Murray Wood: Who's hot... and who's not
Every Friday, Murray Wood takes a look at the week's news and decides who's hot... and who's not. This week's list inclu...
After more than three decades, Toronto baseball fans are living through something they never thought they’d see again the Blue Jays back in the World Series.
For many, it’s a nostalgic and emotional moment that brings back vivid memories of where they were the last time Toronto ruled Major League Baseball.
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And while Game 2 didn’t go Toronto’s way on Saturday night, fans say just seeing the team back on the biggest stage makes it worth every pitch.
The Dodgers evened the series at 1–1 Saturday, beating the Jays 5–1 behind a complete-game gem from Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the first World Series complete game since 2015.
Toronto’s only run came on an Alejandro Kirk sacrifice fly in the third inning. Still, fans at home and across the country say the energy hasn’t faded.
Among them is Brent Pompu, who served in the Navy when the Blue Jays captured back-to-back titles in 1992 and 1993.
He says his first memories of those championships came from the middle of the ocean, listening to the games on Armed Forces Radio while stationed at sea.
“The first two years when they won it, I was in the Navy, and we were all listening on Armed Forces Radio out at sea,” Pompu said. “So this year, well, this year it’s a different story.”
Pompu says he’s been glued to the television this time around, soaking in every inning and the atmosphere that comes with it.
He predicts the best-of-seven series will go six games, though he admits, “It’s going to be Dodgers in six.”
For 33-year-old Brady Keller, this run is a full-circle moment. He says he was only an infant during the Blue Jays’ glory years, with his baby photos taken during the team’s first championship in 1992.
“From where they were at the beginning of the year, looking at trading Vladdy, trading Bichette and now for them to be in the World Series, it’s beyond anybody’s imagination,” Keller said.
Keller says Toronto’s unexpected turnaround from a year filled with trade rumours and doubts has reignited the passion of longtime fans.
Despite the Game 2 loss, he believes the Jays can split at home, win on the road, and bring the series back to Toronto to finish it in front of their home crowd.
For others, the team’s playoff surge has brought back memories of where they were when Joe Carter hit his iconic walk-off home run in 1993.
Rob Taylor cheers on the Blue Jays during Game 2 of the World Series at a Regina bar Saturday night. (Jacob Bamhour / 980 CJME)
Rob Taylor says he was working as a cook at Smitty’s restaurant the night the Jays won their last title. Now, three decades later, he’s just happy to see them back in contention.
“It’s painful because I jump on and off the bandwagon,” Taylor said with a laugh. “But yeah, it’s been a long time coming.”
Taylor says Saturday’s loss felt more like what he expected from the opener, a tight game that showcased the Dodgers’ pitching depth. Still, he says, “win or lose, it’s great to see them back where they belong.”
Game 3 of the World Series shifts to Los Angeles on Monday, with the series tied 1–1.
Fans like Pompu, Keller and Taylor say no matter the result, it already feels like a season to remember, that’s brought the country back together around a team that once again believes.
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