Check out here for the boxscore and play-by-play of the opening day game on April 7, 1977. It was a snowy day at the Mistake by the Lake, but Ault made it magical.

2004 can't end soon enough for me. What have we got, five more days?

I never saw him play but I can remember hearing about his legendary homeruns and original team exploits.

I've prayed for God's Will to be done for Doug and comfort for his grieving friends and family.

I played baseball against Doug Ault in 1973 when he was with the Gastonia (N.C.) Rangers in the Class-A Western Carolina League, where he was a teammate of Mike Hargrove. Both of them could hit more than just a little. I never met Doug, but I recall the first pitch I ever threw him, he swung so hard he fell down. It was a good thing for me he missed it. I also seem to remember him getting out on his front foot against one of our other pitchers and essentially one-handing a ball over the left-field fence. Even though I never knew him or met him, I was saddened to read of his death. Many condolences to his family and friends.

The Principal at Bloor Collegiate let anyone who was going to the first Blue Jay game off school so a buddy and I took the Dufferin Street bus to the Ex on that snowy day. The snow did eventually melt during the game and Doug Ault was the first Blue Jay hero. A HR to left and a HR to right. I remember that you could buy Doug Ault t-shirts that summer during the Ex. He was one of those minority of players who threw left-handed but hit right-handed. Thanks for the memories Doug.

David Ault, Doug's brother, has posted a message to Batter's Box in this thread.

I am sadden to hear about the passing of Doug Ault. He certainly had one of the best opening day heroics. He will be missed.
Both Doug Ault and Mack Jones of the Expos are the only two people to hit the first home runs in their franchise history. Sadly both of them died in 2004.

Hearing the news of Doug Ault death made me think the number of players & coaches that have since passed away from the first game in Blue Jays history.

Toronto Blue Jays
Doug Ault 1B 2004
Bob Miller coach 1993
Early Wynn broadcaster 1999

Chicago White Sox
Jim Spencer 1B 2002
Ken Brett Opening Day Starter for the White Sox 2003
Francisco Barrios 1982
Bob Lemon Manager 2000
Larry Doby Coach 2003
Harry Caray broadcaster 1998

Both Doug Ault and Mack Jones of the Expos are the only two people to hit the first home runs in their franchise history.

I don't think Ault was the first. Wasn't it Gary Woods or someone like that?

I am surprised only 9 posts on Doug Ault. He was the first hero of the team. Sad to hear. It has been a bad year for the Blue Jays of the past.

Hey Matthew E: Doug Ault was the first player to hit a home run in Toronto Blue Jays history.

Alvis Woods hit the first home run on his first at-bat but that was later in the game. He had a pinch hit home run and replaced Steve Bowling in RF

http://www.thedreamjob.com
Doug was my uncle and he will be missed in our family. Please, even if you don't have a specific faith, pray for Doug's children. Joshua, Doug's son, lost his mother in August (due to complications from Cancer - this was a very sudden loss) and his daughter is only 13. The famous side of Doug is lost on us. He was a son, brother, father, uncle, great uncle, etc. His mother has now lost 3 of her 5 children. One of Doug's sisters died of complications from 30+ years of Multiple Schlerosis. My mother died two years ago this January of Sudden Death due to Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. Doug's father died of this when he was 57, my mother was 58. There has been a lot of loss for this family. Seeing past the opening day Doug to the very real person should help you all see that his children, his family appreciates your condolences and would welcome your prayers.

Tracey, thank you for posting. Your uncle (or father?) David also posted an eloquent addition to an earlier thread, linked above.

Stan, I understand your surprise, but there have been at least another dozen or so posts in other threads, so it's not as small a reaction as you might think. Remember, we held back on posting this thread until we had absolute confirmation -- it was not in the media until four days after the fact. Lee Sinins has noted Ault's passing in his widely-read ATM Reports, which I believe is also posted to THT, and I think Jamey Newberg is planning to mention it in his widely-read newsletter soon; he did not want it to be lost in the much longer Johnny Oates information he distributed yesterdaay. Both Sinins and Newberg received their information from us, so perhaps they will see Tracey's and/or David's postings as well. He is also in the "In Memoriam" area of the front page of BaseballReference.com.

As I mentioned in the other thread, Ault was my favourite original Jay, probably in part seeing him go from the Rangers, where he was stuck in the organizational depth chart behind Mike Hargrove and Pat Putnam, to the Jays in the expansion draft. But as Tracey has reminded us, we only "knew" Ault as a ballplayer, and clearly he was more than that.

Doug was one of my best friends in high school. I remember the good times we had. I guess I was a lucky guy knowing Doug as a person and a ball player. We spent many hours "Growing Up" together. Although our lives went separate ways after school,he was always in my thoughts.

Our prayers go out to his Family.

THIS IS VERY SAD TO HERE OF THE DEATH OF DOUG AULT. DOUG AND I WENT TO FRENCH HIGH SCHOOL WHERE WE PLAYED ON THE VARISITY TEAMS AT THAT SCHOOL ALL THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL. WE WERE THE CLOSEST OF FRIENDS AND I FEEL WE HAVE LOST A GREAT PERSON AS WELL AS A GREAT BALLPLAYER. YES WE WENT SEPERATE WAYS AND WE DIDN,T KEEP IN TOUCH, BUT I ALWAYS REMEMBER THE GOOD DAYS WHEN THROWING THE BALL TO DOUG AT FIRST BASE OR SEEING HIM HIT A LONG BALL.WE WILL SINCERLY MISS DOUG.
GOD BLESS HIS FAMILYAND ALL WHO NEW DOUG.

I can remember Doug coming to my familys house in Beaumont and I had a big pink piggy bank and he would always put all of his change in it plus bills because I was saving for a new bike which he pretty much bought. He also bought my first glove and bat, I think I was about three and it was a big Louisville bat and a Spalding glove which I couldn't lift cause it was so heavy but I used it all through softball when I was older,and I will treasure the memorys I do have. He was a great guy that I only knew as Uncle Doug even though there were no blood ties, he was AWESOME!! All of his family is in my thoughts and prayers.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylc=X3oDMTBpcDBuM2RlBF9TAzk1ODYxNzc3BHNlYwN0aA--?slug=ap-aultdeath&prov=ap&type=lgns
I'm so sorry to hear this sad news; my prayers will be with the family.

I just read an update on Ault and wasn't sure were else to post this, but his death has been ruled a suicide (COMN).

Roster members: If this is inappropriate for this thread, as it seems to include many heartfelt posts of reminiscing and rememberance, please feel free delete this.

I'm very sorry to hear about Doug Ault's passing. I am 32 years old, so some of my earliest baseball memories are of watching him play for the Blue Jays.
It's because of classy players like him that I became a baseball fan, and a life-long Blue Jay fan.
He will be missed.

More sad news about Doug Ault's death.

Oops, I hadn't realized that Nolan had already posted a link.

Just echoing Nolan's sentiments, I, too, did not post my link to sensationalize Mr. Ault's passing nor to invite armchair psychiatrists to weigh in. I, too, would not want the details of Mr. Ault's passing to overshadow the memories that people are sharing and would ask that my posts be removed if this is the case.

The truth isn't something to hide or apologize for. The circumstances of his death are tragic, and make it all the more important that we treasure our memories of his achievements.

I WOULD LIKE TO SAY TO DOUG'S FAMILY AND FRIENDS HOW SORRY I WAS TO HEAR OF DOUG'S PASSING.I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET AND WORK WITH DOUG FOR A SHORT TIME AND WE ALWAYS HAD A GREAT TIME TALKING ABOUT BASEBALL AND MORE BASEBALL.I WILL KEEP YOUR FAMILY IN MY PRAYERS.

It was a shock to hear of Doug's death. I attended school with Doug from Junior High (James Bowie) through High School (French). Although I never got the chance to play ball with him, I had many classes with him over the years. I always thought of him as a friend and was glad that he made good in baseball. I never saw him again after we left French High. My prayers go out to Doug's family and friends. I hope to be able to attend the funeral on Thursday.

The truth isn't something to hide or apologize for.

I mostly agree, but there are times it is inappropriate or insensitive.

I am very sad to hear the news of Doug's death. I played for him for two seasons at AAA Syracuse in 1985 and 1986. He managed us to a league championship in 1985. Doug was laid back and easy to play for. He always went out of his way to get along with everyone. He was also a hard worker and very dedicated. I remember that he used to throw me extra batting practice all the time even though I was a utility player. Also, when Doug had to tell me that I was released from the team, he offered to try and help me get a coaching job. Now, Doug joins John Cerutti and Mike Sharperson as members of our 1985 championship team that have passed. My prayers go out to Doug's family.

I played with Doug at Panola Junior College in 1970.That was the year after he was named MVP of the Junior College World Series in Grand Junction CO. Doug and I stayed in touch during his years at Texas Tech and I saw him play in KC and MN during his days with the Blue Jays.

For those of you who know him you realize that he was a very carasmatic person that attracted people like the pied piper. Doug was more than the best baseball player I ever played with. He was a great guy that I will miss.

David (Dougs brother) In 1970 when we went back to Grand Junction in 1970 I believe your mother rode to Colorado with with my parents.

From the Panola class of 69 and 70 we all send our sympathy.

I loved Doug Ault.

My mom Pam Sugden is Doug Ault's ex wife from a long time ago at the begining of his baseball career. I think they were only married for a couple of years. My mom remains good friends with Mike Hargrove and his wife. We live in Oregon. My mom was telling me of memories of when she and Sharon Hargrove used to wash the team uniforms when they played for the Blue Jays. My mom works in the atletic department for the Oregon State Beavers, she just returned from the bowl game and to the office to have a lady she works with not very nicely say to her " Pam what was your ex husbands name, she said Doug Ault, and she said oh well he died" My mom was very sad all day yesterday when she found out and was online all night trying to find out info on his family and those he left behind. My husband and I are saved born again Christians and our prayers go out to the wholle Doug Ault family on behalf of my mom and our family. GOd Bless You all. My dad died 13 years ago of Leukemia that was my moms 2nd and last husband. Yesterday was a hard day for her to reflct on that both of her husbands are not alive anymore. If anyone from the Ault family would like to contact us you cna do so at Randfamily2003@aol.com or Pamsugden@aol.com. God Bless you all we are deeply sorry for your loss. Jamie Rand and the Pam Sugden family

I'm very sorry to hear about Doug Ault's death. I was his first wife back in the early 70's when he played for the Texas Rangers in Gastonia North Carlonia. My prayers go out to his family as I know how hard it is to lose a loved one. My second husband died 14 years ago of leukemia. I talked to Doug about 13 years ago and found out that he was playing winter ball in Austrilia. I tried to contact him again a few years ago and I couldn't find him. I thought about trying a couple months ago and now I wish that I would of, cause you never know when someone may just need someone to talk to. It sounds like Doug made an impact on alot of lives and for that I'm grateful. Please keep his loved ones in your prayers.