Dugout journal: Attention Rangers fans, do it for the team

There have been several notable scandals involving indiscreet couples engaging in adult activity in the Renaissance Hotel connected to Rogers Centre since it opened in 1989.

According to multiple reports (and video footage!) several couples have been caught having sex during a game in one of the rooms that has a view from the outfield.

According to Slam! Sports, the Blue Jays are 2-3 in games when hotel guests are caught in the buff.

So Rangers fans, you know what you have to do.

Business trip

Rangers manager Jeff Banister had no family make the trip to Toronto. “They’ve got a life,” he said. “Would I love to have my family here? Yes, but reality is, life goes on.”

Banister has a son playing football and baseball in high school and a daughter playing volleyball at Baylor.

Emotional anthem

Before Thursday’s game, the Blue Jays honored Canadian tenor Michael Burgess, who died from cancer on Sept. 28 at age 70.

Burgess sang O Canada before Game 1 of the 1992 World Series, Toronto’s first, which the Blue Jays eventually won.

For Thursday’s anthem, a recording of Burgess’ version in ’92 was used as a giant Maple Leaf flag was unfurled on the field.

I feel ya

Jeff Banister knows what the Pittsburgh Pirates are feeling.

He was the Pirates’ bench coach a year ago when they lost in the wild-card game to the Giants and starter Madison Bumgarner, who pitched a complete-game shutout.

Former TCU pitcher Jake Arrieta, the favorite to win the N.L. Cy Young, did it to them Wednesday night, throwing a complete-game shutout for the the Cubs in the wild-card game.

“Those are gut-wrenching,” Banister said. “One and done games you don’t understand those games until you’ve been through them. The intensity level, they’re tough. Get a pitcher who is hot, they faced two of the hottest pitchers in baseball two years running.”

Dueling hashtags

The Rangers have #NeverEverQuit but the Blue Jays have #ComeTogether, which was printed on white rally towels handed out to fans for Game 1 Thursday.

Best view

Fans in Toronto without tickets to games can watch them live on giant screens set up at Nathan Phillips Square, near Toronto City Hall.

Postseason fever

The Blue Jays tweeted out a doctor’s note fans could “use” to allow them to watch the first two games because of a “extremely contagious postseason fever.”

The note is from Dr. October. He appears to be unlicensed.

Roof ruckus

The Rogers Centre roof was closed for Game 1 despite a remarkably beautiful, sunny day.

The league makes the call. Officials cited strong winds and unpredictable weather as a concern.

Flag shorts for good cause

Mike Napoli has partnered with Boathouse Sports to make his flag shorts available to the public.

It’s for a good cause: All proceeds will go directly to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the Brady’s Bunch Lacrosse Program for pediatric cancer research and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

They’re available through midnight Oct. 12.

Staff writer Robert Philpot contributed to this report.

This story was originally published October 8, 2015 at 5:53 PM with the headline "Dugout journal: Attention Rangers fans, do it for the team."