Relive the Blue Jays' Magical 2015 Season with These Awesome Illustrations

The Blue Jays entered the 2015 season with promise, and concern.

While general manager Alex Anthopoulos made a big trade for Josh Donaldson and brought free agent catcher Russell Martin home with a five-year deal, bolstering both the club's offence and defence, there was uncertainty about specific spots, including a young rotation that would be without its ace, Marcus Stroman.

Let's relive the stunning, up-and-down year through these illustrations by Chris Ripley.

The team had upside, but also six rookies on the Opening Day roster in New York.

Devon Travis, obtained in an offseason deal with the Tigers, was penciled in as the club's starting second baseman with local boy Dalton Pompey out in center. Daniel Norris and Aaron Sanchez represented two fifths of the starting rotation, while Roberto Osuna and Miguel Castro—two hard-throwing right-handers who made the jump from the low minors—were handling backend-of-the-bullpen duties.

It didn't take long for Toronto to start juggling the roster, with youngsters Norris, Castro and Pompey all getting sent down to the minors in early May. By the time the month ended, the Blue Jays were 23-29. And then things started clicking.

The offence was a constant. So, too, was the defence of Kevin Pillar, who made highlight-reel catches seemingly every night.

An 11-game winning streak in June helped the Blue Jays take a 41-38 record into July.

Donaldson, Martin and Jose Bautista were selected to the All-Star Game. Osuna, at just 20 years old, took over the closer's role for good and never looked back.

A lot was going right, yet the Blue Jays finished the month at 53-51.

But Anthopoulos had a couple tricks up his sleeve.

He traded for All-Star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki…

And then left-handed ace David Price.

He added Mark Lowe and Ben Revere for good measure, and the team really took off, going on a 21-6 tear in August, led by Edwin Encarnacion, who hit a stunning .407/.460/.919 with 11 homers and 35 RBI.

The Bringer of Rain added 11 homers and 35 RBI of his own in August.

The powerhouse Blue Jays were a legitimate contender with superstars all around.

As if Tulo and Price weren't enough, the club received another monumental gift in the form of Stroman, who was supposed to be out for the season but managed to come back and dominate in four September starts.

The Jays reeled off an 18-9 mark in September to capture the American League East and secure a berth in the postseason for the first time since 1993. Donaldson hit 41 homers and was the AL MVP. Bautista hit 40, while Encarnacion blasted 39. Price was the runner-up for the Cy Young.

The first playoff series in 22 years was nothing short of epic. An electric Rogers Centre witnessed the Blue Jays drop two straight at home to the Rangers with the series going back to Arlington.

But Toronto responded, winning twice in Texas to force a decisive do-or-die Game 5 back in Toronto.

Then this happened…

The Bautista Bat Flip was a legendary moment. And it helped Toronto dispose of the Rangers and advance to the American League Championship Series.

Bautista delivered one final signature performance with Toronto facing elimination in the ALCS, but his pair of homers weren't enough to keep the season alive. The Blue Jays went home two wins shy of a World Series appearance.

It wasn't the finish the country had dreamed of, but the thrilling journey, punctuated by Bautista's bat flip, made 2015 a special year in Toronto and season to remember.