Harper and Mulcair blamed for Blue Jays losses on social media
The Jays lose both times federal leaders bring their campaigns to the Rogers Centre
Conservative Leader Stephen Harper took his campaign to the ball game Monday evening, touring a Toronto Blue Jays batting practice, interviewing baseball great Roberto Alomar and staying for the game against the Cleveland Indians.
The Blue Jays had a monumental August, with the debut of ace lefty David Price, sold-out games at the Rogers Centre and their rise to the top of the American League East standings.
- Conservative Leader Stephen Harper spotted at Toronto Blue Jays practice
- Blue Jays' bats silenced in loss to Indians
"It's like the '90s all over again. People are back into it, they are back into the Blue Jays," said Harper, in his one-on-one interview with Alomar, which was posted to his Twitter account.
"I don't think this team's ever looked stronger."
But the Indians beat the Blue Jays 4-2, ending a landmark month with a loss.
Many on social media pegged the loss on Harper's attendance — a correlation that morphed into causation.
This is all Harper's fault <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BlueJays?src=hash">#BlueJays</a>
—@gabehurlHarper: Bringer of Pain. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/bluejays?src=hash">#bluejays</a> <a href="http://t.co/AhtGKI3HyE">pic.twitter.com/AhtGKI3HyE</a>
—@JPBoutrosSo you know Stephen Harper has doomed the Blue Jays right? Ok.
—@T_BalazoTRADE HARPER. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/bluejays?src=hash">#bluejays</a>
—@thechriswsAfter the loss, there were plenty of calls for Harper to stay away from the winning team.
hey <a href="https://twitter.com/pmharper">@pmharper</a> please STAY AWAY FROM THE BLUE JAYS
—@hockeyesqueDear Prime Minister Harper: Please stay away from the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BlueJays?src=hash">#BlueJays</a> for the rest of the season. Thanks. Signed, Canada. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BlueJaysNation?src=hash">#BlueJaysNation</a>
—@DonBradshawNTVSome tied the loss to the bad economic news that's dominating campaign news on Tuesday.
The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BlueJays?src=hash">#BlueJays</a> offence, like the Canadian economy, has dried up under Stephen Harper's watch tonight. <a href="http://t.co/MTlbyz1osY">pic.twitter.com/MTlbyz1osY</a>
—@LegopolisGreat Harper starts a <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BlueJays?src=hash">#BlueJays</a> recession
—@PaulBrombyOthers seemed to think the team's loss was all part of Conservative Party election policy.
So the Harper campaign bus was at the Blue Jays game and the Jays lost. Stephen Harper: tough on baseball.
—@redlianakHarper met with Blue Jays general manager John Gibbons, who is apparently a big fan of the Conservative leader.
Gibbons said Harper seemed like a "great guy" during a post-game press conference, according to the Blue Jays website.
"I told him I love his politics. We're both probably outnumbered in town here, but I told him I love his politics."
Those comments got people talking.
<a href="https://twitter.com/Sportsnet">@Sportsnet</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/BlueJays">@BlueJays</a> Tell John Gibbons he's definitely in the minority loving "Harper's politics". <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/sticktobaseball?src=hash">#sticktobaseball</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MLB?src=hash">#MLB</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cdnpoli?src=hash">#cdnpoli</a>
—@IAMRockwellJOHN GIBBONS ♡ STEPHEN HARPER CONFIRMED
—@MikeBElliottSome thought it was no surprise Gibbons supported Harper's politics.
Gibbons is from Texas. It'd be more shocking if he didn't share Harper's politics. Despite that <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Gibbythebest?src=hash">#Gibbythebest</a> <a href="http://t.co/VnT1BNiQOO">pic.twitter.com/VnT1BNiQOO</a>
—@CarcelMousineauIt's not the first time the Jays have choked with a federal leader at a game. The Jays also lost when NDP Leader Tom Mulcair was in attendance.
Mulcair took in the Aug. 14 game against the New York Yankees, where the Jays lost 4-3. The loss ended an 11-game winning streak.
Great to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ComeTogether?src=hash">#ComeTogether</a> with my sons to watch the <a href="https://twitter.com/BlueJays">@BlueJays</a> take on the Yankees. Let's make it 12 in a row. –TM <a href="http://t.co/ekK6EYJrOW">pic.twitter.com/ekK6EYJrOW</a>
—@ThomasMulcairMulcair attends a <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Jays?src=hash">#Jays</a> game, they lose. Harper attends a Jays game, they lose. Please, Justin, don't go near the Dome. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BlueJays?src=hash">#BlueJays</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cdnpoli?src=hash">#cdnpoli</a>
—@cwakelinGreat, Harper's at the <a href="https://twitter.com/BlueJays">@BlueJays</a> game. So we'll lose just like when Mulcair went and killed an 11 game win streak. <a href="http://t.co/gqe3yRBSze">pic.twitter.com/gqe3yRBSze</a>
—@theselfishslothSome are keeping tabs on Blue Jays losses vs. federal leaders in the crowd...
During <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/elxn42?src=hash">#elxn42</a>, Harper and Mulcair have gone to a <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BlueJays?src=hash">#BlueJays</a> game. The Jays are 0-2. <a href="https://twitter.com/JustinTrudeau">@JustinTrudeau</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/ElizabethMay">@ElizabethMay</a>, take notes. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cdnpoli?src=hash">#cdnpoli</a>
—@JonWisemanHarper at the game, we lose. Mulcair at the game, we lose. Come to a game, Justin. If we win, I'll vote for you... <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BlueJays?src=hash">#BlueJays</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cndpoli?src=hash">#cndpoli</a>
—@calumshanlinAnd others want campaign stops at Blue Jays games to be banned altogether.
Alright. Moratorium on party leaders at Blue Jays games. Go away. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/elxn42?src=hash">#elxn42</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/jays?src=hash">#jays</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cdnpoli?src=hash">#cdnpoli</a>
—@csmithpoli