By Courtney Powers-Luketić

The Toronto Blue Jays are competing in the World Series for the first time since 1993. Fans, new and old, across Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) are feeling an energy that has been absent on campus for 32 years—and for most students, for their entire lives. 

After defeating the Seattle Mariners in a hard-fought seven-game battle in the American League Championship Series (ALCS), the Jays are now facing the Los Angeles Dodgers for a World Series title. For many TMU students, this has been a lifetime in the making.

Fourth-year sociology student Jesse Brierley attended his first Jays game 15 years ago and immediately knew he’d be a fan from then on. 

Years into his time as a Jays fan, Brierley recalls being heartbroken after watching the Jays lose in the ALCS in both 2015 and 2016, with a roster consisting of names like José Bautista, Josh Donaldson and Edwin Encarnación. Now, 10 years later, something feels different. 

“It feels like a once-in-a-lifetime chance for us to win a World Series and see the whole city come together,” said Brierley.

Coming into these playoffs, the Jays faced hefty competitors. In the American League Division Series (ALDS), they won against last year’s finalists, the New York Yankees. In the ALCS, Toronto started the series losing two games at home against Seattle. Now, they will have to defeat the reigning World Series champions. 

“It feels like a once-in-a-lifetime chance for us”

Even the most dedicated fans questioned the Blue Jays abilities to make it this far. 

“Hopes weren’t incredibly high. I thought [the Blue Jays] would be an okay team, maybe make a round of the playoffs,” said Brierley. “Now, we’re in the World Series.”

But for fourth-year business technology management student Seth Carroll, this was supposed to happen.

“[My expectation] was that they would make it to the finals,” he said.

For some, this moment has been the culmination of years of anticipation, hope and heartbreak. For others, it is the first time they’ve seen a team they love even get this opportunity, but for all, the feeling is surreal. 

“If there’s anything I can do to help[support the team], I’ll do it,”

Bryan Lopez, who graduated from TMU’s image arts: film program in June, has been a fan of the Jays since his dad took him to his first game 15 years ago. He said once you’ve supported a team for so long, it means a lot for them to succeed. 

Lopez said, “I teared up a bit when they won game seven [against the Mariners].”

“I’m definitely going to call in [to work], I wouldn’t miss it for anything.”

During that game, Jays outfielder George Springer hit a game-deciding three-run home run in the seventh inning to come from behind and send the Jays to the World Series. 

Lopez was watching the game at a friend’s house, whose parents were asleep in another room. He tried his best to keep it down but his excitement overflowed and he had to celebrate. 

The home run reminded Lopez of José Bautista’s ‘bat flip’ home run from the 2015 postseason. In the final game of the ALDS, facing elimination, Bautista also hit a three-run home run in the bottom of the seventh inning.

“I teared up a bit when they won game seven [against the Mariners]”

Although the Jays fell short back then, the renewed possibility of a title is electrifying the city.” 

Carroll said fans across the city can’t help but share their excitement. 

“You’re walking down the street and you’re high-fiving everyone, you’re talking to everyone,” he said. “Everyone’s happy.”

Even for those who don’t know much about baseball, the atmosphere is magnetic. Brierley said even his friends who have never watched a baseball game in their lives have been going out to bars to watch the Jays with him.

As with die-hard fans anywhere, Jays fans at TMU are committing to superstitions to give their team better odds.

Carroll makes sure to wear a Blue Jays hat during every game to show his support.

“If there’s anything I can do to help, I’ll do it,” he said.

Brierley also believes in the luck brought on by team gear. When the team performs poorly when he wears a certain jersey, he makes sure to take it out of his rotation.

If their luck pulls through and the Jays win the World Series, fans across TMU said what they’re looking forward to most is attending the anticipated parade. 

Knowing he will likely be scheduled to work during a potential parade, Lopez said, “I’m definitely going to call in, I wouldn’t miss it for anything.”

“I have a good feeling and usually I dont get that feeling”

Brierley said if the Jays win, he’s making his way downtown to celebrate with the city. He remembers his parents telling him stories from the 1992 and 1993 World Series wins and how they celebrated together with other fans.

He said, “I’ve always thought maybe one day I’ll experience that, so that would probably be the plan for me.”

The Blue Jays won game one on Oct. 24, where TMU’s competitive dance team, UHHU, performed. After dropping game two at home and a gruelling 18-inning game three on the road, the series is currently in favour of the Dodgers 2-1. The Jays are three wins away from winning a World Series. 

“I have a good feeling,” said Carroll. “And I don’t usually get that feeling.”