BLUE JAY FEVER
A how-to for fair-weather fans who want in on the fun,
1. Gear
Get a jersey. But if $280 is too pricey for you, a fairweather fan, make a smaller investment in a piece of classic gear — baseball cap, T-shirt or coffee mug — all worthy of the longtime fan. A key-chain is also a quick and affordable ploy: casually throw your keys on the table with the logo showing. Your pals will think you’ve been baseballing for years.
2. Mascot
The big blue bird on the field is the team mascot and he has a name — Ace. According to the Jays’ website, his father invented bird stickers commonly seen on windows and his mom works as a goose down supplier. Toss out this knowledge at your next dinner party.
3. Price
David Price is the Jays’ recently acquired, gamechanging ace pitcher. His trade from the Detroit Tigers cost the Jays lefty Daniel Norris — famously known for occasionally living out of a van — Matt Boyd and Jairo Labourt. Know this about David Price: His dog’s name is Astro.
4. The standout
Third baseman Josh Donaldson is an MVP candidate. Some are calling him the best player in baseball this year. Commit this to memory.
5. Lingo
Sure, “Rogers Centre” is accurate, but if you want to fit in with the cool kids, call it “The Dome” or “SkyDome.” That’s what long-standing Jays fans say.
6. Nicknames
“Tulo” is the nickname for shortstop Troy Tulowitzki (pronounced too-low). “Gibby” is manager John Gibbons’ nickname. “Joey Bats” is the nickname for right fielder Jose Bautista — and the name of his Twitter handle.
7. Stretch it out
Learn the moves that accompany the “OK Blue Jays” song. J Force, the Jays’ in-stadium promotions team, leads the moves during the seventh-inning stretch at home games. Hum along if you’re lacking in the coordination department.
8. Polish
Get your claws out — your trendy, fancy, blue claws that is — in case a fly ball comes your way. Naomi Misu, a nail artist at Tips Nail Bar on Danforth Ave., has three brand suggestions for the best “Blue Jays blue” nail colour — OPI, CND Vinylux and Revlon.
9. Drought
It’s been 22 years since the Jays last made the post-season — giving the team the longest such drought in professional sports. Remember where you were that year and what you were doing, then toss out that info like it’s ingrained in your memory: “The last time the Jays made the post-season, I was flipping burgers at McDonalds!”
10. AA
Alex Anthopoulos is the Blue Jays’ general manager who pulled off a series of trades at the deadline to turn the Jays into a bona fide World Series contender. He’s five years in. Toronto Star sports columnist Bruce Arthur has called him “Toronto’s boy wonder.” Know this.