Toronto’s got baseball fever, and it’s spreading like wildfire.
On Monday night, the Blue Jays dispatched the Seattle Mariners, earning themselves a spot in the World Series for the first time in 32 years. Following the dramatic win — how many times have you watched that clip of George Springer jumping with glee following his clutch three-run homer? — tens of thousands of fans flooded out of Rogers Centre and into the streets, as the city erupted into a bright burst of euphoria.
For Jays fans old and new, it was a special, unforgettable evening in Toronto, a city that has for years been deprived of sporting glory.
Of course, there are many among us who are not baseball fans — folks who perhaps don’t have the time to follow the grueling, 162-game regular season. This can be a difficult, isolating time for these bandwagoners, whose lack of knowledge shames or prevents them from embracing the unique catharsis of fandom.
But if you are among that latter crowd, fret not! The Grind has compiled a semi-comprehensive guide for bandwagoners and fair-weather fans to help them get up to speed and blend in ahead of Game 1 against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday.
Understand the stakes
Winning the World Series is one of the most difficult and rare achievements in professional sports. Since taking home the championship in 1992 and 1993, the Blue Jays have struggled to regain their glory, aside from two solid but ultimately disappointing playoff runs in 2015 and 2016 which ended before they got to the World Series. This year, we’ve reemerged as a true powerhouse.
But baseball is “America’s pastime,” and the U.S. media has never failed to take shots at the fans of the only Canadian team in the MLB. In September, one broadcaster dared to question the “baseball IQ” of Blue Jays fans, before implying that we ought to stick to hockey.
Those baseless criticisms, however, seem to have supercharged both the Blue Jays, who have played with a chip on their shoulder, and their fan base, which has transformed the Rogers Centre into one of the most electric stadiums in the league.
The team’s success so far has not only been a rebuke to the Americans, but it’s united Canadians. How far can they take it?
Acquaint yourself with the boys
The most important thing you can do before hopping on the bandwagon is to acquaint yourself with some of the Jays’ key players. Below you will find a cheat sheet that you can print out or copy on to some flash cards in order to get up to speed.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (First base)
Known simply as “Vladdy,” the 26-year-old slugger and first baseman is a fan favourite; the face of the franchise; Toronto’s chosen son. The son of the Dominican MLB Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero Sr., Vladdy was born in Montreal and seemed destined for greatness from a young age. A photo of four-year-old Vladdy next to his father, who played for the long-gone Montreal Expos, is iconic in the world of Canadian baseball.
Gregarious and extremely competitive, Vladdy has spent his entire career with the Jays, who signed him when he was just 16, and over the past half decade has become an essential part of the team’s core. In April, he signed a ridiculously large extension to stay in Toronto ($500 million over 14 years). So far, that contract is paying dividends: through the first three rounds of the playoffs, Vladdy has been on an offensive tear, with six home runs and an absurdly impressive batting average of .447.
If the Jays manage to take down the Dodgers, expect to see a statue of Vladdy erected next to the CN Tower.
George Springer (Right field)
Next to Vlad, the Jays’ strongest offensive weapon is Springer, who in 2019 was named the World Series MVP when he played for the Houston Astros. At 36, many have doubted his ability to be a difference maker — though any doubters were silenced on Monday when Springer hit what will go down in Blue Jays history as one of the most consequential (and riveting) home runs in team history. His three-run shot in the seventh inning of Game 7 was the series winner, leading the way to their first World Series appearance since 1993.
Alejandro Kirk (Catcher)
Hailing from Mexico, the Blue Jays catcher is a steady force on the Jays and a fan favourite. Though not known for his speed — he is often referred to as “the slowest man in baseball” — he is a consistent hitter with an undiluted zeal that easily makes up for his shortcomings.
Trey Yesavage (Pitcher)
This fresh-faced rookie might be the most unlikely star of the 2025 MLB season. The 22-year-old from Pennsylvania started the year deep in minor leagues, including a stint with the Vancouver Canadians. By mid-September, he had made his MLB debut. Fast forward one month, and Yesavage is one of the Blue Jays’ most reliable starting pitchers, despite only starting in six games in the major leagues. He’s been lights out in the playoffs, with 22 strikeouts in three games — the second most in MLB history for a rookie.
Max Scherzer (Pitcher)
At 41 years of age, future Hall of Fame pitcher Max Scherzer is far from his prime, but oh boy, is he still capable of magic. Known for his furious, passionate love of the game (and for having two different eye colours), fans often refer to Scherzer as “Mad Max.” That persona was out in full force in his most recent outing for the Jays, when he screamed at Jays manager John Schneider, who was visiting the mound to take him out of the game — or to try to, unsuccessfully — an incident that has already cemented itself as Blue Jays lore.
Kevin Gausman (Pitcher)
The 34-year-old All-Star pitcher is the Blue Jays “ace” — our strongest, most reliable starting pitcher. He has been with the Jays for four years now, making him one of the team’s most important leaders. If the Jays want to go all the way, they’ll need a great series from Gausman.
Know your enemy: The L.A. Dodgers
The main thing you need to know about the Los Angeles Dodgers is that they are terrifying. The reigning champs — a team backed by billionaire owner Mark Walter with a payroll of over $321 million — have steam-rolled their way back to the World Series and are looking to become the first team to win two championships in a row since the Yankees in 2000.
The Dodgers have a stacked roster, including 8x All-Star Mookie Betts, 9x All-Star (and Canadian) Freddie Freeman, former Blue Jay Teoscar Hernández and a powerful bullpen of pitchers, including Blake Snell and Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
But the team’s main weapon is a name you’ve likely heard: Shohei Ohtani. A 31-year-old pitcher and slugger (a truly rare combo) from Japan, Ohtani flirted with the idea of coming to Toronto in 2024 before signing a 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers. Ohtani is arguably the greatest living baseball player. Earlier this month, in what some called the most impressive individual performance in baseball history, Ohtani threw 10 strikeouts and hit three home runs against the Brewers. He’s a monster.
Look the part
As a bandwagoner, the easiest and most effective way to conceal your hardball ignorance is to always wear a baseball cap while watching a game (any baseball cap will do, as long as it’s not from a different MLB team).
The baseball cap is not only the ancient symbol of the solemn and studious baseball fan, but is also required to take part in various rituals related to the game: to pull down over one’s eyes in moments of high tension, to wave vigorously in moments of triumph and to wear inside-out as a “rally cap” when your team is losing.
Don the cap, use it tactfully, and you will blend right in with the die-hard fans.
Impress your friends
If you’re looking to not only blend in among Blue Jays fans, but stand out as a deeply informed student of the sport, try to incorporate the following fun facts and random statistics into your conversation. (Results not guaranteed.)
- When George Springer is up to bat, say something along the lines of: “Let’s go George, give us another Springer Dinger!”
- If your friends start to doubt the Jays’ ability to overcome the mighty Dodgers, remind them: “In the history of the MLB, only four teams have advanced to the World Series following a 4-0 sweep, and none of those teams went on to win the championship.”
- If Yesavage or Scherzer come up in conversation, ask: “Did you know that the Jays are the only team in MLB postseason history to have a pitcher over 41 and under 23 years old win a start in the same series?”
- Never say anything nice about the Yankees. If they come up, say the following in an exaggerated voice: “Daaa Yankees lose.”
- During home games, make sure to point out legendary Rush bassist and vocalist Geddy Lee, who typically sits behind home base.
Alternatively, you can admit you know nothing, and many Jays fans will happily talk your ear off about their favourite team.
Have a game plan
It’s going to be absolute mayhem in this city over the next week and a half. If you’re planning to watch the game at a sports bar, plan well in advance, and be sure that you and your party arrive at least an hour early. Here are a few spots we recommend for a good, rowdy time.
- Toby’s Pub and Eatery (411 College St)
Rowdy, great drink and food deals, and about a thousand TVs.
- Dock Ellis (1280 Dundas St W)
Toronto’s quintessential hipster sports bar.
- Real Sports Bar & Grill (15 York St)
Expensive but extremely fun sports bar in the downtown core. You will want to book ahead.
- Rivals Sports (560 Danforth Ave)
An affordable, no-frills institution on Danforth.
- Trinity Common (303 Augusta Ave)
Excellent laid-back vibes for casual and serious fans in the heart of Kensington Market.
Know the schedule
It’s a best-of-seven series. The first team with four wins takes home the championship. All games start at 8 p.m. ET
- Game 1: Friday, Oct. 24 in Toronto.
- Game 2: Saturday, Oct. 25 in Toronto.
- Game 3: Monday, Oct. 27 in Los Angeles.
- Game 4: Tuesday, Oct. 28 in Los Angeles.
- Game 5: Wednesday, Oct. 29 in Los Angeles.
- Game 6: Friday, Oct. 31 in Toronto.
- Game 7: Saturday, Nov. 1 in Toronto.
Go Jays!