The Blue Jays leaned on a rookie manager to guide the expansion team on its first journey through the MLB ranks. Roy Hartsfield had a very similar managing pedigree as that of current Toronto skipper Charlie Montoyo. Hartsfield had enjoyed success at the minor league ranks and had occupied positions on an MLB bench but never as the main man.
Hartsfield made his MLB debut as a player with the Boston Braves in 1950 seeing action 107 games as a rookie. The 24-year old second baseman would spend three seasons in the majors from 1950-52 playing 265 games.