Rogers Centre marks 25 years of Jays, Argos, Raptors and Wrestlemania

Blue Jays celebrate 25 years at 'SkyDome'

By Mark Schadenberg

I still have a VHS copy of the last Blue Jays game played at Exhibition Stadium and the first game played at SkyDome.

As the years go by, I become less of a Blue Jays fanatic, but watching two World Series championships leaves an indelible mark.

Interesting is that when both baseball titles were won, I was with people celebrating for two reasons and only one reason would be the Jays. Offering some personal insight into me, I used to be a part-time disc jockey for weddings and similar events, and during both deciding World Series games I was at a wedding reception. I'm sure the mother of the bride wasn't pleased that everyone was huddled around a TV set, but baseball was obviously mega-popular in the early 1990's with world titles to celebrate in both 1992 and 1993

Devon White, Joe Carter, Robbie Alomar and John Olerud were all superstars. Olerud won the batting title in '93 at .363 and the Jays were dominate that summer offensively as Paul Molitor was second in batting average. Pat Borders was a playoff MVP one season, plus Kelly Gruber was a top third baseman, and veteran Dave Winfield provided leadership and a power bat. The Jays solidified their championship run by acquiring David Cone from the Mets, but had to give up future star Jeff Kent in the swap.

You win with starting pitching and those two seasons also included Dave Stieb, Todd Stottlemyre, Pat Hentgen, Jimmy Key, Al Leiter and Juan Guzman, plus a bullpen of Duane Ward and Tom Henke.

Baseball is synonymous with Rogers Centre, but don't forget the Raptors played their inaugural four seasons there, and the CFL's Argos have also resided at Rogers Centre for 25 years.

The retractable roofed stadium has also hosted huge concerts and Wrestlemania.

Below is a link to a time lapse video of the construction of Rogers Centre.

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A swing, and a belt! Left field! Way back! Blue Jays win it! The Blue Jays are World Series champions as Joe Carter hits a three-run home run in the ninth inning and the Blue Jays have repeated as World Series champions! Touch 'em all, Joe, you'll never hit a bigger home run in your life!

–  Tom Cheek, late Blue Jays radio play-by-play announcer

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LINKS:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5j6aBIQRQk#t=144

http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/skydome-celebrating-its-25th-anniversary/

Mark Schadenberg, Sales Representative

Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES designation)

Royal LePage Triland Realty

757 Dundas St, Woodstock

www.wesellwoodstock.com

(519) 537-1553, cell or text

Email: mschadenberg@rogers.com

Twitter: markroyallepage

Facebook: Mark Schadenberg, Royal LePage Triland

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