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 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BlueJays?src=hash">#BlueJays</a>
—@JohnA_MacAnd 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 crowd — legions of superstitious Toronto Blue Jays fans.
If you live in Canada, you probably know the Blue Jays are having a monster summer and that Jays fever is spreading across the country.
But there's another streak that's got Blue Jays fans concerned — the team losing whenever federal leaders pay a visit. The Jays lost when Conservative leader Stephen Harper and NDP Leader Tom Mulcair attended separate games, leading many to draw the conclusion that federal leaders are bad luck for the team.
It's Trudeau's turn at bat (sorry) Friday night as the Jays face the Baltimore Orioles in Toronto. The Liberal leader and his family will be watching from the stands.
If the Jays win, it could be a boost for Trudeau. If the Jays lose, it would be a third strike for 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, was a shareholder and member of the board of directors for the defunct Montreal Royals franchise.
But Trudeau's confidence that there isn't a curse isn't shared by everyone online.
The evening got off to bad start for Trudeau, when a press release about attending a pre-game batting practice included a confusing photo with 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
—@JohnIbbitsonSwing and miss on this Liberal Party press release ... This doesn't look like Justin Trudeau & <a href="https://twitter.com/BlueJays">@bluejays</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cdnpoli?src=hash">#cdnpoli</a> <a href="http://t.co/Pkxsu1eFaV">pic.twitter.com/Pkxsu1eFaV</a>
—@reporterdonpeatSome Jays fans also took to Twitter, imploring Trudeau to keep away from the Rogers Centre.
Trudeau excited to bring his kids to first <a href="https://twitter.com/BlueJays">@bluejays</a> game, not afraid of 'Jays curse' <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/bluejays?src=hash">#bluejays</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/mlb?src=hash">#mlb</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/JustinTrudeau">@JustinTrudeau</a> STAY HOME!!
—@NapierpiI don't mind Trudeau, but stay away! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/elxn42?src=hash">#elxn42</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BlueJays?src=hash">#BlueJays</a> <a href="https://t.co/2RH12QupSD">https://t.co/2RH12QupSD</a>
—@BautistaBombPLEASE KEEP ALL POLITICIANS AWAY FROM MY DOME WHILE THE <a href="https://twitter.com/BlueJays">@BlueJays</a> ARE PLAYING. EVERYTIME ONE OF THEM SHOWS UP, WE LOSE. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TRUDEAU?src=hash">#TRUDEAU</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NOTREADY?src=hash">#NOTREADY</a>
—@JaysFan4Life6Some were more enthusiastic about Trudeau's visit.
If you’re asking my boy J. Trudeau to stay away from Blue Jays games, rescind your voting rights. V/ <a href="https://twitter.com/CBCToronto">@CBCToronto</a> <a href="https://t.co/dQZId33ZNs">https://t.co/dQZId33ZNs</a>
—@JRoc23Trudeau has nothing to lose by going to the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BlueJays?src=hash">#BlueJays</a> game tonight. If they lose, they did with Harper & Mulcair there, too. If they win...
—@donlandrymediaVery enthusiastic.
*saves pic of Trudeau in a Jays jersey for later* 👅 <a href="https://t.co/pxDg2bgfZe">https://t.co/pxDg2bgfZe</a>
—@katshermackSome even said they'd vote Liberal if the Jays won.
Justin Trudeau is going to the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BlueJays?src=hash">#BlueJays</a> game tonight. Hopefully they don't play like they did when PM Harper was there. Vote if we win?
—@adamv_23Trudeau is going to the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Jays?src=hash">#Jays</a> game tonight. If the Jays win, he’s got my vote. Harper and Mulcair lead to losses. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BlueJays?src=hash">#BlueJays</a>
—@Searcy306And there were some Americans that didn't get what the fuss was about.
Overheard, a lady explaining to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Orioles?src=hash">#Orioles</a> players who Trudeau is: "That's Canada's version of Donald Trump." Um, not quite. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/elxn42?src=hash">#elxn42</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/bluejays?src=hash">#bluejays</a>
—@JamieRossTOThe game starts at 7:07 p.m. EST.
And if you're keeping score...
Mulcair = Loss Harper = Loss Trudeau = ? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ComeTogether?src=hash">#ComeTogether</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/bluejays?src=hash">#bluejays</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/6ix?src=hash">#6ix</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cdnpoli?src=hash">#cdnpoli</a> <a href="http://t.co/y3CgaPU2B7">pic.twitter.com/y3CgaPU2B7</a>
—@LaRomanBomber