RetroSeasons recaps past sports seasons through stories, photos, videos, and stats from every team, league, and stadium in history. Coverage includes the NBA, NFL, MLB and NHL, as well as vintage media from defunct teams and leagues.
Canadian National Exhibition Stadium (commonly known as Exhibition Stadium or CNE Stadium) was a multi-purpose stadium that formerly stood on the Exhibition Place grounds, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Originally built for Canadian National Exhibition events, the stadium served as the home of the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League, from 1959–1988, the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball from 1977–1989, and the Toronto Blizzard of the North American Soccer League from 1979–1983. The stadium hosted the Grey Cup game 12 times over a 24-year period.
In 1999, the stadium was demolished and the site was used for parking until 2006. BMO Field was built on the site in 2007 roughly where the northern end of the covered grandstand once stood.
On April 7, 1977, at Exhibition Stadium, the Toronto Blue Jays faced off against the Chicago White Sox in a game that captured early season intrigue. The starting pitchers, Ken Brett for the White Sox and Bill Singer for the Blue Jays, took the mound under the watchful eyes of baseball enthusiasts keen to see how these teams would perform. This season was particularly notable for the Blue Jays, marking their inaugural year in Major League Baseball, adding a layer of excitement and anticipation around their games. The White Sox, on the other hand, were looking to make their mark early in the season, aiming to build on their past performances and eyeing a successful campaign.
The game unfolded with an energetic start as both teams put runs on the board in the early innings. Notably, Richie Zisk of the White Sox showcased his power with a home run in the first inning, setting a competitive tone. The Blue Jays responded in kind, with Doug Ault hitting two home runs, one in the first and another in the third inning, contributing significantly to the Blue Jays' offense. The middle innings saw a continuation of this back-and-forth, with both teams' offenses finding opportunities to score. The Blue Jays' Al Woods also made a notable debut, hitting a home run that added to the excitement of the game. The pitching changes for both teams attempted to stem the flow of runs, with the Blue Jays' bullpen managing to hold off the White Sox's advances in the later innings.
On this date 34 years ago, Kirk Gibson signed a free agent contract with the...
Kirk Gibson Signs with Dodgers, 1988 / On this date 34 years ago, Kirk Gibson signed a free agent contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. One of the stars of the 1984 Tigers World Series championship team, Gibson made the decision to leave his hometown team to move to the National League. And the decision paid big dividends--for Gibson and the Dodgers. Kirk earned NL Most Valuable Player honors, batting .290 with 25 HR and 76 RBI. In the game one of the World Series, Gibson hit one of the most important home runs in post-season history off Dennis Eckersley. Gibson's signing occurred on my first week at WXYZ-TV and I covered the press conference he held in Grosse Pointe Park.
For the Cleveland Indians, the 1978 season was challenging. They struggled to find consistency in...
Cleveland Indians vs Toronto Blue Jays - Radio Broadcast / For the Cleveland Indians, the 1978 season was challenging. They struggled to find consistency in their gameplay, facing difficulties both offensively and defensively. In August, their weaknesses became more apparent, as they struggled to secure crucial victories and make significant progress in the standings. While they had some individual standout performances from players like Andre Thornton, their collective efforts fell short, preventing them from making a strong push for the playoffs.
On the other hand, the Toronto Blue Jays had a more promising season in 1978. In August, they displayed flashes of potential, with players like Dave Stieb showcasing their talent and contributing to the team's success. Their pitching staff performed admirably, holding opponents in check and providing a solid foundation for the team's victories. Although the Blue Jays were not yet a playoff contender, their progress and growing competitive spirit were evident throughout August.
