Blue Jays’ return to Canada stirs up nostalgia and excitement among fans

How can you not be poetic about baseball?

The announcement that the Toronto Blue Jays are coming back to Canada on July 30 stirred up all sorts of emotions for Canadians, especially Toronto fans who have waited almost two years to be reunited with their team.

The news spread through social media at lightning speed, and with it came the nostalgia of experiences only a ballpark can bring.

Things were different the last time the Blue Jays played in Toronto. For starters, they were 67-95, finishing fourth in the AL East. Hyun-Jin Ryu wouldn’t sign with the team for another three months and George Springer was gearing up for a World Series-reaching campaign with the Houston Astros.

More significantly, COVID-19 was still months away from becoming a natural part of the world’s vocabulary.

Amid exhilaration, nostalgia and euphoria, Blue Jays fans seemed to take in the news pretty fast, immediately voicing a sentiment that had been latent for months.

Some were ready to take extreme steps to make sure they’d get a seat for the homecoming.

And, of course, it is never too soon for prop bets.

The Blue Jays open their homestand on July 30 against the Kansas City Royals, and will stay at Rogers Centre until Aug. 8. That’s 10 potential opportunities of reunion for the team and its fans.

There’s no place like home.

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