From Ituna, SK, 86-year-old Carmen Bonneau (centre) with her daughter and granddaughter took in Sunday's game. So did Prince Albert's Liane Vance pictured on the right. (Submitted photos)

By Teena Monteleone

Clinched Division crown

Saskatchewan Blue Jays fans relish in historic win

Sep 29, 2025 | 5:00 PM

Liane Vance has been following her beloved Blue Jays for decades, with numerous trips across North America to cheer on Canada’s only Major League Baseball team. But nothing compared to her most recent trip this past weekend when the Jays won the American League East Division championship for the first time since 2015.

“It’s been ten years, and it was about time that they needed a new identity – they could only live on that excitement of 2015 for so long and they did it this year, so that was really exciting.”

Vance, who is from Prince Albert, has attended seven games so far this year. In the past, she has watched the Jays play in Seattle, Denver, Minneapolis, Detroit, New York and Toronto and cheered them on in old venues like the original Yankees Stadium and Old Comiskey Park, which was the historic home of the Chicago White Sox from 1910 to 1990. She said it was Rogers Centre in Toronto this past Sunday that felt the most electric.

“I’ve never experienced that type of atmosphere before. I’ve been to so many games over the years, but that was just unbelievable. The fans were just so into it. They didn’t even need the prompting from all the in-house folks – they were just really into it and the chants of ‘Go Blue Jays Go’ and Vlady and Springer and of course, Kirk, he had a big day – so it was just crazy. Just seeing the players and how happy they are and the fans all hugging each other…it was just surreal really…like I was in a dream.”

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Also cheering in the stands at Rogers Centre on Sunday was 86-year-old Carmen Bonneau who made the trip to Toronto all the way from Ituna in southeastern Saskatchewan with her daughter Nadyne Greschner and granddaughter Lindsay Lowe.

“I didn’t know when we booked the trip that this would happen,” said Bonneau. “I sure hope this is their year. I really can’t predict, but I sure hope they do go forward and finish it off.”

Bonneau has always enjoyed baseball. She hasn’t played since she was a child in school, but she enjoys watching and keeping score.

“When I’m watching I check off what they do – whether they make a home run or a double, or you know, whatever. I do like all that.”

Bonneau said she’ll cheer the Jays on from home for the rest of the year, but she’s hoping to catch another game in person next year.

“Good Lord willing and the creek don’t rise, we’ll be able to go again,” she said.

Bonneau’s view of the win at Rogers Centre on Sunday. (Submitted photo)

Both Bonneau and Vance believe this could be the year the Jays have been waiting for.

“Because they won the American League East, they get a bit of a break here, so that is very helpful for them. So, I think that they could go a long way,” said Vance.

The Blue Jays’ last post-season victory came in 2016, and their last World Series title came in 1993.

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teena.monteleone@pattisonmedia.com