Vancouver’s relationship with the Blue Jays is complicated by a strong Mariners connection

When Ryan Schaap first started going to Seattle Mariners games in the early 2010s, it was to see the visiting teams. The Vancouver resident didn’t care much for baseball but enjoyed the trips across the border with friends and coworkers, and figured he would assess the road teams for a favourite.

“But in my experiences going to the stadium and seeing the Mariners, who were not good at all, I developed an affinity for them,” said Schaap, a communications specialist. “The fan base, and the experience, really reminded me of Vancouver Canucks fans and their history with tragedy, sorrow and just general loss. And I was drawn to it.”