The Toronto Blue Jays might have been trying to channel some 2015-2016 magic with the first pitch during Game 1 of the ALDS.
Former Blue Jays catcher and Canadian Baseball Hall of Famer Russell Martin took to the mound to throw the first pitch on Saturday in front of a packed Rogers Centre.
Rocking a white Blue Jays No. 55 jersey, Martin delivered a strike to fellow catcher Tyler Heineman.
A member of the Blue Jays for four seasons, Martin backstopped Toronto to the ALCS in 2015 and 2016. Martin also provided the signature swing in the Blue Jays' run to an AL East title in 2015, launching a three-run homer against the New York Yankees on Sept. 23 of that season.
Raised in Montreal, Martin played in 447 games with the Blue Jays, collecting 8.1 WAR, as calculated by Baseball Reference, 66 home runs and an all-star appearance in 2015.
Martin, of course, also played for the Yankees in 2011 and 2012.
The now 42-year-old was inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in 2024.
