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MLB Legend Passes Away At 69

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Former major leaguer Jim Clancy, an All-Star selection of the Blue Jays’ heyday, died on Monday.

He was 69.

His longtime team confirmed Clancy’s death, but no explanation was given.

“We are saddened to learn of the passing of Blue Jays great, Jim Clancy,” the Blue Jays wrote in a post on X. “His impact on our organization will be remembered forever. Our hearts go out to his family and friends during this difficult time.”

Clancy first took the mound for the Blue Jays in 1977 and went on to spend 12 seasons with the franchise. His lifetime record of 140-167 included an ERA of 4.23 and 1,422 strikeouts.

Fans will remember Clancy starting for the team from 1981 to 1984. He was named to the All-Star team for the 1982 season, when he finished with a 16-4 record, a 3.71 ERA, and 139 strikeouts.

The Chicago native helped the Jays clinch the AFL East for the first time in 1985 before falling to the Royals in the ACLS.

Born December 18, 1955, Clancy grew up playing on his hometown city’s south side before being drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 1974 draft. His career nearly came to an end after several rough seasons before the Jays picked him up in the sixth round of the 1976 draft as a free agent.

He worked his way up the franchise’s affiliates ladder, muddling through mixed seasons before posting his first winning season in 1982. He followed that up in 1983 with a 15–11 win-loss record and a 3.91 ERA.

After several lackluster seasons with the Houston Astros and Atlanta Braves, Clancy took a minor league deal with the Chicago Cubs before hanging up his mitt at the end of the 1992 season.

But for one brief inning, Clancy pitched in Game 3 of the 1988 World Series when the Braves recorded a win against the Minnesota Twins, the NY Post reported.

Members of the Jays family paid tribute to Clancy across social media on Tuesday.

Hall of Famer Jesse Barfield wrote, “He was one of the anchors of our great pitching staff, and was a true warrior on the mound and a workhorse! We had a chance to win every time he took the mound because he kept us in it!”

St. Rita of Cascia High School, where Clancy first made an impression on MLB scouts, posted its own tribute.

“RIP to Jim Clancy ’74, one of the best to ever wear the red and blue! May St. Rita intercede and bless his family and friends during this difficult time,” the school wrote.