 4.62 ERA pushed the front office to prioritize arms in future trades and drafts.
Roster transition period: The season marked the gradual shift from the 1985 core to a younger, more balanced team by the early 1990s.
Attendance resilience: Despite losing, the team maintained solid attendance, showing strong fan loyalty in Toronto’s growing baseball market.
Managerial continuity: Keeping Jimy Williams through the slump demonstrated organizational patience, which paid off in later years.

Ultimately, the 1987 Toronto Blue Jays serve as a reminder that even temporary setbacks can shape future success, especially when managed with long-term vision.