Jim Clancy, the longtime Toronto Blue Jays pitcher who spent 12 of his 15 Major League Baseball seasons with the franchise, died July 12, in Dunedin, Florida at age 69. The team announced his passing but did not reveal a cause of death. According to the Toronto Star he had pancreatic cancer
A native of Chicago, the right-handed pitcher was selected by the Blue Jays sixth overall in the 1976 MLB expansion draft from the Texas Rangers. He made his big-league debut on July 26, 1977, against the Texas Rangers at Toronto’s Exhibition Stadium during the Blue Jays’ inaugural season, surrendering five earned runs over two innings in a 14-0 loss.
After going 4-9 in Toronto’s expansion year, Clancy played his first full season in 1978, posting a 10-12 record on a team that finished last in the American League East at 59-102. He became a cornerstone of the Blue Jays’ starting rotation alongside star pitcher Dave Stieb as the team developed into a competitive franchise.
Clancy earned his only All-Star appearance in 1982, leading Major League Baseball with 40 starts that season. He posted a career-best 16-14 record with a 3.71 earned run average and 139 strikeouts in 266â…” innings pitched. The Blue Jays finished 78-84 that year, marking the first time they finished out of last place in the AL East.
The 1982 All-Star Game took place in Montreal, Quebec, marking the first time the MLB All-Star Game was held outside the United States. Clancy pitched the fourth inning without allowing a run.
Clancy served as Toronto’s opening-day starter in both 1981 and 1984. He also led the American League with 36 starts during the 1984 season. In 1985, he contributed to the Blue Jays’ first division championship with a 9-6 record and 3.78 ERA, though the team lost in seven games to the Kansas City Royals in the AL Championship Series.
One of Clancy’s most memorable performances came on September 28, 1982, when he threw a perfect game into the ninth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Exhibition Stadium. Randy Bush broke up the perfect game with a soft single to right field over the head of second baseman Damaso Garcia. Former teammate Rance Mulliniks noted that Bush’s bat was completely broken on the hit, describing it as an unfortunate end to what could have been a historic achievement.
Known for his durability, Clancy made at least 219 innings pitched in six different seasons. His 1982 campaign featured a career-high 266â…” innings, a number that has only been matched once since by knuckleballer Charlie Hough in 1987. Former catcher Buck Martinez described Clancy as someone who took the ball and never considered coming out of games.
Following a disappointing 1988 season in Toronto, where he posted an 11-13 record with a 4.49 ERA, Clancy signed with the Houston Astros. He spent two-plus seasons with Houston from 1989-91 before finishing his career with the Atlanta Braves during the second half of the 1991 season, serving as a reliever.
With Atlanta, Clancy earned his first postseason victory in Game 3 of the 1991 World Series, helping the Braves defeat the Minnesota Twins 5-4 in 12 innings. He finished the series with a 1-0 record and 4.15 ERA, though the Twins won the championship in seven games.
Clancy concluded his 15-year career with a 140-167 record, 4.23 ERA, and 1,422 strikeouts across 2,517â…“ innings pitched. He appeared in 472 games, including 381 starts, and recorded 10 saves during his relief appearances with Houston and Atlanta.
His impact on Blue Jays history remains significant. Clancy ranks second in franchise history in starts, innings pitched, and complete games with 73. He is third all-time in Blue Jays wins with 128, trailing only Dave Stieb with 175 and Roy Halladay with 148. His 1,237 strikeouts place him third in team history, and his 24.8 WAR ranks fifth among Blue Jays pitchers.
Former teammate Jesse Barfield paid tribute to Clancy, describing him as one of the anchors of the Blue Jays’ pitching staff and a true warrior on the mound. Barfield emphasized that the team had a chance to win every time Clancy took the mound because he kept them competitive in games.
The Blue Jays organization released a statement expressing their sadness at Clancy’s passing. The team acknowledged his 12 seasons with Toronto and his All-Star appearance in 1982, noting that his impact on the organization will be remembered forever. The franchise extended condolences to his family and friends during this difficult time.
