A father and son duo from Saskatoon embarked on a road trip spanning over 2,000 kilometers to witness the Toronto Blue Jays face off against the Seattle Mariners in the American League Championship Series (ALCS) on Sunday night. This event marked the Blue Jays’ return to the ALCS since 2016 when they were defeated by the Cleveland Guardians with a 4-1 score.
Rhett Sangster, a baseball enthusiast, and his son Kai decided impulsively to purchase tickets for the game last Thursday. Expressing their fervent support for the Blue Jays, Sangster mentioned to CBC’s Saskatoon Morning that playoff appearances by the Blue Jays are infrequent, making this opportunity a must-see for them.
The idea of a memorable experience for their son prompted Sangster and his wife to plan this special trip. Setting off after lunch on Thursday, the pair embarked on a 33-hour journey to Toronto in their van, opting for a road trip over flying to enjoy quality father-son bonding time. The journey took four days, with stops every eight to ten hours for rest, including stays with family in Winnipeg and camping near Thunder Bay and Sault St. Marie.
Removing the back seats of their minivan and setting up Kai’s mattress for comfort, Sangster shared that they aimed to save money along the way. The ALCS Game 1 started at 8 p.m. EST on Sunday, witnessing an electrifying start with Blue Jays’ George Springer hitting a solo home run in the first inning, marking the team’s first-ever leadoff homer in postseason history.
Despite the initial excitement, the Blue Jays faced a 3-1 defeat against the Seattle Mariners. Kai, thrilled to witness the game live, contrasted the vibrant atmosphere at the Rogers Centre with watching games on TV, highlighting the energy and excitement present in the stadium.
Sangster acknowledged that while the game outcome wasn’t as desired, the experience was invaluable in strengthening their bond and creating lasting memories. The series against the Seattle Mariners continues with Game 2 at the Rogers Centre on Monday before moving to Seattle for Game 3 on Wednesday.
