When Toronto Blue Jays reliever Jason Grilli takes the mound at Rogers Centre he can actually single out the spot in the stands where he would sit as a youth. So it’s no wonder he calls himself a “fan” of the team.
His father Steve, who played several years in the Blue Jays minor-league system and even appeared in one game for the major league club, would treat his family to frequent trips to Rogers Centre. That’s where young Jason developed a passion for the team that endures to this day.
“One day, I wanted to be able to pitch in front of a sold out stadium in Toronto,” Grilli wrote in a Players’ Tribune post published on Friday, hours before the Blue Jays opened the American League Championship Series against the Cleveland Indians. “Now that it’s actually happening at this point in my career, it’s all kind of surreal. I want to absorb every second of the experience.”
The 39-year-old New York native was acquired from the Atlanta Braves in May and almost instantly became a fan favourite. He helped stabilize a bullpen that was a danger zone for the Blue Jays in the beginning of the season by excelling in high-leverage innings. As well, his end-of-inning-walk-to-the-dugout celebrations have become must-see moments for the Rogers Centre faithful.
“You sometimes hear Canadians described as modest and polite, but that should never be mistaken for complacent. And in that sense, I feel like we do represent the attitude of Toronto – the Toronto that Canadians know,” said the right-hander. “This organization doesn’t approach this game quietly or politely. When you walk into our locker room, you’ll see a lot of crazy hair and big personalities. We aren’t just happy to be here. From the top of the upper decks to the last seat of the dugout, everybody knows we belong here.”
Grilli, who had a 3.64 ERA over 42 regular-season innings after arriving in Toronto, also acknowledged the Blue Jays fans of Western Canada who routinely show up in droves to watch the club take on the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field.
“Now, I’m not delusional. I know hockey will never be the second favorite sport in Canada. But right now, we’re sneaking up on it a bit. You can tell that we’re taking up more and more of the sports conversation up here.
“That being said, I’m glad Auston Matthews isn’t playing Friday night.”
Friday’s Game 1 against Cleveland will see the Blue Jays resume their quest for a World Series title after four days off. Grilli says the rest was appreciated and he even indulged in a Canadian Thanksgiving feast with his family on Monday, a day after his club’s dramatic Game 3 victory over Texas in the AL Division Series.
The Blue Jays now need eight more wins to secure a world championship and Grilli says he’s well aware of that number.
“Many of the guys on this team have never experienced a World Series. There are vets like (Troy Tulowitzki) and myself who have made it there and fell short. So these past few days, it’s been nice to recollect our energy and get ready for this one final push.
“We’re really, really close. We can all sense it.”
