As Toronto marks the 50th season of the Blue Jays, Hazel Mae, an award-winning Filipino-Canadian journalist, is being honored for her illustrious career in sports broadcasting. Mae has maintained a long-standing connection with the team, making her recognition particularly meaningful as the franchise celebrates its milestone.
Founded in 1977, the Toronto Blue Jays franchise coincided with Mae's family's immigration to Canada. In an exclusive interview, Mae expressed her excitement for the celebratory season, noting, “It’s exciting on a big scale for the network, for the city. On a personal note, it’s very close to my heart as well.” She recounted how, in her childhood, the family would gather around their only television to watch sports, a tradition that instilled a passion for the game in her. “My father wanted to watch the Maple Leafs, the Blue Jays, the Argonauts, or the NBA, so it was always a passion for the family,” Mae said, attributing her career choice to her father's influence.
With over 25 years in the industry, Mae has cultivated a strong connection to her work. “When it starts feeling like a job, that’s when maybe it’s time for you to hang up. But for me, this job feels like I’m at home, sitting on the couch watching a Blue Jays game,” she explained. The unpredictability of each game ensures that her passion remains vibrant, making her job feel more like a hobby than work.
Despite her extensive experience, Mae still feels nervous before going live in front of thousands of Blue Jays fans. “Just before I go live across the country, I do still get butterflies after all these years because if you feel a little nervous, it’s because you care about your job,” she remarked. This mixture of pressure and excitement highlights her dedication to delivering quality reporting.
Mae's rapport with the team has also helped bridge the gap between fans and players. “After the game, when the Blue Jays do win, I try to do my job, but... I know that Vladdy is still lurking behind me somewhere,” she said. Her connection with players allows her to ask challenging questions while maintaining a candid dialogue, enhancing her reporting credibility.
Beyond her professional achievements, Mae symbolizes Filipino pride and representation in Canada. She noted, “There is a responsibility when people view you as someone representing a community. My father is from Cebu, my mother is from Bohol.” The heartfelt interactions she has with fellow Filipinos who express pride in her accomplishments further fuel her passion for her work.
Under HarperCollins Canada, Mae is also set to release her memoir in November, aptly titled “Before I Let You Go,” inspired by her well-known interview sign-off. Reflecting on her decision to write the memoir, she said, “After what the Blue Jays did in 2025, baseball is at the height of its popularity in Canada... if I was ever going to do it, this was the right time.”
The Blue Jays and their fans have been celebrating the team’s 50th season with various milestones and nostalgic moments. The home opener in March featured a special on-field ceremony honoring the 2025 American League champions. Additionally, the Rogers Centre is showcasing an array of Blue Jays memorabilia, including José Bautista's bat, allowing fans to relive the storied history of the franchise.
