We asked for stories of your Blue Jays fandom ahead of the playoffs. Here's what you told us
CBC
The Blue Jays are heading back to the playoffs and that means hope among the Toronto faithful will reach a fever pitch Friday as the team hits the field at Rogers Centre.
There's a lot riding on Game 1 of the team's wild-card series against the Seattle Mariners — but with home field advantage, Toronto could be poised to make some noise in the postseason this year after missing by the narrowest of margins last season.
This week, CBC News asked you how you were feeling heading into the playoffs and asked for stories of your fandom and your attachment to the team.
Here's what you told us, based on more than 100 responses so far.
For Curtis Tulloch and his family, the game they attended on July 19, 1994 will always be etched in their minds. His family had seats along the third base line and got there early enough to see batting practice.
His 11-year-old brother, Jonathan, was the first one to run down into the stands to find their seats. Just as he was checking his ticket, a group of players called out "heads up" to warn him about an incoming foul ball.
His brother turned — just in time for the ball to hit him in the head, knocking him out and fracturing his eye socket.
Tulloch said players sprang up and jumped over the wall to check on his brother as stadium medics came to his aid.
"While Jon was being boarded for transport to SickKids, Minnesota started their batting practice and as luck would have it, a second foul ball was sent in his direction," Tulloch said. "This time, it hit one of the medics, fracturing his hand."
Even with those balls flying, Tulloch and his sister stayed at the game with their dad while his brother and mother went to The Hospital for Sick Children so Jonathan could be checked out.
The Jays then invited the family back the next day for batting practice. In hindsight, Tulloch joked, that might have "been a little traumatic" for his brother.
"Jonathan got first-class treatment," he said.
Pat Borders, a Jays catcher at the time, "came over for pictures, gave him a tour of the dugout, and signed the bat which set the whole event in motion," Tulloch added.
"Jon ended up with some great memorabilia, including bats from Pat Borders and Paul Molitor, who were the 1992 and 1993 World Series MVPs, respectively. We stayed for the game, this time sitting safely behind home plate and the only protective screen in the stadium."
