More than a few times over the years someone has come up to him in a bar or mall or some other public place and told him mom or dad or grandma or grandpa is a big fan.

This isn't unexpected when your face is part of every Blue Jays game for those watching at home. The broadcast starts, you're there. There's some between-inning analysis, you're there. The game's over and it's time for a breakdown, you're there. You're a two-dimensional friend.

"If you've got a phone, let's call them right now," Jamie Campbell often says to these folks at that moment. "And so oftentimes, I'll stand there with people and talk to their fathers, their mothers, their grandparents."

The 52-year-old was riding his bike on Tuesday morning when the epiphany hit him. Many of these folks are his biggest fans. Many are seniors. This coronavirus thing is frightening. This could be a tough time for them.

As soon as he got home he fired off a tweet: "It's a scary time, but older people may feel particularly isolated and alone. If your parents/grandparents are #BlueJays fans and you think their spirits would be raised by a phone call, send me a direct message with their name, number, and best time to call."

He knew there would be some responses. He's a modest guy but he's not an idiot. When you're on in front of peoples' eyeballs 162 times a year hosting Blue Jays Central on Sportsnet and you've been doing it for 10 years, you carry some notoriety and some fame. A few people will be interested.

To be ready for the 50 or 75 responses he expected, he went out and bought a new phone with a new number. Then prepared for the three or four days of calls he'd be making to make good on his vow.

A few hours later, his head was spinning.

"I have, I think, almost 1,000 direct messages that I am trying desperately to co-ordinate in some fashion," he says.

Overwhelming? Uh, yeah. But it told him his inkling was right. So he started dialing.

The area codes were from coast to coast. The accents and the stories were — are — as varied as the country itself.

He spoke to a woman in her late 90s who lived through the Great Depression. He spoke to a one-time Vietnam War draft dodger in Vancouver who was supposed to be dead of brain cancer 11 years ago. He's heard stories about children and grandchildren. In short, he's heard about peoples' lives.

This isn't a quick hello, thanks for watching and see ya. He's on for 15 or 20 minutes with each one. The intent was to cheer them up yet it's him who's loving the exchange.

"I've just had some remarkable conversations with people," Campbell says. "It's really been quite invigorating for me, to be honest."

The common denominator? Besides the fact they're almost all upbeat? They all miss baseball already. Most of these folks are in their 60s or 70s or 80s. Some, like that woman, are in their 90s. Many schedule their summer days around Jays' games. Even spring training. When it's gone it's not just a pastime that's missing, it's a touchstone that's absent from their lives. A companion that's moved away.

Suddenly it makes sense. If the game is that important, the man presenting it to them matters.

"I know how much people rely on baseball every single day regardless of how the club is doing," he says. "It's amazing how much it becomes such a fabric in their life."

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He has two young kids to look after so he can't be on the line nonstop. And even if he can make 20 calls a day, getting through them all will take ... well ... you do the math. Weeks. Maybe months.

But with no games to work, he has some time on his hands. He admits there's no guarantee he'll be able to get to all the names but he's going to try. Especially with 150 to 250 more names and numbers rolling in every couple hours.

In case you're wondering, yes, a few have picked up their phones, heard his introduction and said, 'Jamie who?'

"I had one old lady say, 'Am I getting punked?'" he laughs. "I think every third call they don't believe it and I have to sort of explain myself. Then they figure it out."

And when they do?

"It's wonderful."

How to connect with Jamie If you think your parent or grandparent would appreciate a call from Jamie Campbell, you can send him a direct message through his Twitter account (@SNETCampbell) giving their name, number and best time to call. Because of the volume of requests he's received, he asks you not tell them to expect a call. But he says he'll try to get to them all.

sradley@thespec.com

905-526-2440 | @radleyatthespec

Spectator columnist Scott Radley hosts The Scott Radley Show weeknights from 6-8 on 900CHML