Imagine a team rising from the ashes of a last-place finish to captivate an entire nation with a thrilling playoff run. That’s exactly what the Toronto Blue Jays did in 2025, earning them the prestigious CP Team of the Year award. But here’s where it gets controversial: Can a single season truly erase years of uncertainty and redefine a franchise’s legacy? Let’s dive in.
Just a year ago, the Blue Jays were shrouded in doubt. Training camp in February 2024 felt more like a question mark than a starting point. The team had finished dead last, their homegrown star, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., was unsigned beyond the season, and playoff hopes seemed like a distant dream. Fast forward to 2025, and the narrative couldn’t be more different. The Blue Jays not only turned their fortunes around but also stormed into the World Series, falling just short in a dramatic Game 7.
On Sunday, The Canadian Press crowned the Blue Jays as the Team of the Year, with 29 out of 53 votes (55%) from editors, writers, and broadcasters nationwide. This victory wasn’t just about baseball—it was about unity. As Blue Jays president Mark Shapiro noted, ‘The run this year was special because it lifted the entire country. Every player and every person in this organization felt that pride.’ But is national pride enough to sustain long-term success? That’s a debate for another day.
The Blue Jays’ journey wasn’t without its bold moves. In April, they made headlines by signing Guerrero Jr. to a staggering 14-year, $500 million contract—a statement that Canada’s lone MLB team was here to stay. Then, at the July trade deadline, general manager Ross Atkins acquired star pitcher Shane Bieber, who played a pivotal role in their late-season surge. And this is the part most people miss: Even without injured shortstop Bo Bichette for the season’s final weeks, manager John Schneider kept the team peaking at the right time.
The lineup was stacked. Guerrero Jr. anchored the offense, George Springer rebounded with a stellar season, and catcher Alejandro Kirk earned All-Star honors. Rookie pitcher Trey Yesavage proved he belonged in the big leagues. Together, they clinched the American League East division crown, holding off the Yankees in a thrilling race.
The playoffs were nothing short of cinematic. After three wild-card appearances since 2020 and no playoff wins since 2016, the Blue Jays finally broke through. They defeated the Yankees in the AL Division Series, then rallied from a 2-0 deficit to beat the Seattle Mariners in the AL Championship Series. Springer’s go-ahead homer in Game 7 sent them to the World Series for the first time since 1993.
Facing the favored Los Angeles Dodgers, led by Shohei Ohtani, the Blue Jays pushed the series to its limit. After splitting the first four games, they took a 3-2 lead before the Dodgers forced a Game 7. In a heart-stopping 11-inning finale, the Dodgers prevailed, but the Blue Jays’ resilience left an indelible mark.
Here’s the controversial question: Did the Blue Jays’ magical run rely too heavily on individual heroics, or was it a true team effort? Shapiro argues, ‘I’ve never seen a group so invested in each other. That camaraderie is a competitive advantage in a 162-game season.’ Toronto Star columnist Rosie DiManno echoed this sentiment, writing, ‘They captivated the entire country. Never seen teammates so invested in each other.’
This marks the sixth time the Blue Jays have won the CP Team of the Year award in its 59-year history—a testament to their enduring impact. But as we celebrate their 2025 triumph, it’s worth asking: Can they sustain this momentum, or was this a once-in-a-lifetime run?
What do you think? Was the Blue Jays’ 2025 season a fluke, or the start of a dynasty? Let us know in the comments below!
