The Toronto Blue Jays are close to securing their first playoff series triumph in almost ten years. Blue Jays supporters nationwide, including those in P.E.I., are celebrating this significant moment, with Don McDougall, a founding director of the Jays, closely following the series. McDougall, who played a pivotal role in establishing the team in the 1970s, expressed his excitement and optimism for the Jays’ success in an interview with CBC’s Island Morning.
With a 2-0 series lead over the New York Yankees in the American League Division Series, the Toronto Blue Jays are gearing up for Game 3 on Tuesday night. A single victory in the best-of-five series would propel them into the American League Championship Series (ALCS). McDougall, still a devoted fan after all these years, finds the team’s performance this year particularly thrilling.
Reflecting on his journey with the team, McDougall highlighted the early efforts to bring Major League Baseball to Toronto in the 1970s. The team’s evolution since its inception has been remarkable, with the franchise now valued at $2.1 billion, a stark contrast to its humble beginnings with a $7 million purchase and a $750,000 player payroll. Despite these changes, McDougall noted the team’s consistent focus on nurturing young talent.
Looking ahead to Game 3, McDougall reminisced about the team’s glory days in the 1980s and early 90s when Toronto dominated baseball. Encouraged by the current team’s solid foundation and promising new players, McDougall expressed optimism for the Jays’ future. If the Blue Jays secure victory on Tuesday, they will advance to face either the Seattle Mariners or the Detroit Tigers in the ALCS before potentially competing in the World Series, where they last emerged victorious over 30 years ago.
