The Blue Jays’ extended displacement paled in comparison to the widespread suffering caused by COVID-19. But, as ShiDavidi writes, their return carries a wider significance for a country cautiously emerging from lockdown.
games as Paul Beeston, the club’s first-ever employee, eventual president and CEO and now its president emeritus.
Of that there’s little doubt and the 670-day gap between an 8-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Sept. 29, 2019, initially memorable only for the emotional goodbye to Justin Smoak, and Friday’s homecoming is the longest such absence in big-league history. “After basically two years of not playing here it's going to be really, really exciting for the fans, just being there,” said Beeston. “It's too bad it won't be full because I think it would be full if it was allowed. Nevertheless, with 15,000 people making the noise of 45,000 people, and baseball being back here and the young talent that we have, I think it's got a chance to really recharge everybody.
"The situation has that feel to it, too,” said Beeston. “Remember back then , we were 50-51. But we're going to have to get on a roll . It can't be the roller-coaster. We're going to have to get on a roll. But I would say this team is must-watch TV – you've got to watch to the end because you never know what's going to happen.”
To gain the National Interest Exemption from the federal government allowing them to come home, the Blue Jays had to commit to a track plan in which vaccinated players are treated like any vaccinated arriving traveller while those unvaccinated are limited to the ballpark and their hotel/place of residence.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Ray, Grichuk lead Blue Jays over Red Sox in first game of doubleheaderRobbie Ray pitched six strong innings, Randal Grichuk homered and drove in three runs, and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Boston Red Sox 4-1 Wednesday in the first game of a doubleheader.
Read more »
Three realistic moves Blue Jays could make at 2021 MLB trade deadlineIt’s easy to identify a player who could help your team. Determining if they’re worth the price of admission is a little trickier. To get a sense of what those prices could be, a quick look at some trades made at recent deadlines could give us a sense of what the Blue Jays might be giving up this time around.
Read more »
Blue Jays pound Red Sox as front office ponders how far to push before deadlineA 13-1 romp that secured a four-game split at Fenway Park won’t be the tipping point on how far the front office will go before Friday’s 4 p.m. ET trade deadline, but in spite of the deal for leverage arm Brad Hand, the playoff yardsticks were moved on the Blue Jays Thursday.
Read more »
Guerrero hits 3-run homer out of Fenway as Blue Jays rout Red SoxVladimir Guerrero Jr. hit a three-run homer all the way out of Fenway Park, Hyun Jin Ryu held Boston to two hits over six innings and the Toronto Blue Jays routed the Red Sox 13-1 on Thursday night.
Read more »
Blue Jays finally return to Rogers Centre to open three-game set with RoyalsThe Toronto Blue Jays have wrapped up an extended road trip down south and finally flown north -- back home to Rogers Centre.
Read more »