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St. Catharines Blue Jays

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St. Catharines Blue Jays
Minor league affiliations
Previous classes
  • Short-Season A
Previous leagues
New York–Penn League
Major league affiliations
Previous teamsToronto Blue Jays (1986–1999)
Minor league titles
League titles 1 (1986)
Division titles 1 (1986)
Team data
Previous names
  • St. Catharines Stompers 1995–1999
  • St. Catharines Blue Jays 1986–1994
BallparkGeorge Taylor Field
Previous parks
Community Park 1986–1999
Owner(s)/
Operator(s)
Terrence O'Malley

The St. Catharines Blue Jays were a minor league baseball team which played at Community Park in St. Catharines, Ontario. They were the Short-Season A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays in the New York–Penn League.[1]

History

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The team began play in 1986 as the Blue Jays, though were later renamed the St. Catharines Stompers in 1995. The team left St. Catharines after the 1999 season to become the Queens Kings in 2000.[2]

On 4 July 2007, it was reported in the St. Catharines Standard the Stompers were going to return in the summer of 2008. Former team owner, Terrence O'Malley was quoted as saying: "the Stompers are back ... We'll be playing at Community Park beginning next summer."[3] This article prompted a number of responses, though, in the end, this turned out to be only a satirical piece.

The Blue Jays won the New York-Penn league title in 1986.

St. Catharines Stompers at Community Park - August 1995
Community Park Concessions

Notable players

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Player Achievements Year in St. Catharines
Pat Hentgen 1993 World Series champion, 1996 AL Cy Young Award Winner, 3× All-Star, 2016 Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame 1986
Carlos Delgado All-Star, 2015 Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame 1989
Jeff Kent All-Star, 2000 NL MVP 1989
Vernon Wells All-Star 1997

[4]

Managers

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As Stompers

References

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  1. ^ Nemeth, Mary (September 5, 1994). "Diamond in the Rough". Maclean’s Magazine. Retrieved September 21, 2021.
  2. ^ Mawhood, Rod (November 24, 2020). "Did you know? Pat Hentgen's baseball career started in St. Catharines as a 17-year old". The Niagara Independent. Retrieved September 21, 2021.
  3. ^ Potrecz, Bill (2007-07-04). "Stompers return a dream come true". St. Catharines Standard..
  4. ^ Potrecz, Bill (June 23, 2015). "Impressive list of former St. Catharines players". St. Catharines Standard. Retrieved September 21, 2021.