Blue Jays superfan lives out dream of becoming owner for a day

For most Toronto Blue Jays fans, touring the clubhouse or meeting some of the team's biggest stars would be a dream come true.

Toronto's Rodrigo Farias got to live that experience for a team he loved for more than two decades.

The 34-year-old superfan was the latest winner of the Rogers Game Day Owner contest, which gives lifelong Blue Jays fans an all-access, behind-the-scenes tour of the Rogers Centre on game day.

He met players, pitched his ideas to team executives, and even enjoyed a private Blue Jays shop experience — all before catching the game itself.

blogTO had the opportunity to shadow Farias for a day he said he'll never forget.

"I experienced a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity with the Blue Jays, and I did not take it for granted," Farias told blogTO.

Farias said he had first heard about the Rogers Game Day Owner contest while watching a Blue Jays game. He recalls seeing the commercial about becoming a Rogers Game Day Owner, thinking to himself, "There can't be a better person for this than me."

So he applied and shared an honest story about his years as a Blue Jays fan. A few weeks later, he was contacted by Rogers, even though Farias was in disbelief.

"I thought it might be a telemarketer," Farias said before he found out he had won. "I remember smiling ear-to-ear because I knew what it entailed."

The first person he called was his soon-to-be wife, whom he remembers being in shock when he shared the news with her.

Farias's wife has always known him as a Blue Jays fan, though the fandom goes back to when he first came to Canada from Chile in 2000 as an eight-year-old. Baseball became one of the ways he connected with his new home.

When Farias first arrived in Toronto, he didn't speak English and only remembers knowing how to count to 50. That first sense of belonging came at his very first Blue Jays game, where he had a special interaction with Puerto Rican baseball legend and Blue Jays star Carlos Delgado.

Farias received a behind-the-scenes tour of what a Blue Jays game day looks like at the Rogers Centre. (Rogers)

Farias remembers shouting something to Delgado in Spanish. The Blue Jays slugger acknowledged him and later brought him an autographed baseball. It was a moment that stuck with him.

Nearly two decades later, Farias has become a Canadian citizen and still embraces the interaction with Delgado that turned him into a fan. He even owns more than 40 Blue Jays hats, with the collection still growing.

He had plenty of reasons to wear them last season, as, like many of us, he followed Toronto's incredible 2025 postseason run — attending several games during the divisional and championship series.

For Farias, the Blue Jays represent more than just baseball. The franchise embodies community and opportunity.

"There's something about playing in Toronto, and the opportunity it gives players in all sports," he said.

"That opportunity is what I saw; it's what my family saw when we came here over two decades ago. Now I own a business here, and I'm about to marry my best friend."

That business is an online strength-coaching company, where Farias works with athletes across a variety of sports, particularly powerlifters and bodybuilders. He says it's something he's been doing for close to 15 years.

"I'm grateful this Rogers Game Day Owner experience allowed me to see the other side of the franchise I've spent much of my life cheering for," Farias said.

His favourite moment of the day came after Blue Jays batting practice, when he had the opportunity to meet postseason hero and fan favourite George Springer.

The two chatted about everything from baseball and family to fitness.

Farias had the chance to meet with Toronto Blue Jays star George Springer. (Rogers)

"Getting to see what these guys do every day is amazing. I swear there's no jealousy, but it makes me wish I was a pro ball player," he said.

This season, Rogers will select six Blue Jays fans to become Rogers Game Day Owners, giving each of them an unforgettable day with the team.

The experience includes behind-the-scenes access, a meet-and-greet with a Blue Jays player and Sportsnet personalities, plus a private Blue Jays shopping experience.

Fans can still apply for the next Game Day Owner experience on Aug. 28 against the Seattle Mariners, with the final one of the season coming on Sept. 12 against AL East rival Baltimore.