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A Brief History of Toronto Sports

Toronto's sports history is a tale of triumphant victories, heartbreaking losses, and relentless endurance. This city is home to several professional sports franchises, such as the Toronto Raptors (NBA), Toronto Blue Jays (MLB), and the Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL), just to name a few. These teams have been through varying ranges of success over the years.

Focus on Basketball: The Toronto Raptors

The Toronto Raptors have a relatively young history, entering the NBA as an expansion team in 1995. Despite their youthful status, they've managed to carve out a space for themselves on the global basketball stage. The pinnacle of the Raptors' history thus far is undoubtedly their 2019 NBA Championship win, but that blockbuster year wasn't the only time the Raptors advanced to the second round in the playoffs.

Last Second Round Appearance by Toronto Raptors

After high anticipation and regular-season success, the Toronto Raptors made it to the second round of the NBA playoffs in the 2019-2020 season. They were pitted against the Boston Celtics after prevailing over the Brooklyn Nets in their first-round matchup. However, the Raptors fell to the Celtics in a hard-fought seven-game series that ended their title defense.

Baseballs and Breakthroughs: The Toronto Blue Jays

The Toronto Blue Jays, Toronto's Major League Baseball team, added their fair share of vigor to the city's sports scene. The Blue Jays have had success in the past, most notably in the early '90s when they won back-to-back World Series in 1992 and 1993. But their last appearance in the second round is more recent.

Last Second Round Entrance by the Toronto Blue Jays

The Toronto Blue Jays last made it to the second round of the MLB playoffs in 2016. After a tense American League Wild Card Game victory over the Baltimore Orioles, they advanced to the American League Division Series (second round) against the Texas Rangers. The Blue Jays swept the Rangers in this series, advancing to the American League Championship Series where they were eventually defeated by the Cleveland Indians.

Hockey and the Hopeful: The Toronto Maple Leafs

Ice hockey is a central aspect of Canadian culture, and the Toronto Maple Leafs are a prominent part of that, with a rich history dating back to 1917. Despite the team's passionate fan base and historical significance, the Leafs have seen a playoff drought.

Last Second Round Entre by the Toronto Maple Leafs

The last time the Toronto Maple Leafs made it to the second round was back in the 2003-2004 NHL season. After defeating the Ottawa Senators in the first round, they were bested by the Philadelphia Flyers in a six-game Eastern Conference Semifinal series.

Conclusion

Toronto's sports franchises have had varying degrees of success when it comes to making it to the second round of their playoffs. The most recent instances among the city's three major sports franchises were the Raptors in 2020, the Blue Jays in 2016, and the Maple Leafs in 2004. Each team's trek to the second round has its unique story, painting a diverse, dynamic sports landscape in Toronto.