Jimy Kelly Night: Sunday, July 30
Thirty years after he first put on a Dunedin Blue Jays uniform, Jimy Kelly will return to Dunedin to be honored by the Blue Jays prior to their game against the Florida Fire Frogs on Sunday, July 30th. Signed by the Blue Jays in 1984 as a 13-year-old prospect from
Thirty years after he first put on a Dunedin Blue Jays uniform, Jimy Kelly will return to Dunedin to be honored by the Blue Jays prior to their game against the Florida Fire Frogs on Sunday, July 30th. Signed by the Blue Jays in 1984 as a 13-year-old prospect from the Dominican Republic, Jimy holds the distinction as the youngest player to ever officially appear on a minor or major league roster. He made his debut in the Blue Jays farm system as a 14-year-old in 1985 with the Gulf Coast League Blue Jays and played for the Dunedin Blue Jays in 1987 and 1989.
Jimy's career with the Blue Jays organization spanned five seasons and, although he never made it to the major leagues, the impact of his career continues to be felt today across baseball. Nearly immediately after his signing as a 13-year-old, Major League Baseball established an age limit and other restrictions on international free agent signings often referred to as the "Jimy Kelly Rule" that have made it possible for countless ballplayers across the globe to sign with major league teams over the past three decades. The Dunedin Blue Jays currently have six international players on their roster signed through the system Jimy's career helped establish, including infielder
Fans interested in learning more about Jimy's career and life since can read The Youngest Blue Jay: Jimy Kelly.
The first 500 fans through the gates on the 30th will receive an exclusive Dunedin Blue Jays Jimy Kelly baseball card, an addition to the team's 2017 card set available only at this game and Jimy's first baseball card since his 1989 Dunedin Blue Jays card. Jimy will be available to meet and greet fans and sign his new baseball card and will throw out the honorary first pitch before the 5:00 PM game between the Blue Jays and Fire Frogs. This will be his first appearance in any capacity with a professional baseball team since his retirement from the game as a player in 1990.
Tickets to Dunedin Blue Jays games are $7 and can be purchased the day of at the stadium's box office or in advance by calling the Blue Jays at (727) 733-9302 or online through www.DunedinBlueJays.com. On Sundays at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium, Jimy Kelly Night included, kids 12 and under get in free with a paying adult.