Toronto Blue Jays Legend Jim Clancy Passed Away At Age 69
He made his debut with the team three years after being drafted. And became a stalwart member of the new expansion team thanks to his hard work and dedication. In fact, his work ethic was so astonishing that he was often referred to as a workhorse. But sadly an announcement was made yesterday that Toronto Blue Jays legend Jim Clancy passed away at the age of 69. The news of his death was posted on x.com (formerly twitter.com) with the following statement:
“We are saddened to learn of the passing of Blue Jays great, Jim Clancy. Clancy spent 12 of his 15 Major League seasons with Toronto – including an All-Star appearance in 1982 – and ranks second in franchise history in starts, innings pitched, and complete games. His impact on our organization will be remembered forever. Our hearts go out to his family and friends during this difficult time.”
Clancy was originally drafted in the 1974 draft by the Texas Rangers in the fourth round. However, he was left unprotected ahead of the expansion draft, allowing Toronto to scoop him up and add him to their roster. The Blue Jays took him with the sixth pick in the 1976 expansion draft. Clancy made his Major League debut in 1977 which was the team’s inaugural season and subsequently became a Toronto legend.
MLB beat reporter Keegan Matheson described Clancy this way:
“The six-foot-four right-hander ate some serious innings over the years, and while he endured the expected ups and downs, he was a steadying force for so many of those Blue Jays rotations. One of his best seasons came in 1982 and earned him his lone All-Star appearance in a career that deserved a few more. That season, Clancy made 40 starts, posting a 3.71 ERA over 266 2/3 innings.”
Clancy spent 12 of his 15 Major League seasons with the Blue Jays, more than two seasons with the Houston Astros and half of his final season with the Atlanta Braves before retiring after the 1991 campaign.
Toronto Blue Jays Legend Jim Clancy Passed Away At Age 69
In total, he held a 4.23 ERA and a 140-167 record. He is still second in Blue Jays history in starts, innings pitched and complete games. In the entirety of his career from 1977-1991, he pitched in 472 games and threw over 2,517 innings. During that time the righty struck out 1,422 batters.
“Clancy was one of the most unique guys I’ve ever met,” former Blue Jays president Paul Beeston told Sportsnet in 2017. “He was a tower of strength. Take the ball whenever you wanted him to, didn’t really care who he was playing.”
Clancy meant a lot to the Blue Jays organization helping them to form an identity right from the start. The cause of his death was not stated, but we sincerely offer our condolences to his family and friends as they navigate this difficult time.
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