DUNDIN-Baseball is in the lead for Toronto Blue Jays as they prepare for their first pre-season match on Saturday, but the hockey tournament at the game of 4 nations aroused a lot of interest in the clubhouse team.
The MLB network is the usual option of choice on large screens around the team’s development complex.
This changed on Monday afternoon when the Canada-Finland match was on the clubhouse instructors after the athletes finished their morning training sessions. Several players planned to meet on Thursday evening to watch the Canada-US final.
“I think this is probably the first hockey game for which I have never been excited,” said Blue Jays, the Bo Bichette short stop. “I’m going to light it for sure.”
The hoots of national hymns in sports sites on both sides of the border have been a subject of discussion in recent weeks. Canada-US tension continues to simmer due to the increased political drama with President Donald Trump’s return. Trump has repeatedly suggested that Canada should become an American state and have threatened to apply punishable prices for Canadian imports.
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The Blue Jays, who train in Dunedin, Florida, to a short trip by car from the Gulf of Mexico – or as the current American administration prefers, the Gulf of America – has not noticed any anti -Canadian feeling since Their return for the camp.
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“It can be a little different when the matches obviously start,” said Blue Jays manager John Schneider at the start of the camp. “Everyone has their opinions and rightly so, but (I have not really seen so far … I hope it is not too much distraction.”
The subject of Canada-US relations was also raised in a recent media availability with the director general Ross Atkins.
“It is certainly the one in which I do not want to enter,” he said. “I will say that I am very happy to live in Toronto. I love everything. I’m so happy to raise my daughters there. It’s an incredible place to live.
Hockey is not a needle engine among many players on the list. Baseball is king of course, with football, basketball, motor racing and golf some of the most favorite sports.
There are, however, some big hockey fans in the clubhouse.
The voltiseur George Springer was a fan of Hartford Whalers and can often be seen sporting their equipment. The erik Swanson lift is a supporter of the Winnipeg jets.
“Right now, I’m rooted for Helle in the 4 nations,” said Swanson, using the nickname for the Jets and the American goalkeeper Connor Hellebuyck. “Few people, I’m sure I’m happy to hear that. But (that) will be a fun game.
“I know (the launcher Chris Bassitt) and I returned (and come) with the former Canadian teammate who was here (and) we have friends in Toronto. There have been friendly jokes in both directions. »»
The Blue Jays will launch their pre-season calendar at home against New York Yankees. Toronto will open the regular season on March 27 against the orioles of Baltimore visiting.
This Canadian press report was published for the first time on February 20, 2025.
& Copy 2025 the Canadian press