Blue Jays on a roll - thanks to Paris cinnamon buns?

A special delivery from the big leagues! Little Paris Bread Co. proudly displays a Toronto Blue Jays–signed baseball and cap, which is a token of appreciation from the team after the bakery’s sourdough cinnamon buns became part of the club’s playoff superstition.

Casandra Turnbull

Managing Editor

Could a batch of sourdough cinnamon buns from a small Paris bakery be the Toronto Blue Jays’ secret playoff weapon? Staff at Little Paris Bread Co. aren’t saying for sure but they’re not ruling it out either.

It all started late on Saturday, September 27, when bakery owner April Vande Leygraaf received an unexpected message. A member of the Blue Jays’ medical staff, who happens to be born and raised in Paris, reached out asking if there were any cinnamon buns left that could be picked up before Sunday’s game. The reason? The team had won three straight games on days he’d brought the bakery’s buns into the clubhouse and one more win against Tampa Bay would clinch a playoff berth. Understanding that baseball players are superstitious, so it was important to fulfill this request. 

“I read the message out loud to everyone at the table,” said Vande Leygraaf, who was out with friends that night. “We were all excited but there was just one problem, I was far out of town, and there was no way I’d make it back in time to bake the buns!”

That’s when staff member Jenny stepped up, heading into the bakery late that night and again early the next morning to make a fresh batch. The Jays won the next day clinching their playoff spot.

“Jenny and the rest of our team are incredible,” said Vande Leygraaf. “We’re a small business; there’s just six of us that work here. It sounds cliché but we’re a family and they’re the backbone of the bakery.”

Since then, the “winning buns” have become a playoff ritual. The staff member was back on October 4 before the first playoff home game against the Yankees, which they won in bold fashion, 10-1. The following day he was back to pick up some buns for the October 5th game, where they sent the Yankees home with a 13-7 loss. Did the cinnamon buns fuel the offensive explosion?

Acknowledging the tasty treats, the team even sent a few special thank-yous including a team-signed ball and hat, and a baseball signed by pitcher Kevin Gausman for Jenny’s mom, Judy.

The connection between the bakery and the Jays isn’t new. Two years ago, Gausman himself posted on social media about the cinnamon buns, calling them a favourite.

The buns are made entirely from scratch using a 24-hour sourdough process that gives them an extra depth of flavour with a little bit of tang. Of course, they are loaded with brown sugar and cinnamon, topped with cream, and described by Vande Leygraaf as “ooey, gooey and rich.”

As the Jays went on to win the ALDS, fans joked that Little Paris Bread Co.’s buns were clearly part of the magic. 

“I love the community feel. We’ve had customers buying buns before each game. It’s a surreal feeling to be just a little sourdough bakery that’s part of something so big,” said Vande Leygraaf. 

Locals have embraced the story, with fans picking up buns on game days and cheering the team - and the bakery all the way. Last week, some fans teased that she should find a way to send some cinnamon buns to the Bronx to ensure the Jays could clinic the series; thankfully that wasn’t necessary as the Jays took the series 3-1 sending the Yankees to Cancun! 

Looking ahead, Vande Leygraaf is entertaining some ideas to create a special ‘Blue Jays’ edition of the famous cinnamon buns. “We would have to work off their colours. I’d say blueberry filled and topped with vanilla glaze!”

For now, she is just focussed on serving the customers that come through her doors and ensuring there’s enough cinnamon buns on the shelves to keep the fan club happy.