Loyal for Life: 82-Year-Old Fan Has Attended Every Blue Jays Home Opener Since 1977…..

Loyal for Life: 82-Year-Old Fan Has Attended Every Blue Jays Home Opener Since 1977…..

TORONTO — While fans packed Rogers Centre for the Toronto Blue Jays’ 2025 home opener, one person stood out in the sea of blue and white — 82-year-old Harold McIntyre, who has proudly attended every single Blue Jays home opener since the team’s very first game in 1977.

Wearing a vintage Blue Jays cap and a jersey adorned with signatures collected over the decades, McIntyre was once again in his favorite seat along the third base line, continuing a personal tradition that spans nearly half a century.

“I remember that cold, snowy day in April ’77,” McIntyre said, recalling the franchise’s inaugural game at Exhibition Stadium. “The Jays beat the White Sox in the snow — I was there freezing my fingers off, but loving every second.”

Since that historic day, McIntyre hasn’t missed a single home opener — not during the team’s World Series years in the early ’90s, not during rebuilding seasons, and not even through personal challenges, including health scares and mobility issues.

“It’s never been about the wins and losses,” he said. “It’s about being part of something bigger. This team — and these games — they’ve been part of my life for nearly 50 years.”

McIntyre’s dedication hasn’t gone unnoticed. Blue Jays staff now recognize him by name, and this year, the team honored him on the stadium’s jumbotron, drawing cheers from the entire crowd. A team spokesperson said they plan to recognize McIntyre in a more official capacity later this season.

“He’s the kind of fan that every franchise dreams of,” said Amanda Russo, a Blue Jays communications manager. “His loyalty and love for the game are truly inspiring.”

Born and raised in Toronto, McIntyre worked as a high school history teacher for over 35 years. He bought season tickets in the ’80s and has kept his home opener streak alive through thick and thin. In 2021, when pandemic restrictions threatened to break his streak, McIntyre tuned in virtually, but when the team returned to Toronto, he was first in line for the next opener.

His family has embraced the tradition as well. His daughter, Michelle, and grandson, Tyler, now join him for each year’s big game, turning it into a multigenerational celebration.

“It’s more than baseball,” Michelle said. “It’s memories, stories, and time with Dad. It means everything.”

When asked how much longer he plans to attend, McIntyre smiled and said, “As long as they’ll have me — and as long as I can still get here, I’ll be here.”

As the Blue Jays chase another postseason run in 2025, one thing remains constant — Harold McIntyre will be in the stands, cheering just as passionately as he did in 1977.