Before the Blue Jays : Professional Baseball in Toronto 18851976

Step up to the plate and discover the fascinating history of professional baseball in Toronto.

From the first Major League Baseball game in 1932 to the thrilling feats of Toronto sluggers like Vince Barton, who hit five home runs in a single professional game, Toronto has always been a hub for baseball excellence. Before the Blue Jays covers these events and more, previously lost to the sands of time.

Did you know that Babe Ruth, who hit his only minor league home run at Hanlan's Point, homered at least four times in Toronto as a member of the New York Yankees? Or that in 1914 Toronto was home to not one but two professional baseball teams? The Toronto Maple Leafs and the Toronto Beavers vied for fans' attention, making for a thrilling season. Fast forward to 1943, when Toronto's own All-American Girls Professional Baseball League player, Gladys Davis, made history as the league's first batting champion.

In this captivating journey through Toronto's baseball past, you'll dive into the stories of trailblazers and learn about Toronto’s professional baseball scene and numerous venues before the city’s major league team first took flight in 1977.