Post by : Meena Ariff

Toronto’s baseball campaign concluded on Saturday after an 11-inning loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers, a result that left fans across the city processing disappointment and looking back on the season’s shared moments.

For 30-year-old web designer Khela Maquiling, the outcome provoked an unexpected emotional response. She began following the playoffs to spend time with her baseball-loving partner and found herself overcome with emotion outside a neighbourhood bar. "I started crying and it surprised me — I never thought of myself as a sports fan until this," she said. Their nightly ritual of watching the Jays had taken on extra meaning as her partner prepares to relocate to Switzerland for work.

For others, the run offered a chance to bond across generations. Vancouver father Guy Felicella described how tuning in with his sons, five-year-old Leo and 11-year-old Noah, became a family tradition. Leo, already a fan of Bo Bichette, even stayed awake into the 16th inning of the marathon 18-inning Game 3 against the Dodgers. Though the loss left the family subdued, they have since shifted focus to hockey while treasuring the memories baseball created.

Longtime followers felt the sting with decades of loyalty behind them. Cecilia Reyes, 94, who moved to Canada in 1973, has watched the Jays through highs and lows, including their World Series wins in the early 1990s. She watched this postseason with relatives, sharing in the joy of victories and the sorrow of defeats. "When we won we celebrated; when we lost we were very sad. But that's sport — there has to be a winner and a loser," she reflected. Reyes plans to keep following other sports while holding the Jays close and looking ahead to spring training.

Across ages and neighbourhoods, the Blue Jays’ playoff journey created excitement and connections that will outlast the final score. Despite the premature end to the season, many fans remain hopeful for what comes next.

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