Blue Jays Icon ‘Rockin’ Rick’ Retiring After 36 Years of Drumming Outside Rogers Centre
For nearly four decades, Rick Donaldson, better known to Toronto Blue Jays fans as “Rockin’ Rick,” has been the rhythm behind the ballpark. But after 36 seasons of drumming outside the Rogers Centre, he’s hanging up his sticks.
Donaldson, a fixture since 1989, announced that this will be his final season busking for Jays fans.
“I remember kids coming to games who are now bringing their kids,” he told CBC News. “It’s overwhelming sometimes.”
Now 36 years later, he says it’s time to spend more days with his grandchildren — and a few less outside the dome.
“I want to take them to games instead of playing outside,” he said.
To many fans, “Rockin’ Rick” isn’t just part of the pregame energy — he’s part of the team’s identity.
“He’s part of the experience of going to a ball game,” said longtime fan Michelle Beer, who believes the city should honour him with a statue or plaque near his usual spot.
Donaldson’s journey almost ended before it began. His first performance outside the then SkyDome ended with security escorting him off the property. But fate intervened when the team’s ticketing manager spotted him and gave him the green light to stay — a decision that made him a Toronto legend.
Over the years, Donaldson has drummed for fans, met baseball greats like Hank Aaron and Fergie Jenkins, and even received cymbals from Zildjian, one of the world’s most renowned instrument makers.
As the Blue Jays fight for a World Series berth after tying the ALCS against Seattle, fans will have at least one more chance to hear Rockin’ Rick perform outside Rogers Centre during Game 6 on Sunday at 8:03 p.m., and possibly Game 7 on Monday.
While Donaldson is retiring from street performances, he’s not done drumming — he continues to play professionally with Juno Award–winning blues artist Jack de Keyzer.
“The music isn’t stopping,” he said. “It’s just time for a new beat.”
