FROM THE NORTHWOODS TO THE WORLD SERIES. Daulton Varsho, left, and Alex Call, right, are both former Eau Claire Express players. This year, they’ll play on the same field – at the World Series. (Photos via Toronto Blue Jays social medias, Associated Press)
This year’s World Series was already franchise history for the Toronto Blue Jays; the team hadn’t made a World Series appearance since its 1993 win over the Philadelphia Phillies. Then, in game one, they did what most thought unlikely: They dominated the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Blue Jays are certainly the underdogs in this year’s World Series – this year marks back-to-back World Series’ for the Dodgers, who won against the New York Yankees last year – yet for some Chippewa Vallians, the games are imbued with excitement for more personal reasons.
Daulton Varsho, now a Blue Jays center fielder, played a crucial role in what is already being called one of the greatest offensive innings in World Series history. He’s also a former Eau Claire Express player.
As explained by Express team owner Craig Toycen in Eau Claire City Manager Stephanie Hirsch’s Oct. 25 newsletter, Daulton’s connection with the Express is myriad.
“IT’S PRETTY COOL THAT THERE IS GUARANTEED TO BE A WORLD SERIES CHAMPION FROM THE EXPRESS THIS SEASON.”
CRAIG TOYCEN
OWNER, EAU CLAIRE EXPRESS
The Eau Claire Express have seen many of its former players move up in their athletic careers, including Daulton Varsho and Alex Call, who play for the Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers, respectively. (Photo via Eau Claire Express social media)
Daulton, who played for the Express in 2015 and 2016 and is a two-time Northwoods League All Star, is the nephew of Express Coach Dale Varsho and the son of former Major Leaguer Gary Varsho. It is also said that Daulton was named after his dad’s former teammate, Darren Daulton (who, coincidentally, played for the Philadelphia Phillies when they faced off against the Blue Jays at the 1993 World Series).
Daulton was drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the second round of the 2017 Major League Baseball Draft and, three years later, was called up to the majors.
“He made an extremely rare conversion from catcher to center field, but it paid off,” Toycen said. “He won the 2024 American League Gold Glove Award, awarded to the top center fielder in the League.
“Daulton is a pivotal part of the Blue Jays organization and had key at bats in both the Divisional Series and Championship Series to get the Blue Jays to the World Series.”
And Daulton isn’t the only former Express player on the World Series stage this year. Alex Call, a New Richmond native who played for the Express in 2013 and 2014, is an outfielder for the Dodgers.
“It’s pretty cool that there is guaranteed to be a World Series champion from the Express this season,” Toycen said.
(Plus, for Wisconsin baseball fans, there’s a non-zero chance that the Blue Jays’ game one upset felt like retribution following the Milwaukee Brewers’ brutal loss to the Dodgers at the National League Championship Series earlier this month. Just saying.)
The World Series will conclude on Saturday, Nov. 1, with the final game between the Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers beginning at 7pm • Learn more about Daulton Varsho and Alex Call through their respective MLB profiles online • Learn more about the Eau Claire Express online