The Toronto Blue Jays' playoff aspirations have hit another frustrating roadblock, and some superstitious fans are pointing fingers at an unlikely source: former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney. This peculiar connection between high finance and baseball fortunes has become one of Canada's most intriguing sports mysteries.
The Pattern That Started a Superstition
Since Carney began his tenure at the Bank of Canada in 2008, the Blue Jays have experienced a remarkable correlation between his career moves and their postseason success—or lack thereof. The pattern became impossible to ignore as Carney's professional transitions consistently aligned with the team's playoff misfortunes.
Key Moments in the Curse Timeline
- 2008-2013: Carney's Bank of Canada tenure coincided with the Blue Jays' playoff drought
- 2013: Carney moves to England as Bank of England governor - Blue Jays miss playoffs
- 2016 & 2020: Brief playoff appearances occurred during Carney's UK tenure
- 2023: Carney returns to Canada - Blue Jays suffer another early playoff exit
Recent Events Fuel Superstitious Fires
The timing of Carney's recent appointment as chair of Brookfield Asset Management's energy transition fund has raised eyebrows among the Blue Jays faithful. His return to Canadian soil appears to have coincided with yet another disappointing playoff performance from the team, leaving fans wondering if the curse has been reactivated.
Beyond Coincidence or Mere Superstition?
While skeptics dismiss the connection as pure coincidence, the pattern has become too consistent for many fans to ignore. The correlation between Carney's transatlantic moves and the Blue Jays' fortunes has created a narrative that persists despite logical explanations.
"It's one of those strange sports stories that defies rational explanation but captures the imagination," says one longtime Blue Jays follower. "When you're desperate for answers about playoff struggles, you'll grasp at any pattern you can find."
The Psychological Power of Sports Curses
Sports curses have long been part of baseball lore, from the Billy Goat Curse that haunted the Chicago Cubs to the Red Sox's Bambino Curse. The Carney Curse represents a modern Canadian addition to this tradition, demonstrating how fans seek patterns and explanations when their teams underperform.
Whether there's any genuine connection between central banking and baseball remains highly doubtful, but the persistence of this superstition highlights the emotional investment fans have in their team's success—and their need to find meaning in disappointment.
