Alterations were made to Sahlen Field to accommodate the Blue Jays playing thereGETTY IMAGES
Buffalo's Sahlen Field ended up being the "right pick" for the Blue Jays' temporary home, providing the team a "clear advantage throughout the 2020 abbreviated season," according to Gregor Chisholm of the TORONTO STAR. The Jays' 17-9 record in Buffalo represented the second-highest winning percentage at home in franchise history. Sahlen Field "wasn't a big-league stadium, but it was the next best thing and a place that could be called home." It is "possible the Jays won't be saying goodbye to Buffalo" with the completion of this season. They "might be saying see you next year," and the Blue Jays "can take comfort in knowing that Buffalo has their backs" (TORONTO STAR, 9/27). In Buffalo, Mike Harrington writes the end of the MLB regular season yesterday capped a "wild few weeks when we first thought we'd have no baseball in Buffalo for at least 20 months and we suddenly ended up in the major leagues." Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo: "We made it into our home and we played good here. It was a great time here." The Triple-A Int'l League Buffalo Bisons and the ballpark "have been swamped with attention, from traditional and social media and from the numerous television broadcasts." But there is "one big question unanswered because of both the virus and the current uncertain state of minor league baseball." Harrington: "When will the gates open again?" (BUFFALO NEWS, 9/28).
