Doug Ault, who hit first homer in Blue Jays' history, dies at 54

[Baseball Guru]

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slu...v=ap&type=lgns


December 27, 2004
TORONTO (AP) -- Doug Ault, who hit two home runs in the first game in Toronto Blue Jays history in 1977, died at 54.

He died at his home in Tarpon Springs, Fla., a few miles from the Blue Jays' spring training quarters in Dunedin, the team said Monday. The club provided no further details about his death.

With a snow storm in Toronto and a cold wind blowing off Lake Ontario, Ault homered twice in the Blue Jays' 9-4 victory over the Chicago White Sox on April 7, 1977. Before 44,649 chilled fans at Exhibition Stadium, Ault hit home runs off Ken Brett, the first a solo shot and the second a two-run homer.

Ault, a first baseman, hit only 17 homers during his four years in the majors. His career average was .236 in 256 games.

He was selected by Toronto in the 1976 expansion draft from the Texas Rangers and spent three seasons with the Blue Jays before retiring in 1980.

Ault, who was born in Beaumont, Texas, worked as a manager in the Jays' organization, handling teams at Class-A Dunedin, Kingston and St. Catharines before managing the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs.

[renuszm]

Damn, it was Mattick a week or two ago, and now Ault. RIP Doug

[yagsy]

RIP Doug Ault. That's too bad. He was very young!

I remember him being drafted too by the Jays.

[AveUguy]

What the hell is going on with all these athletes dying at such an early age?

There IS something wrong with this picture.

[Chisox73]

I remember watching on TV Doug Ault hit those 2 homers in the snow against the White Sox to start the '77 season.

Doug Ault

[robmik]

Originally Posted by Chisox73

I remember watching on TV Doug Ault hit those 2 homers in the snow against the White Sox to start the '77 season. Doug Ault

Me too....Up here, we were some excited about being tied for first place...for that day, anyway.
Doug was a nice guy....way too young to go.

[Chisox73]

Originally Posted by robmik

Me too....Up here, we were some excited about being tied for first place...for that day, anyway.

That,plus the realization that after years of failed attempts,Toronto finally became a Major League city at last.

[Chisox73]

According to the medical examiner,the death of original Blue Jay Doug Ault was ruled a suicide.

Ault,54,died on December 22 of a self inflicted gunshot wound to the head,according to the medical examiner.

[robmik]

Things had gone very poorly for Doug in recent years, from both a job and financial perspective, and from his second wife losing her medical license, then a breakup with her, and his first wife dying young.
He'd had enough,I suppose.
Really sad.

Mike

[yagsy]

That's horrible! Mike thanks for letting us know a little bit more about the man. He had so much sadness in his life. Makes me appreciate what I have in my life.

RIP Doug

[PissedPrincess]