Blue Jays fever takes toll at some Nova Scotia workplaces

There's anaffliction gripping some NovaScotians.

It hasn't been seen in 22 years and some hope it's going to stick around for a little while longer.

Thebird fluthe emotionally taxing kind is known as Blue Jays fever, and some say it's contagious.

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Since the last time the Toronto Blue Jays captured the World Series title was in 1993, many fans are pulling out all the stops in hopes of watching their team win, even if they can't make it to Toronto.

Blue Jays fever is all the buzz at Max FM 98.3 in Cape Breton. The station screened the first game in the best-of-five series with the Texas Rangers in its boardroom.

"I arranged for a caterer for a five-course meal to entice everybody to stay at work," said Allan Peddle. "We are hoping that is going to do the job,"

Meanwhile, sportwear stores canbarely keep the team's gear in stock.

"Everything is flying off the shelves, it's non-stop. Everybody has Jays fever," says Ryan Gillis of R.U.A. Sports Fanatic.

Gillis says he's heard plenty of talk of people staying close to home so they don't miss their team's only playoff run in22 years.

"Well, I'm not going to endorse that but I've heard a few people mention it they might be calling in sick," he said.

Meanwhile, some businesses are trying to capitalize on those sick days.

"Let them call off sick. Come here, spend some money, havesome fun, watch the game. Itdoesn't get any better than that," Sacha Cigoj of Don Cherry's Sports Grill in Sydney.

Luckily for many fans, Game 3 in the series is starting at 9:00 p.m. AT. Win or lose, Monday is a holiday.