‘Incredible’ Raptors run captures Blue Jays’ imagination, support

Marcus Stroman explains how the buzz in the city may have helped the Toronto Blue Jays take down the San Diego Padres.

TORONTO – When the Blue Jays returned to the clubhouse after their 10-1 win over the Padres Sunday afternoon, something unexpected was hanging from each locker. Along with the usual collection of Blue Jays jerseys and workout shirts, every stall also featured the team attire for the upcoming flight to Tampa: red ‘We the North’ t-shirts celebrating the Toronto Raptors’ run to the NBA Finals.

“The buzz in the city’s incredible right now,” said Marcus Stroman, who had the idea for the shirts along with closer Ken Giles. “The streets were absolutely mobbed. Just trying to show love for the people who show love to us. All the teams around Toronto, we’re all kind of one unit that vibes off of each other. We couldn’t be more proud.”

Within the Blue Jays’ clubhouse, there was widespread support for the Raptors–even from players who grew up rooting for other teams. Some, like Stroman, have supported the Raptors for years. And for the younger players who weren’t around for the Blue Jays’ 2015-16 ALCS runs, the success of the Raptors offers a glimpse at what’s possible for this city’s baseball team.

Stroman was among those at the Raptors’ series-clinching win over the Milwaukee Bucks Saturday night. Afterwards, the streets were so crowded that he had trouble walking home, but he enjoyed the energy of the crowd.

While Kawhi Leonard rightfully gets much of the attention in Toronto, another player has captured Stroman’s imagination: 6-foot point guard Fred VanVleet.

“His slogan is ‘bet on yourself’ and that’s me to a T,” Stroman said while wearing VanVleet’s No. 23 jersey. “I love what he’s been doing. He’s been super clutch. He’s the most poised, calm guy out there. He doesn’t show any emotion. He’s a silent assassin. Seeing him hit a bunch of huge threes courtside (Saturday) put me in the right mood for (Sunday’s start).”

Stroman was front and centre when the Blue Jays created a similar buzz in Toronto from 2015-16, but for newcomers such as Jonathan Davis, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Cavan Biggio this is different. Watching Game 6 with teammates downtown Saturday night, Davis was impressed by the level of passion for the Raptors in Toronto.

“It was a pretty cool experience seeing a whole country root for one team,” Davis said. “The atmosphere was unbelievable. After the game, walking down the street seeing people honking, cheering, celebrating. I’ve never experienced unity like that, so it was cool to see.

“It made me think ‘we’ve got to make that happen here.’”

For the many Blue Jays who live near Rogers Centre, the crowds at Jurassic Park were impossible to miss. That kind of support leaves a lasting impression, even for those who could hear the noise a little too well.

“I couldn’t sleep well until three in the morning because the people were too loud,” said Gurriel Jr. through interpreter Hector Lebron. “But I (still) really enjoyed the Raptors’ victory.”

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Even Biggio, a lifelong Houston Rockets fan, finds himself rooting for the Raptors and wondering what it would be like if the Blue Jays advanced just as far.

“It just goes to show how fired up the city is and how people can get behind a team like that,” he said. “It was cool because it’s something that we can do here.”

Perhaps it’s easier for Biggio to root for the Raptors now that his Rockets have been eliminated. The Blue Jays’ roster includes a couple of players from near the Bay Area, Rowdy Tellez and Joe Biagini, but if they’re fans of the Golden State Warriors, they’ve been advised to keep their allegiance quiet.

“I think they know better,” Stroman said. “I told them ‘you don’t want to get booed going out to the mound or going out for an AB if you start rooting for another team. Make sure it’s Raptors only from here on out.”

Facing a team that’s won three of the last four NBA Championships won’t be easy for the Raptors, but they have the support of the Blue Jays against Golden State. Stroman’s prediction: Raptors in seven.

“Hopefully they bring home a championship,” he said. “I can only imagine what the city would be like.”

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