When the Toronto Blue Jays played their first game on a snowy April day in 1977, Ernie Whitt was a little-known 24-year-old expansion pick with only eight major league games on his record, all with the Boston Red Sox. Left unprotected because his position was blocked by Carlton Fisk, a future Hall of Famer, Whitt, a left-handed hitter, moved north with no promises. His rise was slow and difficult, but by the end of his 12 seasons in Toronto, he had become not only the starting catcher but also the emotional core of a developing team and the last remaining original Blue Jay.
Whitt spent the late 1970s largely overlooked in the minor leagues, managing only 25 appearances for the major league team in 1977 and 1978, and missing the entire 1979 season in Triple-A. His career took a significant turn before the 1980 season when Bobby Mattick became manager. Mattick saw the potential in Whitt's left-handed batting and consistent presence, promoting him to a regular role. Over the next ten years, Whitt became known for his effective platoon partnership with Buck Martinez, skillfully handling the more challenging matches against right-handed pitchers.
He swiftly became the primary defensive anchor and trusted confidant of Blue Jays ace Dave Stieb, providing a calming, composed presence that contributed to one of the most formidable young pitching staffs of the decade. As his defensive skills behind the plate improved, his left-handed batting became a reliable element in Toronto's deep lineup. Beginning in 1982, Whitt completely reinvented his offensive game, embarking on a nine-year streak of double-digit home runs.
His peak performance came during the historic 1985 season, when Whitt surpassed 100 hits for the first time, hitting 19 home runs and driving in 64 RBIs. This achievement earned him his only All-Star selection, where he had the chance to face Stieb on a national stage. More significantly, his consistent leadership behind the plate helped the Blue Jays reach 99 wins and secured the franchise’s first-ever postseason appearance. Two years later, in 1987, he delivered his best personal achievement, posting a career-high .269 batting average with 19 home runs and 75 RBIs.
Following the 1989 season, with the organization ready to hand the keys over to younger homegrown catchers like Pat Borders and Greg Myers, the front office traded the veteran icon to the Atlanta Braves. Whitt appeared in 1,218 games for Toronto and accumulated 888 hits, 164 doubles, 131 home runs, and 516 RBIs while generating a steady .253/.329/.418 slash line (104 OPS+).
Whitt was proudly inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in 2009.
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