My passion for the Toronto Blue Jays runs deep ever since the inaugural game back at Exhibition Stadium in 1977. I remember it was snowing on the farm April 7th, 1977, we just finished feeding the cattle and bedding the barn when Dad said let’s go in have a coffee and watch the Blue Jays play. I was hooked from that point on! I recall grabbing an old hard ball (I would bounce off the couch to play catch with myself inside) and a marker and started scribbling the Jays logo on it and by the end of the game I had added several signatures including Doug Ault who had 2 homers that day.
I also remembered the snow falling at Exhibition Stadium and they had a Zamboni to clean the field. As a kid I loved the fact that grown men were playing baseball in snow. I sure the Americans expected snow as we now had a team in Canada, and we gave it to them (lol). I also recall the excitement of the announcers Don Chevrier (play-by-play), Whitey Ford (analysis), and host Tom McKee. The game, which the Blue Jays won 9–5 against the Chicago White Sox, was shown on the CBC.
I was hooked from then on and watched as much baseball as possible. It also started my craze for collecting baseball cards. Prior to that, all I bought was hockey cards. Now my baseball collection has ballooned to the point of no return.
I have seen it all over the years including the back-to-back World Series in 92 & 93. The fact that I got Donnie hooked on baseball was a bonus. She is now hardcore like me. That World Series run was special, and we will never forget the excitement watching it at Dillinger’s in Weyburn. “Touch em’ All Joe”. Our group around the TV spilled more drinks cheering than we go into our system. It was unforgettable. I hope we get to experience another championship team this year.
The Jays are now an institution/passion in our world. Now we just have to get past the dreaded Yankees.
Comments