1993 World Series Championship

Lore & Background

With Toronto ahead three games to two in the Series, but trailing Game 6 by a score of 6–5 in the bottom of the ninth inning, Joe Carter hit a game-winning three-run home run to clinch Toronto's second consecutive championship (the first team to repeat as champions since the 1977–78 Yankees). This was only the second Series concluded by such a home run (the first was on a Bill Mazeroski home run for the Pittsburgh Pirates, in the bottom of the ninth in the seventh game of the 1960 World Series), and the first such occasion where a come-from-behind walk-off home run won a World Series. This victory was the last major North American professional sports championship won by a Canadian team until the Toronto Raptors won the 2019 NBA Finals. To date, this remains Toronto's last World Series victory, as well as the most recent championship in any of the four major leagues to be won by a Canadian team at their home venue. The Jays would not return to the World Series until 32 years later, in 2025. They also did not return to the playoffs after 1993 until 2015.

In Their Own Story

The air inside The SkyDome was thick with anticipation, the retractable roof closed against the Canadian autumn chill. In the bottom of the ninth, two outs, bases loaded—the tension was palpable enough to silence even the rowdiest section. Joe Carter swung, and the crack of the bat echoed like a thunderclap. As the ball soared over the left-field wall, time seemed to suspend before erupting into chaos. Players poured from the dugout, fans rushed the field, and for that fleeting moment, every Blue Jay fan in North America felt the weight of history lift.

Reader's Guide

Nick Leyva, who was fired as the Phillies manager 13 games into the 1991 season after going 4–9, and replaced by Jim Fregosi, was the 3B coach for the Blue Jays. Leyva was the AAA Syracuse manager, but got the call up to the MLB staff after regular 3B coach Rich Hacker was badly injured in a car crash in July. Game 1: The Series' first game sent two staff aces—Curt Schilling for Philadelphia and Juan Guzman for Toronto—against one another. Toronto won 8–5. Al Leiter pitched in relief for his first World Series win. Game 2: Dave Stewart started for Toronto and Terry Mulholland for Philadelphia. Philadelphia won 6–4 to tie the series. Game 3: Pat Hentgen started for Toronto, Danny Jackson for Philadelphia. Toronto won 10–3. Paul Molitor hit a solo home run.

Did You Know?

• This was the fourth World Series with games played entirely on artificial turf.
• Larry Andersen was the only member of the Phillies who had played for the team in its previous World Series appearance.
• Darren Daulton had been a late season call-up in 1983, but only served as the bullpen catcher in the World Series that year.