Lloyd Moseby

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Moseby's journey began in Portland, Arkansas, where he graduated from Oakland High School in California. Basketball was his primary sport; he had committed to St. Mary's on a scholarship before choosing to sign with the Blue Jays instead of playing college ball. In the mid-1980s, he anchored the powerful "Killer B's" outfield trio alongside George Bell and Jesse Barfield. His career featured historic moments, such as hitting a walk-off two-run home run against Dan Spillner on April 19, 1983, securing a 9-7 victory over the Cleveland Indians. He also executed an unusual baserunning play on August 16, 1987: attempting to steal second, he saw the throw sail into center field, ran back to "steal" first, and then raced to second when the center fielder threw wide trying to pick him off.

In Their Own Story

On April 19, 1983, the tension broke as Moseby connected for a walk-off two-run home run against Dan Spillner, delivering a dramatic 9-7 win over the Cleveland Indians. Later in his career, on August 16, 1987, he created one of baseball's strangest plays. Starting at first base, he attempted to steal second but saw the catcher's throw land with the center fielder. Seizing the chaos, Moseby reversed direction to run back toward home plate, effectively "stealing" first base. When the center fielder tried to relay the ball to first for a potential pickoff, he threw it wide and hard, allowing Moseby to race all the way back to second base on the error.

Reader's Guide

Moseby played his prime years with the Blue Jays from his debut in 1980 until after the 1989 season. He drove in nearly 100 runs in three specific seasons: 1984, 1986, and 1987, while regularly stealing 30-plus bases. In 1984, he led the American League in triples and finished second in MVP voting. An All-Star in 1986, his career totals include 869 runs, 169 home runs, 737 RBIs, 280 stolen bases (a franchise leader), and a .257 batting average. As of 2018, he ranks in the top 10 for nearly every major Blue Jays career category, including WAR, games played, at-bats, hits, doubles, triples, home runs, RBI, walks, and extra-base hits. After leaving Toronto, he signed with the Detroit Tigers for two seasons before playing for the Yomiuri Giants in Japan during 1992 and 1993.

Did You Know?

• Moseby was drafted 2nd overall in the 1978 amateur draft by the Toronto Blue Jays.
• His nickname "Shaker" came from his ability to shake off defenders on the basketball court, not baseball.
• He was an All-Star in 1986 and led the American League in triples in 1984.
• Moseby played for the Yomiuri Giants in Japan during the 1992 and 1993 seasons.
• As of 2018, he is the franchise leader in stolen bases and ranks in the top 10 for almost every major Blue Jays career statistic.