The 2009 Toronto Blue Jays season was the franchise's 33rd in Major League Baseball, and the twentieth season of play at the Rogers Centre. The team was managed by Cito Gaston, who took over the team midway through 2008. After 8 years as General Manager, J. P. Ricciardi was fired on the second-last day of the season, having failed yet again to guide the team to the playoffs. He was replaced by Assistant General Manager Alex Anthopoulos. It was also known to be a very disappointing season as the Jays started out with a record of 27-14, good enough for first place in the division as well as ranking in the top 3 for most power rankings at the time. They would, however be swept by the Red Sox at Fenway Park from May 19 to May 21. This road trip proved to be a pivotal turn around in the season