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Blue Jays To Open 2021 Season In Florida

By Jeff Todd | February 18, 2021 at 8:00am CDT

Feb. 18: The Blue Jays have formally announced that they’ll play at least their first two homestands at TD Ballpark in Dunedin, “with the hopes of a return to play at Rogers Centre as soon as possible.” Those first two homestands at TD Ballpark will host fans in a limited 15 percent capacity, per the announcement.

The Jays’ first homestand is a six-game set hosting the Angels and the Yankees from April 8-14. They’ll next host the Nationals and Braves from April 27-May 2 before heading out on a 10-game road trip.

The earliest target date for a return to the Rogers Centre, then, appears to be May 14, when they host the Phillies at the outset of a 10-game homestand. It’s no guarantee those games will take place in Toronto, of course; the Jays will reevaluate the situation with input from medical experts and governmental bodies before further charting their course.

Feb. 17: The Blue Jays will again play their home games south of the border, according to a report from Shi Davidi and Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca. At least to open the 2021 regular season, the Toronto denizens will make a temporary abode in Dunedin, Florida.

As was the case in the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign, cross-border traffic simply proved too difficult to manage. The plan in this case is to host home games in Florida until at least the middle of May.

Dunedin is certainly familiar, as it houses the team’s Spring Training complex. The club had toyed with the idea of playing there last year but ultimately settled on the Buffalo, New York home of its top minor-league affiliate.

The change in venue isn’t likely to have a major impact on the Blue Jays’ hopes for contention in 2021. Playing in Buffalo suited the Jays just fine last year, as they performed well at home (17-9) and earned a postseason berth.

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84 Comments

  1. ccahoe02

    4 years ago

    As someone who lives just outside of dunedin I approve this

    • Luc 2

      4 years ago

      Use a big ladder and binoculars

      • ccahoe02

        4 years ago

        I’m tall and adept at tree climbing

        • PhanaticDuck26

          4 years ago

          now Florida has 3 teams too many

        • 99 Captain Judge

          4 years ago

          For all you Bluebird fans that said your team was going to be playing in Buffalo this season this is 4 U!!! LoL

        • smuzqwpdmx

          4 years ago

          We’ve known for a couple of months that they were going to play in Duneidin. It wasn’t officially announced but it wasn’t a secret.

        • 99 Captain Judge

          4 years ago

          @smuzqwpdmx- are the Canadian women as good as the bacon?

        • smuzqwpdmx

          4 years ago

          I’ve only known a few Canadian women (they’re not too common here in California), but I quite liked them. They’re certainly way out of the league of trolls.

  2. Luc 2

    4 years ago

    LOLMETS. Jays vs Rays will be an easy travel

    • Bart Harley Jarvis

      4 years ago

      Lu,
      LOL, OMG, ICYMI, and FFS.

    • rct

      4 years ago

      …what do the Mets have to do with this?

    • 99 Captain Judge

      4 years ago

      @Luc 2- starting to think the Jays will be the 3rd best team in Florida? Look at that Marlin starting 5 this season. Let the games begin.

      • Luc 2

        4 years ago

        Huh I never said they would be 3rd team. I said the Jays don’t need to cross the country to play the Rays lol. Plus Marlins have good 5

  3. oof

    4 years ago

    Aaayye going from the Buffalo Blue Jays to the Dunedin Snowbirds. I dig it

    • 99 Captain Judge

      4 years ago

      Yes, the Jays are not even worthy enough to call Buffalo their home in 2021 so off they go!

      • Gothamcityriddler

        4 years ago

        “Gone away is the bluebird, here to stay is the new bird…”

  4. Rangers29

    4 years ago

    youtube.com/watch?v=7orQylPexOI

  5. EasternLeagueVeteran

    4 years ago

    Extended Spring Training…….

  6. One Bite Hotdog

    4 years ago

    The main reason being the weather.

    • coldbeer

      4 years ago

      Main reason is the city and county gave the Jays a boatload or money to vastly improve and renovate their facility there.

      • Mr. E Team

        4 years ago

        Welfare for billionaires

    • smuzqwpdmx

      4 years ago

      Other reason being the Bisons are playing in Buffalo this year.

      • One Bite Hotdog

        4 years ago

        Yep. Forgot about the Bisons. Man, these uncertain (yet certain) times make it easy to forget the normalcy of things.

    • fishco

      4 years ago

      Main reason is AAA Buffalo will be having a season this year.

      • coldbeer

        4 years ago

        Except Buffalo is still in consideration for later in the year…so…

        • Aaron Sapoznik

          4 years ago

          MLB and AAA players are the only ones allowed to participate in spring training before the big league season opens on April 1st. The 142-game AAA season begins during the week of April 5th. As the Blue Jays AAA affiliate, the Buffalo Bisons will begin their regular season during the week of April 5th.

          Once the MLB and AAA players leave spring camp, AA and A players will report to Arizona and Florida to begin their spring training before their regular seasons commence on May 4th.

        • 99 Captain Judge

          4 years ago

          @coldbeer- nah we don’t need a 3rd team in NY. I think the 3rd team in Florida benefits them better. The lighting in Buffalo was horrible last season also.

  7. puigpower

    4 years ago

    Aragorn

  8. Catuli Carl

    4 years ago

    Love it

  9. coldbeer

    4 years ago

    This is great for the Jays. Their entire facility went thru a massive overhaul and it’s caught up to the quality seen at most of the newer spring training facilities across MLB.

  10. tradestanton

    4 years ago

    don’t you have to have credibility before losing it?

  11. AngelDiceClay2

    4 years ago

    Geeeez. Blu Jay fans were all excited the moves the team made. Now they won’t be able to watch them in Toronto.

    • gomer33

      4 years ago

      Just about all of us knew they wouldn’t start the season in Toronto. I’m hoping the last two months gets played there,that may be a best case scenario at this point IMO.

    • Altuves Buzzer

      4 years ago

      65 inch 4K, watching the best offence in the al crush bombs in a minor-league park…..can’t beat going to the game but we’re good.

      • gomer33

        4 years ago

        I live on Vancouver Island so other than Safeco which is not happening this year that’s how I am watching. To be honest I would rather watch them play in Dunedin in an empty stadium than Rogers Centre in an empty stadium.

        • jimmertee

          4 years ago

          Attaboy gomer. I am with you. Grass field in the sunshine all the way all day long over the concrete cavern.

    • smuzqwpdmx

      4 years ago

      I live in California, so I was never going to be able to watch them in Toronto anyway, and probably wasn’t going to make the trip to watch them in Oakland this year anyway. Who cares where they play? Just ready for them to play. Hopefully it’ll prove to be a home field advantage like last year with visiting teams seeming undermotivated by a minor league stadium.

  12. Rsox

    4 years ago

    The “Toronto Denizens”. Maybe the should rename the team that until they can actually play in Toronto again.

  13. Aaron Sapoznik

    4 years ago

    Some Blue Jays not migrating north this spring!

    • jimmertee

      4 years ago

      Aaron, I am thankful Derek Fisher is not migrating north with the Jays.

  14. corey

    4 years ago

    I think MLB is dropping the ball here. It’s an opportunity to test markets. Why not put them in Nashville or some other city that has been pushing for a team just to see public interest?

    • Baseballz777

      4 years ago

      thing is, there is great public interest in Canada, but you are right there is no way the Jays will be playing in Canada any time soon.

      • charlesk

        4 years ago

        So great that the Jays led the league in attendance declines in 2018 and again in 2019…

        • Cabby24

          4 years ago

          It was bound to happen due to the rebuild. They had the 3rd highest attendance in 2016 so a regression was likely to happen with them trading off players and rebuilding. Tv ratings were still high

    • Dock_Elvis

      4 years ago

      Because AAA is playing in most cities.

    • Mjshof

      4 years ago

      Agreed. NFL plays in Mexico City and MLB should follow suit. Plus that border ain’t never gonna be closed

      • lasershow45

        4 years ago

        There’s a small difference though. There is no American Football in Mexico. But there is baseball already. Also, they had plans to play in London and Mexico City before CoVID.

      • Dock_Elvis

        4 years ago

        The mexican economy cant sustain an MLB team. I believe there’s been studies done.

    • smuzqwpdmx

      4 years ago

      You can’t test public interest with 15% capacity.

  15. its_happening

    4 years ago

    We already knew the Jays were not playing in Toronto anytime soon, so this is not a surprise.

    Rumor has it, some were hoping to be back in Buffalo. If you thought scoring was up in Buffalo, Dunedin will be just as strong for offense if not better. Expecting some high scores in Blue Jays games, helped by the fact that the lineup can hit the ball.

    The A ball team can play on another diamond on the facility, I’m guessing.

    • crshbng

      4 years ago

      I m hoping they will be back up here by august. If not, its not a big deal, can still watch on tv.

      • its_happening

        4 years ago

        We’ll see. I’m with you, I’m good watching on TV.

    • jimmertee

      4 years ago

      Too much cold in Buffalo for the Jays I guess…..keep it in the sunshine on a grass field…..once the vaccine gets around the Cdn border will open again and it will be Jays in Toronto again….thankfully without Derek Fisher….

  16. bot

    4 years ago

    Floridians need to freshen up on their Canadian aye ?

    • shane

      4 years ago

      None of the players or coaching staff are Canadian born other than Vlad who barely speaks English. And it’s “eh” not “aye.” If you’re going to joke at least try a little bit.

  17. jakec77

    4 years ago

    I wonder if some US teams might not do something similar.

    Obviously, the main issue for Toronto is crossing the border.

    But, if I’m the Mets or Yankees, for example, and I don’t think I’m going to be able to have fans at the home games to start the season, then wouldn’t it make sense to spend April in Florida and not have to deal with the NY weather?

    • 99 Captain Judge

      4 years ago

      @jakee77- Nah too many teams playing in Florida this season the Yankees will stay in NY where they BELONG. As far as the Mets who cares about them? They can stay in Florida if they want. NY only needs one true team: The Yankees

  18. DarkSide830

    4 years ago

    ah the US-Canada infighting commences once more

  19. skullbreathe

    4 years ago

    Rack this up as another reason why Canada should not get an expansion team for Montreal.. .

    • whyhayzee

      4 years ago

      Yes, because they’re better at handling the pandemic than we are, that’s the ticket.

      • its_happening

        4 years ago

        Not really true whyhayzee but sure. We were the beneficiaries of cold weather and minimal travel when this thing started. Helped us immensely.

        • lasershow45

          4 years ago

          We had Tr***. You had much more help to begin with

  20. abcrazy4dodgers

    4 years ago

    Angels to play their first-ever Grapefruit League game.

    • whyhayzee

      4 years ago

      But it’s regular season, not Spring Training.

  21. Weirdo who butchers names

    4 years ago

    ⧭

  22. 99 Captain Judge

    4 years ago

    The Blue Jays should of had to have forfeit all of the games the past few years not playing in precious Canada. Nobody wants them in New York or Florida.

    • its_happening

      4 years ago

      I know you hate the Jays but at least come up with a real argument or talking point. If you were correct they would be banned from Dunedin. They are not.

      • 99 Captain Judge

        4 years ago

        @WereAllJustGuestsHere- I never said I ever hated the Jays. Truthfully I feel kind of sorry for them. How are they going to ever win with that starting 5? They need to trade for Luis Castillo and sign Jake Odorizzi so they at least have a chance in the AL East in 2021.

        • its_happening

          4 years ago

          That’s better. A legit question rather than the other crap.

          My answer: Ryu has to be as good as the last two years and Nate Pearson has to break out in a big way. Even then they aren’t assured a playoff spot. Jays fans need to look at their teams from 2000, 2003 and 2006 as examples of great hitting and little pitching.

        • jimmertee

          4 years ago

          Yanking, I agree with you about the BlueJays rotation. Castillo and Odorizzi would give them a solid chance at the playoffs. Right now Shapiro and Atkins are hoping for a Tampa Bay we’ll start whomever model and see if they can get through the first inning.

    • jimmertee

      4 years ago

      Dunedin and that general Florida area loves the BlueJays.

    • lasershow45

      4 years ago

      Past few years? You mean last year? Yankees should forfeit all their games since the new stadium opened for the “partial view” seats. Also for leaving old Yankee Stadium. Welcome to the curse of not winning a WS again for a Loonnngggg time.

      • 99 Captain Judge

        4 years ago

        @lasershow45- you seem so salty why? Because you know the Jays aren’t winning the AL East regardless of where their playing? And how do you know the Yankees aren’t winning the World Series this season? You don’t, so relax and enjoy the laser show

        • Franx

          4 years ago

          Bro you must be young to think that the yankees rotation, who outside of Cole, is just as questionable, if not more so then the Jays. Even hitting wise the Jays are comparable to the Yankees, what planet are you to think that the Jays are worse then the Yankees ignorance is everywhere on this comment section

        • its_happening

          4 years ago

          The world where a very injured Yankees squad had a better record than the Blue Jays last season and the year before that.

  23. Jal179

    4 years ago

    I’m most concerned if the Jays have to play in Florida’s heat and humidity all summer. Im very skeptical that the border will open by June.

    • its_happening

      4 years ago

      Agreed. The rain is a factor which means lots of doubleheaders played in the humid summer.

      • One Bite Hotdog

        4 years ago

        On the other hand, the Jays climatize and the visitors struggle.

    • jimmertee

      4 years ago

      I think if the cdn government can get everyone[who travels and wants it] vaccinated, that border will be open immediately following a set vaccination penetration percentage.

    • Dock_Elvis

      4 years ago

      Why would you be concerned? A huge amount of players are native to humid environments whether in America, Latin America, or the Caribbean.

      • Jal179

        4 years ago

        There’s a reason that Texas, Tampa and Miami play under a roof and it’s not like their rosters aren’t full of players from warm weather climates.

        Regardless, my point is the weather conditions are more favourable mid May-September in TO and when you are a fringe playoff team like the Jays, getting fatigued from 110 degree heat and humidity does not play in their favour.

  24. chriss-3

    4 years ago

    Should be at TD AMERITRADE Park in Omaha. Much better venue, bigger, designed with the help of ESPN (for CWS) so broadcasting will be better and easier.

    • its_happening

      4 years ago

      Solberg good call.

  25. Albert Belle's corked bat

    4 years ago

    Living in Tampa this is bad. Rays have bad attendance even when fans are allowed. Jay’s will take away from that including the market: FSN

Comments for this post have been closed by the site administrator.

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