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There was a sense of uncertainty in the air at training camp last February as the Toronto Blue Jays began preparing for the 2025 campaign.
The team finished in last place, its homegrown face of the franchise remained unsigned after the season, and the possibility of a playoff bid seemed doubtful at best.
What a difference a year makes.
The Blue Jays completed a turnaround from worst to first and took advantage of the momentum to have a memorable postseason that saw them reach Game 7 of the World Series.
On Sunday, the Blue Jays were named the winner of the Canadian Press Team of the Year award, voted on by editors, writers and broadcasters from across the country.
The team received 29 of 53 votes (55 percent) and was well ahead of the women's curling team, which was missed by Rachel Homan (10 votes).
“One of the things that made the run so special this year was the way it impacted, ignited and inspired the entire country,” said Blue Jays President Mark Shapiro. “And I think every player and every person in this organization felt that and had a tremendous sense of pride about it.”
The Canadian women's rugby team finished third with five votes.
Canada's men's 4x100m relay team, which won Olympic gold at the Paris Games, has been named the 2024 Team of the Year.
The Blue Jays fan base was energized last April when the team signed star first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to a team-record 14-year, $500 million contract extension in the United States. It was a big statement from Canada's only major league team, which endured a mediocre start before turning around in late June.
Another bold move came at the trade deadline in late July when general manager Ross Atkins acquired star pitcher Shane Bieber, who was instrumental throughout the game and into the playoffs.
Toronto spent most of the second half in first place and held off New York for the American League East division crown. Even without the help of injured shortstop Bo Bichette in the final few weeks of the season, manager John Schneider managed to get his team into peak form at just the right time.
With Guerrero serving as the key leadoff man, the lineup looked strong and the mound was deep.
Slugger George Springer was in form after a productive season, catcher Alejandro Kirk had a stellar campaign and rookie pitcher Trey Yesavage showed he's ready for the big leagues.
Toronto has made three wild card appearances since 2020 but hasn't won a playoff game since 2016.
This time, it was the American League Division Series victory over the Yankees that caught people's attention. In the AL Championship Series, Toronto lost the first two games to the Seattle Mariners before coming back to win.
Springer homered in Game 7 and helped the Blue Jays secure their first World Series berth since 1993.
George Springer's three-run home run that sent the Blue Jays to the World Series was quickly recognized as the “Springer Dinger” and joined the bat toss as part of team lore.
“They were constantly facing elimination games,” Shapiro said. “They were faced with having to win the last four games of the season (after) losing one of their best players in September – and they just kept responding.”
Baseball fever has hit Toronto, and a new generation of baseball fans has joined us from across Canada. The number of spectators was off the charts.
“Captured the whole country. I’ve never seen teammates be so invested in each other,” Toronto Star columnist Rosie DiManno said in the comments section of her ballot.
The beloved Los Angeles Dodgers, led by two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani, were busy with the World Series, which became an instant classic.
After splitting two games in Toronto, the Blue Jays overcame an 18-inning road loss in Game 3 to return to Rogers Center with a 3–2 series lead. The plucky Dodgers tied the game in Game 6 and came back with an 11th-inning victory in a drama-filled Game 7.
It was the sixth time the Blue Jays have been named CP Team of the Year in the award's 59-year history.
“I’ve just never seen a group of guys talk so universally about how much they appreciate and believe in each other and how much they enjoy being around each other,” Shapiro said. “It’s a competitive advantage in a game where you play 162 games.”
Earlier this week, swimmer Summer McIntosh was named female athlete of the year and NBA star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was named athlete of the year.
The Canadian Press began recognizing male and female Athletes of the Year in 1932.
