It may not have ended the way we wanted, but the 2015 version of the Toronto Blue Jays brought not just Toronto, but all of Canada on wild ride. After going 50-51 in the first 101 games of the season, they roared to the finish line, going 43-18 to end the season; clinching their first playoff birth since 1993 and the AL East title. This was partially caused by the massive trades by Alex Anthopoulos who acquired Tigers ace David Price, as well as Rockies' star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki.
Their postseason run included an incredible comeback from an 0-2 deficit to the Texas Rangers and an even more incredible 7th inning in Game 5 of that series (full video in link). Throughout the entire regular season and postseason, the Jays showed heart, fight, and all out power. From the top of the lineup to the bottom, the team was filled with players you had no choice but to like. Josh Donaldson, the team's MVP. Jose Bautista, the captain of the team, and maybe one of the most clutch players in all of baseball. Edwin Encarnacion and his "parrot." Chris Colabello, the MLB journeymen, who spent several years playing independent baseball before getting his shot. Kevin Pillar, the baseball version of Superman. Marcus Stroman who suffered a "season ending" injury came back before the season ended and then nailed it in the postseason. Roberto Osuna, the 21-year-old closer who was born AFTER Joe Carter touched 'em all. Even utility player Dalton Pompey, who was almost guaranteed to steal you a base or two. This team had it all...
Yet they fell short. But that's okay, a majority of this team's roster had never played in the postseason before 2015, you have to start somewhere. At times, this team's playoff inexperience showed, but they will learn from it and they will be better for it. This team brought together a city that has been used to mediocrity for years. So thank you Toronto Blue Jays, for distracting us from the Maple Leafs (who aren't good this year), for reminding a city what it's like to cheer for a winning team, and for uniting a country and allowing us to show the Americans that we love baseball up north too. Thank you Toronto Blue Jays, you made us all #ComeTogether.
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