On the heels of a thrilling October that saw them push the defending champion Dodgers to the brink in Game 7 of the World Series, the Toronto Blue Jays have become more than just a baseball team - they've become a national rallying point. For a few electric weeks, they weren’t just Toronto’s team. They were Canada’s.
From Vancouver to St. John’s, fans tuned in, cheered, and lived every pitch of the Blue Jays’ improbable postseason run. And while the dream of a championship fell just short, the afterglow of that journey hasn’t faded - not in the city, and certainly not across the country.
Now, a new question is quietly gaining momentum in Toronto sports circles: Are the Blue Jays becoming the city’s most beloved franchise? And, perhaps more provocatively - are they already there?
It’s a conversation that’s hard to ignore when you look at the current state of the city’s other major teams. The Maple Leafs, long considered the crown jewel of Toronto’s sports scene, are mired in yet another stretch of frustration.
With five losses in their last six games and a familiar spot near the bottom of the Atlantic Division, the mood around the team has soured. The frustration is thick, the skepticism louder than it’s been in years - and maybe most concerning of all, the apathy is starting to creep in.
Meanwhile, the Blue Jays are basking in the kind of goodwill that only a deep playoff run can generate - and they’re not letting that momentum go to waste. General manager Ross Atkins, once a lightning rod for criticism, is now steering an aggressive offseason aimed at building on last year’s success. The front office is acting like a team that knows it’s on the cusp of something special - and wants to stay there.
That energy has carried over into the fanbase. While the Leafs struggle to fill seats - selling out just six of their first 20 home games this season - the Jays are riding a wave of enthusiasm that’s been building since mid-summer.
According to reports, the Leafs are averaging 18,607 fans per game, the lowest number since they moved into Scotiabank Arena (excluding the pandemic-impacted seasons). For a franchise that once boasted a decade-long sellout streak, that’s a red flag that can’t be ignored.
Now, let’s be clear - the Blue Jays aren’t selling out every game either. That’s not how baseball works, especially with 81 home dates to fill.
But since Canada Day, the Rogers Centre has felt alive in a way that’s hard to ignore. Crowds of 44,000-plus have become the norm, not the exception.
And with twice the seating capacity of the Leafs’ arena - and double the number of home games - the Jays have a unique opportunity to dominate the local sports market in a way few teams can.
That momentum is translating into holiday-season buzz, too. With the Jays’ postseason magic still fresh in fans’ minds, tickets are expected to be a hot commodity this Christmas.
And that’s not just about nostalgia - it’s about belief. Belief that this team is building toward something bigger.
Belief that they’re not done yet.
Toronto has always been a hockey town at heart, but the Blue Jays have planted a serious flag in the ground. They’ve captured imaginations, united fans across the country, and reminded everyone what it feels like to believe in a team that doesn’t just talk about winning - but actually gets close to doing it.
The Leafs still have their diehards, and they always will. But right now? The Jays are riding high, and the city’s sports spotlight is shining a little brighter on the diamond.