As the Toronto Blue Jays aim for their first World Series triumph in over thirty years, reminiscences of the historic 1993 championship are resurfacing among fans.
CityNews’ Rick Campanelli recently caught up with former Blue Jays outfielder Rob Butler, a local talent hailing from Toronto’s east end who etched his name in Canadian baseball lore during the Jays’ consecutive title victories.
Reflecting on his experience, Butler shared, “I was there in 1993. A rookie from Main and Danforth, I climbed the ladder to the majors and the World Series. It’s a source of immense pride for me.”
Recalling the swift and surreal nature of his journey, Butler recounted, “I went from A-ball in ’92, skipped Double-A, began ’93 in Syracuse Triple-A, played around 30 games, and straight into the big leagues, straight into the World Series.”
On game days, Butler embraced the Toronto spirit, saying, “I often took the subway. I was that kid who loved getting down and dirty to play baseball.”
Now, embracing his diverse heritage – with roots in both Newfoundland and Mohawk from Kahnawà:ke – Butler proudly displayed a custom Blue Jays jersey adorned with Indigenous art.
Explaining the design, Butler revealed, “The shirt has ‘I love’ in Mohawk on the back. Wearing it makes me feel so Canadian.”
With a Newfie father and a Mohawk mother, Butler affectionately expressed, “I am half Newfie, half Mohawk, and I wear it with pride.”
Looking ahead to the 2025 Jays’ Game 6, Butler sensed a familiar energy reminiscent of the SkyDome atmosphere from 32 years ago.
“They’ve created something spiritual and magical that will forever be etched in our memories,” he remarked.
When pressed for his Game 6 forecast, Butler confidently stated, “The Jays excel at winning in Game 6. They are a remarkable team, and victory seems like destiny.”