TORONTO — It’s do or die for the Toronto Blue Jays tonight as they try to clinch a spot in the World Series, and with a home game advantage fans are heading to Rogers Centre in hopes of witnessing history.
The Jays and Seattle Mariners are both one American League Championship Series win away from a World Series date with the Los Angeles Dodgers, the reigning champs.
Johnny Prokos, whose father Gus has run a hotdog stand on the east side of Rogers Centre for 37 years, says it would be a Canadian heritage moment if the Jays advanced to the World Series.
“This is what every fan dreams of. It’s Game 7. It’s the biggest game since 1993. This is huge, this is massive for the city and for everybody,” he said Monday morning, adding he was still feeling the adrenalin from the Jays’ 6-2 home win against the Mariners the night before.
Prokos, who says he’s been to at least 500 games over the course of his life, describes the stadium as a second home for him and his dad. He started going as a kid and recalls returning to school from summer vacation with lots of baseball stories to tell.
“I was here every day. This is home base,” he said.
Prokos wasn’t the only person at the stadium early Monday. Cynthia Schaeffer lined up around 10 a.m. for a general admission spot at the game. She said the Blue Jays’ appearance at the World Series would be “a long time coming.”
Schaeffer’s family immigrated to Canada from Guatemala and she said her dad became a Jays fan after settling in Toronto. She remembers going with him to see Jays legends George Bell, Ernie Whitt and Pat Borders play at Exhibition Stadium. The family also watched the team’s back-to-back World Series wins in 1992 and 1993.
She said seeing them make it to the World Series again would be even more meaningful for her family this year as her dad, who is now 69, is in remission after having cancer.
“I almost get a little emotional … I want my father to see it because he’s the biggest Jays fan,” she said.
He’s currently enjoying a bucket list vacation in Europe, but he’s had some late nights staying up until four or five in the morning, listening to games on the radio and revelling with his kids in a family group chat, Schaeffer said.
“It bonds my whole family together,” she said, adding that her 14-year-old son will join her later in the day.
Brett Russell, who travelled from Georgetown, Ont., was also outside the stadium Monday morning to secure a general admission spot.
As a swimming coach, he said he recognizes the athletes’ drive and he’s hoping his baseball heroes are successful in their own push.
“As Toronto sports fans, we’re not used to teams doing well. It’s nice to keep hope alive and hopefully we come up on top tonight,” he said.
Prokos echoed that statement.
“They’re Canada’s team. Obviously we have the Leafs and Raptors, but to me, being born and raised here, it’s like a second family. Seeing them go all the way would mean the world,” he said.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 20, 2025.
Cassidy McMackon, The Canadian Press
