A statue honouring the Toronto Blue Jays‘ 1992 and 1993 World Series championship teams was officially unveiled outside Rogers Centre on Saturday. The installation, titled “Back-to-Back,” features Joe Carter mid-jump as he rounded the bases after his decisive home run. The statue includes the names of all players from both championship teams, along with Tom Cheek’s historic call of the game-winning hit.
Carter, who was present at the ceremony, emphasized that the tribute was for the entire team, stating, “It’s not about me, it’s about the whole team because we did this as a team. I was just one guy.” He expressed his happiness at being able to perform for his teammates, acknowledging their support for him throughout his career.
The statue is situated at the southeast corner of the ballpark, near Gate 5. Its erection is part of the franchise’s 50th anniversary celebrations. This new monument replaces a statue of former Blue Jays owner Edward S. Rogers, which will be relocated to the Rogers Communications campus in midtown Toronto.
Carter described the honour as tremendous and humbling. He noted the significance of the weekend, with his family and former teammates in attendance, calling it “icing on the cake.”
Tribute to a Team Effort
Pat Borders, the 1992 World Series MVP, and Paul Molitor, the 1993 World Series MVP, were among the alumni present at the unveiling. Borders commented that it was fitting for Carter to be the focus of the statue, highlighting Carter’s personality and genuine excitement, which he believed were evident during his home run and are now captured in the statue.
Molitor, who joined the team between the 1992 and 1993 seasons, regarded Carter as a central figure for the Blue Jays. He referred to Carter as “the glue on that team.” Molitor also pointed out the historical significance of Carter’s home run, noting that only one other home run had previously ended a season, by Bill Mazeroski of the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1960.
Molitor reflected on Carter’s key moments, including catching the final out in 1992 and hitting the last ball of the season in 1993. He believes the statue effectively represents that era of Blue Jays baseball.
Ceremony and Fan Appreciation
Before the Blue Jays’ 1-0 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Saturday, Carter and many alumni from the 1990s were paraded around the field at Rogers Centre in white pickup trucks. Following the parade, they proceeded outside for a ceremony.
The ceremony included speeches from current team president Mark Shapiro, Carter, and former Toronto manager Cito Gaston, with Sportsnet reporter Hazel Mae presiding. After the speeches, the alumni returned to the ballpark, walking through the stands, where Carter expressed his gratitude to the fans.
Carter threw out the ceremonial first pitch to George Springer. He also received a custom-made home run jacket from slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr., emblazoned with the phrase “Touch ‘Em All, Joe!” Guerrero Jr. conveyed his admiration for Carter, stating that he respects him greatly and is thankful to be part of the Blue Jays organization, especially when seeing the World Series banners from 1992 and 1993.
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Source: theglobeandmail.com
