Skip to content

North Bayites experience classic Jays series victory

"It was the most amazing sporting experience of my life."

Jason Marchand wrapped it up quite simply. 

“It was the most amazing sporting experience of my life,” he said. 

Marchand, was one of a number of North Bayites who were part of the 50,000 fans packed into the Rogers Centre to witness Canadian sports history when Jose Bautista blasted a three run homer into left field to put the Jays ahead 6-3 en route to the victory in the deciding game five of the ALDS over the Texas Rangers.  

The game was a roller coaster ride as Jays fans were livid after Jays catcher Russell Martin was charged with a throwing error when his toss to the pitcher hit the bat of Rangers batter Shin-Soo Choo, which allowed the Rangers runner to score from third base to give the Rangers a controversial 3-2 lead in the top of the seventh.  

Marchand, who has been to at least a dozen major league games this season, was at game two marathon that went 14 innings as Canada’s team fell 6-4 and fell behind 2-0 in the series.  He couldn't believe what happened in game five.  

“I was at game two and obviously disappointed with the result but was very excited for the opportunity to see the Jays at least one more time this year,” said Marchand, who is the Executive Director of the Northern Ontario Hockey Association based in North Bay.   

“The 7th inning was like a roller coaster!  To lose the lead again after tying it up in the 6th, and then tie it up again before Bautista's home run.  I can't put it into words.   After the game, everyone was high fiving one another on the concourse, in the streets ... horns were honking down Front Street,” added Marchand describing the Jays euphoria in Toronto after the game. 

Well known North Bayite Tom Hedican also attended the game last minute after his wife Nancy Ann surprised him with game five Blue Jays tickets.   

Hedican is a huge fan of Bruce Springsteen and he says the Rogers Centre was as loud as a concert Thursday night.  

“It was the most exciting sports event I have ever seen,” said Hedican, who is the founder of Coach4Food and has coached professional hockey in loud buildings in Europe before.   

“It was the loudest crowd I have ever heard,” admitted Hedican.  

“The only time I have heard anything similar in the Rogers Centre is when Springsteen is there. You had to scream to the person next to you in order to hear.

“The crowd was incredible, people stood for most of it and the emotions went from excitement, to anger, to euphoria. but there was always this sense of confidence that if any team could pull it out, it was this one, it was just amazing.”  

Those who stayed home in North Bay still had a memorable night too.  

Some local restaurants and bars are reporting last night’s game was as loud as fans were back in 2010 when Canada witnessed Sidney Crosby’s golden goal. 


Chris Dawson

About the Author: Chris Dawson

Chris Dawson has been with BayToday.ca since 2004. He has provided up-to-the-minute sports coverage and has become a key member of the BayToday news team.
Read more

Reader Feedback