Fans pack Rogers Centre for Ernie Clement hockey jersey giveaway

Clement’s replica hockey jersey giveaway on Monday night brought out thousands of fans who lined up hours before gates opened, stretching well outside of the stadium and blocks down the neighboring streets. Not since Taylor Swift’s six nights of shows in 2024 has Rogers Centre seen such lines.

Every Blue Jays player had the hockey jersey on for pregame batting practice, too. Clement, who keeps a hockey stick in his locker right next to the bats, is as beloved by teammates as he is by Blue Jays fans. Soon after the Blue Jays’ clubhouse opened to the media Monday afternoon, George Springer came strolling down the hallway with Clement’s jersey on, a hockey stick of his own in hand. Yes, he was even wearing a hockey helmet, tinted half-visor and all.

“Do you think we would have predicted an Ernie Clement giveaway three years ago?” manager John Schneider said as the media poured into his office prior to the game.

That’s part of Clement’s appeal. This is what it looks like when the scrappy, lovable role player turns into a star. It’s such a rare phenomenon, but Schneider is right. No one could have predicted this three years ago when Clement, just DFA’d by the A’s late in Spring Training, signed a Minor League deal with the Blue Jays.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is still the face of the franchise and it might be that way for the rest of Blue Jays history, but you’ll see Clement jerseys everywhere in this city now. Especially with the Maple Leafs in a rut, Clement has a case for one of the most well-liked athletes in this city.

“Performance and personality,” Schneider said, summing up Clement’s appeal. “When you get 30 hits in the postseason, that’s something. When you go play for Team USA, that’s something. When you don’t change who you are, people appreciate that. He still walks to the field. Well, it changes, because he’s doing commercials and golf outings. He gets a very loud ovation every time his name’s announced.”

Coming into his big giveaway day, Clement was tied for ninth in the league with a .321 average and held a share of the Major League lead with 13 doubles, so many of them nearly-identical drives into the left field corner.

There are some more popular giveaways on deck in Toronto, a city that’s always had a passion for lining up for things. The Blue Jays are giving away Trey Yesavage “Angry Bird replica jerseys” on May 8 – the old black jersey design – and have a duo bobblehead with José Bautista and Edwin Encarnación planned for May 22. On May 23, it’s the cricket sweater vest giveaway. You can find the full giveaway schedule here.

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