American media continues to disrespect the Toronto Blue Jays

Those were the words from an ESPN host and analyst. After leading the AL East for three months, the Blue Jays somehow haven't lost it yet.

The remarks point to a long and recurring tradition of Toronto being ignored, under-appreciated and disrespected because of their ability.

As reporter Keegan Matheson points out, it's not like the Blue Jays winning is a recent activity. They've been atop the division since June. It's also not like they're a small market team. Toronto ownership has steadily increased payroll and the Blue Jays home region is essentially the entire country.

Even American social media can get in on the action. One recent posting had the Jays ranked 5th when it came to teams that could win the American League. The same post had the Yankees - who aren't even leading the division - in first place. The Mariners, who were, at the time of the positing, another wild card team were in fourth.

Yet another had them with the third-best World Series odds.. Even when New York is bad, they still get more respect than Canada.

Even earlier this month, Orioles broadcasters earned the wrath of Canadian fans everywhere by saying Blue Jays fans had a low baseball IQ.

The Blue Jays, and to a certain extent, Canadian sports fans, are used to being talked down to. But don't mistake the kindness of Canadians for placidity.

We here north of the border know and believe that the Toronto Blue Jays are a very good time and have just as good a chance at winning it all as anybody else.

Come playoff time, let's hope the rest of the baseball world starts seeing that too.