The Toronto Blue Jays last competed in the World Series 32 years ago, with support from St. Catharines, Ont., home to the Baby Jays. The St. Catharines Blue Jays, established by the Toronto MLB organization in 1985, played in the New York-Penn League (NYPL) for a decade. St. Catharines served as a developmental ground for players aspiring to reach the major leagues.
St. Catharines, traditionally known for hockey and rowing, provided an ideal setting for baseball due to its closeness to Toronto and Community Park, where the team played. This park met the criteria for St. Catharines to participate in the NYPL, a Class A short-season minor league.
According to David Siegel, a retired political science professor, the NYPL was commonly referred to as an “up or out” league, where players either advanced to higher levels or exited baseball altogether. Siegel, who extensively researched minor league baseball in the Niagara Region, also regularly attended St. Catharines games.
Players like Carlos Delgado began their careers with St. Catharines before moving on to the major leagues. Delgado, who transitioned from catcher to first base for Toronto, was instrumental in the Blue Jays’ 1993 World Series victory.
Delgado reminisces about his time with the Baby Jays, highlighting the impact of his experience as a young player from Puerto Rico in Canada. Other notable players who started with the Baby Jays and later won a World Series with Toronto include Pat Hentgen and Rob Butler.
The City of St. Catharines aimed to enhance sports tourism by upgrading Community Park to George Taylor Field for the Blue Jays affiliate team’s arrival. The city hoped to attract more tourists and baseball enthusiasts, showcasing the Baby Jays through various promotions and a dedicated fan club.
Despite the initial excitement surrounding the team, the venture eventually transitioned to new ownership and a rebranding as the St. Catharines Stompers in 1995. The dream of constructing a baseball stadium in downtown St. Catharines faded, and the team eventually departed in 1999.
While the Stompers era was short-lived, it left a lasting impact on the community and baseball fans. The legacy of the Baby Jays and Stompers continues to be cherished by those who fondly remember their time in St. Catharines.