Swinging for the Fences

Nothing symbolizes a (relative) return to normal quite like sports. The sense of relief, of routine and 

a true feeling of summer really hit when Fauci threw (or didn't throw?) the first pitch ahead of the Nationals/Yankees season opener on Thursday.

Nonetheless, despite the rainout of the first game of the double header, you'd be challenged to find a baseball fan that didn't appreciate in some way or another the start of the season, as abbreviated as it is. 

The Movement Continues

The concern that we've heard echoed from NBAers was losing the meaning behind the BLM movement with sports coming back to the forefront. 

Despite that, the MLB has done an excellent job at recognizing the movement, with a 

voiceover by Jackie Robinson and a tribute to unity with players and staff from each team 

holding onto a black banner in unison along the foul lines.

Players across the league - some Black, and some not - kneeled during the anthems as a show of protest and solidarity with the peaceful protests happening across the USA. 

But what about the Blue Jays?

The Blue Jays opened their season against the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday evening, looking for a (not necessarily predictable) win at Tropicana Field.  Again, we saw support for the social justice movement from the Jays, including support from two of the team's stars - Bo Bichette and Vlad Guerrero Jr.

As much as we want to talk sports, you cannot talk about it without addressing the inherent inequality of individuals in the United States and the importance of the BLM movement.

Let's talk Game 1

Hyun-jin Ryu got the ball for the season opener, and put in a decent showing after a 4-month layoff and minimal time at Summer Camp. While he was his own toughest critic, his stat line of 4.2 IP and 3 ER to build on offers a sense of stability for a team that saw a pitching staff bludgeoned by opponents during the 2019 season.

Cavan Biggio had the biggest hit of the game, a 3 run home run in the top of the 4th inning, giving the Blue Jays the lead they needed to eventually bring home the first W of the 2020 season.

Reading List

Here is the day's reading list, a couple of articles from across sports and a powerful 

statement by Kansas City Chiefs RG Laurent Duvarnay-Tardif.

1. The 32nd franchise in the NHL has officially announced their name - the Seattle Kraken

Emily Kaplan of ESPN breaks down How Seattle's NHL team became the Kraken and how

 it embraces the history of a passionate West Coast market.

2. The NHL has released the plan for the 'bubble' in Toronto and Edmonton

Thursday evening marked the unveiling of what the bubble will entail when teams move in this weekend.

The NHL released a 49 minute video(!!!) detailing what life will be like and what to expect, as well as 

providing a sneak peak as to what fans have to look forward to when their favourite teams hit the ice.

3. Canadian NFL player Laurent Duvarnay-Tardif has made us proud - yet again

The Chiefs RG made a powerful stand by opting out of the 2020-21 NFL season. Read his statement on 

why he made his decision and how he believes the fight against COVID-19 is the one he needs to be a part of.

ICYMI, earlier in the off-season, Sports Illustrated wrote a piece detailing Duvarney-Tardif's move to work as an orderly to help beleaguered healthcare workers in Canada fight against COVID-19.

There is much more to come this weekend, and as we head into next week. NBA scrimmages continue in the Orlando bubble, and NHLers will be moving to Edmonton and Toronto by the end of the weekend as they are posed to start the play-in rounds.

Tune in on Monday for a recap of the Jays series against Tampa Bay, looking at the Raptors scrimmages and our first glance at the NHL bubbles.