General Blue Jays Discussion Thread (2023)

[Spanky99]

Did she look after he was announced as opening day starter? My guess is they’re sold out at the moment. Look again in a couple days.

 

I'm sure if he drives to the nearest mall, you can find a sports store with authentic jerseys.

[The Cats Ass]

I'm sure if he drives to the nearest mall, you can find a sports store with authentic jerseys.

 

Maybe. I feel right around now is one of the hottest for jersey sales. Other would be just before the playoffs.

[Spanky99]

Maybe. I feel right around now is one of the hottest for jersey sales. Other would be just before the playoffs.

 

Even in Vancouver?

[Grant77]

Even in Vancouver?

 

The Jays are truly Canada's team. They are more popular in other cities than they are in Toronto in a lot of cases.

[Spanky99]

The Jays are truly Canada's team. They are more popular in other cities than they are in Toronto in a lot of cases.

 

More popular than Toronto? C'mon, man.

[Grant77]

More popular than Toronto? C'mon, man.

 

In terms of people wearing Jays merchandise? Absolutely, yes. Probably in terms of TV viewership as well if the numbers are out there. The Jays wouldn't exist if it was just Toronto and the region. The team truly has a lot of national support in every province. Look at the support in Seattle and Minnesota, it's unprecedented.

[Spanky99]

In terms of people wearing Jays merchandise? Absolutely, yes. Probably in terms of TV viewership as well if the numbers are out there. The Jays wouldn't exist if it was just Toronto and the region. The team truly has a lot of national support in every province. Look at the support in Seattle and Minnesota, it's unprecedented.

 

Well then... I see there's no point in responding.

[Grant77]

Well then... I see there's no point in responding.

 

The Jays just got more viewers for a Spring Training game than the Yankees averaged last year in the regular season. They are expected to average and astounding 1 million viewers per game this year. Do you truly think they are doing that without broad national support? Hurl can probably confirm this, but I expect that less than 20% of that is regional. I don't understand your viewpoint.

 

I'm proud that the team has taken on a more national and less local identity. It's unique and the players have really embraced it. George Springer talks about how cool it is to play for a country and not just a city all of the time.

[saskjayfan]

In terms of people wearing Jays merchandise? Absolutely, yes. Probably in terms of TV viewership as well if the numbers are out there. The Jays wouldn't exist if it was just Toronto and the region. The team truly has a lot of national support in every province. Look at the support in Seattle and Minnesota, it's unprecedented.

 

I've been to Minnesota multiple times as a kid to watch games..lol. Toronto is big enough to support the Jays without the rest of Canada. In terms of pure numbers they are at the top because the population is so much larger, but in percentage terms I would guess there are other cities that on percentage terms for merchandise sales and TV vieweship that would be higher than Toronto. The team clearly benefits from the support of the rest of Canada and they cultivate that support by touring players throughout Canada in the offseason. We had Vladdy, Alek and Romano in Saskatchewan this winter.

[Spanky99]

The Jays just got more viewers for a Spring Training game than the Yankees averaged last year in the regular season. They are expected to average and astounding 1 million viewers per game this year. Do you truly think they are doing that without broad national support? Hurl can probably confirm this, but I expect that less than 20% of that is regional. I don't understand your viewpoint.

 

I'm proud that the team has taken on a more national and less local identity. It's unique and the players have really embraced it. George Springer talks about how cool it is to play for a country and not just a city all of the time.

 

I'm laughing at your comments and jabs at the GTA, I get it, you hate us... any moron knows that the Toronto Blue Jays are backed by an entire Country and that's cool, but it's still Toronto's team.

[L54]

Where do the Jays rank in terms in popularity amongst Toronto teams? Third?

 

Leafs

Raptors

Jays

Soccer ?

 

 

 

Argos

[Laika]

Where do the Jays rank in terms in popularity amongst Toronto teams? Third?

 

Leafs

Raptors

Jays

Soccer ?

 

 

 

Argos

 

Jays and Raptors would flip flop depending on recent success

 

The Raps are looking mediocre at best so if the Jays can do something... there is fan headspace to steal

[Laika]

I'm laughing at your comments and jabs at the GTA, I get it, you hate us... any moron knows that the Toronto Blue Jays are backed by an entire Country and that's cool, but it's still Toronto's team.

 

East Coast and southern Ontario have a decent chunk of Yankee, Red Sox, Tigers fans

 

There are probably places in Canada that have a higher % of Jays loyalty than Toronto. I don't know where exactly but I wouldn't be shocked.

[Spanky99]

East Coast and southern Ontario have a decent chunk of Yankee, Red Sox, Tigers fans

 

There are probably places in Canada that have a higher % of Jays loyalty than Toronto. I don't know where exactly but I wouldn't be shocked.

 

Like where? Some small rural town, I mean that's great and all, but who cares, they're certainly not keeping the Jays afloat, that's absurd.

[Grant77]

I'm laughing at your comments and jabs at the GTA, I get it, you hate us... any moron knows that the Toronto Blue Jays are backed by an entire Country and that's cool, but it's still Toronto's team.

 

What jabs? I go to Toronto multiple times per year and love watching the Jays. I just don't deny the national flavour of the organization. First and foremost, it's Canada's team. The majority of support comes from outside of the region. It's really cool and unique. You should embrace it like the players and most fans have. It doesn't mean the city is a bad place to play. In fact, I don't think it would work anywhere else.

[Spanky99]

In terms of people wearing Jays merchandise? Absolutely, yes. Probably in terms of TV viewership as well if the numbers are out there. The Jays wouldn't exist if it was just Toronto and the region. The team truly has a lot of national support in every province. Look at the support in Seattle and Minnesota, it's unprecedented.

 

I'm talking about s*** like this absurd statement. I have zero problem with the Jays being Canada's team, why would I? They're still the Toronto Blue Jays.

[Grant77]

I'm talking about s*** like this absurd statement. I have zero problem with the Jays being Canada's team, why would I? They're still the Toronto Blue Jays.

 

To clarify, I do think Toronto alone could support the team in it's current state, even if it would be as a Pirates/Royals type of thing, but the organization has been through some pretty rough patches where relocation was discussed. Gate revenue isn't what supports teams, it's TV deals and merchandise sales. Those relocation discussions would have been a lot more serious if 50% (or probably more) of revenues were not present.

[Spanky99]

To clarify, I do think Toronto alone could support the team in it's current state, even if it would be as a Pirates/Royals type of thing, but the organization has been through some pretty rough patches where relocation was discussed. Gate revenue isn't what supports teams, it's TV deals and merchandise sales. Those relocation discussions would have been a lot more serious if 50% (or probably more) of revenues were not present.

 

Merchandise sales go to the League man, and gets divied up. Rogers owns the team, this saves them a s*** tonne of money in concern of TV Deals. The Jays had the highest payroll in baseball in 92 and 93, Grant.

 

Winning makes teams money, period. And relocation discussions, where, from the EX to it's current location? I Said Good Day!

[L54]

Jays and Raptors would flip flop depending on recent success

 

The Raps are looking mediocre at best so if the Jays can do something... there is fan headspace to steal

 

True I should’ve accounted for that. Raps were hot the last few years but their brand is slowly diminishing again.

[L54]

It is really unique that the Jays are supported by an entire country. Canada’s team! There isn’t a comparable that I can think of.

 

Western Canada is massive Jays territory. Of course you’ll find Yankee and Red Sox fans scattered throughout but AB/SK/MB is filled with Jays fanatics.

[Spanky99]

True I should’ve accounted for that. Raps were hot the last few years but their brand is slowly diminishing again.

 

Yeah, Jays are comfortably #2 right now.

[Grant77]

Merchandise sales go to the League man, and gets divied up. Rogers owns the team, this saves them a s*** tonne of money in concern of TV Deals. The Jays had the highest payroll in baseball in 92 and 93, Grant.

 

Winning makes teams money, period. And relocation discussions, where, from the EX to it's current location? I Said Good Day!

 

Interest in the Jays absolutely tanked in the early 2000s and the Canadian dollar was killing us. There were a lot of rumours and articles written about potentially losing the franchise, especially after the Expos left and the stands were looking like Tropicana Field for several years. I remember being fearful of losing the team, even into the 2010s when we were doing fairly well and still averaging under 20k fans. We went to a weekday game for my 16th birthday and there couldn't have been more than 4000 people there. It wasn't a good time for the franchise, but the TV revenues and a lot of extra help from MLB surely kept the team afloat. It was one of our darker periods, that's for sure.

[Jays24]

True I should’ve accounted for that. Raps were hot the last few years but their brand is slowly diminishing again.

 

As a hardcore Raptors fan, I can even say that the Blue Jays are number 2 at the moment. There is near 0 excitement towards the current version of the Raptors.

[John_Havok]

RHP Jay Jackson was released from his minor league contract as per the clause contained in it that calls for his release as of today if not added to the major league roster.

[Stangstag]

As a hardcore Raptors fan, I can even say that the Blue Jays are number 2 at the moment. There is near 0 excitement towards the current version of the Raptors.

 

Raps were definitely above the jays just a few years ago though.

 

End of the day, Jays and Raps will only be popular when they’re fielding good teams. Neither have the staying power of the Leafs who can afford to be s*** for years and still sellout every game.

[DonJays]

Interesting you left out BC. That’s incorrect. Jays are massive in BC. There are few M’s fans but they aren’t common

[Deadpool]

Raps were definitely above the jays just a few years ago though.

 

End of the day, Jays and Raps will only be popular when they’re fielding good teams. Neither have the staying power of the Leafs who can afford to be s*** for years and still sellout every game.

 

BIG difference between a Leafs sellout and a Jays sellout though... Twice as many games, and twice as many seats for baseball.

[Stangstag]

BIG difference between a Leafs sellout and a Jays sellout though... Twice as many games, and twice as many seats for baseball.

 

Yeah I understand. But the price difference is more than double I think. Eh whatev, its probably businesses buying 50% of the Leafs tickets anyways. Still annoying as a Jays fan though.

 

The Leafs have always been #1 in Toronto by a long shot

[The_DH]

the Jays let Jay Jackson go. He didn't make the team and was released per agreement.

[Jonn]

the Jays let Jay Jackson go. He didn't make the team and was released per agreement.

 

Not a fan of that decision. He was fantastic all Spring. He didn’t even give up a run. He misses a ton of bats. He’s probably going to go somewhere and have a very good season.

 

Literally don’t know what else he could have done.