By Chris Ackroyd

With Blue Jays-mania going on in Toronto, it seems appropriate to look at some of the top crossover moments between hockey and baseball.

10. Drew Doughty is pretty much always reppin’ a Jays hat. He’s rumoured to have over 100, and there’s even a website dedicated to his collection. 

9.Our friend Don Cherry has an opinion on everything, including baseball.

8. Remember Jose Bautista’s 3-run homer in game 5 of the ALDS? Well Nazem Kadri and Nick Spaling almost caught it — they were reaching over the railing right where the ball landed.

7. Pierre Turgeon and Stephane Matteau played together in the1982 Little League World Championships. In 2007, Turgeon was enshrined in the Little League Hall of Fame.

6. Justin Morneau, the 2006 AL MVP, played in the preseason for the Portland Winterhawks of the WHL. He wore #33 throughout his baseball career after his favourite hockey player, Patrick Roy.  

5. A multi-sport athlete, Hayley Wickenheiser played softball for Team Canada at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney. 

4. Professional baseball and hockey players have a mutual admiration. P.K. Subban talks about his friendships and which Jays players came to watch him at the Leafs’ home opener.

3. In 1979, Grant Fuhr turned down an opportunity to join the Pittsburgh Pirates’ organization. He declined because “hockey was in” and went on to become a Hall of Fame goaltender.  

2. First Round Florida Panthers pick Lawson Crouse made the most of batting practice at Marlins Park by taking one deep. 

 

1. The Blue Jays can talk puck too.