If you’re hoping to own a piece of Toronto baseball history, it’s time to step up to the plate. Two seats from the Rogers Centre are up for auction.
The seats were removed from the Blue Jays’ home field when Rogers Centre underwent major renovations last year.
Ahead of the 2023 Major League Baseball (MLB) season, seats from the outfield and 500-level sections were removed and replaced with new ones. The two seats that are currently up for auction are from the 500 level.
So far, only one person has bid on the pair of seats, valued at $2,000. The starting bid was for $900. Fans have until Dec. 9 at 12 p.m. to make an offer.
The auctioneers warned these seats can’t be mailed. The winner will have to pick them up at the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum at 386 Church St. S. in St. Marys, Ont. The lucky owner will also go home with a letter of authenticity from the Hall of Fame.
The $400 million Rogers Centre renovation transformed what was once a multi-sport arena into a proper ballpark. Bullpens were raised, larger dugouts were introduced and new turf was installed, along with slight tweaks to the dimensions of the field.
Apart from replacing seats in the 500-level and outfield sections, the first phase of the renovations also added five social spaces like the Corona Rooftop Patio. The second phase completely overhauled the 100-level seating bowl.
All 100-level seats are now oriented towards the infield to give fans a better view of the action. The seats themselves were also widened for better comfort. Underneath the bowl, the Blue Jays added a new clubhouse for players and three premium clubs for fans.
Not everyone is happy with the changes, however. One Blue Jays fan noted on X the new 500-level seats are deeper, meaning less leg room.
“Trying to reach down for your drink (because there are still no cup holders), is actually very difficult,” the fan wrote. “Also there is absolutely NO WAY that any person can pass in front,” they added. “Every single person must stand up (cannot even just turn sideways a bit which was formerly possible) to allow anyone to pass by.”
As a result of the deeper seat, there is now a dramatically reduced space between the lowered seat and the railing (or the back of the heads) in front of you. So, trying to reach down for your drink (because there are still no cup holders), is actually very difficult. /2
— CJ ⚾️⚕😷 (@CjHajer) April 13, 2023
