For as long as I can remember I have been a fan of the Toronto Blue Jays.
I remember going to my grandparents place for the weekend and watching some of my favourite players like Roy Halladay, Vernon Wells, Tony Fernandez and Carlos Delgado play for what was at the time one of Canada’s two teams, but year in and year out they failed to recreate the magic the team had in 1992 and 1993. That magical moment being, playing in the World Series.
The 2015 Toronto Blue Jays were the closest team to achieving this dream of mine in close to two decades of cheering for the bluebirds, and I will never forget the incredible moments and memories this year’s team gave me as a fan.
I’ll be honest, I didn’t come into this season expecting a whole lot. I thought the Jays may compete for a wild card berth, but I would be lying if I told you I thought they would have the year they did.
After losing future superstar Marcus Stroman for a majority of the year in March, and seeing young up-and-coming prospects like Daniel Norris, Miguel Castro and Dalton Pompey falter early in the season. It appeared the Jays team was well on its way to another lack-luster season, while heading into the All Star break with a 45-46 record.
Following the All Star Break, things turned around for the Jays as it made trade after trade trying to improve the team to make an inspired push to the Major League Baseball (MLB) postseason.
The Jays brought in a slew of talented players including Troy Tulowitzki, David Price, Ben Revere and Mark Lowe all before the MLB trade deadline on July 31.
I had seen the Jays try this tactic before, trading and signing big name players hoping they would help the team get over the proverbial hump. Guys like Frank Thomas, Troy Glaus, Lyle Overbay, A.J. Burnett and Jose Reyes all failed in these attempts, but this was different, this was the first time I had seen the Jays make huge trades mid-season.
Boy, did these acquisitions pay off, the team was as close to perfect as I had ever seen it. The Jays went 48-23 after the All Star Break and on Sept. 30, Toronto clinched its first playoff berth since winning the World Series in 1993. For the first time in all my years of cheering for the Jays, they would finally be playing in the playoffs. I remember my Grandmother telling me stories of the World Series teams of old and I finally would get to see my team play for a chance for the MLB championship.
Unfortunately things didn’t go as well as I had hoped, but nonetheless, this was a memorable season for me as a fan and gives me great hope for the Jays heading into next season.
