Quebec Fans Unite Behind the Blue Jays Ahead of Playoffs

As the Toronto Blue Jays prepare to face the New York Yankees in Game 1 of the American League Division Series on October 7, 2025, fans from Quebec are rallying behind the team, reigniting a passion for baseball that has been dormant since the departure of the Montreal Expos in 2004. For many, this season represents a resurgence of local support for a franchise that once held a cherished place in the hearts of Quebec sports enthusiasts.

Among these supporters is Louis-Philippe Guy, a minor league baseball coach from Montreal’s South Shore. He recalls fondly the long drives to see the Expos play at the Olympic Stadium. After the team’s relocation to Washington, D.C., he mourned their loss for a decade. “When Russell Martin started playing for Toronto in 2015, I adopted the Blue Jays,” Guy said. His enthusiasm reflects a wider trend; many young Quebecers are now embracing the Blue Jays as their team.

Inspiration for Young Athletes

Guy believes that the Blue Jays serve as a significant inspiration for youth in Quebec. He noted a decline in children participating in baseball after the Expos left but highlighted a revival since 2015 when the Blue Jays clinched a division title. “It’s really the whole country’s team, Quebec included,” he emphasized. “There’s no two solitudes when we talk about the Blue Jays; francophone and anglophone are hand in hand.”

Former Expos player and commentator Marc Griffin echoed Guy’s sentiments, expressing optimism for the Blue Jays’ playoff chances. “I’m pretty optimistic that they can actually win this series to go to the American League Championship. They had a great season,” Griffin stated. He is confident that many Quebecers will travel to Toronto to support the team, noting the visible French-speaking presence at games, alongside fans wearing Expos attire.

Growing Attendance and Excitement

The excitement surrounding the Blue Jays has been palpable. Jeremy Filosa, who hosts a popular French-language podcast about the team, experienced this firsthand when he took the train to a game earlier this summer. “In the wagon I was in, it was just insane to see how many baseball fans there were,” he described. “All the people dressed up in Expos gear, in Blue Jays gear.” He remarked on the incredible atmosphere this season, which he found to be more vibrant than in previous years.

Despite the Blue Jays not winning a playoff game since 2016, their history in the World Series during 1992 and 1993 remains a source of pride. The team’s current roster includes Vladimir Guerrero Jr., a Montreal native whose father played for the Expos. Filosa noted that Guerrero Jr.’s presence has further solidified Quebec’s connection to the Blue Jays. “Quebecers absolutely love baseball,” he said, indicating a renewed sense of community and enthusiasm for the sport.

As the Blue Jays embark on their playoff journey, the support from Quebec fans highlights not only a revival of interest in baseball but also a unifying force that transcends language and regional divides. This season, the Blue Jays have become a source of inspiration, rekindling a love for the game that many thought had faded.