Paris man living his Blue Jays dream

Toronto Blue Jays medical trainer and Paris native Drew MacDonald is pictured alongside outfielder George Springer and manager John Schneider during a tense moment in the American League Championship Series, where MacDonald’s expertise kept players in peak condition throughout the playoff push.

Casandra Turnbull

Managing Editor

When Paris resident Drew MacDonald drives the nearly 100 kilometres from his hometown to Toronto, it’s not your average commute. By the time he parks near Rogers Centre, he’s stepping into one of the most intense workplaces in Canadian sports, the Toronto Blue Jays clubhouse.

MacDonald, the team’s Major League Assistant Athletic Trainer, is responsible for keeping players healthy, managing injuries, and maintaining the steady calm that’s vital through the grind of a 162-game season and beyond.

“At the root, we’re responsible for the health of the players,” explains the Paris man. “We’re actively involved in the day-to-day preparation and keeping healthy players on the field, as well as the rehab of injured players.”

MacDonald’s journey to the big leagues began at St. John’s College in Brantford, followed by studies in Athletic Therapy at Sheridan College. In 2008, he landed a dream internship with the Blue Jays organization, a foot in the door that turned into a lifelong career.

“After graduation, I was hired as the athletic trainer for the Blue Jays’ minor league team in Bluefield, West Virginia,” he recalls. “I started from there and have been in the organization since, officially joining the Major League staff in 2020.”

Before he was tending to professional athletes, MacDonald was playing hockey in Paris’ minor system which was an experience he says shaped his work ethic and sense of community.

“Growing up in a small town really helped shape a humble personality and an ability to connect with people on a personal level,” he says. “That’s been an asset throughout my career.”

Those connections to home remain strong. MacDonald, his wife, and their three children still live in Paris year-round, despite his long daily commute to Toronto. “It’s sometimes not ideal,” he admits, “but that’s where our support system is. It’s a small price to pay to come home every night.”

He credits his wife for helping make that balance possible. “She manages three kids and a career during the baseball season while I come in and out based on our schedule. This dream would never be possible without her.”

Local fans may remember when MacDonald made headlines earlier this fall for bringing Little Paris Bread Co. cinnamon buns to the Jays’ clubhouse, a superstition that quickly became a sweet streak of wins.

“Baseball is very superstitious,” he shares. “After a win in late September where I brought in some baked goods, it became a joke that I had to go back. Those wins got us through the last four games of the regular season and the first two of the divisional series against New York.”

Whether he’s taping up a pitcher’s shoulder or sprinting to the field when an injury strikes, MacDonald is accustomed to pressure.

“It’s important to be prepared for those situations,” he says. “You rely on your experiences and run through scenarios in your head. It becomes critical to have a plan; it helps you stay calm and keep things running smoothly when 50,000 people are watching.”

That calm presence is also what players rely on behind closed doors. “It’s important to have the same personality and attitude every day,” he says. “With all the outside distractions and pressures, players see the training room as a safe place. They appreciate that consistency.”

For a lifelong Jays fan who remembers watching the 1992 and ’93 World Series as a kid, this season’s success has been deeply meaningful.

“There are a bunch of different memories that stand out,” MacDonald says. “But coming home in 2021 after all the COVID protocols were lifted, not only being back at Rogers Centre, but being home with my wife and kids, that was special. Growing up a Jays fan, to now be part of something that hasn’t happened in 32 years, it’s really special and something I don’t take for granted.”

MacDonald hopes his story inspires young athletes and students in Paris who dream of working in professional sports, whether on the field or behind the scenes.

“It’s a lot of work and sacrifice, not only for you but your support system,” he says. “The route here isn’t always glamorous, but once you achieve your goal and share it with those who helped you along the way, it makes it worth it.”

And as the Blue Jays chase championship glory, MacDonald says the team feels the country’s support.

“The fact that we’re the only team in Canada is not lost on us,” he says. “Everyone here embraces this place as home. We really want to win for the fans — across the country, and especially back home in Paris.”