Hope can be a double-edged sword, as the saying goes. Following the Toronto Blue Jays’ defeat in the World Series, a thrilling and tense match, I reached out to friends and shared my disappointment with fellow heartbroken fans online. My cousin texted me about her seven-year-old son who cried himself to sleep.
Zidane, a young boy captivated by soccer and not typically a baseball fan, found himself swept up in the playoff excitement and began following the Toronto Blue Jays. He learned the players’ names, understood their roles, criticized the rivals, and most importantly, he believed in a victory.
He grew fond of a team that openly celebrated friendship and made an impressive leap from last place in the regular season to fighting for the championship against a wealthy team from California.
He joined the nation in supporting a team of heroes who played the game in a manner that inspired love and hope. For many, including myself, supporting the Blue Jays was an exhilarating experience filled with a mix of anxiety and joy.
Canada’s team, with its spirit of camaraderie and potential, faced the reigning champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers, boasting a billion-dollar roster. Although I have attended numerous games at the Rogers Centre and appreciated the vibrant atmosphere, I am not a die-hard baseball enthusiast.
However, this experience transcended baseball. It represented a nation excitedly engaging with a sport outside of hockey. The Blue Jays’ roster features players from various backgrounds and accents, united by their love for Toronto, regardless of their origins.
In a politically charged atmosphere where people may feel unwelcome in their own communities (as seen in Los Angeles), the Blue Jays serve as an example of how to embrace diverse cultures, musical styles, and unique baseball customs while integrating them into a city with a rich history of immigrants and newcomers.
I do not mean to imply that Canada is free from its own problems, racist structures, and horrendous behavior towards immigrant communities. Yet, in times of societal difficulty, the Blue Jays’ run in October 2025 not only offered an escape but also a beautiful perspective on sports and life.
During this cherished Blue Jays World Series, I kept telling myself that Toronto deserved joy and a victory. After that Saturday night, I thought about the hardships faced by the people of Los Angeles this year, such as the wildfires in Pacific Palisades and ongoing ICE raids.
Would the residents of Los Angeles be able to celebrate such joy? Would they be able to gather in their communities without fear of violence and police brutality? Mayor Karen Bass of Los Angeles reportedly expressed her hope for a win that could uplift spirits in her city. I hope it does.
At a time when pure joy is hard to find, it’s easy to understand why a child like Zidane yearned for some happiness, too. This opportunity came through a sport often linked to (some argue originating from) Canada, represented by a charming bird.
(Emily Kewageshig/Instagram)
Many of us fully invested our hopes, prayers, and beliefs in the power of sports to illuminate what feels overwhelmingly dark in the world. With grief visible across our social media channels, it’s understandable why we wanted the Jays to triumph. Who would have thought that simply hitting a ball and running around a dirt diamond could bring feelings of inclusion, joy, and hope to Canadians?
Hope for something better, something beautiful and uplifting on the horizon. The chance to engage in an extraordinary sport without facing judgment or discrimination. A logo we could wear and colors we could display that would instantly connect us to a historic moment not seen in over thirty years. A new kind of history was being crafted, one in which outsiders could participate. What could be more beautiful than that?
As a teenager in Halifax, I fondly recall the World Series victories in 1992 and 1993. After relocating to Toronto, I worked as a journalist in 2019 and reported on the NBA championship won by the Toronto Raptors, and again when the Toronto Six claimed the now-defunct Premier Hockey Federation championship.
Currently, I am covering the inaugural season of the Northern Super League, where AFC Toronto has secured the Supporters Shield and won their first semifinal playoff game.
I must admit that victories in leagues and championships by Toronto’s beloved sports teams are, unfortunately, quite rare.
The following morning, I called Zidane to check in and gently suggested that he might want to temper his affection for Toronto teams. He laughed, and I knew he was hooked. Being a sports fan here often involves repeated heartbreak.
But isn’t it better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all? Even if that love is tinged with grief and frustration. Would any Blue Jays fan claim they would prefer not to have won the ALCS? Absolutely not. Despite the disappointment, we are all filled with pride and gratitude.
What the Blue Jays have given Toronto, and all of Canada, is not just an incredible journey but also the chance to comprehend what true community connection feels like; that we can unite in hope and the possibility of success. And for that, the Jays have undoubtedly triumphed. We all have.
