I decided not to write another column providing explanations of yet another Saskatchewan Roughrider loss (33-26 against the B.C. Lions on Sept. 29). Instead, I will write about experiences and impressions from last Friday night’s Toronto Blue Jays game against the Tampa Bay Rays, which they won 11-4.
Sharon and I joined our son, Michael, and his wife in Toronto for the Sept. 29 game. It has been several years since I was at a Blue Jays game.
Over those years physical tickets disappeared. Michael had our tickets on his phone. I miss having a physical reminder of a game.
We had excellent seats on the first base side of the field with a view almost straight down the third base line. I include a photo from my seat. I posted on Facebook that if there was a play at the plate we were ready to make the call.
Watching Matt Chapman play third base can best be appreciated in person. Early in the game he rifled a throw over to first that was faster than many pitches. Late in the game he smoothly handled a hard ground ball and without a fraction of wasted motion made a perfect throw to first. It was ballet on the ball field.
Sharon and I each had a hot dog. At mediocre, they are consistent with past memories. Maybe they would have tasted better if we had been there on a Loonie Dog Tuesday night.
The unlimited popcorn in a rainbow box for $14 was excellent. We went through two boxes. $12.95 for a tall can of beer is consistent with pricing at other major sports venues.
From the crack of the bat we knew Alejandro Kirk’s opposite field drive to right field had a chance to leave the park but would it die before the seats. There may have been no louder cheer at the game than when it slipped over the wall near the foul pole. With the Jays offensive woes in 2023, getting a lead was a relief to players and fans alike.
I had not appreciated how wide a stance Brandon Belt has at the plate. I doubt there is a player with his legs spread further. His demeanour at the plate is unflinching. You know he will not swing with less than 2 strikes unless he is confident he can hit the ball hard. We knew his three-run home run was gone the moment it left his bat.
Several other times Michael and I were fooled by fly balls we thought might leave the park but were caught as routine fly balls. By the end of the game we were judging fly balls better.
Beside me was a young woman at her 10th game of the season. She was wearing a yellow jersey. When I said she had the wrong colour on she said that when she wears her Vladimir Guerrero jersey they lose. I could understand her superstition.
With the Jays scoring in six of their eight at-bats we were up and down from our seats all night long. Exchanging high fives with our group and the young lady was fun.
Now the Blue Jays, like the Riders, have to provoke anxiety. Even an 8-0 lead did not feel safe. When, to start the 6th, Yusei Kikuchi gave up a double and then a two-run home run by Harold Ramierez, a quiver of anxiety went through the stadium. Objectively, he did not look tired but another double and there was not a fan at the park who did not want him pulled from the game. There is a feel to the game in person absent from watching on TV.
When the score reached 8-4 and the Rays with two on, there was major angst at the ballpark. I thought Chad Green’s strikeout of Manuel Margot to stop the rally and getting Osleivis Basabe to fly out to end the inning were the key outs of the game.
As the Jays kept scoring, anxiety gradually gave way to optimism.
It was interesting to contemplate the changes for next year which will reduce foul territory. There are going to be lots of runs at the Stadium in 2024.
Snarled traffic after the game has not changed. If you are driving to the game best park a 15-20 minute walk away from the park or get a drink before heading for your vehicle unless you like a half hour wait getting away from the Stadium area.
And on our walk back to the Royal York Hotel we had a Saskatchewan moment as we encountered Craig and Darlene Cory from the Balgonie area. I played Twilite baseball with Craig for over a decade. They were proudly wearing their new Blue Jay bunny hugs from being among the first 15,000 at the ballpark.
What has not changed over the years is the joy of a game with lots of runs and the Jays being the winners.
Bill Selnes, who’s based in Melfort, has written about the Saskatchewan Roughriders since the late 1970s. He was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame, Football Reporters of Canada wing on Nov. 24, 2013.
