November 26, 1979 – Blue Jays shortstop Alfredo Griffin named co-winner of American League Rookie of the Year award

November 26, 2025

By Kevin Glew

Cooperstowners in Canada

Forty-six years ago today, Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Alfredo Griffin was named co-winner of the American League Rookie of the Year award.

He shared the honour with Minnesota Twins infielder John Castino.

It was the first major year-end award ever won by a Blue Jays player.

In 1979, Griffin excelled as the Blue Jays’ leadoff hitter and everyday shortstop, batting .287 in 153 games. He also established then franchise records in hits (179), runs (81), triples (10) and stolen bases (20).

“I’m surprised I won it . . . I was worried about the way I was playing in the first month, but I tried not to feel the pressure. I tried to relax because I knew I could hit. I was fortunate that I was allowed to keep playing every day,” Griffin told The Globe and Mail. “It’s strange. I remember Tony Kubek telling me at spring training that I would be rookie of the year.”

Gillick not surprised

Blue Jays general manager Pat Gillick was not surprised that Griffin captured the honour. He had been criticized the previous December when he dealt Victor Cruz, the Blue Jays’ best young reliever, to Cleveland for Griffin and infielder Phil Lansford.

“Personally, I think it lends credibility to the program we have been trying to follow right from the beginning, finding or trading for young players and developing them,” Gillick told the Toronto Star about Griffin’s top rookie win. “I’m happy for Alfredo, and for our organization as a whole.”

Improved during the season

After the 21-year-old Griffin batted just .184 in 21 games in April to begin the season, there were calls for him to be replaced at shortstop by veteran Luis Gomez. Fortunately, manager Roy Hartsfield did not listen, and Griffin came into his own, especially in the season’s final two months when he hit .343 in August and .347 in September.

On top of setting a number of Blue Jays’ records, the 5-foot-11, 160-pound infielder finished second in the AL in singles (145), fourth in sacrifice hits (16) and fifth in triples.

Defensively, he was second among AL shortstops in putouts (272) and double plays (124).

“I had a feeling this would happen,” Blue Jays president Peter Bavasi told The Globe and Mail after Griffin was honoured. “There was a marked improvement in his play during the season. Anyone with the mildest interest in the team could notice. It’s just a testimony to the player. He didn’t let a poor start ruin him. He kept working at it and the dividends came later.”

Bavasi also praised Hartsfield for his patience with Griffin.

“Some other manager would have gotten frustrated when he didn’t get off to a good start and put him on the bench,” said Bavasi. “But he stuck with him, something that gave Griffin, who was a young, inexperienced player, the confidence he needed to play up to his ability.”

The only tie

The tie between Griffin and Castino for the American League Rookie of the Year award was the first – and still only – one in the history of the voting. In 1979, two baseball writers from each of the 14 American League franchise cities voted for the honour. They could only vote for one player.

Of the 28 who voted, Griffin and Castino received seven votes each. California Angels right-hander Mark Clear was third with five votes, while New York Yankees reliever Ron Davis, Texas Rangers first baseman Pat Putnam and Chicago White Sox lefty Ross Baumgarten garnered three votes each.

Gillick felt that Griffin’s outstanding rookie campaign was just the beginning of a bright career for the young shortstop.

“I’d say it’s within his reach to hit .300, steal 30-to-35 bases and become one of the premier shortstops in the league,” Gillick told the Toronto Star.

Griffin may not have reached those heights, but he did go on to enjoy a solid 18-season big league career. He spent eight of those with the Blue Jays, returning to the club for the 1992 and 1993 World Series-winning seasons after successful tenures with the Oakland A’s and Los Angeles Dodgers.

The only other Blue Jays player to win the American League Rookie of the Year award is Eric Hinske, who took home the honour in 2002.