The Blue Jays bats have been on fire over the past two games — a trend that some might attribute to the team’s new mascot.
Since debuting the “home run dragon” during Tuesday’s win over the Giants, the Jays have scored 19 runs in their past two games.
Prior to the bats outburst, Toronto had put up a total of just three runs over the previous four games.
What is the Jays’ home run dragon?
On Tuesday, Jays left fielder Jonatan Clase gave his team a much-needed boost in the second inning with a three-run home run that lifted Toronto to a 3-0 lead in San Francisco.
Heading into the dugout after his homer, Clase was presented with the traditional post-homer celebration: The home run jacket. However, he also received a new celebration prop: A red dragon toy on a wooden stick.
In a Jays post on social media, Clase is seen happily showing off the dragon while wearing the red home run jacket, which is normally worn on Canada Day.
Sportsnet reported the idea for the dragon was the brainchild of hitting coach David Popkins, who noted it represented “fearlessness.” The dragon was found in a toy store before Tuesday’s game. Two dragons were bought: One for the batting cages and another for use everywhere else.
The dragon then made another appearance during Wednesday’s game when Kazuma Okamoto celebrated with the toy after hitting a grand slam to put the Jays up 5-0. George Springer and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. also wielded the dragon stick after their dingers.
With the dragon becoming an instant hit among Jays fans, several users on social media began their search for their own copy of the toy.
One user on Reddit found a dragon for purchase via an online shop, to the delight of many.
However, some were quick to note a potential issue for Blue Jays fans looking to bring the dragon’s luck with them to home games at the Rogers Centre.
Can you bring a dragon to the dome?
According to Rogers Centre’s ‘know before you go’ guide, sticks are included in the long list of prohibited items.
“For the safety and comfort of all fans, Rogers Centre may prohibit any of the items listed below or any other item(s) deemed to be a security risk at any point during the experience at the ballpark,” the site reads, with one entry specifically mentioning “Sticks (including signs attached to a stick), golf ball retrievers, brooms.”
So, while fans might be eager to score their own ‘home run dragon’ and bring it to the ballpark once the team returns from the all-star break, it’s probably safer to leave it at home for now.
The Blue Jays did not immediately reply to a request for comment on the matter and it is not known whether the team has considered selling its own version of the stuffed toy.
The Jays have three games against the Padres before the break, starting on Friday in San Diego. They’ll begin the second half of their schedule on July 17 against the Chicago White Sox, the start of a seven-game home stand which also will see the Tampa Bay Rays come to Toronto.
If the Jays bats continue to breathe fire, you can be certain that the demand will be there.
–With Eddie Chau files