The Blue Jays will have to play their home games somewhere other than Toronto. Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Sports world reacts to Canada refusing to let Blue Jays play in Toronto

Originally posted on Sportsnaut | By Vincent Frank | Last updated 7/18/20

The Blue Jays had sought a refuge in Toronto for the 2020 MLB season. Amid the ongoing worldwide pandemic, they hoped to play in their host city.

Considering the nature of COVID-19 in the United States compared to the rest of the world, that seemed to be a pie-in-the-sky hope. While the United States is seeing north of 70,000 cases daily, Canada has pretty much snuffed out the virus.

It led to authorities in Canada denying the Blue Jays’ request to play games in Toronto during a truncated 60-game 2020 MLB season.

There’s good reason for this. Those in Canada are not willing to put their citizens at risk. It makes sense. Canada has recorded 110,000 cases since the virus hit back in February. The United States has registered 140,000 cases over the past two days alone.

As a result, the sports world had its reactions to Saturday’s news, starting with the Blue Jays themselves.

#BlueJays Statement On 2020 Season Home: pic.twitter.com/lpXLapRHUD
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) July 18, 2020

Others reacted, too.

The regular cross-border travel was the issue that killed the #BlueJays plan with the federal government, after city and provincial public health officials signed off on it.
— Shi Davidi (@ShiDavidi) July 18, 2020

Hear me out, the Johnstown @BlueJays pic.twitter.com/HCbWQHsUpE
— Jim Hammett (@JimHammett) July 18, 2020

Fact is #BlueJays got caught up in something much bigger than baseball. This became an issue of how the USA is handling the coronavirus vs. measures being taken up here. We're not perfect, but feds have every right to be cautious to make sure it doesn't get as bad as down south.
— Gregor Chisholm (@GregorChisholm) July 18, 2020

The Blue Jays might have to play in Buffalo? Blue Jays mafia? pic.twitter.com/OhuaVEKFjp
— Vannzee (@thevannzee) July 18, 2020

This would likely put Blue Jays’ home games in Buffalo — far from ideal for the team considering the last-minute plans required to make a triple-A stadium their temporary home https://t.co/t6oKTyUMOe
— Ben Nicholson-Smith (@bnicholsonsmith) July 18, 2020

Buffalo Blue Jays, feel free to use this logo I personally designed for you guys pic.twitter.com/KVXAA1EQyc
— Gabe (@PlayoffTanaka) July 18, 2020

BUFFALO BLUE JAYS
IN THE HEART OF AMERICA
STOLEN FROM CANADA, BROUGHT TO AMERICA https://t.co/ADyJRGfvR4
— Foolish Baseball (@FoolishBB) July 18, 2020

Blue Jays fans training for Buffalo pic.twitter.com/mAWLIX6qbF https://t.co/i06x2JuNbo
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) July 18, 2020

There had been discussions between Blue Jays and players about the team paying off apartment leases, putting them up at the Rogers Centre Marriott and giving hardship pay of $20,000+, sources tell ESPN.

All of it is moot after Canadian federal officials said no MLB in Toronto.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 18, 2020

This article first appeared on Sportsnaut and was syndicated with permission.

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