A Pregame Ritual Gets a Ridiculous Twist
Baseball season in Ontario has always come with its share of pregame traditions outside Rogers Centre — jersey swaps, autograph hunts, the odd scalper haggling over ticket prices. But this year, Blue Jays fans Joseph Debenedictis and Steven Cipollone decided the usual routine needed an upgrade. Their idea: round up as many Davis Schneider lookalikes as they could find and hold an impromptu contest right on the sidewalk before first pitch.
The pair spoke to CBC's The National about how the bit came together, tapping into a wider internet trend where fans stage lookalike contests for public figures — everything from celebrities to, apparently, scrappy utility infielders. Schneider, known among Jays fans for his mustache, high socks, and unmistakable old-school swagger at the plate, turned out to be the perfect target for the gag. His look is distinctive enough that fans could spot potential doubles in the crowd, and specific enough that nailing the impression took real effort.
Why Davis Schneider, Specifically
Since breaking into the majors, Schneider has become something of a cult favourite in Toronto for reasons that go beyond his stat line. He plays with a visible joy that resonates with fans, and his throwback aesthetic — thick mustache, stirrup socks, unapologetic hustle — makes him instantly recognizable even from a distance. That recognizability is exactly what made him ripe for a lookalike contest in the first place.
Debenedictis and Cipollone told CBC the event came together organically, with fellow fans in line jumping at the chance to participate once they understood the assignment. What started as a joke between friends turned into a full-blown gathering, complete with fans doing their best Schneider impersonations for bragging rights before heading into the stadium.
A Moment That Captures Blue Jays Fan Culture
Moments like this highlight something bigger than one team's fanbase: the way Canadian sports culture has embraced internet-native humour and turned it into shared, in-person experiences. Lookalike contests have become a recurring meme format online, and seeing fans stage their own version outside a Major League Baseball stadium shows how quickly that energy can translate from a phone screen to a real-world event.
For a fanbase that's used to packing Rogers Centre for playoff runs and big series against division rivals, this kind of lighthearted, fan-driven content adds another layer to what makes following the Jays fun beyond just the box score. It's a reminder that some of the best moments in sports fandom happen well before the first pitch is even thrown.
The full story, including interviews with Debenedictis and Cipollone about how they pulled off the contest, aired as part of CBC's The National.
Source: CBC Top Stories, "Blue Jays fans hold Davis Schneider lookalike contest | The Moment"
