Rance Mulliniks Serves Up Baseball Tips, Laughs, and Blue Jays Lore

In a wide-ranging discussion on the Jay Bird Watching Podcast, former Toronto Blue Jays infielder and fan-favorite Rance Mulliniks shared insights into his time with the club, reflecting on everything from his relationships with teammates and managers to his unique approach at the plate. Mulliniks, a key piece of the team’s foundation in the 1980s and early 90s, offers a fascinating look back at an era that shaped the franchise.

The Pleasure of Playing for Cito Gaston

Mulliniks began by touching on the recurring discussions around the Manager of the Year award, a topic that inevitably led to his highest praise for two-time World Series champion manager Cito Gaston.

Mulliniks described the true pleasure of playing for Cito Gaston, noting that the legendary skipper was "so genuine and so humble." More than just a manager, Gaston was an exception in Mulliniks' career, taking a deep, personal interest in his players as people. Mulliniks believes Gaston was consistently overlooked for the Manager of the Year award, an opinion that stems from his belief that Cito's positive influence was often understated by voters. This historical context provides a backdrop for the discussion surrounding the recent Manager of the Year results for current skipper John Schneider.

Clutch Hitting and the Mentality of a Ballplayer

Mulliniks' reputation as a clutch hitter is backed by an impressive career statistic: a career batting average of .287 with runners in scoring position (RISP). Mulliniks attributes this performance to meticulous mental preparation. "I would pre-program my approach," he explained, outlining a rigorous routine that involved scouting the starting pitcher, the bullpen, and mentally rehearsing his plan for different game situations.

This "ballplayer first" philosophy, regardless of the role he would play that day, involved being prepared to play any position to help the team win. This is why Mulliniks expressed high admiration for current Blue Jays utility player, Ernie Clement. Mulliniks recalled that his trade to the Blue Jays in 1982 was exciting precisely because it offered the opportunity to play and develop with a young ball club committed to patience and growth.

A Young Team's Home: Exhibition Stadium and the Evolving Fan Bond

Mulliniks' career with the Blue Jays began with a fresh start in 1982, when he was traded to the club. He viewed the move as an exciting opportunity to play and develop with a young organization committed to patience and growth. This shared journey from upstart to contender solidified his love for the team's original home.

When asked about his favorite place to play, Mulliniks named Exhibition Stadium without hesitation. "That was our ballpark," he said, reflecting on how the young team and the fan base grew together in that unique setting. He even shared a classic story about a fan who, in a moment of exuberance, managed to climb the foul pole.

However, Mulliniks noted the subsequent evolution of the player-fan dynamic. He lamented the decline of personal connections since the Exhibition Stadium days—when players might walk to their cars and interact directly with fans—attributing the shift partly to the rise of individuals seeking autographs for profit.

Tales from the Diamond: Stottlemyre and Exhibition Stadium

When asked about his favorite place to play, Mulliniks named Exhibition Stadium without hesitation.

"That was our ballpark," he said, reflecting on how the young team and the fan base grew together in that unique setting, even recalling a moment when a fan famously climbed the foul pole.

Mulliniks did note that the era of that intimate connection—where players would walk to their cars and interact directly with fans—has changed. He lamented the decline of personal player-fan connections since the Exhibition Stadium days, attributing it partly to the rise of individuals seeking autographs for profit.

The interview was punctuated by two humorous stories involving pitcher Todd Stottlemyre:

1. The Mid-Game Hitting Lesson: Mulliniks recounted standing on third base during a game when Stottlemyre actually called him off the bag to ask for advice on how to pitch to Edgar Martinez.

2. The Prank Call: He shared the story of Stottlemyre telling the Mayor of Philadelphia to "kiss my ass" after the 1993 World Series, which Mulliniks later used as the basis for a successful prank call to Stottlemyre years later.