December 19, 2025
By Kevin Glew
Cooperstowners in Canada
Thirty-four years ago today, the Toronto Blue Jays signed 40-year-old Dave Winfield to a one-year, $2.3-million contract to serve as their designated hitter for the 1992 season.
“I’m excited but I don’t think it’s going to hit me for a while yet,” Winfield told the Toronto Star of signing with the Blue Jays. “I like that team. I like Cito (Gaston). I like that city. The city’s important. I don’t want to feel like I was going anywhere just to work. I work hard . . . do whatever it takes to win . . . but I also enjoy myself. I don’t like to toil. I know I’ve always played pretty well there, too.”
He had indeed.
At that point in his career, Winfield had hit .313 with 23 home runs and 84 RBIs against the Blue Jays.
“Toronto got a real bargain here,” Winfield told the Toronto Star. “They’re going to be very happy with me.”
He was right.
Despite a nine-season tenure with the New York Yankees and being Major League Baseball’s active leader with 406 home runs, Winfield did not have a World Series ring when he joined the Blue Jays.
With Toronto, Winfield proceeded to bat .290 with 26 home runs and 108 RBIs in 156 regular season games in 1992. With that, he became the first 40-year-old in American League history to record 100 RBIs in a season.
He also evolved into one of the Blue Jays’ most popular players. In the playoffs, when he felt the Blue Jays fans were too quiet in the SkyDome he asked for noise. Blue Jays fans obliged and “Winfield Wants Noise” signs began sprouting up around the Dome.
Winfield also knocked in the game-winning run for the Blue Jays with his two-run double in the top of the 11th inning of the sixth and deciding game of the World Series against the Atlanta Braves. This gave the Blue Jays their first championship and Winfield his first – and only – World Series ring.
That was Winfield’s sole season with the Blue Jays. He finished his 22-year MLB career with the Minnesota Twins and Cleveland.
He was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility in 2001.
So glad the Jays signed him. I don’t think we would have won the World Series without him.
Yes, he was a great guy to sign. Thanks for your comment.
Thanks for a great read on Dave Winfield.
He was a important part of the 1992 World Series.
Yes, he sure was. Thanks for your comment.
Thanks for the rundown on Dave Winfield.