33 Years Ago, Cliff Fletcher Was Inspired by the Blue Jays
Thirty-three years ago, the Toronto Blue Jays reminded the city what it meant to be a winner. Cliff Fletcher, who was already working for the Maple Leafs in the post-Ballard era, clearly valued the significance of winning in Toronto.
Fletcher made a bold, franchise-changing move by acquiring Doug Gilmour from Calgary. This trade echoed the strategy the Blue Jays had applied a few years earlier with the trades for Joe Carter and Roberto Alomar—moves that laid the foundation for their World Series victories.
Even the Toronto Argonauts had found championship success with the acquisition of Rocket Ismail in the early 1990s. Fletcher sought to add to this winning momentum and reinforce the championship spirit in the city.
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Photo Credit
© Dan Hamilton-Imagni Images
Author's Summary
Cliff Fletcher was inspired by Toronto’s sports successes 33 years ago, setting a blueprint for future leaders like Brad Treliving to foster a championship culture.