The greatest moment I’ve ever experienced as a Toronto sports fan was Game 6 of the World Series in 1993. Everyone knows what happened, and it’s the single greatest home run in World Series history. I was 14 years old. The Blue Jays were unstoppable. The Leafs came off of two solid consecutive playoff runs. We thought a Stanley Cup win was imminent in the following seasons. And in a couple years, we had an NBA franchise on the way (albeit with a questionable name). The early 1990s were the golden years for anyone who cheered for Toronto professional sports franchises. Little did we know that was the peak.
Seventeen years later and I live in Toronto again after a stint out on the Prairies. I thought by this age I’d have at least attended two or three victory parades down University Avenue. Clearly that hasn’t happened, and who knows when it will. However, I remain optimistic (and realistic) about a stronger Maple Leaf team over the next decade. The Raptors are doomed, however, for the time being. And the poor Jays only draw a shadow of the crowds they did pre-strike. They deserve the neglect the least out of all our pro teams. They’ve hovered around mediocre for the better part of a decade, but they’ve shown flashes of brilliance, and this year is no exception. Sadly, Leaf Nation hogs the spotlight, and fewer and fewer Torontonians/Southern Ontarians pay attention to the plight of the Jays. If only more people showed them a bit of love, Toronto may return to glory.
Every night when I leave work at Front and John I see the dedicated fans streaming down to the SkyDome (errr, Rogers Centre). They wear Vernon Wells and throwback George Bell jerseys. A lot of the time I see the same people. Couples in home and away shirts. Families bringing their kids to regale them of that former Blue Jay dominance. I admire their dedication and feel a little ashamed that I began to ignore them after a while. But right now, they’re the only Toronto team that shows promise, so let’s show them a little love as they push for a wild card spot. Maybe kids today will someday get to witness their own Game 6.
