DUNEDIN, Fla. — A walk-off home run with one out in the bottom of the ninth to beat the New York Yankees 3-2 comes with its privileges.
For Toronto Blue Jays prospect Ryan McBroom, it means another shot at making it to Toronto.
“It’s great. I’m always on call, at all times,” he said, on Thursday at Toronto’s minor league complex in Dunedin. “Tomorrow morning I’m going (to Blue Jays main spring training camp), it’s a great feeling to play with those guys.
“They are considered to be the greatest players in the world. It’s really an honour to be called up there and to put on this uniform for them.”
McBroom was called up to Major League camp several times during the first training week after being assigned to the club on Feb. 28. He played for the team on March 3 against the Yankees, winning it for the Jays.
McBroom spent last season with the A-level Dunedin Blue Jays, Lansing Lugnuts, and New Hampshire Fisher Cats. At Dunedin, the first baseman and Justin Bieber fan hit 21 home runs and racked up 26 doubles.
On top of that, he drove in 83 runs and scored 58 himself.
McBroom’s thrilled about the call ups but still enjoys the experience of minor league camp, where everybody treats him like family.
“It’s great. I got here about a week ago (and) it’s been so smooth because everyone has been together and it’s very structured,” he said. “We know where we have to be at certain times. So everything runs very smoothly.
“And it’s great to be back in Florida, in this weather, I’m having a great time.”
McBroom doesn’t have to think about March weather in the north just yet. Instead, he takes in the more relaxed environment.
“It’s a bit more relaxed, I would say because you are dealing with guys who have been here for so many years,” he said. “They kind of have the privilege to be more relaxed and to play in a more relaxed environment at certain times.
“As opposed to being on the go at all times.”