TORONTO BLUE JAYS MEDIA NEWSLETTER VOLUME 2008, ISSUE 2 Released April 14, 2008

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1 TORONTO BLUE JAYS MEDIA NEWSLETTER VOLUME 2008, ISSUE 2 Released April 14, 2008 IN THIS ISSUE.. A quick look back: Brooms our early for spring cleaning The Series Ahead: Something for everyone at the ballpark Road trip that follows: Something old; something new; something borrowed but all Blue Jays Team says welcome back to fans Cy Young winner welcomed home in Flashback Friday tribute Team Behind the Team: Lady Jays give back to community they call home The Best Fans in the Land Unite Fans Continue winning ways with TD Canada Trust Comfort Zone contest Minor League Report A QUICK LOOK BACK Brooms out early for spring cleaning After opening the 2008 season on the road versus division rival New York, Toronto flew home to Rogers Centre ready to take on the defending World Series Champion Boston Red Sox and the upstart Oakland Athletics. Toronto posted a 3-3 record against those clubs in a rollercoaster opening homestand. After sweeping the Red Sox in resounding fashion, allowing no more than four runs in a game and outscoring them 23 9 overall, the Blue Jays were then swept by the Oakland Athletics. Though each game was a close and hard fought battle (all three being decided in the ninth inning or later), the Blue Jays will need to regroup quickly to regain their winning form at home. In 2007, the Blue Jays posted a (.605) home record; the seventh best in franchise history. In seven of the last ten seasons, the team has posted a better than.500 home win record. If the team hopes to challenge for a playoff spot, their home record will need to remain strong while the road record looks for a boost. Toronto received the boost it was looking for on the road as they went into Arlington, TX and swept the Texas Rangers for the first time in 23 years. In the final game of the series, Toronto welcomed back closer B.J. Ryan who pitched a solid 10 th inning to record his first save in over a year. He was sidelined last year due to season ending Tommy John surgery. The Jays are in Baltimore for their next two games starting tonight in a battle for top spot in the American League East Division.

2 THE SERIES AHEAD Something for everyone at the ballpark Wednesday, April 16 Thursday, April 17 Friday, April 18 Saturday, April 19 Sunday, April 20 Wednesday s Wishes & Blue Jays Dreams Blue Jays vs. Texas Rangers (7:07 pm, SNet) Welcome Back BBQ OPSEU Day for Live and Let Live Campaign Blue Jays vs. Texas Rangers (7:07 pm, SNet) Flashback Friday: Pat Hentgen Blue Jays vs. Detroit Tigers (7:07 pm, SNet) Shoppers Drug Mart Jr. Jays Saturday City of Woodstock Day Blue Jays vs. Detroit Tigers (1:07 pm, SNet) Scouts Day Blue Jays vs. Detroit Tigers (1:07 pm, SNet) Pre-game Giveaway: Lesters Roy Halladay Kids t-shirt presented by 680News (first 5,000 kids 14 and under) Monday, April 21 Babies at the Ballpark / School Day Blue Jays vs. Detroit Tigers (12:37 pm) Pre-game Giveaway: Blue Jays School Kit presented by TELETOON (first 10,000 kids 14 and under) Note: SNet = Rogers Sportsnet >>>>Blue Jays 2008 April Schedule >>>>Blue Jays 2008 Giveaway Schedule THE ROAD TRIP THAT FOLLOWS Something old; Something new; Something borrowed but all Blue Jays The Toronto Blue Jays embark on the first of two nine game road trips this season. Thankfully, in the middle of this upcoming stretch, the Club will enjoy their first off day in nearly three weeks. The longest stretch of consecutive road games this season, scheduled in May, is 10 games. Toronto travels to the Sunshine State hoping for a little Disney magic as they face the new look Rays in three night games at the borrowed Disney s Wide World of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista, FL. After receiving approval from the St. Petersburg City Council, the Rays announced the venue change prior to the start of the season.

3 In the only other match-up ever played in the Orlando area, May 15 17, 2007, the Rays swept the Texas Rangers in a three-game series. Last season, Toronto posted a respectable 9-9 record against the Rays. The Club then travels to Kansas City to take on the Royals in a three-game series. This is their only trip to the mid-west region this season. They welcome the Royals to Toronto in May for a four game set. In the past six years, the Blue Jays have posted winning season records against the Royals losing no more than three games each year. Right handed pitcher A.J. Burnett picked up two wins (1 home, 1 away) last season versus Kansas City. In each game, the Royals only scored one run. After a much needed day of rest, the Blue Jays find themselves in venerable Fenway Park to take on AL East rival Boston. This is the second three game series this season; the first in Boston. Toronto emphatically started the year with a three game sweep of the Red Sox in Toronto earlier this month. That was the second time in as many years that they have swept the Red Sox in a three game series at Rogers Centre. They look to improve on their road record, consistent at 5-4 in each of the past three seasons. Dating back to 2007, the Blue Jays have won seven straight versus the Red Sox. The Numbers: The Blue Jays will travel 6,143 km (or 3,816 miles) during this road trip before returning to the friendly confines of Rogers Centre to take on the Chicago White Sox and Tampa Bay Rays. On Call: Mal Romanin, Manager, Baseball Information, will be traveling with the team. He can be reached via cell phone and at or mal.romanin@bluejays.com IN THE NEWS TEAM WELCOMES FANS BACK WITH AN AFTERNOON BBQ 50,171 gregarious fans descended on Rogers Centre to welcome home their 2008 Toronto Blue Jays Baseball team on opening night; April 4, The team is responding in kind as they host their annual Welcome Back BBQ on Thursday, April 17 on the field at Rogers Centre from 11:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. prior to their game versus the Texas Rangers. The voice of the Blue Jays, Jerry Howarth, hosts 350 plus guests for an afternoon of fun, games, good food and good company. Fans were invited to purchase tickets for the event with proceeds benefiting the Jays Care Foundation who on May 3 rd, Variety Day at the ballpark, will present Variety The Children s Charity, with a donation. In addition to players and coaches being in attendance, the Blue Jays welcome some very special guests from Variety The Children s Charity at the event.

4 Guests of all ages will be able to enjoy Blue Jays inflatables as well as be entertained by Balloon artist Jungle Jack. Guests in attendance have the chance to meet players from the 2008 team, collect autographs, snap photos and even win some great prizes. FLASHBACK FRIDAY WELCOMES CY YOUNG AWARD WINNER Before Pat Hentgen was named Club Ambassador and Special Assistant to the President and CEO, he spent 10 years in a Blue Jays uniform leading his teams to victory from the pitchers mound. In 14 Major League seasons, he appeared in 344 games posting a record and a 4.23 ERA was by far his most memorable season as he compiled a career best 20 wins on his way to being named the American League Cy Young Award winner as well as the Sporting News Pitcher of the Year. He is one of only five Blue Jays pitchers to win 20+ games in a season and holds the Blue Jays record for wins on the road with current Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay at 12. A three-time All-Star selection (1993, 1994 & 1997), he tossed 40 consecutive scoreless innings from April 29 May 25, 1997 as we as made 183 consecutive starts from April 17, 1993 August 24, Hentgen will be signing autographs from 5:45 6:30 p.m. at Gate 6A prior to the game on Friday, April 18. TEAM BEHIND THE TEAM: LADY JAYS GIVE BACK TO COMMUNITY THEY CALL HOME Though the players that put on the Blue Jays uniform day in and day out are no doubt everyone s heroes, if you asked them, they would all agree that without the support of their family it would be very difficult to achieve any level of success. The same holds true for the Community Outreach Programs of the Toronto Blue Jays Baseball Club. With everyone s support, the Blue Jays are able to give back to the community in many different ways. With the return of the baseball season, the Lady Jays have also hit the ground running as they are an instrumental piece in the Club s desire to provide quality community outreach programming. Over the course of the season, the Lady Jays are involved with the Hospital for Sick Kids through their popular monthly Reading Series, the Ronald McDonald House Home for Dinner Series and the CHFI Shelter from the Storm Radio-thon in support of the Canadian Women s Foundation. In addition, the Lady Jays will once again host their very successful Annual Lady Jays Food Drive at Rogers Centre on July 11, 12, and 13. All proceeds generated are in support of the Daily Bread Food Bank.

5 Often with their husbands in tow, the Lady Jays visit the patients of the Hospital for Sick Kids to spend time, share stories in an informal meet and greet as well as take part in a read along program. The visits help provide the children with much needed distractions from their daily battles. For the 3 rd consecutive year, the Lady Jays will also flex their talents in the kitchen as they participate in the Ronald McDonald House Home for Dinner Series. With an all-star line-up of great cooks, the Lady Jays will prepare and serve dinner to patients and families in residence at Ronald McDonald House. The Lady Jays are honoured to work with Ronald McDonald house through the Home for Dinner program, commented Megan Thomas, wife of Blue Jays DH Frank Thomas. It is an opportunity for all of us to be part of a community and help families during a very difficult time. Ronald McDonald House is a not-for-profit residence alternative for low-income families whose children require lodging and social support while undergoing treatment at any of Toronto s area hospitals. The Lady Jays will dazzle residents with their culinary delights on Thursday, April 17 for the first time this season. Four other visits have also been planned. For more information on the Lady Jays program, please contact Jennifer Santamaria at THE BEST FANS IN THE LAND UNITE The 2008 Major League Baseball season has started! The batters are swinging for the fences, pitchers are zeroing in on the strike zone and defensive and offensive plays are finding their way into the highlight of the night sport packages. With all the action taking place on the field, it is easy to forget that fans can get involved as well. Now in its 26 th season, the Blue Jays Fan Club is a great opportunity for fans all over the world to take part in Blue Jays baseball. With a fan base spanning the globe, Fan Club members remain current on all team happenings through periodic newsletters showcasing Fan Club exclusive content. Members also receive special access to Fan Club events throughout the season (ranging from exclusive Q&A sessions with alumni to batting practice visits and autograph sessions), a special edition Fan Club collector s pin and valuable discounts on game tickets and team merchandise. To become part of the best Fan Club in all of Major League Baseball, click here << to sign up today.

6 For Blue Jays fans 14 years of age and under, the 2008 Blue Jays Kids Club is just for you! Members receive an exclusive Kids Club Membership Kit with valuable discounts on tickets, concessions and merchandise. Members also receive access to special Kids Club Member only events, cool contests and periodic newsletters. To become a member of the Blue Jays Kids Club, click here < to sign up today. The Toronto Blue Jays are challenging you and your Blue Jays pride. Join now to enjoy a full season of Fan Club benefits and help cheer your Toronto Blue Jays to victory. FANS CONTINUE WINNING WAYS WITH TD CANADA TRUST COMFORT ZONE CONTEST Taking in a baseball game is a treat for many people. A chance to enjoy it from the most comfortable on-field seats at Rogers Centre would no doubt make it memorable. Today through August 29, 2008, Toronto Blue Jays fans from across Canada can register exclusively online at bluejays.com for a chance to win a Blue Jays weekend in Toronto. There are five weekends to be won throughout the season. In addition to enjoying a great Blue Jays themed weekend in Toronto, winners will take in the game from the best seats in the house; the TD Canada Trust Comfort Zone. The plush and comfortable first baseline field seats have you in the heart of the action. With every crack of the bat or called third strike, you ll enjoy the best live sporting event in Toronto all from the most comfortable seats in the house. Each monthly prize also includes airfare, accommodations and $1000 CDN spending money for the group. Put down the remote control and enter today for your chance to win 1 of 5 Blue Jays Weekends in Toronto. Visit < p> for contest details.

7 THE MINOR LEAGUE REPORT (through games of 04/13/2008) Syracuse Chiefs (Class AAA) Record: 5-6 Place in the Standings: 3rd in North, 2.0 GB Several players for the Syracuse Chiefs have big league experience with the Blue Jays and several more are inching closer to their coming out party. As Joe Inglett was helping the Blue Jays sweep the Rangers on the weekend, catcher Robinson Diaz and pitcher David Purcey were making their mark in Syracuse. Diaz is batting an impressive.435 in seven games thus far. Not only does he lead his team in this offensive category but he also sites second in the League. Pitcher David Purcey continues to shine picking up his second win of the season after pitching seven strong innings on Sunday. New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Class AA) Record: 2-7 Place in the Standings: 6th in Northern, 4.0 GB Second baseman Scott Campbell is playing lights out baseball in New Hampshire, currently leading the team with a.517 batting average. This is one of the few bright spots for the Fisher Cats as they struggle to find their rhythm and way into the win column. The right handed batter is equally comfortable hitting against right or left handed pitchers and has collected a hit in each of his seven game appearances. Five of the seven games have been multi-hit games. Dunedin Blue Jays (Class A Advanced) Record: 8-3 Place in the Standings: 1st in West, - GB The Dunedin Blue Jays picked up their second consecutive win and continue to lead the West Division. First baseman Brian Dopirak is currently on a six game hit streak and leads his team with a.424 batting average. He has stuck out only one more time than he has walked (7, 6 respectively) and has recorded a double in each of his last two games. Lansing Lugnuts (Class A) Record: 7-3 Place in the Standings: 1st in Eastern, - GB After collecting hits in his first six games, first baseman Manuel Rodriguez failed to get on base in his last game. Despite the silence from the plate, Rodriguez is batting.483 on the season. He has collected 13 RBI with 14 hits and recorded an.862 slugging percentage.