Labatt Breweries has a long history of involvement in baseball, dating back to the early 1900s when the company sponsored local teams in Canada. In the 1970s, Labatt became more heavily involved in the sport, sponsoring the Toronto Blue Jays and the Montreal Expos. The company also sponsored the Labatt Blue Jays Baseball Academy, which provided training and development opportunities for young players.
During this time, Labatt also became involved in the promotion of baseball in the United States. The company sponsored the Labatt's Blue Baseball World Series, a tournament that featured amateur teams from across North America. The tournament was held annually from 1982 to 1991 and was broadcast on ESPN.
In addition to sponsoring teams and tournaments, Labatt also produced a line of baseball-themed products. The company's Labatt Blue beer was marketed as the "official beer of baseball," and the company produced a series of baseball-themed commercials featuring former players such as Ernie Banks and Willie Stargell.
Overall, Labatt's involvement in baseball during this time period was significant and helped to promote the sport in both Canada and the United States. The company's sponsorship of teams, tournaments, and training programs helped to develop young players and build a fan base for the sport.
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