Daijiworld Media Network - Toronto

Toronto, Oct 22: Toronto is basking in celebration after the Blue Jays’ thrilling Game 7 victory over the Seattle Mariners, securing the city’s first World Series berth since 1993. Fans poured into the streets, rejoicing in a historic moment for baseball in Canada. Amid the excitement, Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly candidly admitted he felt a twinge of envy watching another Toronto team reach the pinnacle of its sport.

Rielly, a cornerstone of the Maple Leafs since 2013, reflected on the city’s long championship drought in hockey, saying, “There's a small part of you that you're envious of them. You're a bit jealous of what they're doing, just because of Toronto. You watch it firsthand, you're obviously happy for them, it's a great moment for the city, but we want to be able to do that and have a run like that. We felt that when the Raptors did it too. So, you look at the passion they're playing with, and that's contagious. And you want to be able to also bring that when your time comes.”

Toronto fans know all too well the heartbreak of near-misses. Unlike the Blue Jays, who rode George Springer’s heroics to victory, the Maple Leafs have struggled in decisive Game 7s, going 0-6 in recent attempts. Rielly’s honesty captures both the frustration and longing for a breakthrough moment that the city’s hockey faithful have felt for decades.

While teammates like Max Domi, William Nylander, and Easton Cowan celebrated the Jays’ success, Rielly emphasized that the envy comes paired with motivation. The Blue Jays’ surge is a reminder of what’s possible when talent, leadership, and determination align — a blueprint the Maple Leafs hope to follow.

Rielly’s message is clear: Toronto deserves triumph in every sport. If the Maple Leafs can channel the energy and inspiration from the Blue Jays’ championship run, the city could finally witness a long-awaited hockey postseason breakthrough, giving fans a moment to cheer for another homegrown hero.