Blue Jays can take heart in Toronto baseball revival

TORONTO — They had not done what they believed they would do. They believed it until the very end. That’s the thing the Toronto Blue Jays said over and over.

“I wanted to be getting on a plane to go to Cleveland,” outfielder Jose Bautista said.

Game Date Matchup TV/Highlights Gm 1 Oct. 14 CLE 2, TOR 0 Gm 2 Oct. 15 CLE 2, TOR 1 Gm 3 Oct. 17 CLE 4, TOR 2 Gm 4 Oct. 18 TOR 5, CLE 1 Gm 5 Oct. 19 CLE 3, TOR 0 • ALCS coverageShop for postseason gear: Blue Jays | Indians

The Blue Jays began Wednesday by dropping their luggage off outside the home clubhouse at Rogers Centre for a flight to Cleveland they hoped to take. But their season ended hours later with a 3-0 loss to the Indians in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series.

As Cleveland celebrated its first trip to the World Series in 19 years, the Blue Jays wrestled with their emotions.

“I’m disappointed because I know how much work these guys put in,” third baseman Josh Donaldson said. “I know the sacrifices each and everybody makes in here. We left it out there.

“I love this team. I love to play this game. I have a passion for it. I love to play with the teammates I have in this clubhouse.”

At some point, the Blue Jays will gain some perspective on this season, and they will be proud of what they accomplished.

First, they continued the rebirth of baseball in Toronto. They averaged almost 42,000 fans per game and led the AL in attendance for the first time in 22 …

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