Q and A: Sportsnet’s Hazel Mae on award win, Blue Jays, selfies and extra

Hazel Mae isn’t a giant fan of consideration, sports activities followers. In truth, the long-time Sportsnet broadcaster finds it “unsettling.”

Well, Mae goes to must take care of some further eyes on her for some time anyway, as a result of on Wednesday she was introduced because the winner of the Jack Graney Award, introduced by the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum to a member of this nation’s media for his or her unbelievable contributions to the sport on house soil. 

The award isn’t introduced yearly, solely when the committee believes a candidate is worthy based mostly on his or her life’s work to date. Enter Mae, who’s honoured to obtain the popularity after a season for the ages as Sportsnet’s on-field reporter for the Toronto Blue Jays. In successful this award — she’ll obtain the plaque in June, and provides an induction speech, so extra consideration is coming — Mae follows within the footsteps of Sportsnet’s personal Buck Martinez, the commentator who was the final recipient again in 2023. Play-by-play announcer Dan Shulman gained it in 2020, whereas Sportsnet 590 The FAN host Jeff Blair captured it in 2018. 

After a morning TV look on Wednesday — and earlier than she’d even begun wading by way of the 92 textual content messages awaiting her within the wake of the announcement — Mae took a while to mirror on her profession and the season that captured Canadians’ imaginations, and answered just a few questions on herself as a result of we made her. 

SPORTSNET: You’re used to being the interviewer, however we’re altering issues up. Congratulations! What does it imply to you to be acknowledged this manner?

MAE: My coronary heart is racing. [Laughs]. Thank you. It’s nearly a affirmation of the work I’ve put in, the relationships I’ve constructed, the sleepless nights, on planes, flying by way of totally different time zones, and at occasions placing my make-up on in foyer bogs as a result of my resort room’s not prepared — I take into consideration these little issues, that had been price it. I do know individuals on the skin trying in might imagine what we do is perhaps ‘glamorous’, and we completely are lucky to do what we do, however while you peel again the curtains, there’s so much that goes into placing a broadcast collectively. My face could also be on tv, however on the finish of the day, what I do doesn’t occur with out the work of many individuals behind the scenes. So, while you ask me what it means, it is recognition that every little thing we have finished as a crew … we did OK.

What did your mother say while you advised her? 

My mother doesn’t like to speak on the telephone. She needs you to get to why you are calling. If we’re sitting down on the dinner desk and having a face-to-face dialog, she will discuss all day. But while you name her, no. 

I mentioned, ‘Hi mom, I have something to tell you. I just won the Jack Graney Award given by the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame.’ And she mentioned, ‘Wow, that’s amazing.’ And then she paused and requested, ‘Who’s Jack Graney?’ So, I advised her, and defined what the award meant. And she mentioned, ‘I’m so happy for you. I know how hard you’ve worked.’ And that final line actually received to me. Even now I’m getting just a little choked up. But then proper after she mentioned, ‘OK, honey, talk to you tomorrow.’ [Laughs.] And that was the tip of our dialog. 

[Laughs.] That’s too good. Did you inherit your love of baseball from her? Or the place did it come from? 

I’m the daughter of immigrants, and this nice nation welcomed my dad and mom within the early ’70s. My late father needed to really feel like part of his new group, his nation. He heard all people who lived in Toronto had been large Maple Leafs followers, so dad labored on the English language by watching sports activities on tv. That means he may slot in and contribute to the discussions across the water cooler. He was a proud Canadian and that is how his ardour for sports activities was handed down. Both my dad and mom liked hockey, soccer baseball and basketball. Even immediately, my mother may inform you who recorded a double-double within the NBA final evening, which is fairly entertaining coming from an 84-year-old Filipino lady. 

I’m unhappy my dad’s not right here, however he was alive for almost all of my profession and advised me how proud he was of me. I actually suppose he would have gotten such a giant kick out of all this. He’s most likely trying down and considering, ‘I wanted her to be a doctor or a lawyer, but this is kind of cool, too.’

Absolutely. Were you watching these sports activities as a child considering, ‘I want to be a sports broadcaster?’

No, as a result of I imply, 30, 40 years in the past, there weren’t a whole lot of ladies in our discipline, a lot much less somebody who was additionally a visual minority. Growing up, I watched Teresa Hergert-Kruze and Kathryn Humphreys right here in Canada, after which within the U.S., it was Michele Tafoya, Pam Oliver, Lisa Salters and Melissa Stark. I knew it was potential, however not for me, as a result of nobody who appeared like me was working in sports activities on the time. Years later there have been ladies anchoring the information and climate, however nobody on the sidelines. It simply wasn’t an possibility for me, however my love of sports activities was all the time there.

I learn that you just first began doing sports activities updates at York University. 

Yes, I heard York University had a sports activities director who occurred to be a girl. Her title was Sunaya Sapurji [now a senior editor with The Athletic]. And I believed, ‘If there was a woman sports director, for sure she’d be open to a female reporter.’ And it so occurred Andrea Goldstein [current VP of communications for the Blue Jays] was additionally a reporter on the campus radio station, CHRY 105.5 FM. Sunaya actually welcomed me with open arms.  When I acquired my first press cross, I believed it was simply the best factor. Howard Starkman [long-time director of public relations for the Blue Jays] issued me passes to get into video games at Rogers Centre and I believed, ‘I can’t believe this. I’m legit. This is awesome.’

How good had been you at interviews again then? Have you all the time been nice, or did that take time?

That undoubtedly took time, simply getting extra comfy, safer and assured in my skills. Back then, I needed to be like everybody else to slot in. I needed to ask the identical questions. I didn’t need to stick out like a sore thumb, which I did anyhow as a result of there weren’t a whole lot of ladies across the ballpark. Over time I settled into what I felt was an interview type that helped reply questions the typical fan needed to know.  Eventually, I did not need to be like everybody else — I needed to be me. I attempt to ask easy questions that enable the participant to do a lot of the speaking. In the viral interview when Vladdy mentioned, ‘I was born ready,’ that got here from the query,  ‘Are you ready?’ I usually remind myself typically the only questions or shorter questions carry out the extra memorable solutions. 

After the Blue Jays gained the ALCS, there was a whole lot of discuss amongst fellow media — and plenty on social media — about how nicely you dealt with all these interviews with champagne and beer spraying in all places, cruising by way of the celebration along with your ballcap on. How a lot enjoyable was that for you? 

Enormously enjoyable. I’m so fortunate to have the ability to cowl the post-season by way of the World Series yearly, however when the crew you coated in the course of the common season will get to the World Series, it is 20 occasions extra enjoyable. I get requested about these clubhouse celebrations on a regular basis. The baseball cap actually was born out of the truth that champagne stings your eyes and so the invoice of my ballcap trickles a few of that champagne away from my face. I’ve lengthy hair, and the ballcap retains me considerably skilled trying so you are not watching this drenched, stringy-wet hair-looking-lady on nationwide tv. Plus, my make-up is operating down my face like loopy so I get to cover beneath the ballcap.

I used to put on a transparent poncho, however gamers would take beer or champagne and pour it down the again of my neck, so my garments ended up moist anyway. Why constrict your self with a poncho then? The poncho is gone. 

I attempt to remind myself the clubhouse is their area, it is their celebration. I’m making an attempt to, as finest I can, be incognito. I would like the gamers to be the story. My job is to get as a lot out of them so as to join them to the followers — that is the aim. You give attention to what you could do to get the job finished, and never fear concerning the smoke, the cigars, the champagne and every little thing that comes with the celebration.

Have you ever seen the kind of emotion the Blue Jays confirmed after Game 7 of the World Series, that degree of heartbreak?

I used to be out on the sector with [analysts] Caleb Joseph and Kevin Pillar as a result of we needed to come up moments after the loss. I have never been in a position to watch any highlights and even Game 7, nonetheless. I can not carry myself to observe any of it. I’m nonetheless a bit shell-shocked they misplaced, even a month later, simply because they had been so near successful all of it. I’m positive the remainder of the nation feels the identical means. It was heartbreaking and for the subsequent two, three weeks afterwards, I did nothing however sit on the sofa and sulk. 

There aren’t any ensures they will get again to a World Series —  to me, that is the heartbreaking half. But I’ve come round to what a enjoyable time it was, how lucky I used to be to be there. That’s my mindset now. 

A whole lot of this nation acknowledged how likeable this crew was. How would you describe the 2025 Blue Jays, being so near the motion? 

Absolutely likable. They play the sport with a lot pleasure and happiness. They’re relatable. They weren’t shy about displaying followers their personalities; that is what I actually loved. It was the right mixture of veteran guys, guys that lastly had their shot on the large leagues, and guys who had by no means tasted the large leagues earlier than and/or the post-season. You had the suitable sort of personalities, the right mix the place everybody felt comfy being themselves. For me and for my colleagues who labored day by day overlaying the crew, it was a pleasure to be round as a result of their positivity and enthusiasm had been actually infectious. That’s one more reason why recreation 7 was so heartbreaking since you needed it so badly for them and for the followers.

Do you suppose they will run it again? They signed Dylan Cease…

Yeah, and now they’ve signed Cody Ponce. 

I feel they will. There are nonetheless gamers from final season’s crew, and having coated this recreation over time, I’ve realized it’s a must to make tweaks. Until you win the World Series, you all the time want to enhance — you did not win for a motive. 

They’ve addressed the beginning pitching, there’s some depth in that space. My colleagues, Shi Davidi and Ben Nicholson-Smith, reported that the Blue Jays want to bolster the bullpen. I’d personally wish to see one other large bat as nicely, however from what I’ve seen to this point, the Blue Jays are addressing what they should tackle heading into 2026.

A number of extra questions on you. Sorry. 

What’s one thing sports activities followers ought to learn about you that they most likely don’t?

I really like soccer as a lot as baseball. I’ve liked the Kansas City Chiefs lengthy earlier than Taylor Swift got here on the scene, like because the late ’90s. For the longest time, the Chiefs weren’t superb, so I wasn’t in a position to sport my Kansas City Chiefs gear proudly out in public. But it makes me blissful Taylor Swift introduced consideration to my crew. 

Funny story. I wore my Chiefs hoodie by way of airport safety one time, and the person checked out me and mentioned, ‘Oh hey, you’re a Taylor Swift fan.’ And I used to be simply distraught he mentioned that as a result of I actually needed to inform him, ‘No, you don’t understand. I was a fan when they were so bad, when they didn’t have a good defence, when they didn’t have a good quarterback.’ I needed to go on and on about [former coaches] Gunther Cunningham and Dick Vermeil, however I did not. I simply smiled and replied, ‘Yeah, I’m a Swifty and I also like the Chiefs.’ 

When you inform individuals you are a Kansas City Chiefs fan lately, they mechanically assume you are a front-runner. But no, I adopted [Joe] Montana from the Niners to the Chiefs, and caught with the Chiefs ever since. 

Now individuals are going to need to discuss soccer with you. Do you get acknowledged so much, and do individuals all the time need to discuss baseball? 

Yes and sure. People cease me on the grocery retailer, cease me after Sunday mass even. In the restroom I’ve been requested for a selfie. I believed that was odd — I did it, however I requested if we may transfer over to the mirror and sink space versus a selfie by the stalls. 

Is Vladdy the No. 1 participant they ask about?

Yes, Vladdy and Bo. Fans ask me what Vladdy is like. They ask what Bo’s like. They need to learn about Davis Schneider. They ask if Ernie Clement is as good as he appears. After Sunday mass made me snort. Forget about divine intervention, they only need to know what Vladdy’s like. 

Does your son know the way cool you might be? 

[Laughs.] When we discovered concerning the Graney information this weekend, I mentioned to my son, ‘You can’t inform anyone about mommy’s information till Wednesday.’ 

He’s enjoying his Nintendo Switch, he seems up and says, ‘OK,’ and continues on with his Mario Go Kart game. On Monday morning, I receive an email from his [Grade 8] teacher: ‘Congratulations on your Hall of Fame induction! Chase told us during sharing circle today.’ 

I knew then that A) my son could not preserve a secret, and B) he was pleased with me. I did not suppose the information actually registered with him, as a result of he was so into his Mario Kart, till his trainer wrote how he blabbed throughout sharing circle. 

I hope this hasn’t been too painful so that you can be on the opposite facet of the interview. Is there something you’d like so as to add? 

I needed so as to add, with out Dan Shulman, Buck Martinez, Joe Siddall and the truck crew — I imply, my reply to what individuals do not know is, simply being their colleague and watching them work, and the quantity of prep they do, this award doesn’t occur. I joke I do not ever need to be the weak hyperlink on our broadcast, do not need to be the squeaky wheel. The crew drives me, and evokes me to do my finest work. I would like them to be proud to name me a teammate. That is basically necessary to me. Sure, my title goes to be etched on a plaque, however that plaque actually ought to have 50 names engraved on it.

There isn’t any Jack Graney recognition with out them. To me, that’s the greatest factor I would like individuals to know, exterior of being an enormous Kansas City Chiefs fan.