Disgraced former mayor of Toronto shows up at Jays game and people have thoughts

It looks like former Toronto mayor John Tory is getting on with his life in the wake of a high-profile exit from the city's top job in February.

Tory was spotted at the Toronto Blue Jays home opener on Tuesday, one of his first public appearances following his resignation on the heels of bombshell news that he had engaged in an extramarital affair with a (much) younger staffer.

Ready to go in Toronto! pic.twitter.com/uNjaVU7Lkv

— Jim Burnett (@jamesfburnett) April 11, 2023

Photographed sitting next to TVO journalist Steve Paikin in section 119 of the newly-renovated Rogers Centre, Tory appeared in good spirits, looking quite different than the dejected politician seen during sombre on-camera appearances in the wake of his mayoralty-ending scandal earlier this year.

Tory and Paikin have known each other for almost 40 years, and the latter even penned an open letter to the departing mayor in February where he wished Tory well in his future ventures.

Paikin tweeted from the game, though he made no mention of his companion in the seat next to him.

Game on pic.twitter.com/ZbCCQ8DziV

— Steve Paikin (@spaikin) April 11, 2023

Also seen in the photo is Jim Burnett, a political organizer, strategist, and lobbyist in his role as Partner at Pathway Group.

This begs the question, could Tory be reconsidering his life as a politician, or is he just enjoying a ball game with old friends?

Either way, some people had thoughts.

John Tory should be spending the rest of his days in a prison cell.

— Martin K (@MDK51346713) April 12, 2023

The former mayor has kept an uncharacteristically low profile since vacating the office on Feb. 17.

John Tory should be forced to resign again

— local yokel (@meh_just_a_guy) April 12, 2023

Public sightings of Tory have been rare after Toronto residents had grown accustomed to seeing his face almost daily for the better part of a decade, and even his photos have been papered over since his unexpected departure a couple of months ago.