By Erica Dymond from Edmonton
Edmonton, you got heart.
We set up shop at the Rogers Gateway location in Edmonton. It’s not long before a vehicle rolls in that rivals our 22 Days of Blue Jays Honda Pilot.
Lorne Walters bleeds blue. Born and raised in Toronto, he moved to Edmonton in 1977 – the same year the Toronto Blue Jays were established. But that didn’t stop him from becoming one of the biggest fans I’ve come across. He had me at his “GO JAYS” licence plate, which he has been the proud owner of in the province of Alberta since 1987.
After chatting with Lorne for a bit about his passion for the Blue Jays, he invites us over to his man cave bar in the basement of his home. This place is like a museum.
There is a signed bobblehead collection, a couple dozen baseballs signed by everyone from Roberto Alomar to Russell Martin, ticket stubs for the first-ever Blue Jays game and the grand opening game at the then SkyDome, beer cozies, cups, a beer fridge… you get it. And he is just the sweetest, most passionate man; you can’t help but get goosebumps from this passion for these Jays.
Edmonton is another stop on our road trip where I get to be like Oprah and give one of our seven grand prizes away: A trip for two to Toronto to see the final regular-season home game on Sept. 27 versus the Tampa Bay Rays.
Todd Gallant works for ATCO Gas. He took a break with his co-worker to come and check us out and try his hand at winning. It’s awkward when I ask him in front of his co-worker who he’ll be taking to the game and he says his girlfriend, Jocelyn, but I think he made the right decision. Look forward to meeting you on the 27th, Jocelyn!
To wrap up our trip to Edmonton, we know we can’t leave without a trip to the West Edmonton Mall.
Finally, if you haven’t watched this today, do this right now. I am going to watch it 22 times today.