The Toronto Blue Jays are making a triumphant return to the World Series after a hiatus of more than 30 years, bringing excitement and change to the sports landscape. The team will face off against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Rogers Centre, marking their first World Series appearance since their back-to-back victories in 1992 and 1993.
For many fans and even current players like Trey Yesavage, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and Shane Bieber, the last time the Blue Jays reached the World Series predates their existence. To provide a glimpse into the past, let’s revisit how Toronto looked and celebrated during the Jays’ previous World Series appearances.
In the early 1990s, the Toronto Blue Jays achieved remarkable success, notably clinching the 1993 World Series title by defeating the Philadelphia Phillies in a memorable Game 6. Joe Carter’s iconic home run, accompanied by Tom Cheek’s famous call of “Touch ’em all, Joe,” remains etched in Canadian sports history. Fast forward to 2025, George Springer’s game-winning homer in the American League Championship Series echoes the thrill of past glories, with hopes high for a successful showdown with the Dodgers.
While the Blue Jays soared, the Toronto Maple Leafs faced playoff disappointment in 1993, falling to the Los Angeles Kings led by Wayne Gretzky. It was also the last time a Canadian team, the Montreal Canadiens, lifted the Stanley Cup by defeating the Kings in the final.
In other sporting realms, the Toronto Argonauts struggled in the CFL’s East Division, missing the playoffs, while the Toronto Raptors emerged as the NBA’s first Canadian team in 1995. The city also witnessed the inaugural Molson Indy and hosted the IAAF World Indoor Championships in Athletics at what is now Rogers Centre.
Shifting to pop culture, 1993 was marked by Nirvana’s final Toronto concert, Whitney Houston’s chart-topping hit “I Will Always Love You,” and the debut of TV shows like “Seinfeld” and “Home Improvement.” Blockbuster movies such as “Jurassic Park,” “Mrs. Doubtfire,” and “Schindler’s List” captivated audiences, while CBC introduced “This Hour Has 22 Minutes.”
On the political front, June Rowlands served as Toronto’s first female mayor from 1991 to 1994, within the Metropolitan Toronto framework. Kim Campbell made history as Canada’s first female prime minister in June 1993, albeit for a brief tenure.
In terms of infrastructure and entertainment, 1993 saw the reopening of the Hockey Hall of Fame, the launch of Medieval Times, and the debut of The Princess of Wales Theatre with “Miss Saigon.” Notable absences included modern shopping centers like Vaughan Mills, sports arenas like Scotiabank Arena, and the closure of A&A Records.
The city’s transit system also underwent changes, with the TTC phasing out trolley buses in favor of diesel buses by 1993, reflecting a period of evolution and transformation in Toronto’s history.
