When he joined the Blue Jays to become their scout in Quebec eight years ago, Jasmine Roy witnessed the first milestones of a new culture that would eventually lead the team to the World Series.
• Also read: Josué Peli, a former Blue Jays player from Quebec, is living the dream scenario.
Two years earlier, Mark Shapiro and Ross Atkins had risen to the top management of the Jays. Since then, the team has made the playoffs five times, but only won the round this fall.
“When they arrived, I saw the whole culture that they transformed. I heard all the talk about the importance of finding players who make contact. Everything that has been created is paying off. The theory that everyone was talking about is producing exponential results in practice on the field,” Roy said just over 24 hours before the start of the World Series between the Jays and Dodgers.
The recruiter also expects a battle, unlike a number of experts who predict the complete dominance of the all-powerful representatives of Los Angeles.
“The formation style we've created will be important. We have the best batting average and the fewest strikeouts. We're putting the ball in play, we're running well, we're making shots.”
“It's a style that can allow us to have success against pitchers at the Dodgers' level. By being combative to get a little hit, pitching to advance the runner, it puts pressure on the defense,” he analyzed.
Good mix
Many fans may have been disappointed last year when the Blue Jays finished fifth and last in their division. Or even this year, when the club's big winter acquisition, Anthony Santander, was limited to 54 games.
“Even with adversity, this team continues to perform. Santander played a big role in the offseason, and he barely played. Bichette had a big season, but he didn't play in the series. When people tell me the Dodgers are unbeatable, I say that in the face of adversity, we always responded.”
“We have an exceptional combination of very young players, young veterans like Bichette and Guerrero, and true veterans like Gausman, Springer and Scherzer. It's that balance of experience and talent that takes us to the World Series.”
