Dave Stieb
The pitcher who flirted with no-hitters four times before finally securing the only one in Blue Jays history.
David Andrew Stieb, born July 22, 1957, is an American former Major League Baseball starting pitcher who spent the majority of his career with the Toronto Blue Jays. A six-time All-Star, he won The Sporting News' Pitcher of the Year Award in 1982 and led the American League in earned run average (ERA) in 1985. His 56.6 career wins above replacement are among the highest in franchise history, though Roy Halladay holds the Blue Jays record with approximately 64.0 bWAR. Stieb also holds franchise records for complete games (103), strikeouts (1,658), and innings pitched (2,873). Once a promising outfielder prospect at Southern Illinois University, Stieb converted to pitching upon being drafted in 1978. He made his debut in 1979 and became the face of the franchise throughout the 1980s, winning 140 games that decade.
- Key Achievement
- Led AL in ERA (1985); 6-time All-Star; 103 franchise record complete games; 1,658 strikeouts; 140 wins in the 1980s (third-highest in the AL)
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Stieb's career is defined by his dominance in the American League during the 1980s, where he won 140 games, the third-highest total in the AL that decade. He was known for his resilience and fierce competitiveness, often seen having animated conversations with himself on the mound to motivate through difficult situations. His repertoire featured a high, inside fastball and a brushback pitch that made him the league leader in hit batsmen six times (1981, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1988). However, his most famous attribute was his ability to flirt with no-hitters. He reached the ninth inning with no hits four times in five years before finally accomplishing the feat on September 2, 1990, against the Cleveland Indians. As of 2025, this remains the only no-hitter in Blue Jays history.
In Their Own Story
On September 2, 1990, Dave Stieb accomplished what he had nearly done four times before: he pitched a no-hitter. Defeating the Cleveland Indians 3–0, he secured the first and only no-hitter in franchise history as of 2025. This triumph capped years of near-misses, including two successive starts in 1988 where he was a single strike away from perfection on September 24 against Cleveland and September 30 against Baltimore, both broken up on 2-2 counts by the 27th batter (Julio Franco and Jim Traber). His career faced another turning point after an excellent 1990 season when shoulder and back injuries in early 1991 ended his effective years as a starter. Despite being released after a 4–6 season in 1992, he was awarded a World Series ring for the Blue Jays' first championship that year, even though injury prevented him from playing in the postseason.
Reader's Guide
Stieb's journey began at Southern Illinois University where he played varsity baseball as an outfielder. Drafted by the Blue Jays in 1978 after impressing scouts as a relief pitcher in a single game, he was told pitching was the quickest way to the majors. He debuted on June 29, 1979, just one year after being drafted and with only 128 minor league innings pitched. After a stint with the Chicago White Sox in 1993, Stieb retired but made a brief return as a reliever for the Blue Jays in 1998 at age 40. He worked through the minors before pitching in 19 games (three starts) for the major league club, going 1–2 with a 4.83 ERA before retiring for good.
Did You Know?
- Stieb reached the ninth inning with no hits four times in five years before finally pitching a no-hitter in 1990.
- He was originally drafted as an outfielder prospect after being pressed into relief pitching during a varsity game at Southern Illinois University.
- Injuries prevented Stieb from playing in the 1992 postseason, yet he received a World Series ring when the Blue Jays won their first championship that year.
- Stieb led the American League in hit batsmen six times (1981, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1988) due to his aggressive inside fastball.
- He returned to pitch for the Blue Jays in 1998 at age 40 after a five-year hiatus from baseball.