TORONTO (AP) - Canada’s only major league baseball team, the Toronto Blue Jays, is set to compete for the championship in the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. This momentous matchup is occurring as U.S.-Canada relations are at a historic low, amplifying the significance of the Blue Jays' achievement. The Blue Jays triumphed over the Seattle Mariners in the American League Championship Series, earning a spot in the highly anticipated Game 1 on Friday night in Toronto.
The Blue Jays' playoff run has resonated deeply with Canadians, who are experiencing a feeling of national pride mixed with resentment towards the United States, particularly in light of former U.S. President Donald Trump's remarks about potentially making Canada “the 51st state.” Geoffrey Fulton, a dedicated fan with a Maple Leaf bandana, emphasized the sentiment, stating, “Nobody wants to be the 51st state. We’re going to show America that we’re going to beat them at their favorite pastime.”
Though relations have somewhat improved following efforts by Prime Minister Mark Carney to negotiate a trade deal, American tariffs continue to impact the Canadian economy. This longstanding alliance, characterized by shared geography and heritage, has faced significant strains, highlighted by numerous Canadians participating in boycotts against U.S. goods and services since the Trump administration began making aggressive statements regarding Canadian sovereignty.
Fulton, who traveled to New York to support the Blue Jays during their playoff run against the Yankees, recalled the disrespect shown by some Yankees fans during the national anthem and how his Blue Jays wig was taken during the game. “Canada needs to be together, so to have the Blue Jays go all the way and win the World Series would just be fantastic,” he expressed.
Contrasting with hockey, where Canada boasts multiple teams, the Blue Jays represent the sole MLB franchise for Canada's 41 million inhabitants. The enthusiasm for the team extends nationwide, with reports indicating that Game 7 of the ALCS attracted an average of six million viewers on Canada’s Sportsnet network. In Calgary, Alberta, over 2,000 miles from Toronto, fans erupted in cheers when the public address announcer updated them about a pivotal home run by Blue Jays player George Springer.
Among the fans in attendance in Toronto was 28-year-old Braeden McNeil, who felt an emotional connection to the series. He remarked, “It’s extra special. They can say what they want, 51st state. We are our own country. We’re going to the World Series. It doesn’t matter if we’re the underdogs. It doesn’t matter what Americans say.”
Toronto's manager, John Schneider, who hails from New Jersey, expressed a profound connection to his Canadian team, stating, “I feel like I’m more Canadian. I love drinking beer, I like drinking Tim Horton’s. I’m one of them. To have everyone from coast to coast be part of this is something that is truly, truly special.”
Springer, now in his fifth season with the Blue Jays, also expressed pride in the team's accomplishments, acknowledging the support from fans across the nation. The Blue Jays last appeared in the World Series in 1993, securing championships in both 1992 and 1993. In contrast to that era, recent events have intensified Canadian sentiments, including earlier instances where Canadian fans booed the American national anthem at various sporting events.
As Prime Minister Carney engaged in discussions with Trump in the Oval Office, they touched upon the decline in cross-border visits to the U.S. Carney also took the opportunity to enhance national pride by mentioning the Blue Jays, to which Trump responded positively about the team’s performance. The atmosphere and sentiment surrounding the World Series promise to bring a renewed sense of unity and national pride among Canadians.
