At home and away, Blue Jays fans eagerly prepare for the ALCS round

Fans around the world and at home in Toronto are getting ready to cheer on the Blue Jays as they head into Game 1 of the American League Championship Series (ALCS) on Sunday.

The Blue Jays beat the New York Yankees 3-1 to win the American League Division Series (ALDS) and will have a home game advantage for the first two games of the ALCS against the Seattle Mariners. 

Whether it's on a TV screen, at a bar or from a seat at Rogers Centre, fans say they’re excited to see the Blue Jays surpass expectations with a successful run this season. 

From over 5,700 kilometers away in Brighton, UK, diehard Blue Jays fan Karla Courtney has been tuning in to watch her favourite team — even if it means going to bed at 5 a.m.

The excitement has come as far as London, she said, with her Blue Jays hat receiving many compliments and cheers from other baseball fans. 

“The Jays are the only Canadian team, so it’s a big deal. It really bonds people together,” she said, adding she’s knitting a special sweater to keep calm during games and to commemorate the season. 

“I'm knitting what I'm calling a postseason or playoff sweater. The idea is I'm only knitting it on game days.”

Courtney said she first became a fan in 1991, but was “hooked for life” after watching the 1992 and 1993 World Series. She still keeps an August 1993 ticket stub and a 1992 championship pennant to remember those days. 

She says she’s determined to come back home to Toronto to celebrate with the city, and finish off her sweater — if the Blue Jays make it to the World Series again. 

“Hopefully the Jays go far and hopefully I finish my sweater,” she said. 

This London, Ont. teacher hits a home run with his Blue Jays-themed classroom

Lesley Mak will be amongst the roaring