Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Morgan Rielly is enthralled by what the Toronto Blue Jays have been able to achieve this October.
In a do-or-die Game 7 against the Seattle Mariners on Monday, the Blue Jays pulled off one of the most important wins in their franchise’s history to punch their ticket to the 2025 World Series. George Springer’s three-run home run in the seventh inning made it possible, propelling them into the lead which they would hang onto to advance to the fall classic for the first time in 32 years.
Rielly told reporters ahead of the morning skate on Tuesday that seeing what the local baseball team is doing is captivating the Leafs.
“It’s an easy team to cheer for, the style they play, the depth,” he said via the Toronto Sun’s Terry Koshan. “It’s been a lot of fun to watch, and our guys have been supporting them. We’ve been talking about them all morning.”
Many Leafs were notably in attendance for Game 2 of the ALDS against the New York Yankees, with photos of them celebrating going viral on social media. The same can likely be said about how many tuned in to Game 7 against the Mariners, as evidenced by captain Auston Matthews noting he was ‘definitely’ tuning in.
Rielly admitted that while he is no doubt happy for the Blue Jays and their fans, it is motivating him to do the same with the Leafs.
“There’s a small part of you that you’re envious of them. You’re a bit jealous at what they’re doing, just because of Toronto,” he said. “You watch it firsthand. You’re obviously happy for them. It’s a great moment for the city. But we want to be able to do that and have a run like that. We felt that when the Raptors did it, too. So, you look at the passion that they’re playing with, and that’s contagious. And you want to be able to also bring that when your time comes.”
Beyond the Leafs being in the building for Game 2 of the ALDS, there have been multiple other crossover moments between the two teams throughout the Jays’ postseason run. There have been multiple home games where fans got extra loud when they got word of how the Blue Jays were doing, including the home opener where fans erupted in “Let’s Go Blue Jays” chants after they took a 4-1 lead in Game 4 of the ALDS, and on Thursday when Scotiabank Arena came alive when Andres Gimenez’s two-run home run gave the Blue Jays the lead in Game 4 of the ALCS.
The Leafs also adjusted the start time of a recent game against the Detroit Red Wings to avoid conflict with Game 2 of the ALCS against the Seattle Mariners, with a few more likely in store for the World Series. They even hosted a few watch parties inside Scotiabank Arena for fans to stick around after the hockey game wrapped up to see the Jays on the scoreboard. And, of course, could forget Vladimir Guerrero Jr. rocking a Matthews jersey ahead of Game 7, which ended up being a good omen for the night.
For as long as the Blue Jays’ run goes, the Leafs will continue to be playing second fiddle in Toronto and they are fine with it.
“ I think it’s great. I especially liked when they would show the scoreboard and they were winning and the crowd got a good kick out of that,” Matthews said on Thursday. “Obviously, we’re all rooting for them in their series and in their playoffs right now. So it’s been really fun to follow them along.”
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