Ron Taylor, a two-time World Series-winning pitcher from Toronto who later became the Blue Jays doctor, died on Monday at the age of 87 after a lengthy illness.

June 16, 2025

Visitation & funeral info for Ron Taylor: Mount Pleasant Centre, 375 Mount Pleasant Rd, Wed, June 25 2-4 pm & 6-8 pm Funeral Yorkminster Church, 1585 Yonge Street Thur June 26 11 am In lieu of flowers donations to Jays Care or Salvation Army.

By Kevin Glew

Canadian Baseball Network

Ron Taylor, a two-time World Series-winning pitcher from Toronto who later became the Blue Jays doctor, died on Monday at the age of 87 after a lengthy illness.

The Toronto Blue Jays and the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame shared the news of his passing late this afternoon.

“Ron Taylor was a true inspiration who was a legend on and off the field,” said the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in a statement. “After honing his skills in the Leaside Baseball Association in Toronto, he developed into a two-time World Series-winning pitcher with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1964 and the New York Mets in 1969. In the seven innings he pitched in the World Series, he didn’t allow a hit or a run.

“But he made his greatest impact following his playing career when he became a medical doctor. In 1979, he was appointed the Toronto Blue Jays team doctor and for more than 30 years, he helped heal many of the team’s top players. He also had a private practice where he provided expert and compassionate care to hundreds of patients. Ron was one of our earliest inductees and we will miss him dearly. We are sending our thoughts and prayers to his family.”

Discovered in Leaside

Born in Toronto in 1937, Taylor was a standout pitcher in the Leaside Baseball Association when he was discovered by Toronto-area scout Chester Dies who convinced the young right-hander to attend a Cleveland tryout camp in 1955. By that time, Taylor was already dominating players several years older than him. Taylor impressed at the tryout and Cleveland inked him to a deal that included a $4,000 signing bonus.

Impressive MLB debut

After parts of seven seasons in the minors, Taylor made one of the most remarkable pitching debuts in major league history when he started for Cleveland against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on April 11, 1962.

In that contest, he would pitch 11 scoreless innings, scattering 10 hits and striking out five. In the 12th inning, however, Red Sox right fielder Carroll Hardy belted a walk-off grand slam home run off Taylor to give the home squad a 4-0 victory. Taylor also had two singles in four at bats at the plate.

Taylor’s 11 innings remains the record for most by an American League pitcher in their debut. Right-hander Al Jurisich tossed 12 2/3 innings for the National League’s St. Louis Cardinals against the Cincinnati Reds in his first game on April 26, 1944.

Traded to Cardinals

Later that year, Taylor was dealt to the Cardinals, where he assumed a key bullpen role on the Cards’ 1964 World Series-winning squad. With the Cards trailing 2-1 in that Fall Classic series, Taylor held a New York Yankees lineup that boasted Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris and Elston Howard hitless for four innings in relief in Game 4 to preserve a one-run victory.

Part of Miracle Mets

Taylor would find himself in a crucial relief role again with the Miracle Mets in their 1969 World Series. With two outs and two men on base in the ninth inning of Game 2, Taylor was summoned to face Brooks Robinson, who grounded to third base to end the game.

In helping the Mets win, Taylor became the only Canadian to win a World Series with two different teams (St. Louis 1964, New York 1969).

In total, Taylor pitched a record seven innings without surrendering a hit in World Series play.

During his 11-season big league career, Taylor also pitched for the Houston Astros (1965-66) and San Diego Padres (1972). In all, he posted a 45-43 record with a 3.93 ERA in 491 big league appearances, which are the eighth most by a Canadian pitcher. His 74 saves rank as the seventh-most by a Canuck.

For his efforts, Taylor was inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in 1985.

Dr. Ron Taylor

Upon retiring from baseball, Taylor returned to Toronto, where he earned a degree in medicine from the University of Toronto. He was hired as the Blue Jays team doctor in 1979 and served in that role for more than three decades.

“The Toronto Blue Jays are saddened to learn of the passing of long-time team doctor and former Major League Baseball player, Ron Taylor,” the Toronto Blue Jays said in a statement.

“Known to many as Dr. Baseball, the Toronto native won four World Series Championships during his illustrious career, including two with the Blue Jays in 1992 and 1993. His impact on the game, in the community, and on our organization will be remembered forever. Our thoughts are with his loved ones.”

In 2015, his sons, Drew and Matthew, created a documentary about him called “Ron Taylor: Dr. Baseball” that played at film festivals across the country.

On top of his Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame induction, Taylor was inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame in 1993 and the Ontario Sports Hall of Fame in 2010.

Taylor is survived by his wife, Rona and his sons Drew and Matthew.

R.I.P. Dr. Ron Taylor