jays seattle

Famous former child actor compares Canadians to 'skin walkers' blending into U.S.

The Toronto Blue Jays are preparing to invade the States, but the team's three-game series versus the Seattle Mariners might feel a bit more like a homestand as thousands of Jays fans from Western Canada are expected to cross the border to see their team play at Seattle's T-Mobile Park.

It's an annual tradition for west coast Jays fans, and an annual annoyance for the locals drowned out by their neighbours to the north.

However, the Mariners organization sees things a bit differently, viewing the annual Canadian invasion as a money-making opportunity. Taking advantage of this upcoming influx of Canadians expected to arrive on Friday, the Mariners have converted portions of the in-stadium team store to better cater to Jays fans.

The Jays merch section in a store dedicated to the Seattle Mariners has the internet talking, including former legendary child actor and Vancouverite, Devon Sawa.

The now-44-year-old actor — who millennials will remember from 90s hits like Casper, Idle Hands, and Final Destination — jokingly compared Canadians to skin-walkers, a Navajo legend of shape-shifting witches.

"Angels should've done this. Probably the Dodgers too. You may not know it America, but there's usually a Canadian around," tweeted Sawa, continuing, "They look just like you. They are skin walkers."

Mariners fans are less amused by the merch takeover, already frustrated about having to battle for home-field advantage in their own ballpark, and now seeing another aspect of Mariners fandom usurped by Jays diehards.

Others defend the practice, saying it's just business.

Of course, there have also been flare-ups of anger between Jays and Mariners fans. The Jays' disastrous Wild Card series last October was brought up more than a couple of times, countered by comments on the Mariners' own struggles.

The Jays-Mariners series starts on Friday night, with the first pitch scheduled for 10:10 p.m. ET.

Lead photo by

Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports


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