Who are Cito Gaston and Joe Carter, chosen for the honorary pitches in the World Series

The Blue Jays have revealed that two of the most important figures in their history will throw out the first pitch at the start of the “Fall Classic.”

Thirty-two years passed for the Toronto Blue Jays made their return to the World Series. After more than three decades of failures, wasted opportunities, painful defeats and seeing how teams that seemed to have what it took to break the drought of World Series that hit the organization fell short, the Blue Jaysrepresenting Canada, are ready to go all out in a celebration of what baseball means to the great northern giant.

The return of the World Series to Toronto brings with it an enormous amount of memories for many fans who experienced the two-time championship in the 1992 and 1993 seasons, which marked the beginning of the long drought of trips to the “Fall Classic“For the new generations, the final stage of the season of Major Leagues It represents the opportunity to see and experience something they had never experienced before, as well as the possibility of witnessing their lifelong team be crowned champions.

However, looking for a little of the magic from your last trip to the World SeriesOld School has turned to two of the most important figures in franchise history to honor with the first pitch in Games 1 and 2: Cito Gaston and Joe Carter.

For fans of the Blue Jaysthose two names are part of the team’s royalty. But for younger people, especially those who aren’t Toronto fans and who probably don’t know how significant they are Gaston and Sump In the history of the club, it is worth reviewing the dimension of both individuals.

Cito Gaston He was, in the simplest terms possible, an average player who had only one notable season in his career as an active player in the Major Leagues. However, in 1989 he became the leader of the Blue Jays and was part of the historic run that led the team to be champion of the World Series from 1992 and 1993.

Gaston made history by becoming the first African-American leader to be champion of the World Seriesa milestone that opened doors and gave opportunities to men like himself Dave Robertsleader of Los Angeles Dodgersto settle in MLB and follow in his footsteps with championships.

Gaston He remained in the position of manager of the Blue Jays until 1997 and then returned for a three-year spell leading the team between 2008 and 2010.

Joe Carterfor its part, reached the Blue Jays in 1991 after the worst season of his career in every possible way. The outfielder and first baseman who had found some success in his first years in the league, with Cleveland, came from San Diego to Toronto with the hope of helping them be a competitive team, and the reality is that his best years in MLB They came with the Blue Jays.

Sump He was the protagonist on the field of play in the two titles of World Series of Toronto, especially in 1993, when he hit a three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning to walk out the Philadelphia Phillies and win Toronto’s second consecutive championship, leaving one of the most iconic images in baseball history.

Sump He played until 1997 with the Blue Jays and retired from baseball. MLB in 1998. Both Sump as Cito Gaston are members of the Level of Excellence of the Blue Jayswhich demonstrates his place in the team’s history.

Thirty-two years later, two of the most important figures of the Toronto championships will return to support the team to which they brought glory, at the party that is the World Series.