Blue Jays heartbreak felt across Saskatchewan after World Series loss

It’s been more than 30 years since the Toronto Blue Jays last won the World Series, and now fans across the country — including Saskatchewan — will have to wait at least another year for a chance to win.

The Los Angeles Dodgers escaped Rogers Centre with a 5-4 Game 7 victory over the Jays on Saturday night. The game was competitive and went into extra time, when a home run from Dodgers catcher Will Smith in the 11th inning ended what many are calling a historic World Series.

For Jays fans, the result was a gut punch, but the journey to get to the World Series was memorable.

In Battleford, 91-year-old Jane Shury watched from home. She’s been a lifelong Jays supporter and runs her town’s Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.

“That's part of the game, win or lose,” Shury said to the host of The Sunday Magazine, Piya Chattopadhyay. “We can be so proud of our team, even though they didn't get to where we wanted them to, so you can imagine how they feel because we feel bad.”

For Shury, the team’s significance stretches beyond Toronto.

“They are our Canadian team,” she said. “And as such, they belong to us just as much as they do to Toronto.”

And even after the loss, her message to younger fans was one of optimism.

“Life is made up of ups and downs and this is a downer,” Shury said. “But you have to accept it and look forward and work toward something more positive for next year. Keep your morale up, because there’s always another year coming.”

Saskatoon’s Abe Chaukla was among thousands who packed the Rogers Centre for Games 6 and 7. He says he’s still processing the heartbreak.

“Every single play the last three innings, it was unbelievable, the energy,” Chaukla said on Saskatoon Weekend. “Honestly, they had it won. It was quite shocking.”

Despite the loss, he says fans handled it with grace.

“One thing I definitely have to say is I was very impressed with how the fans dispersed,” he said. “I didn't think that it would be as quality and peaceful.”

Chaukla, 42, has been a Blue Jays fan since childhood and says this year’s team stood out for its chemistry and heart.