Blue Jays fans grab merch as team aims to advance in postseason
Toronto Blue Jays merchandise has been flying off the shelves since the team began its playoff run last weekend.
The Jays are up 2-0 in their over-five series against the New York Yankees, and look to close out Tuesday after securing hometown victories Saturday and Sunday.
“It’s been crazy,” said Tex Thomas, owner of Toronto-based Pro League Sports.
“Over the two games Saturday and Sunday, pretty much everything we sold both days – I would say 85 to 90 percent – was Strictly Blue Jays merchandise.”
Thomas says he attended both games over the weekend and nearly caught Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s grand slam ball in Game 2.
Thomas says people have come up to discuss the games while shopping.
The energy in Toronto has been electric for the Blue Jays during their ALDS run. CBC’s Ali Chiasson dives into how fans are excited by supporting the team and local businesses.
Meanwhile, online orders came from across Canada and beyond.
Thomas said Stars Guerrero, shortstop Bo Bichette and outfielder George Springer had the hottest jerseys. But there has also been high demand for catcher Alejandro Kirk, who has been on a hot streak, and rookie pitcher Trey Yesavage, who struck out 11 Yankees batters on Sunday.
“The only big surprise this year was Kirk,” Thomas said.
He says he was also inundated with requests for the team’s white hats, which the team rarely wore until late in the season. But the Caps have recently emerged as a good luck charm.
Thomas says the hats come from New Era’s warehouses in the United States, so it’s currently out, but he’s put in a big order and hopes they come in time to have a good stock for the second round of the playoffs.
‘Whatever we have, it sells’
Rebecca Lanre-Ojo, assistant manager of the clothing store, The Peace Collective in Toronto, says many people have been out before the games looking for the store’s unique Blue Jays t-shirts and sweatshirts.
“We’re selling items. We have to get last-minute shipments to the store, just so we can keep up with demand,” she said.
The store’s 1992 and 1993 World Series shirts, commemorating the team’s back-to-back championships, were particularly popular.
“A lot of people are excited,” she said. “There are people who haven’t necessarily supported so far, but because they’re doing so well, have decided to represent.”
Abu Numan, manager of Toronto’s The Sports Collection, says people from across Canada have come for Jays Merch.
“Jerseys, T-shirts, whatever we have, it sells,” he said.
Treana Cop, a Jays fan who recently moved to Toronto from Saskatchewan, stopped by the sports collection to purchase a Guerrero Jr. jersey.
“It’s so cool to be a part of this thing that’s not just in Toronto, but represents the whole country,” Cop said.
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