Blue Jays celebrate playoff berth with wild dance party, clubhouse cigarettes

The Toronto Blue Jays sure know how to party, which is exactly what they did after defeating the Boston Red Sox 9-0 Friday night.

The team had already clinched a playoff spot during an off-day on Thursday, but wanted to celebrate that accomplishment win-or-lose following Friday’s contest.

Before popping any champagne bottles, interim manager John Schneider gave a speech to his team about the importance of celebrating season-long accolades, particularly when it involves making the playoffs. After all, they’re one of just six AL clubs to qualify this season.

Following their manager’s advice, the Blue Jays enjoyed themselves in the clubhouse post-game as numerous champagne and beer showers broke out. No one was staying dry, especially not Sportnet’s Hazel Mae, who braved the battlefield to interview players during the celebration.

That proved to be a very messy task, though. Despite being doused with champagne, she powered through like a professional and captured some spectacular moments with the team.

Toronto’s clubhouse quickly transformed into a college party, with flashing strobe lights and music blasting throughout. At one point, outfielder Teoscar Hernandez took things up a level, breaking out a pirate flag and waving it around while on top of a table.

Canadian closer Jordan Romano, who has been sensational this year, set the internet ablaze as he enjoyed some fine celebratory cigarettes. Darts, bud.

For most, this was their first time truly celebrating a postseason berth after the last one occurred in Buffalo during the COVID-shortened 2020 campaign. And players weren’t even supposed to do that due to the league’s health and safety guidelines.

Now, two years later, everybody let loose and enjoyed this joyous occasion, which saw the party find its way onto the field at Rogers Centre. There, players and coaches gathered around to take a team picture with their accomplishment displayed on the video board behind them.

Of course, work remains for the Blue Jays after securing their spot in the playoffs, and that isn’t lost among the players. This group knows how vital it’ll be to clinch the first wild-card seed and lock up home-field advantage for the opening round.

With five games remaining, Toronto holds top spot by 1.5 games over the Seattle Mariners and 2.0 games over the Tampa Bay Rays. They will need to finish at least a game ahead of both franchises, however, as they don’t control either of the tiebreakers.

At 88-69, the Blue Jays can clinch home-field advantage as early as Monday if they go 3-0 and the Mariners lose at least twice and the Rays at least once.

More from Yahoo Sports