That slider may have been Dave Stieb’s best pitch, but he had others that made him a force to be reckoned with. They propelled him to start two all-star games, throw a no-hitter, flirt with many more, and become the first real ace of the Toronto Blue Jays pitching staff.
It was his birthday a couple days ago, reminding me of the greatness that was Dave Stieb.
In the beginning
Dave Stieb made his major-league debut with the Blue Jays on June 29, 1979, and would make 18 starts, pitching seven complete games, recording one shut out, 52 strike outs, a 4.31 earned run average, 129.1 innings pitched, and finished with an 8-8 record, for the best winning percentage on the Blue Jays.
Dave Stieb made his major-league debut with the Blue Jays on June 29, 1979, and would make 18 starts, pitching seven complete games, recording one shut out, 52 strike outs, a 4.31 earned run average, 129.1 innings pitched, and finished with an 8-8 record, for the best winning percentage on the Blue Jays.
The Blue Jays were terrible that year, finishing with a major-league worst record of 53-109.
At the start of the ‘80s, Dave Stieb was on the verge of becoming one of the best pitchers of the decade.
Dawn of the decade
Dave Stieb played his first full season with Toronto in 1980. He started 32 games, with a 12-15 record, a 3.71 earned run average, four shutouts, 242.1 innings pitched, 108 strike outs, and 14 complete games. He was named the American League Pitcher of the Month for April, on the strength of a 1.06 earned run average in four games, including three complete games. Stieb was also named to his first all-star game, and received votes for league most valuable player, finishing 27th.
Dave Stieb played his first full season with Toronto in 1980. He started 32 games, with a 12-15 record, a 3.71 earned run average, four shutouts, 242.1 innings pitched, 108 strike outs, and 14 complete games. He was named the American League Pitcher of the Month for April, on the strength of a 1.06 earned run average in four games, including three complete games. Stieb was also named to his first all-star game, and received votes for league most valuable player, finishing 27th.
The Jays finished with a 67-95 record, much better than the previous season, but still last in the American League East Division.
Strike season
In 1981, Stieb started 25 games, finishing with an 11-10 record, his first winning record, along with a 3.19 earned run average, two shut outs, 183.2 innings pitched, 89 strike outs, and 11 complete games. Stieb also played in his second all-star game.
In 1981, Stieb started 25 games, finishing with an 11-10 record, his first winning record, along with a 3.19 earned run average, two shut outs, 183.2 innings pitched, 89 strike outs, and 11 complete games. Stieb also played in his second all-star game.
The season was disrupted by a strike, splitting the season into halves. In the first half Toronto had a 16-42 record, finishing last in the American League East Division. The second half was not much better as the Jays finished with a 21-27 record, once again finishing last in the American League East Division.
Star season
Dave Stieb had a stellar 1982 season. He started 38 games, going 17-14, with a 3.25 earned run average, five shut outs, 288.1 innings pitched, 141 strike outs, and 19 complete games. He led the league in complete games, shut outs, innings pitched, and hits. Stieb finished fourth in Cy Young voting behind Pete Vuckovich, and was was named the Sporting News Pitcher of the Year.
Dave Stieb had a stellar 1982 season. He started 38 games, going 17-14, with a 3.25 earned run average, five shut outs, 288.1 innings pitched, 141 strike outs, and 19 complete games. He led the league in complete games, shut outs, innings pitched, and hits. Stieb finished fourth in Cy Young voting behind Pete Vuckovich, and was was named the Sporting News Pitcher of the Year.
The Blue Jays finished with a 78-84 record, their best in franchise history, but still finished last in the American League East Division, although last place came because they lost a tie-breaker to Cleveland.
Contenders
The Blue Jays turned a corner in 1983, finishing 89-73, their first winning record in team history. They even led their division at the all-star break before fading from contention in the latter part of the season to end up in fourth place.
The Blue Jays turned a corner in 1983, finishing 89-73, their first winning record in team history. They even led their division at the all-star break before fading from contention in the latter part of the season to end up in fourth place.
Stieb became the ace of the Blue Jays staff, starting 36 games, going 17-12; with a 3.04 earned run average, third best in the American League; four shut outs; 278 innings pitched, second in the American League; 187 strike outs; and 14 complete games. He also started the all-star game.
Wire to wire
In 1984, the Detroit Tigers became the first team in major league history to go wire to wire in first place, that is first place on Opening Day right through to first place on Closing Day. The Blue Jays became the first team in major league history to go wire to wire in second place, finishing the season with an 89-73 record.
In 1984, the Detroit Tigers became the first team in major league history to go wire to wire in first place, that is first place on Opening Day right through to first place on Closing Day. The Blue Jays became the first team in major league history to go wire to wire in second place, finishing the season with an 89-73 record.
Stieb started 35 games, going 16-8 with a 2.83 earned run average, two shut outs, 267 innings pitched to lead the American League, 198 strike outs, and 11 complete games. He also started his second consecutive all-star game, finished seventh in Cy Young voting, and garnered some votes for most valuable player, finishing 22nd.
Playoff bound
The Blue Jays got over the hump in 1985, qualifying for the playoffs for the first time in their history by finishing first in the American League East Division with a 99-62 record. However, they lost to eventual World Series Champion Kansas City in seven games in the American League Championship season. Stieb started three games – Game 1, earning the win; Game 4, earning no decision although the Jays did win; and Game 7, taking the loss.
The Blue Jays got over the hump in 1985, qualifying for the playoffs for the first time in their history by finishing first in the American League East Division with a 99-62 record. However, they lost to eventual World Series Champion Kansas City in seven games in the American League Championship season. Stieb started three games – Game 1, earning the win; Game 4, earning no decision although the Jays did win; and Game 7, taking the loss.
Stieb had yet another excellent season, leading the American League with a 2.48 earned run average. He started 36 games, going 14-13, with two shut outs, 265 innings pitched, 167 strike outs, and eight complete games. He was named to his fifth all-star team and again finished seventh in Cy Young voting.
Back to earth
The Blue jays could not repeat as American League East Division champions in 1986, falling to fourth place with a 86-76 record.
The Blue jays could not repeat as American League East Division champions in 1986, falling to fourth place with a 86-76 record.
Dave Stieb also had a difficult season. He started 34 games, going 7-12 with a 4.74 earned run average, one shut out, 205 innings pitched, 127 strike outs, and one complete game.
So close
The Blue Jays contended again in 1987, with a 96-66 record. They went down to the last weekend of the season with Detroit, where the Tigers swept the Jays to take the American League East Division title by two games.
The Blue Jays contended again in 1987, with a 96-66 record. They went down to the last weekend of the season with Detroit, where the Tigers swept the Jays to take the American League East Division title by two games.
Dave Stieb rebounded from his 1986 season. He started 31 games, going 13-9, with a 4.09 earned run average, one shut out, 185 innings pitched, 115 strike outs, and three complete games.
Stellar season
The Jays again showed sparks of brilliance in 1988, challenging the Boston Red Sox, the eventual American League East Division champions, but finished third with an 87-75 record.
Stieb started 31 games, going 16-8, with a 3.04 earned run average, four shut outs, 207.1 innings pitched, 147 strike outs, and eight complete games. He also played in his sixth all-star game.
The Jays again showed sparks of brilliance in 1988, challenging the Boston Red Sox, the eventual American League East Division champions, but finished third with an 87-75 record.
Stieb started 31 games, going 16-8, with a 3.04 earned run average, four shut outs, 207.1 innings pitched, 147 strike outs, and eight complete games. He also played in his sixth all-star game.
Back to the playoffs
The Blue Jays returned to the post-season in 1989, winning their second American League East Division title with an 89-73 record. Unfortunately they ran into a juggernaut in the Oakland A’s who beat the Jays in five games in the American League Championship Series then beat the San Francisco Giants to win the World Series.
The Blue Jays returned to the post-season in 1989, winning their second American League East Division title with an 89-73 record. Unfortunately they ran into a juggernaut in the Oakland A’s who beat the Jays in five games in the American League Championship Series then beat the San Francisco Giants to win the World Series.
Stieb was the ace of the Blue Jays staff again. He started 33 games, going 17-8 with a 3.35 earned run average, two shut outs, 206.2 innings pitched, 101 strike outs, and three complete games. He started two games in the American League Championship Series, but lost both decisions.
Dave Stieb won 140 games in the 1980s, the second highest total among all pitchers behind Jack Morris.
The years after
Dave Stieb continued on, having one last great season in 1990. He started 33 games, going 18-6, the most wins of his career; with a 2.93 earned run average, two shut outs, 208.2 innings pitched, 125 strike outs, and two complete games. He was selected for his seventh and final all-star game; finished fifth in Cy Young voting; and earned votes for league most valuable player, finishing 25th.
Dave Stieb continued on, having one last great season in 1990. He started 33 games, going 18-6, the most wins of his career; with a 2.93 earned run average, two shut outs, 208.2 innings pitched, 125 strike outs, and two complete games. He was selected for his seventh and final all-star game; finished fifth in Cy Young voting; and earned votes for league most valuable player, finishing 25th.
Injuries would hamper the remainder of Dave Stieb’s career. He started just nine games in 1991, going 4-3, with a 3.17 earned run average, 59. 2 innings pitched, 29 strike outs, and one complete game. In 1992, he started 14 games, going 4-6, with a 5.04 earned run average, 96.1 innings pitched, 45 strike outs, and one complete game.
He was released after the 1992 season, but was still awarded a World Series ring although he did not pitch in the post season due to injuries.
Stieb moved on to the Chicago White Sox in 1993, starting just four games, going 1-3, with a 6.04 earned run average, 22.1 innings pitched, and 11 strike outs. He then retired due to lingering injuries.
In 1998, Stieb started out as a pitching coach with the Jays, but mounted a comeback, going 1-2 in three starts, with a 4.83 earned run average, 50.1 innings pitched, and 27 strike outs.
He retired for good after that.
Dave Stieb still holds the Blue Jays’ record for complete games with 103, strike outs with 1,658, and innings pitched with 2,873.
Parting thoughts
Dave Stieb was, and remains my all-time favourite Blue Jays pitcher. Every time he went out on the mound, anything was possible. Several times Stieb flirted with no-hitters and perfect games. In fact, he took a no-hitter into the ninth inning four times in five years, before accomplishing that feat in Sept. 2, 1990 against Cleveland, according to Wikipedia. It remains the only no-hitter in Blue Jays history.
Dave Stieb was, and remains my all-time favourite Blue Jays pitcher. Every time he went out on the mound, anything was possible. Several times Stieb flirted with no-hitters and perfect games. In fact, he took a no-hitter into the ninth inning four times in five years, before accomplishing that feat in Sept. 2, 1990 against Cleveland, according to Wikipedia. It remains the only no-hitter in Blue Jays history.
Dave Stieb was one of the best pitchers in the ‘80s, giving the Jays a strong chance to win every time he took to the mound.
He led the league in earned run average, complete games, innings pitched, and finished with the second highest number of wins in the ‘80s.
Dave Stieb truly was the first ace the Blue Jays ever had.
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