A commemorative statue honoring Joe Carter’s iconic walk-off home run in the 1993 World Series, a pivotal moment in Toronto Blue Jays history, is set to grace the exterior of Rogers Centre in downtown Toronto. The baseball club revealed this plan through social media posts on Monday morning.
The statue pays tribute to the Blue Jays’ historic achievement of clinching their first World Series title on Canadian turf and recognizing the team’s consecutive championship wins in 1992 and 1993.
Expressing his sentiments, Carter remarked, “My teammates from the ’92 and ’93 seasons were a remarkable group, and we shared a deep understanding of representing an entire nation. Wearing the Maple Leaf on our jerseys filled us with immense pride. The support from fans was incredible, and we reciprocated that love. This statue is a token of appreciation for our loyal supporters.”
The installation of the back-to-back World Series statue will be positioned between Gates 5 and 6 at Rogers Centre, where a current statue of Edward Rogers Sr. will be relocated to a Rogers Communications office.
The unveiling ceremony for the statue is scheduled for July 18, featuring a special pre-game event with former players commemorating the championship teams. The first 15,000 fans in attendance will receive sets of replica rings from the 1992 and 1993 World Series. Additionally, on August 10, the first 15,000 fans at the game will be gifted with replica statues celebrating the back-to-back championships.
Reflecting on the significance of the commemorative statue, Shapiro emphasized, “The Blue Jays hold a prestigious position in Canadian sports history, and the consecutive World Series victories hold a special place in the hearts of sports enthusiasts nationwide. As we enter our 50th season, this statue symbolizes the excellence of baseball in Canada, serving as a lasting tribute to be cherished by fans for years to come.”
In a heartwarming surprise captured in social media videos, the announcement of the statue was made to the 65-year-old Carter during what he believed to be a routine business meeting with Shapiro and president emeritus Paul Beeston. The revelation of the statue dedicated to his historic home run caught Carter off guard, evoking a mix of emotions.