It’s called serving

The GIST: The heartbreak of the Toronto Blue Jays’ 5–4 extra-innings loss to the LA Dodgers in Game 7 of the World Series may never fade, but neither will the magic of the blue birds’ postseason run. From the power of friendship to the nationwide vivacity, let’s be romantic about baseball one more time.

💌 A love letter for the 2025 Blue Jays: This group of uncommon men lit Canada on fire this season, whether it was infielder Ernie Clement setting MLB’s single postseason hits record or the squad’s late-inning heroics all summer long. Canadians across the country (re)discovered the magic of baseball, and there are receipts to prove it.

• While the loss was gut-wrenching, this was the most electric World Series ever, and the Jays (who finished dead last in the American League East division last year) were inches away from dethroning a juggernaut. There’s no pennant for second place, but there is gratitude.

➡️ What’s next for Toronto: A beautiful balancing act, as the franchise tries to retain as much of its roster as possible. Fan favorites like first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr., rookie pitcher Trey Yesavage, and Clement are locked in for 2026, but others — like long-time infielder Bo Bichette and pitcher Shane Bieber — will be hot commodities in free agency.

🧠 The broader impact on MLB: Many say LA’s title run all but guarantees a 2027 lockout, with the current collective bargaining agreement set to expire in December 2026. Why? With the highest payroll in baseball (even with two-way star Shohei Ohtani’s contract mostly deferred), the Dodgers just reminded everyone there’s still no salary cap in MLB, the only major sports league without one.

• Notably, the last team to repeat as World Series champs was the well-resourced NY Yankees, who dominated baseball from 1998 to 2000…right before the all-important luxury tax was implemented.

• All to say, expect owners to push for both a salary cap and a salary floor this offseason in an effort to close MLB’s massive spending gap, which amounts to hundreds of millions of dollars annually. Stay tuned.

The GIST: Turns out the Sunday scaries have nothing to do with Monday, and everything to do with the NFL’s weekly chaos. As if you needed another reminder that nothing is guaranteed in this league.

👏 Parity reigns supreme at the halfway point: And it’s giving football fans whiplash. Case in point? The NFC North. The division’s top two teams, the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions, suffered frustrating losses yesterday. In fact, the Lions fell to the NFC North’s last-placed team, the Minnesota Vikings, who were led by a resurgent performance from quarterback (QB) J.J. McCarthy.

• Then, there’s the showdown between Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen and Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes. The game followed the script — the Bills earned the 28–21 W for Allen’s fifth regular-season dub against Mahomes — but neither powerhouse sits atop their division.

• Elsewhere, the Indianapolis Colts entered the week as the league’s best team but turned the ball over a whopping six times against the injury-riddled Pittsburgh Steelers en route to a stunning 27–20 loss. It really is the upside down.

☝️ The importance of tomorrow’s 4 p.m. ET trade deadline: Traditionally, the deadline’s a bit snoozy (the most recent blockbuster deal was back in 2022) — but given this season’s parity, wheeling and dealing could make the difference between a postseason ticket and an early vacation.

• Someone like Cincinnati Bengals All-Pro defensive end Trey Hendrickson would be a massive acquisition for a struggling defense, while NY Jets star running back Breece Hall is the perfect offensive addition for a contender. Watch this space.

If there’s one thing we know, it’s that sports are for everyone. And that makes Krista Richard’s ambition all the more important: Richard runs Community Sports Program, a free-to-play org in New Brunswick that’s committed to ensuring kids from low income and immigrant families can reap the benefits of sport in a safe, welcoming space.

✨ The support: For CIBC and The GIST, inclusivity in sports isn’t optional — it’s essential, making Richard’s entirely volunteer-run program a clear-cut fave for extra support.

🤝 The game plan: Richard’s programming has expanded to two locations and runs six days a week, so new equipment is topping the wish list. But that’s not all: Richard’s vision includes providing support for families too, with everything from non-perishable food items to sneakers.