Even though it feels like every game has been a milestone for them this postseason, the Toronto Blue Jays will once again host the biggest game in 32 years for the franchise.
On Friday night, the Blue Jays host Game 6 of the World Series at the Rogers Centre, with the possibility of winning it all for the first time since Joe Carter’s famous walk-off home run in 1993.
Kevin Gausman will get the ball for Toronto, while Yoshinobu Yamamoto — who pitched a complete game in a Game 2 victory — will be starting for the Dodgers.
But before the two star pitchers get underway, there’s a pitch that might generate just as much excitement: the ceremonial first pitch.
(Edit: It was reported Friday by MLB.com’s Keegan Matheson that former Jay Devon White will be throwing out the first pitch before Game 6.)
Toronto has used eight different alumni to throw out their first pitches so far, with six of them coming from the 2015-16 era team. Earlier in the World Series, Toronto pulled out two of the biggest guns possible, getting former manager Cito Gaston and the aforementioned Carter for Games 1 and 2.
If Toronto sticks with their tradition, they’d turn to a former player to get them going on Friday night.
Here’s who’s thrown it out for the Jays so far:
American League Division Series
- Game 1: Russell Martin
- Game 2: Kevin Pillar
American League Championship Series
- Game 1: Edwin Encarnacion
- Game 2: Josh Donaldson
- Game 6: Jose Bautista
- Game 7: Marco Estrada
World Series
- Game 1: Cito Gaston
- Game 2: Joe Carter
Who is throwing out the ceremonial first pitch for the Blue Jays?
The Blue Jays haven’t announced any plans for it yet, but it seems likely it’ll be someone closely connected to the team’s history. There’s always a chance for a repeat thrower, with many of the names above likely to be back in Toronto this weekend.
One option could be fan favourite manager John Gibbons, who still sings his praises of the city. Other options could include other legendary Jays like Dave Stieb, Carlos Delgado, or John Olerud, who haven’t yet been called upon. Delgado, Stieb, George Bell, and former team execs Paul Beeston and Pat Gillick are the five living members of the Level of Excellence at the Rogers Centre that haven’t thrown it out yet.
There’s also a chance for a family member of the late Roy Halladay to be called upon, as the lone retired number in franchise history.
But if the Blue Jays really want to blow off the roof of the Rogers Centre, a man who’s dedicated his life to the team is Buck Martinez, currently commentating the postseason on Sportsnet.
While it might be a quick sprint back to the commentary booth after the first pitch, the former Jays player and manager might be the one choice the team hasn’t pulled out yet that would really get the crowd going.
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