What happens to ‘unsellable’ Blue Jays World Series championship gear?

A Toronto Blue Jays hat sits on the bench in the dugout before American League MLB baseball action against Texas Rangers in Toronto on Thursday, July 25, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

The World Series title may have been just two outs away for the Blue Jays, but the championship gear for both Toronto and the Los Angeles Dodgers was made well before the first pitch.

Shohei Ohtani and the Dodgers were seen draped in hats and shirts reading “We Rule October” moments after the game-winning double play in the bottom of the 11^th inning. But similar merchandise was ready for the Jays, and their fans, as well.

So, what happens to the shirts, hats and sweaters made for the losing team? Therein may be a sliver of a silver lining.

Since 2017, the MLB has worked with the U.S.-based charity Good360 to connect what is described as “what could have been” championship gear to nonprofits supporting communities around the world, and this post-season is no different.

“We are currently coordinating with MLB to send merchandise to our nonprofit partner, SERV International. There, it will be sent to where it’s needed most among the communities they support in the Caribbean, Central America, East Africa, and South America,” the charity said in an email, adding that they are coordinating with the Jays to ship off their gear.

“This initiative transforms unsellable apparel into meaningful impact, providing thousands of individuals in low-income, underserved communities with brand new shirts, sweatshirts, hats, and more.”

The charity has a similar agreement with the NFL following the Super Bowl, and close attention is paid to making sure the influx of gifted merchandise doesn’t harm the local economies of its destination.