The joy from Monday night’s victory is still reverberating, setting the stage for an exciting Friday evening. Welcome to this special edition of the Canada Letter.
Tonight, at 8 p.m. Eastern, the Toronto Blue Jays will clash with the Los Angeles Dodgers at the Rogers Centre for Game 1 of the World Series. The Dodgers, featuring Japanese sensation Shohei Ohtani, arrive as the reigning champions. For the Blue Jays, this marks their first World Series appearance since their back-to-back victories in 1993.
It’s a classic matchup: California’s glamorous baseball powerhouse against a spirited team from a country where ‘sweater weather’ is a way of life, all unfolding amidst a season of underlying political friction between Canada and the United States.
While many things often feel exaggerated in America, ironically, that can diminish their impact. Here in Canada, however, the truly significant moments resonate deeply, feeling all-encompassing and monumental.
Canadians have a history of incredible sports-induced euphoria: Joe Carter’s unforgettable walk-off home run that secured the 1993 World Series for the Blue Jays; Sidney Crosby’s golden overtime goal against the U.S. in the 2010 Olympic men’s hockey final; and the Toronto Raptors’ stunning upset of the two-time defending champion Golden State Warriors for the 2019 NBA title.
And now, we add Monday night to that legendary list. George Springer’s majestic game-winning three-run homer clinched the American League pennant for the Jays against the Seattle Mariners – a truly cinematic moment fitting for baseball’s ultimate comeback kids. Beer cans soared, fans erupted in a frenzy, and the stadium literally shook. Despite my best efforts to dodge the post-game champagne and beer showers in the clubhouse, I woke up the next day with tangled hair and a faint scent of Budweiser.
Having attended every home playoff game, I’ve found the crowd’s energy as captivating as the action on the field. This team inspires immense joy — with only brief moments of anguish — but predominantly, pure happiness. Postseason baseball truly is a roller coaster of emotions.
In stark contrast, the Dodgers are a picture of Hollywood polish and composure, boasting baseball’s largest payroll. The Blue Jays, however, play with a vibrant, spirited energy, embracing their ‘nervy and cheeky’ nature. Many of their postseason heroes were cast aside by other teams. And in a charming nod to Canada’s beloved sport, the Jays celebrate their home runs with a familiar hockey goal horn.
But what has truly cemented their place in our hearts is their unapologetic embrace of being Canada’s team, triumphing in America’s game.
[Read: As Blue Jays Advance, America’s Pastime Is in Canada’s Cross Hairs]
While many players hail from the United States or Latin America, and manager John Schneider is a New Jersey native, their emotional connection to Canada is palpable – a level of animated national pride rarely seen from Canadian hockey players.
“We’re unique in experiencing this,” Schneider explained. “We’re the only team with this kind of following and viewership. Sometimes the guys don’t fully grasp it, but it’s truly special to have an entire country, from coast to coast, rallying behind this team.”
He proudly affirmed, “We know we have a whole country behind us.”
Back home, Monday’s Game 7 garnered a staggering six million viewers, representing approximately 15 percent of Canada’s total population – a record-breaking audience.
During the division series, as the Jays dominated the New York Yankees with a 34-19 scoreline, it was impossible not to see them as a Canadian emblem. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., the Montreal-born superstar, delivered a grand slam in Game 2 that felt like a clear message across the border.
The Blue Jays have emerged as the perfect symbol for a nation that has spent much of the year uniting under its flag, proudly asserting its identity and independence from its longtime ally, and firmly resisting an American president whose actions threaten Canadian sovereignty.
“I was born here. I grew up in the Dominican Republic, and from the moment I signed, I knew I’d be here my entire career,” Guerrero reflected after Game 7. “I understood I had to make all the fans, the entire country, proud of me and my team. As I always say, my goal is to bring the World Series trophy back to Canada.”
In 1993, I shelled out a scandalous $70 to a ticket scalper, watching Joe Carter’s legendary home run from the nosebleed seats above left field. The city erupted in absolute pandemonium, and the entire stadium spilled into the streets for a spontaneous celebration that seemed to last for days.
As my sports reporting career began, I witnessed countless such moments – both grand and intimate.
In 2000, I spent a season covering the Montreal Expos, where Vladimir Guerrero Sr. was the star slugger. After games, I’d often share a subway ride home with him – a famous pro athlete commuting like any regular Montrealer. His son, Vladdy Jr., born just the year before, was soon spotted at Olympic Stadium in a tiny Expos uniform. Now, in this postseason, Vladdy Jr. boasts six home runs, a dozen RBIs, and showcases defense played with incredible grit and accuracy.
For Vladimir Guerrero Jr., the immense pressure of an entire nation rests lightly on his shoulders, feeling as effortless as a perfectly executed bunt.
“No pressure, none at all,” he stated confidently. “My father always taught me that being here is a dream come true, right?’’
“You want to give everything you have for your country,” he emphasized. “You feel proud of it. You feel very proud of it.”
George Springer’s monumental home run has dominated my Instagram feed for days; I must have watched it seventy-five times since witnessing it live. My favorite replay captures the utter pandemonium in the Toronto dugout as the ball soared over the fence: infielder Ernie Clement’s unadulterated glee, catcher Alejandro Kirk’s fierce determination, Guerrero’s heartfelt gratitude to his higher power, and the sheer disbelief etched on the face of 41-year-old right-hander Max Scherzer, a man whose legendary stubbornness often seems like a sacred virtue.
Even if the most thrilling moment of the season has already passed—though in postseason baseball, that’s hardly likely—it feels like this October has already delivered more than enough. But thankfully, Canada’s team has other plans.
A regular edition of the Canada Letter will appear as usual on Saturday.
Shawna Richer is an editor on the National desk at The Times. Based in Toronto, she has been editing and writing about sports for nearly as long as the Blue Jays’ World Series drought.
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