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Verdict in early: Blue Jays fans don't like Facebook Watch game

Blue Jays fans prefer to watch their team on TV as opposed to Facebook. (Photo credit should read RAUL ARBOLEDA/AFP/Getty Images)
Blue Jays fans prefer to watch their team on TV as opposed to Facebook. (Photo credit should read RAUL ARBOLEDA/AFP/Getty Images)

Much like baseball players, baseball fans are creatures of habit — and Toronto Blue Jays fans saw their routine disrupted on Wednesday afternoon.

The Blue Jays had their game against the Kansas City Royals broadcasted on Facebook Watch, and the fan reaction was not exactly positive. Before we dump a boatload of Tweets in here keep a couple of things in mind:

  1. People are generally biased against change of any kind

I mean, fair enough, change is scary. That said, any type of deviation from the status quo in matters of this nature tend to receive outsized backlash.

2. Facebook isn’t super popular right now

It’s safe to say Facebook’s PR situation could be better at the moment. Having a hand in influencing a major election in a way that results in a Donald Trump presidency isn’t going to sit well with a certain type of person. That type of person is most people.

3. Blue Jays fans are really attached to Pat Tabler and Buck Martinez

Why this is the case is up for debate. When FanGraphs last did its Broadcaster Rankings in 2016 this team ranked 53rd and they’ve traditionally been lower than that. When Buck and Pat have been taken away for the playoffs, people have gotten upset.

With that in mind, here’s a sample of some of the rage that has come Facebook’s way on account of Wednesday’s Facebook Watch game:

Not all of the anger was well-informed, but the general take was pretty uniform. The Blue Jays universe is not in favour of Facebook Watch games.

Unfortunately for those who aren’t liking the new format, it isn’t going away. These games are part of a partnership between Facebook and MLB and there’s nothing the Blue Jays or Sportsnet can do about it.

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