Justin Trudeau's ballpark visit had some Jays fans fearing the worst
Trudeau wasn't taking fears of a curse as seriously as the fans
UPDATE: The Blue Jays lost 10-2 to the Baltimore Orioles in Friday's game.
Trudeau has cursed the #BlueJays
—@JohnA_Mac
And the legend of the leadership curse lives on.
Original story is below:
Midway through the federal election campaign and Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau is up against a hostile crowdlegions of superstitious Toronto Blue Jays fans.
If you live in Canada, you probably know the Blue Jays are having a monster summerand thatJays fever is spreading across the country.
But there's another streak that's got Blue Jays fans concernedthe team losing whenever federal leaders pay a visit. The Jays lost whenConservative leader Stephen Harper and NDP LeaderTomMulcairattended separate games,leading many to drawthe conclusion that federal leaders are badluck forthe team.
It's Trudeau's turn at bat (sorry) Friday nightas the Jays face the Baltimore Orioles in Toronto. The Liberal leader and his family will bewatching from the stands.
If the Jays win, it could be a boost for Trudeau. If the Jays lose,it wouldbe a third strikefor the federal leaders.
At a news conference today, Trudeau brushed the notion of a curse aside, saying he's just looking forward to spending some quality time with his kids.
"I'm really focused on the fact that I get to bring my kids to their first major league game," Trudeau told reporters. "I'm looking forward to a great game tonight, but I'm mostly looking forward to sharing it with my kids."
He also reminisced about attending games with his father, Pierre Trudeau, whose own father, Charles Trudeau, wasa shareholder and member of the board of directors for the defunct Montreal Royals franchise.
But Trudeau'sconfidence that there isn't a curse isn't shared by everyone online.
The evening got off to bad start for Trudeau, when apress releaseaboutattending apre-game batting practiceincluded a confusing photowith Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre.
Odd. Just got an email from Liberals. "Justin Trudeau attends batting practice with the Toronto Blue Jays" But pic is Trudeau and Coderre
—@JohnIbbitson
Swing and miss on this Liberal Party press release ... This doesn't look like Justin Trudeau & @bluejays #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/Pkxsu1eFaV
—@reporterdonpeat
Some Jays fans also took to Twitter, imploring Trudeau to keep away from the Rogers Centre.
Trudeau excited to bring his kids to first @bluejays game, not afraid of 'Jays curse' #bluejays #mlb @JustinTrudeau STAY HOME!!
—@Napierpi
I don't mind Trudeau, but stay away! #elxn42 #BlueJays https://t.co/2RH12QupSD
—@BautistaBomb
PLEASE KEEP ALL POLITICIANS AWAY FROM MY DOME WHILE THE @BlueJays ARE PLAYING. EVERYTIME ONE OF THEM SHOWS UP, WE LOSE. #TRUDEAU #NOTREADY
—@JaysFan4Life6
Some were more enthusiastic about Trudeau's visit.
If youre asking my boy J. Trudeau to stay away from Blue Jays games, rescind your voting rights. V/ @CBCToronto https://t.co/dQZId33ZNs
—@JRoc23
Trudeau has nothing to lose by going to the #BlueJays game tonight. If they lose, they did with Harper & Mulcair there, too. If they win...
—@donlandrymedia
Very enthusiastic.
*saves pic of Trudeau in a Jays jersey for later* https://t.co/pxDg2bgfZe
—@katshermack
Some even said they'd vote Liberal if the Jays won.
Justin Trudeau is going to the #BlueJays game tonight. Hopefully they don't play like they did when PM Harper was there. Vote if we win?
—@adamv_23
Trudeau is going to the #Jays game tonight. If the Jays win, hes got my vote. Harper and Mulcair lead to losses. #BlueJays
—@Searcy306
And there weresomeAmericans thatdidn't get what the fuss was about.
Overheard, a lady explaining to #Orioles players who Trudeau is: "That's Canada's version of Donald Trump." Um, not quite. #elxn42 #bluejays
—@JamieRossTO
The game starts at 7:07 p.m. EST.
And if you're keeping score...
Mulcair = Loss Harper = Loss Trudeau = ? #ComeTogether #bluejays #6ix #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/y3CgaPU2B7
—@LaRomanBomber