They're young, they've got some swagger and they're starving for a championship.
Meet the new generation of Toronto Blue Jays fans.
The younger core of the club's fan base reflects the attitude of a promising young team that is generating the kind of excitement that hasn't been felt since many in the new generation of fans were still in diapers.
Krista Sharpe was just a toddler when the Blue Jays won their second consecutive World Series title in 1993, the last time the team made it to the post-season.
"I've grown up on the Jays but I don't really remember them in the World Series," Sharpe, 22, said before Monday's sold-out home opener. "I remember the mentality of them being awesome."
"Awesome" is a word that hasn't been applied to the Blue Jays since those magical two seasons almost 20 years ago, but a renewed energy around this year's squad is coupled with fans' high hopes for success and new playoff memories.
"I think this is our year to make it to the playoffs," Sharpe said.
(Photo gallery: Blue Jays fans show their spirit)
Clad in blue baseball caps and blue jerseys bearing a retro logo and colours, the crowd at the home opener, spoiled by a late comeback by the Boston Red Sox, was predominantly a young one.
Sharpe is the poster child for a new generation of Blue Jays – and Maple Leafs – fans who grew up listening to stories of past success, but have few or no memories of them.
They're more familiar with names like Bautista, Delgado, Wells and Halladay than Alomar, Carter, Molitor and Hentgen.
They've become adults watching the club miss the playoffs year after year, racking up an 18-year playoff drought that is now the fourth-longest in Major League Baseball.
End of mediocrity?
Fans of all ages are hoping an era of mediocrity is about to end.
Their expectations hinge on a talented young roster that put together the best pre-season record in baseball and appears to have the tools to become a playoff contender.
With an additional wildcard spot, the team may be in the best position to make the playoffs after almost two decades of being knocked around by big spenders in New York and Boston, and outpaced by occasional winners in Baltimore and Tampa Bay.
With so much buzz around them, the Blue Jays are the No. 1 pro sports team in town at a time of year that used to be ruled by a playoff-bound Maple Leafs team.
"(The Jays) had a pretty good pre-season, so hopefully they can carry that into the regular season," said 23-year-old Anthony Piccone, another young supporter who represents Toronto's frustrated, championship-starved sports fan base.
"Hopefully, we can get a Toronto team into the playoffs for once," he said.
Pundits picking usual favourites
To do that, most pundits believe the Blue Jays will need to win about 95 games. The club finished with an 81-81 record a year ago.
Prior to the season, most "expert" observers had encouraging things to say about the Blue Jays, but picked New York or Boston, perennial favourites, or Tampa Bay to emerge from the AL East.
Still, fans remain optimistic. Some are even making their own predictions.
Jon Doyle expects 92 wins this season.
"Anything less than that is a disappointment," Doyle, 34, said. "It depends on the bottom three (starting) pitchers. The hitting looks really good, the outfield should be miles ahead of last year and the bullpen is already looking much stronger."
Others are taking a wait-and-see approach.
"Win or lose, it's entertaining. As long as they try hard, you never know," said Bob Alexander, 50, a Blue Jays supporter since the day the team joined MLB in 1977.
"I just think they've got a lot of young talent and a great manager," Alexander said. "If (third baseman Brett) Lawrie does what he should do we should be all right."
Most fans seem to agree on the team's strengths – up-and-coming talent and a bevy of big hitters – and its weaknesses – a thin starting rotation and an unproven, revamped bullpen.
With the bulk of the fan base's confidence in sluggers named Jose Bautista, Adam Lind and Lawrie, it appears supporters' hopes will live and die on the mound.
@ChrisKitching is on Twitter. Don't forget, for instant breaking news, follow @CP24 on Twitter.
