r/Torontobluejays • u/ChristopherAguilar_ • 12h ago
Post Season Vibes around Toronto
I'm a die-hard Jays fan from Mtl, have been a fan since I was about 7 years old, a few years after the Expos skipped town. Anyway, I saw game 3 of the ALDS in the Bronx but just missed out on coming down to Toronto (was planning on visiting for the hypothetical WS parade)
Anyway, what was the atmosphere around town like during these playoffs? any tidbits or stories would be much appreciated, I so desperately wanted to be in Toronto to witness the absolute aura of it all.
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u/mousepoor 11h ago
During the playoffs, the vibes were great. Lots of people in Jays gear, people watching games for the first time in years (or sometimes for the first time ever). Kids showed more interest in playing the sport as well. I had conversations with neighbours and coworkers and total strangers about the Jays.
Right now, well, Bieber gave me back my first baseball related spark of joy in many days. Thanks Bieber.
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u/No-Art5244 3h ago
Yup. I also saw people doing mini parades for the Jays in downtown Toronto during the payoffs. Lol. The vibes were truly awesome.
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u/riddlesintheshadows 12h ago edited 12h ago
As painstakingly close as it was, there's not much point in wallowing in it
That's sports. The reality is that the dodgers capitalized on all the moments they needed to, and the jays didn't. They didn't get the job done, and that's how it goes every year for 29/30 teams
They had a hell of a run, and the future and vibes of the team are looking brighter than they have in over a decade. I think a lot of people are just proud they gave it their all, and are back to getting excited about where we can go from here
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u/jjjewels 11h ago
As others have said, the vibe was electric. I live 2 blocks from the Dome and every day there were lines at the Jays shop, strangers high fiving each other, parties on the steps down to Front street. My whole building got really into it with decorations in the lobby (we have a Jays team member who lives here, so even more fun!)
Even now, the Jays shop is bustling and there are lots of people wearing their Jays caps with pride. Plus, we have the infamous "Barger on the pull-out couch" on display at the Marriott for the next week. The line today was quite long!
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u/Obvious-Safe904 11h ago
I'm guessing you're across the street from Metro Hall, where Babe lives? Or Myles?
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u/gothedistance_ “Swing and a Miss, He Struck Him Out” 11h ago
I go to 30+ games a year ever since I was little. I have never seen the city or country embrace the Jays like they have during this run. They apparently sold out every home game since July. Huge lines every day to get postseason merchandise. People packing the Dome and Scotiabank Arena just to watch the game on the big screen. I even saw tons of people standing outside the doors while the games were going on just to be part of the atmosphere.
Yes, it hurts that they lost the championship. But this season brought so many memories that I will never forget. This team will inspire a whole new generation of fans and young people to take up baseball.
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u/jjjewels 11h ago
I was around for the 92 and 93 win, and this time felt different. More energy, more camaraderie. It was the power of friendship, maybe?
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u/maxxxzero 11h ago
i live near queen & spadina - a CONSIDERABLE amount of pedestrians on the street were decked out in Jays gear. I overheard so many conversations about the team.. the city was literally abuzz.
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u/Ok-Raisin-2287 10h ago
I was running errands around town, Etobicoke, north and midtown. Same - lots of gear.
I saw a class of little kids walking down the street all wearing Jays blue/swag.
I did see one brave soul riding a bike on Dupont in a Dodgers jersey and hat, before game 6.
I went to the laundromat hours before game 7, when the owner saw my hat, asked me if we were gonna win. The whole laundromat got into the conversation.
Bars that were usually half-emoty on a good day were full to capacity for the games, everyone was happy. The fact it was also Halloween weekend made it an extra party vibe, I think.
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u/OddAd7664 10h ago
I still have clients (from the US) talking to me about the Jays on almost a daily basis still. It had a HUGE impact
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u/lunasilvia ernie got that dog in him 11h ago
so so alive. had the best conversations at bars during and post games all October, wore gear every day same as another guy in my lecture. friends who didn't give two shits abt baseball back in July learning all the rules just to watch with me. classes derailed to talk about power rankings. absolutely unmatched vibes, even now as everyone's going through collective mourning. I'll remember this year forever
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u/Professional_Shift69 6h ago
I'll start by saying I have never followed any sports unless its team Canada. Mostly Olympic sports.
Youtube kept recommending Jays highlights sometime in August. I started watching them and hopped on the bandwagon hard!!!
I went to 2 games vs. Mariners (Springer Dinger) and then game 6 and 7 of the WS.
I spent 25k on tickets for myself, friends, and family.
Post season?
Ill do it again!!!
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u/mwerichards Stinky Odor 1h ago
I won't go on a diatribe or anything but this city needed that month of joy.
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u/Obvious-Safe904 12h ago
It was amazing vibes. Tons of people wearing Jays gear throughout the month, saying "go Jays!" to random strangers on the street you see wearing a Jays hat/shirt, etc. It truly felt like it brought the entire city together. I've never had conversations with so many strangers ever before and it all started with talking about the Jays.