TORONTO — Blue Jays fans were relieved Saturday night after Toronto abandoned Game 2 of the World Series against the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers, but still expressed confidence in the Jays and the energy they bring to the city.
The Blue Jays fell to the Dodgers 5-1 after beating Los Angeles 11-4 in Game 1 on Friday night. But some fans said they were undeterred by the loss, and among them was Bill Redford, who attended the second game with his son Sean.
“I was ecstatic last night, a little down today, but you know what? We'll be back,” Redford said outside Rogers Center shortly after Saturday's finale.
Redford added that the Blue Jays are considered by many to be underdogs in the series, but he expects them to still come out on top.
“I don't think anyone expects Toronto to win the series against the big, bad Dodgers, but we're the toughest team in baseball,” the younger Redford said. “Every game is important and I think there will be six or seven.”
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In Saturday's game, Dodgers starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto went the distance, allowing one run and four hits while striking out eight in the entire game. The Dodgers, the defending champions, beat Toronto 6-4, quieting a sold-out crowd of 44,607.
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Game 3 is scheduled for Monday at Dodgers Stadium.
Jays fan Curry C said he will “never doubt the Jays” even when they go on to the World Series in California. He said he came from San Francisco to cheer on the Jays and wasn't shaken by Saturday's setback.
“The Jays are going to get it for five. The Dodgers took one today, but I think the Jays got a strong offense, a good bullpen, good pitching, so I think they can handle it,” Cee said.
While Saturday night's stadium atmosphere lacked the chants and car horns that filled the air following the Jays' wins in the ALCS and Game 1 of the World Series, fans still enjoyed the opportunity to see the Fall Classic in Toronto for the first time since 1993.
Among them was superfan Sean Panacci, who said he has been addicted to the Jays since he saw them at Exhibition Stadium in 1989 when he was eight years old.
“It’s amazing because I probably won’t see this again until I’m 70,” Panacci said. “It's amazing to be here today.”
Panacci added that winning two of three games in Los Angeles gives the Jays a chance to close out the series at home, which would “set the city on fire.”
Through wins and losses, the Blue Jays “unite the country,” he said.
“The crowd is very energetic. I mean, every time there's a play, it's so loud. Everybody's in it. Everybody's yelling and screaming and cheering,” Panacci said. “It's such great energy.”
That energy is one reason why the Redford father-son duo is happy to be in the stadium for the Jays game, even if they lose.
“Sports are about connection. I think that's what brings communities and families together,” Sean Redford said. “It's something that has always kept us very close to each other, and it's very special.”
For Bill Redford, that special connection comes when fans unite around one word: “Believe.”
“This is one game. We didn't expect to win, but we'll definitely get three more.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 25, 2025.
© 2025 The Canadian Press
