Blue Jays: 5 things I learned watching the opponent’s broadcasts

Sep 27, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays players salute fans in the third inning of their final regular season home game against Tampa Bay Rays at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

#2: The Blue Jays didn’t exist from 1994-2013

Here’s where we can really dig in to the relationship between the Toronto Blue Jays and the rest of baseball media (meaning: American coverage). In order for the Jays to get press south of the border, they need to do a little bit more than a Houston, Philadelphia or Milwaukee might. Understandably so. That’s the same reason our nightly highlight shows lead off with hockey highlights of the Canadian teams before quickly recapping the American games.

Toronto did that in 1993 with a World Series victory. They did it again with their 2013 season, shocking the baseball world with the Miami blockbuster and adding R.A. Dickey, who was coming off a Cy Young Award. In between those two dates, the Blue Jays were essentially in hibernation.

With the Yankees and Red Sox dominating the division for so long, along with the odd cameo from Tampa Bay or Baltimore, the Blue Jays were little more than a pesky fly buzzing around the AL East. Noticed, reacted to when necessary, but never given any real attention.

Now, the coverage has overcorrected in a sense, and markets from outside of Toronto are absolutely scrambling to cover the Jays. It makes sense, too, as this club lends itself to stories without much problem. Between the historic offensive outbursts and the unique array of personalities, it’s a network’s dream.

With the star power that Toronto has in the fold along with this newly-clinched AL East pennant, that should buy the Jays a few more years of notoriety outside of their own back year. Not that is necessarily matters, but hey, it’s nice to be noticed!

Next: Lesson #1: What do they think about John Gibbons?