Blue Jays spirit brings boost to Ottawa businesses

The Toronto Blue Jays have captivated the nation and Ottawa is no exception. CTV’s Natalie Van Rooy catches up with fans ahead of a do-or-die game six.

The pressure is on for the Toronto Blue Jays Sunday night as the team fights to keep their season alive against the Seattle Mariners.

Game six of the American League Championship series is do or die for the Jays in a post-season run that has captivated the nation and excitement amongst fans has been bringing a boost to local bars and stores.

The Glebe Central Pub is one spot in the capital where fans can be found decked out in blue ahead of the game.

“It’s my vintage 1992 Toronto Blue Jays shirt, last time they won the championship,” said Andrei Trickey, a server at the Glebe Central Pub.

“Hopefully I can get a newer shirt soon.”

Trickey says their bar has experienced the Blue Jays boost during the team’s postseason run.

“I’d say it brings in a pretty big crowd and a pretty mixed bag of people too,” said Trickey.

“We got some older folks and younger folks all coming together to watch the Jays game and rooting for them.”

The series has been an exciting one for sports fans.

“It’s exciting. I think everyone loves the home team and going into the playoffs and winning so it’s good stuff,” said Colin Johnson, a Jays fan.

“I like the fact that they’re getting a lot of hits and they’ve got the characters on the team that are very engaging, like Vladdy (Guerrero), (George) Springer, and (Addison) Barger and some of the others.”

In Toronto, fans were outside the Rogers Centre on Sunday afternoon ahead of the big game with many hoping for a victory.

Back in Ottawa, Johnson will be closely watching the team’s lineup.

“I’m looking forward to some production out of Vladdy, and Max Scherzer threw a great game last game with lots of energy so yeah, it’s a great squad and lots of character all around so they’re fun to watch.”

The series has been a chance for more sales at small business like Game On Ottawa.

“it’s been busy, a lot of Jay’s stuff, jerseys, t-shirts, hoodies, hats, and then everything else too it kind of adds to it, but of course a lot of people want to support the team,” said Game On Ottawa owner Bobby Mohamed.

Mohamed says he hasn’t seen this level of excitement for the team in a decade.

“Jays playoff run is the best kind of thing because everyone’s basically pumped up to see the team go all the way, hopefully win the World Series,” he said.

The game starts just after 8 p.m. with the Mariners only one win away from their first ever trip to the World Series.

• Sign up now for daily CTV News Ottawa newsletters
• The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App