Alex Simpson has been a dedicated fan of the Toronto Blue Jays since their inception, a passion that was nurtured by his father, Dave Simpson. Alex remembers being young and not fully understanding the game, often asking his dad, "which color team are we cheering for?" The answer was always blue, representing the Blue Jays.
The bond between father and son deepened through their shared love for the team, leading them to memorable experiences such as attending spring training and witnessing Roger Clemens achieve his 3,000th career strikeout in Toronto in 1998. However, the recent summer has brought sorrow for Alex as his father passed away. In a tribute to Dave, six family members are traveling from Calgary to Seattle to watch Game 4 of the American League Championship Series (ALCS) between the Blue Jays and the Seattle Mariners.
In a heartfelt gesture, the family is bringing a small Scotch taster bottle filled with some of Dave's ashes, honoring his Scottish heritage, with hopes of leaving some of his ashes at T-Mobile Park. Alex expressed that his father would have relished the Blue Jays' recent success in the playoffs. “At times, being a fan of a sports team can be difficult… So, it’s just incredible to see the team putting together such an effort. And I think he’d be really proud,” he remarked.
The Blue Jays' post-season run has attracted many fans from Canada, especially as Jays-Mariners games typically garner significant attendance from western Canadian supporters. To accommodate the increased excitement, an additional sailing of the Victoria Clipper fast ferry has been introduced, dubbed the "Playoff Express." Mark Collins, CEO of FRS Clipper, expressed excitement about helping Blue Jays fans make the journey to support their team.
The Mariners recently clinched their spot in the ALCS by winning a dramatic Game 5 of their Division Series against the Detroit Tigers, finishing 3-2 after an intense 15-inning battle. Alex noted that while he has attended regular season matches that felt like "essentially a home game" for the Jays due to the high Canadian turnout, he does not expect the same environment this time due to ongoing tensions between Canada and the United States. He hopes for at least 25 to 30 percent attendance from Blue Jays fans despite these challenges.
The best-of-seven ALCS is set to begin on Sunday, with Games 1 and 2 taking place in Toronto before the series shifts to Seattle for three games starting on Wednesday. Alex and his family will be rooting for the Jays from the 300-level seats in the stadium. He emphasizes the sense of national pride and community that sports can foster, stating, “I think that there is a lot of, you know, national pride and community in the idea that despite any of our differences, we can all get together and cheer for this team.”
This journey not only signifies the love for baseball but also highlights the deeper emotional connections and memories shared within families during times of celebration and remembrance.
