On September 22, 1977, The Toronto Blue Jays named their first manager in team history. The man they chose to guide the newest franchise in baseball was Roy Hartsfield. In the photos below, you see Roy at his first press conference being introduced to the fans of Toronto. This was the first person to be named to an on field position and Roy would take number 7 to be the first in team history. This amazing keepsake is the exact one being offered here being the first jersey is team history. It had been in the possession of a clubhouse staff member since 1977 and has not been seen until now. The jersey is tagged 7-77-1, for uniform number, season and set. This is the first jersey issued in Toronto Blue Jays history. In the photo matches below, you will notice the first photo with Roy under the umbrella in spring training. The location and the spacing of the collar with the Blue Jays matches exactly as well as each letter being hand cut, you can notice the inside of the E cuts matching exactly. In the other photo with Roy in the clubhouse during training camp addressing the team, the same spacing is not seen as that is not this jersey. The manager would have both sets of home and road jerseys in his locker at all times during the season. The last photo is perhaps one of the most rare ones in relation to a game used jersey. Roy is pictured just after taking off this exact jersey after the final game of the season. You can clearly see the set tagging in the neck matching this one right through spring training to the last game of the first season in Jays history, 1977. The jersey itself with tackle twill numbering and lettering has been sun faded. The Jay’s crest is very dirty as it may have been used again in spring training of 1978. In the set tagging area, a heavily faded black marker number 7 exists. It can not be understated what it means to own the first jersey in a team’s history. This is a very rare opportunity to do exactly that with this 47-year-old piece of Baseball and Toronto history. Both Baseball Halls of Fame in Cooperstown New York and St. Mary's Ontario, would be well served with this piece.
Roy Hartsfield was a player and manager in Major League Baseball, both of which lasted three years. He played his entire major league career with the Boston Braves from 1950-52 in 265 games and had a .273 batting average with 13 Home Runs. Hartsfield became the first manager in Toronto Blue Jays history prior to the 1977 season. In his only big-league managerial job, he led the team through its first three seasons until 1979. After he left the team, he mentored several players who stuck around until the club won its first division title in 1985. Catcher Ernie Whitt made his Blue Jay debut under Hartsfield, as did pitchers Jim Clancy and Dave Stieb.
