The Toronto Blue Jays won the first round of the Major League Baseball (MLB) playoffs earlier this week against the New York Yankees.
Just getting to the playoffs has thrilled Durham Region baseball fans.
It follows an unprecedented regular season that saw the Jays go from the bottom to the top of their division, making the playoffs for the first time since 2015.
The Jays’ entry into the playoffs has led to a renewed sense of patriotism in Durham Region.
Some residents, such as Durham College student Jackson Skenderis, in the Firefighter – Pre-Service Education and Training program, see the Jays’ success as a confidence boost for a country torn apart by the past year’s trade war with the U.S.
“They’re basically leading the whole country,” said Skenderis. “I think everyone’s going to be behind them going into the playoffs.”
The significance of a Canadian team being a part of the playoffs for a predominantly American sport has not been lost on the community, said Michael Yantha, also a Firefighter – Pre-Service Education and Training student.
“I think it’s huge that the Canadian team is succeeding in a league that’s named after America,” said Yantha. “It really doesn’t matter what country is winning the game.”
However, he said the 10-year wait for re-entry was not a concern.
“I don’t think the 10-year gap is going to have an impact on the team’s success because there’s no players from the 2015 roster on the 2025 roster,” said Yantha, noting 2017 World Series MVP George Springer is on the team. “It’ll be a good experience for the new guys who are getting their first time playing playoff baseball.”
Over the course of the first round, the Blue Jays defeated the Yankees, winning all but the third game, and will advance to the second round on Sunday, Oct. 12 just after 8 p.m.