My original family of 4 moved to Toronto in 1992. Literally, 2 weeks
after we moved, the Blue Jays won the World Series. I did not know anything
about baseball and did not understand the historic moment that was being
celebrated at that time! The following year, it made a bit more sense.
Still, baseball was not something that I thought about … at all.
Then, on June 12, 2012, almost 20 years later, my entire family that spanned
3 generations attended a Blue Jays game together. It was not that we were
interested in baseball and had become hardcore fans, we were there to simply root
for ASid! The 10-year-old sang the American and Canadian national anthems with
his classmates and other students from his school that day. After ASid was
done, I don’t believe I paid attention to the game. (Today, I found out that
the Jays played the Nationals and lost that game!)
It took us almost 4 years to get back to a Blue Jays game. On May 29, 2016, the then family of 4, was in attendance with Hans’ classmates and other families from his school. (Apparently, that day the Jays lost to the Red Sox.) All I remember was ASid reading a book the entire time. It was the strangest and the funniest sight to watch an earnest 14-year-old lost in a book while people around him were randomly bursting into chants and screams.
Today, a 24-year-old ASid is at Game 7 of the World Series. I don’t believe he is interested in baseball; however, he is there to cheer on the only Canadian baseball team we have. He shelled out an insane amount of money for the privilege of being there in person.
I now understand what all the fuss is about. (I am watching the game on TV as I am typing away.) I am so proud of our team (and my boy).
Addendum:
In a post-game analysis, someone said that “the better team lost”. I
agree 100%.
Another Addendum:
Hans came home after a watch party and did not look heartbroken at all. He
had a good time with his friends and that’s all that mattered to him.
