Baseball in Canada

[Djeffery]

Jays finish 9th in attendance in MLB, second in the AL. I predict a good boost next year, similar to 2016 after them coming out of nowhere to win the East in 2015. They did solid attendance the last half of the season but the first half, they only had 11 dates over 30,000 in the first 42 games to the end of June. The final 39 home dates only had 6 below 40,000. I predict a solid top 5 in the MLB next year around 3.2 million, although doubtful they catch the Yankees for top in AL simply because of the lower stadium capacity now.

Dodgers, who have led MLB since 2012, broke 4 million for their first time this year, becoming the 5th MLB team to do it, and first since the Mets and Yankees in 2008. Toronto and Colorado or the only other teams to hit 4 million in a season. The Dodgers are the only team with a realistic chance of doing it now with stadium capacities what they are now.

[EnvisionSaintJohn]

The MLB couldn't have asked for better regional rivalries in the American league this year... especially if it's Toronto versus Detroit or Cleveland in the ALCS.

I'm a Red Sox fan, but I'm not hanging my hat on them even beating the Yankees, let alone getting past the Blue Jays. So barring another wild card miracle run for the Red Sox, I'm rooting for the Jays.

There couldn't possibly be a better year for Canada's MLB team to win the world series. A Los Angeles vs Toronto world series would be great, especially since the Jays would have home field advantage, and the possibility of a game 7 at SkyDome against the the team with the biggest phenom since Babe Ruth... plus the whole Toronto fake out back when Ohtani was unsigned would add an extra layer of spiciness to a Blue Jays vs Dodgers matchup.

Otherwise, I think Toronto vs Chicago or Toronto vs Philadelphia would be the best matchups for TV ratings and fan interest on both sides of the border. As much as I want to see the Red Sox win another World Series, I think I almost want to see Canada win the World Series even more this year.

[EnvisionSaintJohn]

Originally Posted by Djeffery

Jays finish 9th in attendance in MLB, second in the AL. I predict a good boost next year, similar to 2016 after them coming out of nowhere to win the East in 2015. They did solid attendance the last half of the season but the first half, they only had 11 dates over 30,000 in the first 42 games to the end of June. The final 39 home dates only had 6 below 40,000. I predict a solid top 5 in the MLB next year around 3.2 million, although doubtful they catch the Yankees for top in AL simply because of the lower stadium capacity now.

Dodgers, who have led MLB since 2012, broke 4 million for their first time this year, becoming the 5th MLB team to do it, and first since the Mets and Yankees in 2008. Toronto and Colorado or the only other teams to hit 4 million in a season. The Dodgers are the only team with a realistic chance of doing it now with stadium capacities what they are now.

Considering SkyDome is not even in the top 10 ballparks in the world by capacity anymore, that's pretty impressive. SkyDome (Rogers Centre) is now the 30th largest ballpark in the world by capacity, but it used to have a capacity of up to 56,000 for baseball, and the Toronto Blue Jays were the first team in MLB history to draw over 4 million fans in a single season (1991)

I wonder if there would ever be a way to increase the capacity of SkyDome without ruining everything they've done to turn it into a much better ballpark.

If there does ever come a time for the Blue Jays to build a new ballpark, I hope they'd build one with the biggest capacity in the MLB.

[Djeffery]

I doubt the Jays would ever try to go that large again. That size is what gave them 20 years of crappy atmosphere when the attendance dropped after the 1994 strike. I think 3 million is the new 4 million for them, especially with all the premium seating they have now compared to the old layout. They topped out in the 52k range in the World Series but their regular season capacity in those days was a shade over 50k. The 8-10k seats they have given up were upper level cheap seats and lower bowl bad sightline seats, as well as unsold empty suites. The seats are also a bit bigger now so that reduced capacity.

I wouldn't be surprised for the playoffs if we see them in the 44-45k range, with the suites and hotel packed and extra outfield district tickets without seats sold. I'm sure they have an unpublished "fire code" capacity of unassigned tickets they can sell and just let people cram in out in party zones that they wouldn't do during the season. I've walked around out there during the season and I think they keep it to a good manageable number, but there is a lot of space still that they could pack it in there for a playoff atmosphere that people would tolerate that they likely wouldn't put up with on a regular game day. You already get enough people floating in and out during the game and then head back to their seats but for playoffs or a World Series, they can really pack the people in out there.

[Gresto]

Canadians barred from attending games at Yankee Stadium.

[Djeffery]

"Barred" is a little harsh. Same type of stuff that goes in the NHL playoffs, teams blocking out Canadian credit cards from buying up the tickets. Still seemed to be a lot of Leafs fans made it into the Panthers arena the last couple years through other channels. Same will happen here no doubt.

[EnvisionSaintJohn]

Originally Posted by Gresto

Canadians barred from attending games at Yankee Stadium.

If I recall correctly, they barred all purchases from outside the "tri-state area", not specifically Canada... and it's for a series versus the Blue Jays they haven't even qualified for yet lol. I hope that jinxes them.

I don't know if they also barred all purchases from outside the "tri-state area" for this Wild Card series at Yankee Stadium, but fuck the Yankees!

[OldDartmouthMark]

Originally Posted by EnvisionSaintJohn

I'm a Red Sox fan, but I'm not hanging my hat on them even beating the Yankees, let alone getting past the Blue Jays. So barring another wild card miracle run for the Red Sox, I'm rooting for the Jays.

Looking good so far!

For the record, I'm not a Red Sox fan (though I was when I was a kid and we lived on a diet of New England-based cable TV, which featured Red Sox games). At the moment I am an "anybody but Yankees" fan, so Go Sox!

After the Yankees fans are left slack jawed and booing their own team after today's loss (my prediction), then I will be back to being a Blue Jays fan.

Go Jays!!

[jc_yyc_ca]

I'm not sure who I like less, Boston or NY. Part of me loves watching the Yankees lose, so I'll probably route for Boston. Even though Crochet scares me. The thought of maybe seeing him twice in a best of 5 is not good. On the other hand the Yankees won 10 of their last 11.

[Zepfancouver]

Here we go! The Blue Jays run for World Champions begins in a half hour, enjoy the ride, Go Blue Jays!

[Coldrsx]

Solid start as Gausman looking sharp and Vlad is on!

GO JAYS
---

***UPDATE***

Statement game!

[Djeffery]

Made a last minute decision and took my son to the game today. Love that building in a playoff atmosphere.

[Maldive]

44,000 fans (again) deserved that 10 to 1 spanking the Jays gave the Yankees.

I'm guilty of calling catcher Alejandro "double-play Kirk" last year and early in the season... but I think he's found a solution.

Just hit 5 home runs in his last 10 at bats (including a grand slam on the final day of the regular season to clinch the division title).

Viva Mexico!


mlb

[MonctonRad]

Blue Jays are the talk of the town in Moncton.

I was at the Moncton Wildcats home opener yesterday evening with my eldest son (banner raising ceremony from the league championship they won last year), but, the crowd was only half dialled in to the hockey game. Everyone (and I mean everyone) around me in my section was glued to their cellphones watching the ever mounting score by the Jays.

This feels like a team of destiny this year. I can smell a World Series win coming at the end of this month.

[Coldrsx]

There's a solid buzz of Jays fever here in Edmonton too.

Our local team, The Riverhawks, are even hosting watch parties at our Re/Max Field and last night at our men's league it was 90% of the conversation, with the Oilers being 10%.

GO JAYS!

[TorontoDrew]

I think the Jays might be the only thing about Toronto that people in the R.O.C can get behind.

Hope we beat the Yankees, and I'll be happy meeting up against Seattle or Detroit after. Both will have huge Jays crowds. Easy enough for fans to cross the border and not spend too much money in that country before returning home after the games. There are a ton of Jays fans in and around Vancouver, so it would be nice for them to get to some playoff games.

Bring back the Expos!

[Gresto]

I must admit, it is heartening to hear people from the RoC cheer on something to do with T.O. rather than disparaging it. I'm not a city booster at all, but I do bridle at the mindless disdain of which my hometown is often the recipient.

[Coldrsx]

Sweeeeeeeep time baby!

Let's go Jays!

[Airboy]

So I just found out the person catching the grad slam home run the other night was a friends (and former coach) son.

[Coldrsx]

Ouch.

But I suspect that they settle in now and get it done.