International World Series with International Implications
Three Nations Angle gives Fall Classic massive world reach
The Blue Jays and Canada are clearly into the head, obviously under the skin of Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. Not because of the undeniable Jays talent that Roberts witnessed in Games 1-2 at Rogers Centre, but, simply, judging by comments from his mandated media availability on Sunday’s workout day, due to the pesky inconvenience he and his team experienced on the charter from Toronto to Los Angeles International. Hey, welcome to the real world.
“I don’t want to get too far into it,” Roberts said, at the podium on Sunday afternoon … while, of course, at the same time getting far enough into it. “I just arrived about 30 minutes ago. So, there was some delays. I don’t know if there was intent or not. But, man, the international stuff was a bear. But we made it. We made it.”
The key part here is “I don’t know if there was intent or not.” Hoo-ray! Oh, and here’s a travel primer for the Dodgers’ internationally-challenged skipper. When you travel from Canada to U.S.A. you are being welcomed to America. You are being questioned and delayed by U.S. personnel, not Canadian. Next on the manager’s suggestion of possible skullduggery, does he know there is a U.S. government shutdown at the moment that has affected air traffic controllers at many American airports, including LAX. It has been reported on most non all-sports news outlets that many workers in that industry call in sick because they are not being paid, creating delays and a backlog. But keep feeling persecuted, Dave.
Thankfully Roberts was able to return to his area of expertise, the ongoing World Series, truly international, between the Jays and Dodgers, with massive appeal in three countries, America, Canada and Japan. Think Shohei Ohtani, Yoshunobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki. Believe that the Asian broadcast market is a big reason why Rogers was so interested in spending big bucks on Ohtani, especially.
What that current world appeal means for Major-League Baseball is that the cumulative TV and streaming ratings will be massive, beginning with more than 10-million per game from Japan, over 6-million per game from Canada and whatever numbers come in when FOX and MLB report their domestic numbers in the U.S. The combined viewership at the end of the day will be the highest in over a decade.
The Dodgers, after tying the series 1-1 behind the remarkable talent of Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who established himself as the best pitcher in this series, are back in the driver’s seat, established once again as clear favourites to defend the championship they won over the Yankees a year ago. The ’25 series continues Monday night, with future Hall-of-Famer Max Scherzer, for the Jays, vs. the extremely talented righthander Tyler Glasnow for the Dodgers.
The Jays simply need to win one of the next three games at Chavez Ravine to bring the series back to Toronto. That would put them in the exact position they were in against the Mariners for the ALCS, winning Games 6-7 to advance to their first World Series in 32 years. However, it says here that the Jays simply need to bring the series home for Blue Jays Nation to accept that this as a successful season and to become invested for 2026. They certainly can win this series, but getting it back to Toronto should be the easier goal.
It’s not just short-term for this year. Teams that reach the Fall Classic for one year in the have often gone on a return trip the very next year. It’s not a given. It all depends on the quality of the front office and its ability to replace expensive parts on the way out as free agents, or in trade, with other expensive parts on the way in.
Consider these examples, since 1991, examples of the Fall Classic follow-up phenomenon where teams are not necessarily “one-and-done” in terms of reaching the ultimate goal. This list should lend encouragement to Jays fans, especially if the front-office can spend wisely with the buckets-full of cash they are making from concessions, merchandise and TV ratings during this remarkable post-season run.
1) Braves ’91 (L) vs. Twins – ’92 (L) vs. Blue Jays
2) Blue Jays ’92 (W) vs. Braves – ’93 (W) vs. Phils
3) Braves ’95 (W) vs. Indians – ’96 (L) vs. Yankees
4) Yankees ’98 (W) vs. Padres – ’99 (W) vs. Braves – ’00 (W) vs. Mets – ’01 (L) vs Diamondbacks
5) Phillies ’08 (W) vs Rays – ’09 (L) vs. Yankees
6) Rangers ’10 (L) vs. Giants – ’11 (L) vs. Cards
7) Royals ’14 (L) vs. Giants – ‘15 (W) vs. Mets
8) Dodgers ’17 (L) vs. Astros – ’18 (L) vs. Red Sox
9) Astros ’21 (L) vs. Braves – ’22 (W) vs. Phils
10) Dodgers ’24 (W) vs. Yankees – ’25 (?) vs. Blue Jays