Geddy Lee applauds the singing of the national anthems before the Toronto Blue Jays host the Tampa Bay Rays at Rogers Centre on May 17, 2024.Dan Hamilton/Reuters
Geddy Lee, the Rush singer/bassist who recently announced a reunion tour, is a familiar sight to Toronto Blue Jays fans watching the playoff games at Rogers Centre on television, sitting in the pricey seats right behind home plate. A season ticket holder since 1979 and the author of 72 Stories: From the Baseball Collection of Geddy Lee, he will be there once again for the World Series games in Toronto against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Lee spoke to The Globe and Mail about baseball, family and shared fandom.
I was able to attend Game 6 of the 1992 World Series at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium. I sat with some of the coaches’ wives and right beside outfielder Candy Maldonado’s dentist from Puerto Rico. We were a little island of Blue Jays fans in a sea of tomahawk chops. We were very bonded, talking during the game and, at the end, counting down the outs together. When Dave Winfield hit that double, we exploded. The rest the crowd, of course, was very quiet.
This year’s Blue Jays team is the most surprising I’ve ever had the pleasure to witness. I love the fact there are so many unsung heroes on a day-to-day basis. That’s the difference this year. You’ve got Nathan Lukes, Tyler Heineman and Myles Straw, who turned out to be a brilliant pickup by the Jays. It’s a balanced team, and they’ve won our hearts.
From Lady Gaga to Rush and the Tragically Hip, how Sportsnet soundtracks the Blue Jays
I love baseball, and I’d like to think the love influenced my son. He played Little League and university ball. And along comes my grandson, eventually. It turns out he loves the game. My son is really good with him. He coaches him in Little League.
We’ve always had baseball as part of our vernacular. It’s a thing the three of us love to talk about. My grandson has become so knowledgeable and so excited to be involved on any level of the game. Of course, now he’s swept away in Blue Jays fever, as he should be.
I took him to one of the early playoff games this year. The Jays lost. He was very downhearted. When it came time for Game 6 and Game 7, it was a problem that the games were so late. We didn’t want him to be exhausted and overwrought. But when the Jays won Game 6, my son relented and allowed our grandson to come with me to Game 7. It was absolutely the right decision.
George Springer connects for a three-run home run against the Seattle Mariners during Game 7 of the American League Championship Series in Toronto on Oct. 20.David J. Phillip/The Associated Press
Win or lose, he needed to have that moment with me. I’m not that young anymore. I was thrilled to watch the game through his eyes and through his emotions, and to help him manage those emotions. It didn’t look good for us at the end of the sixth inning. So, I reminded him about what a great comeback team the Jays were this year. The best in baseball, really. Anything can happen in one inning.
I also told him the story about the 1993 World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies, and that we had thought all was lost in Game 6. And, of course, that Jays team won.
He was great, though. He loved it. And the home run, oh my god. George Springer just threw an electrical charge through the whole stadium. I’ve never heard anything like it before in that building.
I was very fortunate to be able to be there with him. It turned out well, but he would have survived if it hadn’t. They did win, though, and we did get to share a special experience.
− as told to Brad Wheeler
This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.