The Toronto Blue Jays are poppin’ bottles.
The Blue Jays celebrated accordingly after a 9-0 drubbing of the Boston Red Sox, their first on-field activity since clinching a berth in the 2022 MLB playoffs. The ticket puncher didn’t come in the win — instead, it came via a Baltimore Orioles loss at Boston the previous afternoon — but that didn’t dampen the celebration.
#BLUEJAYS FANS, THIS IS FOR YOU! #NEXTLEVEL pic.twitter.com/ZqDWZyXsV1
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) October 1, 2022
“This party was scheduled and whether we won or lost. For me, it was let’s have a good time, but with a win, you know?” said pitcher Alek Manoah, according to Sportsnet. “I feel like it would have been really terrible to get our butt kicked out there and then have to come and party. The biggest thing was being able to just lock it in and make sure that the win comes first and then the party comes after.”
What started on field quickly turned into champagne showers in the clubhouse, with the team first blasting Endor’s “Pump It Up” on the speakers before pivoting to “Hot” by Daddy Yankee and Pitbull.
100% chance of champagne showers 🍾 #NextLevel pic.twitter.com/fCc1KJGbHv
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) October 1, 2022
It's officially October.
Springer wants more parties 🕺 #NextLevel pic.twitter.com/TsPkOQfXqZ
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) October 1, 2022
A message from our Manager 💙
Goodnight, #BlueJays fans! pic.twitter.com/5WUA3WYQwh
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) October 1, 2022
From Markham to the MLB Postseason! 🇨🇦 #NextLevel pic.twitter.com/UpAGNqN80L
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) October 1, 2022
“This is what we work for all year, all offseason,” Manoah told Daily Hive this week in an exclusive interview. “Everyone goes into spring training with aspirations to win a World Series. And, you know, five, six, months later, we’re right here, we’re in the driver’s seat.”
Toronto, who sits 88-69 on the season, holds the first wild card into the playoffs from the American League and will be heading to the American League Wild Card series against either Tampa Bay or Seattle, which kicks off next Friday, with (up to) three games all being played in the same city.
Good Morning to everyone but especially Vladdy’s dance moves 😂 pic.twitter.com/a1Q5bBnDjp
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) October 1, 2022
Game 1 would be on Friday, October 7; Game 2 on Saturday, October 8; and an “if-necessary” Game 3 on Sunday, October 9.
The winner of each of the two Wild Card series in each league will then move on to face the top divisional winners.
The most likeable team in baseball! #NextLevel pic.twitter.com/jIkFKTAD0T
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) October 1, 2022
"This is something you should never not celebrate" – Manager John Schneider #NextLevel pic.twitter.com/Y8c2FHWeWc
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) October 1, 2022
Vlad and Bo: Friendship Goals 🤗💙 #NextLevel pic.twitter.com/PwuNdgwpH5
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) October 1, 2022