1993 Toronto Blue Jays

 When the 1994 season ended prematurely from the strike, it cancelled the World Series. If there was any consolation, it gave us all an extra year to appreciate the dramatic ending to the previous fall classic.

The Toronto Blue Jays went into 1993 looking to defend their world championship and become the first repeat champs since the '77-'78 Yankees. The first order of business was to fend off those Yankees in the AL East as well as everyone else in the regular season. Cito Gaston led them to a 95-67 record, 7 games better than New York, for their 3rd straight division title and 4th in 5 years. (They wouldn't win the East again for another 22 years)

This time in the ALCS the Jays would meet the Chicago White Sox. The series was dominated by the road teams with Toronto winning one game as host and finishing things up in six games in Chicago. Then it was back to the World Series where this time the Philadelphia Phillies were waiting.

Game 1 was set to be a pitchers duel, but Juan Guzman and Philly's Curt Schilling didn't quite live up to the hype. Al Leiter came in on relief and quieted down the Phillies hitters while the Jays tagged Schilling for the runs needed for the 8-5 win. The Phillies would gang up on ALCS MVP Dave Stewart in the 3rd inning of Game 2 to ultimately tie the series up as things shifted to Philadelphia where a blowout win in Game 3 put the Jays up 2-1.

Game 4 was a blowout for both sides, as the Phillies took a 14-9 lead into the 8th inning. The Blue Jays would rally home 6 runs and go on to win 15-14. The 29 combined runs is still a World Series record. Both aces redeemed themselves in Game 5, with Schilling and the Phillies prevailing 2-0 to send the series back to Canada.

Toronto began Game 6 with a quick 3-0 lead that became 5-1 going into the later innings. Lenny Dykstra led the Phillies comeback as they scored five times in the 7th to take a 6-5 lead. In the 9th, the stage was set for one of the most immortal WS moments. A couple of Hall of Famers set the stage; Rickey Henderson walked, allowing his base stealing potential to distract Phillies Closer Mitch Williams. With 1 out, Paul Molitor singled, putting the tying run in scoring position as Joe Carter stepped in to hit. In what would be the biggest moment of any players life, Carter launched a come-from-behind walk-off World Series winning homer that brought the Blue Jays their 2nd consecutive title and the perfect way to end Toronto's championship window.

"Touch em all, Joe!" The World Series hero also had a homer earlier in the series. The all star led the Jays with 33 Home Runs and 121 RBI.

Repeating as WS champions sometimes means bringing in talent to make the lineup even more dangerous. Trading for a Hall of Fame talent is always a smart way to accomplish that. 22 of his 53 Stolen Bases happened with Toronto in '93. To ensure Rickey wouldn't steal any bases on him in Game 6, Mitch Williams changed up his delivery, which may have ensured a better pitch for Carter to hit out.

A Hall of Fame talent already on roster from the previous title, Alomar had another typical season that saw the all star win a Gold Glove, lead the team with 55 Stolen Bases and finish top 10 in the MVP race.

Olerud finished 3rd for the MVP as the all star won the Batting Title with a .363 Average and the most Doubles in the majors with 54. White was also an all star with a Gold Glove to boot.

Future starts Delgado and Green debuted in 1993 with Toronto. I wouldn't recommend using either, though.

Toronto's #1 option led the staff with 194 Strikeouts and 221 Innings. He took up the task in the ALCS with 2 Wins over the White Sox as well.

Hentgen had a team high 19 Wins and an all star nod. He made it an even 20 on the year with his victory in Game 3 of the World Series.

Stewart quietly put together a 12 Win season in the rotation, but he stood out all alone in the ALCS where he got the Win in Games 2 and 6 to win the series MVP award.

The other major Starters. Morris might not have been the workhorse he used to be, but he still found a way to lead the team with 4 Complete Games.

The league leader with 45 Saves, Ward finished 5th for the Cy Young and went to the all star game. In the playoffs he Saved 2 games against the White Sox, then another 2 in the World Series to go along with the Win he received when Joe Carter hit the walk-off.

Bullpen and the rest of the pitchers. Castillo and Leiter picked up big time Wins in the World Series.

After a long career in Milwaukee where he put up Hall of Fame stats, Paul Monitor signed on with the Blue Jays to chase something the Brewers couldn't give him: a championship. The change in scenery helped him lead baseball with 211 Hits as he made the all star roster and won a Silver Slugger. But his return to the World Series is where Molitor really showed off. He went 12-24 (.500) with 2 Doubles, 2 Triples, 2 Home Runs, 10 Runs and a Stolen Base to make him the MVP of the series.