Canadians need to get behind the Toronto Blue Jays
In the words of former Toronto Blue Jays commentator Fergie Olver, “How about those Blue Jays?” Fergie Olver’s catch phrase was said to suggest that this was an incredible ball club to get behind and that the Blue Jays were going to do something amazing!
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Toronto has not won the World Series since 1993 against the Philadelphia Phillies. That’s 22 years ago and counting.
The franchise has been perceived as a thrifty team. People have come to believe that the team ownership and management would rather sit tight with their money in their pockets than spend. They also believe they will throw up their hands and say that they cannot compete with the other teams of the American League East.
For a number of years after 1993, the Rogers Centre (formerly the SkyDome) was not the place to be. Fans stopped coming and demanded changes to the roster. They begged and urged Rogers Communications (the Blue Jays owners) to invest in the team properly so that the city could achieve the same success as the rest of the league.
Since 1993 there have been some brief periods when the team threw money at free agents with little success.
However, during the 2012 offseason the Toronto Blue Jays made significant roster moves to compete against their divisional opponents. It put Toronto on the map, not only in Canada but across the United States. They were a threat to win the 2013 World Series.
The Blue Jays made two huge trades, acquiring Jose Reyes and Mark Buehrle from the Miami Marlins and R.A. Dickey from the New York Mets. They also signed outfielder Melky Cabrera. There were other major league talents that came to Toronto but have since left to play elsewhere. However, the 2013 injury-filled season was a disaster. The 2013 team finished with 74 wins.
They decided to keep the team exactly in place for the 2014 season and again it didn’t work. The 2014 team finished with 83 wins – a nine game win improvement, but still no playoffs in sight.
During the 2015 offseason, changes were made. After two seasons with the team staying together, management felt that they needed to add players again. Changes were in order and necessary.
Catcher Russell Martin signed as a free agent from Pittsburgh. Outfielder Michael Saunders came in from Seattle via a trade. After a freak trip over a sprinkler during Spring Training, fans do not know how he will handle the turf of the Rogers Centre.
Third baseman and Canadian favorite Brett Lawrie was traded to the Oakland Athletics along with prospects for third baseman Josh Donaldson. Josh Donaldson is proving to be an MVP candidate for the team as well as the American League.
Meanwhile, the Chicago White Sox signed outfielder Melky Cabrera as a free agent last winter. Jays outfielder Colby Rasmus signed with the Houston Astros. Casey Janssen signed with the Washington Nationals.
No American League East organization has a locked up trip to the playoffs this fall. The Blue Jays are giving the city of Toronto something to get excited about, possibly envisioning a playoff date in October.
For a number of years, Jose Bautista was considered “the guy” surrounded by prospects and young kids. It was suggested on this website that Bautista could be dealt for veteran talent. Whether he is or not, is up for discussion.
The team has brought in R.A. Dickey and Mark Buehrle as the veterans of the starting rotation. We will have to wait and see if the team adds a pitcher to bolster the starting rotation prior to July 31. Dickey’s win/loss record and his very high ERA this season is not anything to get excited about. Buehrle has proven once again that he is the 200 innings pitcher that he has been all these years. Combining Dickey and Buehrle to Martin and Donaldson this year, the pressure is taken off Jose Bautista.
This team appears to be a cohesive unit that likes playing together.
Stop complaining, Toronto Blue Jays fans! This team may not win the division or a Wild Card playoff seed. However, that shouldn’t matter. Fans only wanted meaningful games in September, right?
The American League East has competitive teams where 90-plus wins have been needed to compete in the playoffs.
The fans in Toronto and Canada need to get behind this team. Let’s start a “We” movement. The team has shown that they are capable of winning games in spite of large deficits. Opponents should never count them out and, in spite of Jose Bautista missing out due to injury, the team had three players selected to play in the All-Star Game at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati.
This team is pretty special. Attend games in Toronto. Root! Holler! Scream! Jump up and down! Go to the games with your face painted, foam rubber finger on and wear your Blue Jays pride.
The team roster may have changed over the years but the song and sentiment remains the same. Start singing, “OK! Blue Jays! Let’s PLAY BALL!”