Prime Minister Mark Carney is not ready to give up on the Toronto Blue Jays, urging fans to “believe” they can make it back to the playoffs this season. At an event this weekend, Carney met lifelong Blue Jays fan Karla Courtney, who made headlines after knitting a beautiful wool Blue Jays sweater during the team’s postseason run last year. The iconic sweater has been permanently put on display at the Canadian Museum of History but Courtney made an identical version and gave it to Carney this weekend. After receiving the gift, Carney was asked about the team’s 2026 season. “You’ve got to believe we are going to get that wild card,” Carney said in a video posted on social media, joking that he would keep the sweater on until the team secures their spot. The Blue Jays are currently sitting in last place in the American League East and are 3.5 games back from one of three wild-card spots with 42 games left to play in the regular season. The team’s disappointing record of 57 wins and 63 losses comes after the club made it to the World Series last season, losing the pennant to the Los Angeles Dodgers in extra innings in Game 7 at the Rogers Centre. ‘He’s the real deal’ When asked about his favourite player, without hesitation, Carney responded: “Vladdy.” “He’s the real deal. He’s everything, including as an individual,” the prime minister said. Slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has struggled at the plate this season, with a batting average of about .261. He has hit only seven home runs this season and none of those have been at home. Approaching the trade deadline this year, many speculated the team would be sellers given their slim playoff chances. While the team did sell off some key players ahead of the Aug. 3 deadline, including beloved ace Kevin Gausman, the club made some notable pickups to fill in gaps in their starting pitching rotation, acquiring José Soriano from the Los Angeles Angels and Spencer Arrighetti from the Houston Astros. The Blue Jays will face the Red Sox at the Rogers Centre on Tuesday night after taking the first game game of the series 2-1 on Monday.
