A sense of uncertainty hung over training camp last February, when the Toronto Blue Jays began their preparations for the 2025 season.
The team had just finished in last place, its star player developed within the organization still had not signed a contract for the following season, and its chances of making the playoffs seemed uncertain, to say the least.
What a difference in one year!
The Blue Jays managed to come back and took advantage of this momentum to have a memorable season that took them all the way to Game 7 of the World Series.
On Sunday, the Blue Jays were named the team of the year by The Canadian Press following a vote by editors, reporters and commentators from across the country.
The team received 29 of 53 votes (55%) and was well ahead of the women’s curling team skipped by Rachel Homan (10 votes).
“One of the things that made this season so special this year was seeing how it impacted and galvanized and excited the entire country,” Blue Jays president Mark Shapiro said. And I think every player and every member of this organization felt it and took great pride in it. »
This is also what Olivier Paradis-Lemieux, sports journalist at Radio-Canada, noted, who considers that “they may not have won the World Series, but they were able to bring major baseball back to the forefront in Canada, in 2025”.
The Canadian women’s rugby team finished third with five votes, making amends.
“The girls reached the final after using crowdfunding to optimize their preparation and fight on an equal footing as their rivals,” recalled Radio-Canada sports journalist Manon Gilbert.
The Canadian men’s 4×100-meter relay team, which won the gold medal at the Paris Olympics, was named The Canadian Press’ team of the year in 2024.
Blue Jays fans were delighted last April when the team awarded a record 14-year, US$500 million contract extension to famed first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. The only Canadian team in the Major Leagues wanted to send a strong message, before experiencing a difficult start to the season and finally playing up to expectations from the end of June.
Another bold move came at the trade deadline near the end of July, when general manager Ross Atkins acquired star pitcher Shane Bieber, who played a key role down the stretch and during the playoffs.
Toronto spent most of the second half of the season atop the standings and edged out the New York Yankees to win the American League East title. Even without being able to count on the services of shortstop Bo Bichette, injured during the last weeks of the season, manager John Schneider was able to lead his team to the top at the right time.
With Guerrero as the mainstay, the lineup looked solid and the mound had substance.
George Springer bounced back from a disappointing season, catcher Alejandro Kirk had a remarkable season and rookie pitcher Trey Yesavage showed he was ready for the Major Leagues.
The Blue Jays have qualified for the playoffs three times since 2020, but had not won a postseason game since 2016.
This time, the victory in the American League sectional series against the Yankees captured the public’s attention. In the American League Championship Series, the Jays lost the first two games against the Seattle Mariners, before coming from behind and winning.
Springer hit a game-tying home run in Game 7, helping the Blue Jays clinch their World Series berth for the first time since 1993.
“They constantly had to deal with losing games,” Shapiro said. They had to win the last four games of the season (after) losing one of their best players in September, and they kept fighting. »
Torontonians were swept up in baseball fever and a new generation of Canadian baseball fans also joined the party. The audience reached new heights.
“It captivated the whole country. I’ve never seen teammates so invested in each other,” Toronto Star columnist Rosie DiManno said in the comments section of her ballot.
The favorite Los Angeles Dodgers, led by the Japanese Shohei Ohtani, had a lot to do in this World Series which left its mark.
After winning two games in Toronto, the Blue Jays overcame an 18th inning road loss in Game 3 and returned to the Rogers Center with a 3-2 series lead.
The plucky Dodgers tied the game in Game 6 and captured the championship in the 11th inning in an action-packed Game 7.
It was the sixth time the Blue Jays were named The Canadian Press Team of the Year in their 59-year history.
“I’ve never seen a group of guys so grateful and confident, who had fun playing together,” Shapiro said. This is a competitive advantage in a sport where we play 162 matches. »
Earlier this week, swimmer Summer McIntosh was named female athlete of the year and NBA all-star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was named male athlete of the year.
The Canadian Press began presenting these awards in 1932.
