Here’s something they don’t teach you in journalism school.
With F-bombs and champagne flying, Hazel Mae bravely stepped into the Toronto Blue Jays clubhouse on Wednesday. And unlike just about everyone else in the room, she wasn’t wearing protective goggles.
Her only protection? A Sportsnet baseball cap.
No ponchos needed here.
“Hazel Mae did a spectacular job in that champagne storm last night,” TSN’s James Duthie said Thursday morning on social media.
“Watching the Jays celebration coverage and all I can say is that Hazel Mae is one of the all-time media greats. Seriously, she is amazing,” added Roger Lajoie of Sportsnet 590 The Fan.
The longtime sportscaster showed incredible poise and professionalism through some celebratory but also trying circumstances.
Carrying on through live interviews with music blaring, Mae had to yell questions into the ears of players — many of them shirtless.
She has experience dodging Gatorade buckets during the regular season, and this wasn’t her first locker room celebration. But good luck avoiding getting doused on this night.
While interviewing George Springer, surrounding players poured beer on both her and the Blue Jays designated hitter, treating Mae like a member of the team. She continued asking her question, even as the player she was interviewing was actively pouring beer on her head.
Then there was the challenge of getting players to clean up their language.
She reminded players that they were broadcasting live on Sportsnet, but it didn’t seem to matter.
Kevin Gausman launched four curse words so quickly that there was no time to react.
“We’re not done yet. We’re f*cking fired up. We’re ready to go,” said Gausman, live on the air. “I don’t give a sh*t, we’re f*cking… let’s go. F*ck yeah. Let’s go, Canada!”
It was hilariously chaotic, and wildly entertaining.
And you couldn’t help but be impressed by Mae, braving it all.
“The postgame celebration interviews conducted by Hazel Mae are always my favourite,” said Devin Heroux of CBC. “What a pro. So prepared. Ready for literally anything thrown her way.”
Baseball tradition means the Blue Jays have already celebrated with champagne three times in the last three weeks. If all goes well for them in October, there are two more champagne celebrations to go.
And you know Mae will be ready for it.