The memory of the Toronto Blue Jays’ last World Series win in 1993, marked by Joe Carter’s iconic home run, is still vivid for many. In Saskatoon, the celebratory atmosphere turned into chaos as thousands flooded Eighth Street, resulting in a riot with damaged cars, businesses, and multiple arrests.
City archivist Jeff O’Brien recently revisited the events of that night during an interview on CBC’s Saskatoon Morning. Initially, the scene was filled with joy as around 4,000 people waved Canadian flags and celebrated. However, the situation quickly escalated.
Law enforcement found themselves overwhelmed by the unruly crowd, sparking debates on the sequence of events leading to the unrest. Reports suggested that the police intervention may have exacerbated the situation, leading to the deployment of the riot squad and the enforcement of Criminal Code Section 67 to disperse the assembly.
Former CBC Saskatoon radio host Garth Materie, who witnessed the chaos firsthand, recalled the tense atmosphere where tear gas was deployed, and the crowd became hostile towards law enforcement. Materie highlighted the police’s decision to keep Eighth Street open to traffic as a contributing factor to the escalating tensions that night.
Despite the arrests and charges made, the situation eventually calmed down by the early hours of the morning. O’Brien noted that while Saskatoon has seen large gatherings before, nothing has matched the intensity of the 1993 riot. Reflecting on the possibility of a similar incident if the Blue Jays secure another World Series win, O’Brien expressed hopes for a peaceful celebration, noting that the demographics of those involved in the previous unrest have likely changed over the years.