Toronto Blue Jays, Canada's team, begins pursuit of World Series

Canadian baseball fans have been waiting for this day for 22 years.

The Toronto Blue Jays begin their first round playoff series and pursuit of a third World Series title Thursday afternoon at the Rogers Centre, squaring off with the Texas Rangers in the best-of-five American League Divisional Series.

The Jays, who won it all the last time they made the playoffs in 1993, have a star-studded lineup including one of the most potent offences in baseball and an ace pitcher in Game 1 starter David Price. However, the players also know they have a nationwide fanbase, owing to the fact that since 2004 when the Expos moved, they've been Canada's only team.

"We don't just play for the city of Toronto, we play for the whole country as well," outfielder Dalton Pompey told CBC News.

Pompey, a Mississauga, Ont., native who will likely be used as a pinch runner in the playoffs, is one of two Canadians on the team's playoff roster, the other being starting catcher Russ Martin, a Montrealer.

The idea that fans are watching all across Canada isn't lost on the team's other players, either.

"Most of these guys who have played for different teams have played for cities, but when you're playing for a country it's different — in a good way," Pompey said. "We tell them to get ready for it, because you feel it."

Jays excitement spreading

The 54,000-seat Rogers Centre is expected to be sold out throughout the playoffs after every available ticket was snapped up. Some are being resold online — possibly because the games take place during the workday — but at a steep markup.

Fans without tickets (and understanding bosses) are also expected to gather at Nathan Phillips Square to watch the games on big screens near city hall, where the mayor hoisted a Blue Jays flag on Tuesday.

"We're going to play some Halloween baseball. That's only going to be scary for our opponents," Mayor John Tory said at that event.

Outside of the city, there's plenty of excitement, as well.

In Calgary, a local pastor focused his Sunday service on the team. In Windsor, Ont. Jays fans can finally wear their team's colours without getting an earful from Detroit Tigers supporters (especially after the Jays lured Price away). And speaking of trades, in Saskatchewan, even die-hard fans of the CFL's Roughriders are trading in that team's green for Jays' blue.

The likeable Jays

For fans, there's plenty to fall in love with, whether it's the league-leading 232 home runs during the regular season or the solid defence that's marked much of the team's success.

But broadcaster Buck Martinez, who watched the entire season from the press box, said it's more than just the numbers.

"This is a very likeable team. Everybody plays hard, everybody has a lot of fun — their personalities come across very well," Martinez said as he watched the team take batting practice.

Josh Donaldson, the Jays' third baseman and American League Most Valuable Player candidate, is the best example of this, Martinez said.

Yes, he's had a spectacular year, but "the enthusiasm with which he plays," Martinez said, is what endears him to fans.

Donaldson, still on the field more than an hour after taking his turn in the batting cage at the team's practice on Wednesday, said having fans (let alone a country-worth) is a humbling idea.

"Ultimately, that's what you dream of as a kid," he said.

Donaldson's season has been an almost unending highlight reel that includes game-winning home runs, barehanded catches and a surreal twisting head-first dive into home plate.

Still, now's not the time to look back at that, he said, echoing a sentiment shared by several other Jays. Now's the time to get out there and keep doing what they do, he said, business as usual.

'Special' bond between players

The Blue Jays likeability is also due to the fact that the Jays, a mix of veterans and rookies, really get along.

"It's special. Everybody loves coming to the ballpark every day and being around one another, which I don't think you find every day in the big leagues," said Ryan Goins, who has enjoyed a breakout season with the team while playing in the middle infield.

The fans, Goins said, have also made it special.

"I tell my family and friends this is one of the best places to play in the league," he said.

To defend home field advantage, Goins, a native of Austin, Texas, will have to take down the Rangers he once cheered for.

"My favourite team growing up, but not my favourite team anymore," he said.

Goins had better be careful — Canada will be watching.