From the 500s with Love

It is barely believable now, but there was a time in the early 2010s when you could saunter into a weekday evening Toronto Blue Jays game and snag just about any empty seat your heart desired. Stadium attendance was dismal; the team was experiencing record lows since its initial move from Exhibition Stadium to SkyDome (now distastefully branded the Rogers Centre).

During those halcyon days, a 500-level ticket would set you back a mere $11 or $14, but it was common practice, at least among my circle of ne’er‑do-well friends, to sneak down to field level and sit much closer to the action. (A similar seat now is priced around $350, and the section is consistently sold out.) Back then, the Jays were almost as disappointing as their turnout, but I was a delirious devotee regardless. From my stolen premium perch, I endured long stretches of disappointment, hoping to witness a rare, fleeting moment of glory.

It’s bizarre to be nostalgic for a time when my beloved...