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Top Stories of 2024 – No. 2: “Home Plate Lady” gets moved from her normal seat and Blue Jays fans have something to say about it
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Ryley Delaney
Dec 30, 2024, 17:00 ESTUpdated: Dec 30, 2024, 16:43 EST
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As the year comes to a close, Blue Jays Nation is reflecting on the year that was and revisiting some of the top articles from 2024.
The penultimate article in the countdown comes from a Clarke Corsan article from early April looking at the “Homeplate Lady” and her relocation. For years, she was a fixture behind the home plate (hence the name), but due to the second phase renovations of Rogers Centre, she was rarely seen on broadcasts this past season. Clarke writes:
A mystery to most, Home Plate Lady has attended countless Jays’ home games, reportedly holding season tickets in that prime location for decades. Her unflinching demeanour, even in the face of near foul-ball hits, has made her a fan favourite. During pandemic border closures, the team honoured her status with a cardboard cutout placed in her usual spot. She even received a standing ovation upon returning to live games in 2021, as Jays fans have been steadfast in their support.
Beginning in 2022, the Blue Jays started to renovate their home ballpark, Rogers Centre. It first started with the outfield, adding social spaces, raised bullpens, metal seats to bring fans closer to the action, and new dimensions to the outfield walls. This didn’t impact the Home Plate lady, but the second phase of renovations did, as it focused on the 100 level.
The second phase of renovations saw the seats changed, as they were designed to face the action (with the added bonus of cushioned seats). It was a new look from behind the home plate as well, as there was now this off-putting brick wall on the broadcast, something that took a while to get used to.
Thanks to the renovations, the Blue Jays started the season on a lengthy road trip, starting the year off with a series against the Tampa Bay Rays, Houston Astros, and New York Yankees. They finally returned home on Apr. 8 against the Seattle Mariners, winning 5-2.
The Jays won’t wait nearly as long for their home opener in 2025, as they start the season on Mar. 27 against the Baltimore Orioles. They’ll host the Washington Nationals in the second series of the season, before a lengthy road trip against the New York Mets, the Boston Red Sox, and the Baltimore Orioles.
As always, you can follow me on Bluesky @ryleydelaney.bsky.social.

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