The Toronto Blue Jays are making a long-awaited return to the World Series after more than three decades. This event marks a significant moment in history as the city, its residents, and the sports landscape have evolved since the team’s last appearance.
The Blue Jays are set to face off against the formidable Los Angeles Dodgers at Rogers Centre on Friday. This World Series appearance is the first for the team since the 1990s, when they clinched victories over the Atlanta Braves in 1992 and the Philadelphia Phillies in 1993. Many fans and even current players, such as Trey Yesavage, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and Shane Bieber, were not yet born when Toronto last graced baseball’s grandest stage.
Back in the early 1990s, the Toronto sports scene was buzzing with excitement, especially after the Jays’ triumph over the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 6 of the 1993 World Series. Joe Carter’s legendary home run in that game, accompanied by Tom Cheek’s iconic call, “Touch ’em all, Joe,” remains etched in Canadian sports history.
In a similar vein, George Springer’s game-winning homer in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series in 2025 provided fans with another unforgettable moment, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting showdown with the Dodgers.
While the Jays enjoyed success during that period, the same could not be said for the Toronto Maple Leafs, who were eliminated from the playoffs by Wayne Gretzky’s Los Angeles Kings in 1993. Additionally, that season marked the last time a Canadian team, the Montreal Canadiens, lifted the Stanley Cup by defeating the Kings in the final.
In the world of basketball, the Toronto Raptors were established as the NBA’s first Canadian team since the Toronto Huskies in 1947, playing their inaugural game in 1995. Simultaneously, the Toronto Argonauts finished fourth in the CFL’s East Division with a 3-15 record, missing out on the playoffs.
On the cultural front, 1993 saw grunge music reigning supreme, with Nirvana’s final Toronto concert and Whitney Houston’s chart-topping hit “I Will Always Love You.” Popular TV shows like “Seinfeld” and “Home Improvement” dominated screens, while blockbuster movies such as “Jurassic Park” and “The Fugitive” captivated audiences.
In the political arena, June Rowlands served as Toronto’s first female mayor from 1991 to 1994. The city was part of Metropolitan Toronto, a two-tier system encompassing the City of Toronto and six neighboring municipalities. Meanwhile, Kim Campbell made history as Canada’s first female prime minister in June 1993, succeeding Brian Mulroney.
The year 1993 also saw significant developments in Toronto’s buildings and transit systems. The Hockey Hall of Fame relocated to its current permanent site at Brookfield Place, while the Princess of Wales Theatre opened with the Canadian premiere of the musical “Miss Saigon.” Additionally, the TTC completed its transition from trolley buses to diesel bus operations by the end of the year.
As Toronto eagerly anticipates the return of the Blue Jays to the World Series, the city reflects on the transformative changes and milestones that have shaped its identity since the team’s last championship triumph.
