TORONTO — Like fellow 22-year-old Trey Yesavage, Matthew Knies was a late-season call-up who had tiptoed through only three regular-season games before making his playoff splash for Toronto.
But that doesn’t mean Knies will dare equate his own rookie situation with the Maple Leafs in 2023 to young Yesavage’s no-hit performance for the Blue Jays in Sunday’s 13-7 romp over the New York Yankees in the American League Divisional Series.
“Pitcher is so much different. There’s so much pressure on you. You control the whole game. I had a lot of guys to help me carry me in that game. He’s by himself on the mound. So, it’s pretty impressive he did that,” beams Knies, one of a suite full of Leafs in attendance for Game 2.
“It was sick. I watched the grand slam and seven or eight home runs. Pretty sick to watch.”
As was the scene in most local workplaces Monday morning, Leafs headquarters was still buzzing about the Blue Jays’ statement weekend.
“I heard (Yesavage) started the season in single-A or something. How crazy is that?” pipes longtime Jays fan Steven Lorentz, who attended “a bunch” of games at Rogers Centre this summer. “Pretty good year for him.”
Rare in these parts, with 48 hours remaining before their home opener, that the Maple Leafs aren’t the hottest ticket in town.
And so, as part of one final team-bonding excursion prior to puck drop, the hockey players are drawing inspiration from what their brethren on the west side of York Street are accomplishing.
“An unreal vibe in the city. The way the boys played, it was an unbelievable atmosphere,” says John Tavares.
The Toronto native says he got “goosebumps” seeing Vladimir Guerrero Jr. smash a second-deck grand slam and the ice-veined Yesavage deal 11 strikeouts in five-plus innings.
A good day at the ballpark has accelerated the itch for Wednesday’s showdown versus the Montreal Canadiens.
“You take it in from a different perspective, right? Going in and enjoying the game and being a fan, it gives you a different perspective,” Tavares continues. “A great way to finish off training camp and enjoy the playoff baseball the Jays have brought to the city.
“Just a great way to come together, enjoy the city, and enjoy how much Torontonians love their team.”
A baseball fan since boyhood, Leafs coach Craig Berube has been down to the Dome a few times over the summer, chatting with Jays manager John Schneider, rightfielder George Springer, and others. Berube had tickets to Game 2 as well.
“But I gave them to my kids to go — because I’m a good dad. I stayed on the couch and watched,” Berube chuckles. “Go Jays. They’re looking great, and it was a great game to watch. And I was glad all our guys went and got together. It’s always good for them. But we’re all proud of the Jays and cheering for them.”
And probably cheering for them to dispatch the Yankees in Game 3 on Tuesday.
Otherwise, the Leafs’ home opener will surely be Toronto’s second-most-relevant sporting event on Wednesday night.
“When teams are doing well here, the whole city is going to know it. It’s good to see a big crowd,” Lorentz says, excitedly.
“I’m sure all the bars are packed. Everyone watching the game, it’s always good to see.”
