Blue Jays fan from longest distance soaks in Game 1

Of the 50,000 fans at the Rogers Centre for the Blue Jays' opening playoff game, it's safe to say that no one travelled further to get there than Jon Shell.

He lives in Perth, Australia, at least 18,143 kilometres from the Rogers Centre. 

"It felt like a reasonably normal thing to do when I planned it," Shell told CBC's Metro Morning host, Matt Galloway, about travelling to Thursday's game against the Texas Rangers. "But when I talk to people about it, they don't think it's that normal." 

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The 40-year-old Canadian moved to Perth from Toronto with his Australian wife two years ago. Since then, he has loved the Jays from an incredible distance.

That is until Thursday, just before Game 1 of the American League Divisional Series, after a 30-hour flight, Shell landed back in Toronto and found his way to his seat at the Rogers Centre, Section 126, behind the third-base line.

He said he just couldn't miss the Jays in the playoffs. He got tickets for Game 1 and today's Game 2, and then will immediately take a flight back to Australia.

Shell's wife told him he had to make the trip.

"She's seen me sit there and watch the game over breakfast, because it's a 12-hour time difference ... she said, 'You have to go back for this.'"

Shell thinks he's probably the only Blue Jays fan in Perth. He remembers that when the team traded for shortstop Troy Tulowitzki — at 3 a.m., Australian time — he felt alone.

"I was excited," he said. "I wanted to talk about it with someone, but no one cared!"

The Jays lost their first playoff game in 22 years, 5-3.

On Friday afternoon, Shell will watch Game 2 with Marcus Stroman on the hill for the Jays.

Shell is hoping for a win, but said no matter what happens, the trip was well worth it.