A Look at the Season Passed, and a Look into the Future. – ALCS Game 5 Recap 2016

It’s tough to believe that today we were all supposed to be watching ALCS Game 6, but instead we have to wait until March to see our Blue Jays play their next game.

On October 19, 2016 our Toronto Blue Jays played their last game of the 2016 post season.

Marco Estrada pitched one hell of a game. He allowed just 3 runs to score, while only 2 were earned runs (the other run was a result of an error in the outfield from Carrera).

If you would’ve told me that the reason we lost the ALCS was ultimately because of our offence, I would’ve laughed in your face. I would’ve laughed so hard I would’ve cried. I have to wonder that if the 2015 Blue Jays would’ve played against the 2016 Indians, what the outcome would have been. I believe that with this years or last years teams, we could’ve won the series in at least 5 games. But instead, it turned the other way around.

Our Toronto Blue Jays lost 3-0 to the Cleveland Indians in an elimination game. The Cleveland Indians won the series, with a lead of 3-1 and will now be advancing to the World Series starting on Tuesday October 25. That same day, the Cleveland Cavilers (NBA) will be getting their championship rings, just a block away.

I had never given up hope this entire season, whether we were in the amazing days of July/August or the sad days of September. There is no question that we were good enough to make it (and win) to the World Series. I have mixed feelings whether to see we lost to the better team, but there was no question who outplayed who. It seemed like we could never find that “key” hit, and there were plenty of times we could have done that. Joey Bats complains it was because of the “circumstances”, but I’m not so sure about that.

Looking ahead, the picture is not exactly clear. The Toronto Blue Jays have 12 free agents in the organization, and most of them are very key parts of what made this team have back to back ALCS appearances, the first teams to do so since the back to back World Series Championship teams in 1992 and 1993. Obviously, the most commonly known free agents of the group include Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion. “Joey Bats” has easily become the face of the Blue Jays organization for the past 8 years, while also being a 6x All Star (2010 – 2015), 2x MLB Home Run leader (2010 – 2011), 2x Hank Aaron Award winner (2010 – 2011) and 3x Silver Slugger Award Winner (2010, 2011, 2014). “Edwin/Eddie” has been a key player to the Blue Jays for the past 8 years as well. He has been a super slugger for them every season, especially this past one where he became the American League 2016 RBI Leader with a total of 127 RBIs, as well as making his third appearance in the All Star Game (2013, 2014, 2016) all playing as a Blue Jay. And because of him, the phrase “Pay the Man!” has been one of the phrases most frequently shouted amongst Blue Jays fans. Among them include players such as, Brett Cecil, who was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2007, and has been with them ever since. He has been a very crucial member to the ever so steady bullpen, especially being a lefty. Then you have guys like R.A. Dickey and (my personal favourite) Jason Grilli, whose fate of pitching next season is still undecided.

This past season has been my personal favourite. Connecting with all of you on social media really makes my day, while watching the Blue Jays games along with you. The moments in this season I will never forget, and I’m sure you won’t either. The Toronto Blue Jays showed that they really are Canada’s team, and we couldn’t be anymore proud.

I cannot wait for the 2017 season to begin. Just remember, the third time’s the charm.