Vancouver's MLB debate: Toronto Blue Jays or Seattle Mariners?

SEATTLE – "You live in a suburb of Vancouver? How far away are you from Toronto? You can't wait to root for a team 2,500 miles away? What's going on in Canada?" ESPN 710 Seattle morning show host Mike Salk asked a Canadian caller who wanted to explain why Toronto is the major league team of choice for many baseball fans in British Columbia.

The Blue Jays are in Seattle for a much-anticipated three-game series with the Mariners and as usual, they've brought their legion of West coast fans with them. Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times writes that of the announced attendance of 41,168 for Monday night's 11-1 Mariners win, close to 60% were cheering for Toronto.

Now not every Vancouverite roots for the Blue Jays. A poll on Vancouver sports radio station TEAM 1040 suggested that allegiances in the city between the Jays and Mariners are split.

There are a few valid reasons why the fan base in Vancouver is divided. Every Blue Jays broadcast is available across the country on the Sportsnet TV network. On the other hand, a Mariners game will occasionally be simulcast on Sportsnet Pacific but not enough to make it a consistent viewing habit.

There's a natural geographical pull on each side. The Jays fancy themselves "Canada's team" while the Mariners could be identified as Cascadia's team.

It's also worth noting that the Vancouver Canadians have been a minor league affiliate of the Blue Jays since 2011.

Vancouver has a history of supporting the Seahawks, known around the NFL as the loudest fans in the league, so it makes sense that West coast fans of the Blue Jays make sure they're seen and heard whenever Toronto makes the trip to Seattle.

"It's exciting, hopefully we can put on a good show for them," said Jays manager John Gibbons. "Everywhere we go, really. We were just down in Houston, there were a lot of folks there, but here they really show up."

The tension between the Blue Jays and Mariners is unique to the Northwest. When they square off against each other in Seattle, especially when both teams are doing well, it makes for an entertaining outing at the ballpark.