The last time Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Jo-Jo Reyes earned a win, the Celtics were up 3-1 in the NBA Finals, Manny Ramirez was patrolling left field for the Boston Red Sox and George W. Bush was still the president of the United States. That date was June 13, 2008, and Reyes was a member of the Atlanta Braves.
Fast forward 28 starts and Reyes had not earned a victory since that summer night in Los Angeles nearly three years earlier. But on start No. 29 on Monday night, Reyes finally earned another win, ending his record-tying winless streak. Reyes pitched all nine innings en route to the Blue Jays' 11-1 victory over Cleveland.
The fans were certainly aware of the circumstances. Fans chanted "Jo-Jo, Jo-Jo" as Reyes faced the final batter. A sign reading "I believe in Jo-Jo" was seen in the stands. Even the players understood the significance of the win, as catcher J.P. Arencibia embraced the pitcher upon the final out. Reyes was also greeted with a Gatorade shower and a shaving-cream pie during a postgame interview.
In the 28 starts since his last win, Reyes had gone 0-13 with a 6.59 ERA. Oakland’s Matt Keough went 28 starts without a victory between 1978 and 1979 while Boston’s Cliff Curtis also went winless in 28 straight from 1910-1911. Coincidentally, Keough also pitched a complete game victory in his 29th start.
Prior to Monday’s game, fellow Blue Jay starter Brandon Morrow tweeted "anyone know where to find a goat? We need for..uh…something special before JoJo takes the mound… A chicken may work in a pinch."
Not sure if Morrow got his wish, but we can be certain that Reyes got his.
