Skip to main content
NewslettersWatchlist
Blue Jays return: ‘Bird flu’ and other hazards to expect today
BLUE JAYS

After a 22-year drought, the Toronto Blue Jays will make their return to the postseason Thursday afternoon. It might get loud; it might get rowdy. Here's what to expect

FRED LUM/THE GLOBE AND MAIL

The Canadian Press and Globe staff

This article was published more than 8 years ago. Some information may no longer be current.

A rally towel is resting on every seat at Rogers Centre. A spot has been cleared above the large video board for the unfurling of the East Division championship banner. Blue and white bunting is hanging throughout the stadium.

The Toronto Blue Jays return to the post-season Thursday, facing off against the Texas Rangers in Game 1 of the American League Division Series. The ceremonial first pitch, thrown by former Jays manager Cito Gaston, is set for 3:37 (ET). Here are some things to watch out for before then.

If your co-workers are rabid baseball fans, chance are they may be calling in sick with the "bird flu" today. The Blue Jays even prepared their own doctor's note to help fans make their excuses:


If the crowd noise is anything like the last few weeks of the regular season, earplugs may be a good idea for those in attendance. Expect all the bells and whistles for the pre-game festivities: player introductions, stirring national anthems, and a charged ceremonial throwing of the first pitch.

Cheers: Dear Toronto, you can do better than ‘Let’s Go Blue Jays’

2:26

You may also hear the strain of OK Blue Jays, a song recorded in 1982 as an homage to baseball and an anthem of sorts for a team that was new and struggling.

Hear the whole song

Jack Lenz, who co-wrote the song with Tony Kosinec, remembers Blue Jays executive Paul Beeston being excited about the song back in the early 1980s. "The funniest thing about it was that he said, 'Look, we're an expansion team. We've only been around for a few years. We don't want to promise too much, but we want the song to be fun and be something people can sing along. Because we don't want to promise too much, we should just kind of say they're kind of okay,' " Lenz laughed in an interview with The Canadian Press.

Everyone knows the earworm chorus, but few know OK Blue Jays has several verses. Here are the lyrics:

You've got a diamond.

You've got nine men.

You've got a hat, and a bat, and that's not all.

You got the bleachers, got 'em from spring 'til fall.

You got a dog, and a drink, and an umpire's call.

What do you want?

Let's play ball.

Is that a fly ball, or is it a seagull?

Coming in, from the lake, just to catch the game.

It's the last inning, our guys are winning.

Dave's put down a smoker, a strike and you got no doubt. You're out.

What do you want?

Let's play ball.

OK, OK Blue Jays, Blue Jays!

Let's, Let's Play, Play Ball!

It's a beautiful evening, fans.

At the ballpark, when the game starts.

Warm summer breezes, sun's going down.

It's all dark at the ballpark.

That's OK, it's a night game.

OK, OK Blue Jays, Blue Jays!

Let's, Let's Play, Play Ball!

OK, OK Blue Jays, Blue Jays!

Let's, Let's Play, Play Ball!

Bring on the White Sox.

Bring on the BoSox.

Bring on the Angels, the Rangers, and the Yankees too.

We'll beat the Indians.

We'll beat the Tigers.

We'll beat the As so bad it'll make Billy Blue.

What do you want?

Let's play ball.

OK, OK Blue Jays, Blue Jays!

Let's, Let's Play, Play Ball!

OK, OK Blue Jays, Blue Jays!

Let's, Let's Play, Play Ball!

If they win, of course.

Brian Gable celebrates Blue Jays fever with a special cartoon

0:48

PLAY ALONG AT HOME