A father and son duo from Saskatoon embarked on a journey spanning over 2,000 kilometers to witness the Toronto Blue Jays face off against the Seattle Mariners in the American League Championship Series (ALCS) on Sunday night. This game marked the Blue Jays’ return to the ALCS since 2016 when they were defeated by the Cleveland Guardians with a score of 4-1.
Rhett Sangster, a devoted baseball enthusiast, and his son Kai decided impulsively to purchase tickets last Thursday. Reflecting on their enthusiasm, Sangster expressed, “The Blue Jays don’t often make it to the playoffs, and my son and I are avid supporters.” The idea of a “coming of age” trip for Kai emerged during a conversation between Sangster and his wife, leading them to seize the rare opportunity presented by the Blue Jays game.
Opting for a road trip over flying, they commenced their adventure from Saskatoon, setting out in their van immediately after lunch on Thursday. Sangster shared, “We considered flying but then thought, you know what, a road trip would be enjoyable and a great bonding experience for father and son.” The journey took them four days, with pit stops every eight to ten hours for rest. They stayed overnight with family in Winnipeg and later camped near Thunder Bay and Sault St. Marie before finally arriving in Toronto on Sunday night for the game.
Making cost-effective choices, Sangster mentioned, “We removed the two back seats from the minivan and placed my son’s mattress in the back to save some money along the way.” The ALCS Game 1 commenced at 8 p.m. EST on Sunday, with the Blue Jays’ George Springer making a significant impact by hitting a solo home run in the first inning, securing the team an early lead. This marked the first leadoff homer in Blue Jays’ post-season history as recognized by Major League Baseball.
Although the game started strong, the Blue Jays ultimately fell short, succumbing to a 3-1 defeat against the Seattle Mariners. Kai expressed his excitement, stating, “The game last night didn’t go quite as we hoped, but we’re having a lot of fun, so it’s been great.” The ALCS series against the Mariners continues with Game 2 at the Rogers Centre before proceeding to Seattle for Game 3 on Wednesday.
Sangster emphasized the value of time spent with his son, highlighting the importance of building strong relationships and creating everlasting memories. The experience, despite the game’s outcome, resonated as a significant bonding opportunity for the father and son duo.