Blue Bombers join Jays fever: Oliveira, O’Shea, and teammates cheer on Canada’s team

Breadcrumb Trail Links

“I don’t watch much baseball, but I am a massive Jays fan now, rooting for the Jays, as it would be amazing to see a Canadian team win the World Series,” Oliveira said.

Published Oct 21, 2025 • Last updated 44 minutes ago • 3 minute read

You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.

Bombers Oliveira Calgary Stampeders defence stop Winnipeg Blue Bombers Brady Oliveira in first half CFL action at McMahon stadium in Calgary on Saturday, August 9, 2025. Photo by Darren Makowichuk/Postmedia /Winnipeg SunArticle content

Sport has the power to unite people across the country, and bring them closer together in the locker room too.

Advertisement 2

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

Exclusive columns by Ryan Stelter, Paul Friesen, Ted Wyman, Scott Billeck, Lorrie Goldstein, Warren Kinsella and others. Plus newsletters: Gimme Stelter for your beat on the city, The Exit Row for all your Jets news and On the Rocks for curling.Unlimited online access to Winnipeg Sun and 15 news sites with one account.Winnipeg Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.

SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.

THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an Account

Article content

“That baseball game was electric,” Bombers offensive lineman Pat Neufeld said. “What a performance. That team is resilient. That is what October baseball is all about, moments like that. It was cool and inspiring.”

Article content

Several Blue Bombers players tuned in Monday night to watch the Toronto Blue Jays defeat the Seattle Mariners 4-3 in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series.

“(The Blue Jays showed) lots of grit,” Blue Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea said. “I don’t know a lot about baseball, but I just like watching that game-seven atmosphere, when the pressure is on and how the guys handle it. I don’t watch a lot of baseball, but it is exciting, especially a game seven.”

O’Shea has a daughter who attends the University of Guelph. She was at the game with a friend who had an extra ticket.

The Winnipeg Sun’s Daily Headline News

Thanks for signing up!

Article content

Advertisement 3

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Article content

Call Bombers running back Brady Oliveira a new member of the bandwagon team. He is also captivated by the excitement of a team approximately 1,307 kilometres away as the crow flies.

“I don’t watch much baseball, but I am a massive Jays fan now, rooting for the Jays, as it would be amazing to see a Canadian team win the World Series,” he said.

O’Shea watches other sports for the inspiring moments, and how players sacrifice personal agendas for the overall good of the team. He says the Jays have an undeniable spirit about them, and he noticed it easily from a distance.

“On any team, the camaraderie and the trust you have in your teammates, and the desire to do more for them than yourself,” O’Shea said when asked how baseball can relate to his sport of choice, or any sport for that matter. “Some of that stuff you can just see, and it comes through the television at you.”

Advertisement 4

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Article content

“They are an easy team to cheer for and what a great manager (the Jays have in John Schneider), as his story is very cool being with the organization for so long and working his way to the top,” Neufeld added. “For a team that wasn’t highly favored at the start of the season, to have the third best record in the majors, and to have a post-season like this is awesome.”

The Jays drafted Schneider in the 2002 draft. He spent five years as a player in the club’s farm system before he retired and started coaching. He worked his way through the farm system until he got to Toronto in 2019.

Neufeld is a casual fan of the squad. His introduction to a light brand of fandom dates to the early 1990’s when Toronto was the best team in the sport for two consecutive seasons.

Advertisement 5

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Article content

“My grandparents were huge Jays fans from the 1992-93 World Series teams,” Neufeld said. “I lightly follow them, but I admit I don’t watch a ton of baseball throughout the season, but once the playoffs start baseball is pretty electric.”

As if to further prove that sport can unite all sorts of people, all three members of the Bombers family did have one thing in common: they were all watching the game.

“It was nerve-wracking as hell, but that is sports and that is the coolest part about it,” Neufeld said. “Sport gets everyone’s emotions going and you feel connected to it in a special way.”

And when George Springer went deep in the bottom of the seventh to give the Jays a 4-3 advantage, the emotions spilled over for the Regina native.

“My daughter was asleep, and it took everything I had to not stand up and scream,” Neufeld said. “I gave a fist pump and a ‘Hell, yeah.’ I went on Twitter (after the game) as I like watching videos from inside the building, being able to see the live experience. It was cool to see the crowd’s reaction (to the home run).”

O’Shea tuned into the game in the sixth inning, while Oliveira tuned in from the first pitch to the last pitch.

“They squeezed it out and it was awesome,” Oliveira said. “I am all onboard the bandwagon with the Jays.”

Article content

Share this article in your social network

Blue Bombers join Jays fever: Oliveira, O’Shea, and teammates cheer on Canada’s team

Tags: