As Toronto Blue Jays gear up for their 2026 MLB season, the franchise is honoring a historic milestone: its 50th anniversary. In a heartfelt tribute, the team announced that a bronze statue of Joe Carter will be unveiled outside Rogers Centre, immortalizing one of the most iconic moments in Blue Jays history.
A monument to a legendary moment
Carter’s unforgettable three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning of Game 6 of the 1993 World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies remains one of baseball’s most celebrated moments.
His legendary call, “Touch ‘em all, Joe. You’ll never hit a bigger home run in your life,” continues to resonate with fans across Canada.
The statue, strategically placed between Gate 5 and Gate 6, ensures fans can pay homage to the hero who brought Toronto Blue Jays their first World Series title on Canadian soil.
Celebrating 50 years of Toronto Blue Jays baseball
Blue Jays president and CEO Mark Shapiro shared the excitement in a social media video alongside former president Paul Beeston, saying:
“Next year we’re celebrating our 50th and we’ve been spending a lot of time thinking about the best ways to celebrate that. Something that our fans have been clamouring for and we both get emails about all the time.”
Carter himself reflected on the honor, emphasizing that the statue serves as a tribute to the fans who embraced the team during those championship years, highlighting the pride of representing a nation.
Looking ahead to the 2026 season
The 50th anniversary celebrations coincide with a promising new season. Pitchers and catchers report for spring training on February 11, with the season officially starting on March 27.
After the team’s recent run to the World Series—where they narrowly fell to the Los Angeles Dodgers in seven games—the unveiling of Carter’s statue is set to be a highlight of the year, offering fans a moment to reflect on the franchise’s storied history, including back-to-back World Series titles in 1992 and 1993.
This milestone not only celebrates a legendary player but also cements Toronto Blue Jays’ enduring legacy as a cornerstone of Toronto’s sports culture for half a century.