TORONTO -- Michael Saunders' season was already over, but that didn’t stop the messages from rolling in last season during the heart of the Toronto Blue Jays' playoff run.

His buddies from back home in Victoria, B.C., would text him on their lunch breaks from the opposite coast, updating him with snippets they’d hear at local coffee shops or restaurants. All everyone wanted to talk about was the Jays. The game that night. The game yesterday. That this might actually be the year. It dominated all conversation.

And even though Saunders’ season had ended abruptly by a freak injury in spring training, he was already well aware. He experienced the excitement and euphoria of the postseason, in many ways, similar to a fan. He felt both anxious and powerless -- all he could do was watch -- but he was also exhilarated by the way the team’s success seemed to galvanize its fans and captivate an entire nation.

“That was really tough for me, but that being said, it was a really special moment for everyone in the clubhouse, everyone in this organization and especially the fan base,” Saunders told ESPN.com. “I think last year kind of proved to everyone that it's not just Toronto's team. It's truly Canada's team and they back their guys up.”

Fast forward to the 2016 season, and Saunders has firsthand experience with what that sort of commitment and loyalty looks like. The 29-year-old outfielder’s terrific first-half was enough to land him in the final five candidates jockeying for one last spot on the American League All-Star team, which was to be determined by a fan vote. He won by a resounding margin, tallying 17.7 million votes. The reason isn't exactly a secret. His fanbase was a bit bigger than some of his cohorts.

“He had the whole country [behind him],” said teammate Justin Smoak.

Saunders couldn’t help but feel some national pride in what propelled him to this week’s Midsummer Classic in San Diego.

“The experience was just humbling, to see the support from fans across Canada. Me being Canadian, we take care of our own, “ Saunders said. “I described it to everybody as, basically, I felt loved.”

But to boil it down to a numbers game or a popularity contest would be too simplistic. It would also deny Saunders’ outstanding credentials through the first half of the season. Saunders enters the break batting .298 and is on pace to crush his career highs in all major offensive categories; through 81 games, he has 49 runs, 42 RBIs and 16 homers.

His emergence in an already-explosive Blue Jays lineup has been a huge coup for Toronto, especially in the absence of Jose Bautista. And it’s one that almost didn’t happen.

Between Saunders’ puzzling exit from Seattle in 2014 -- when the Mariners GM seemed to criticize his work ethic -- to his unfortunate injury last season, when he tripped on a sprinkler indentation while shagging balls on what was not even an official workout day, to the near-trade in spring training, it has been a trying few years.

Saunders had shown glimpses, but had never been able to put it together for a sustained stretch. Still, he had faith that if he could stay healthy and get consistent at-bats, he could really make an impact. He has made some small adjustments to his game in recent years -- he shortened his swing in 2013 -- but thinks the true difference is the growth he has made both mentally and emotionally after having his will tested last season.

“I’ve described it as kind of a redemption year for me. I grew up a big Blue Jays fan, so finally getting traded over, having my season come to a halt there in a freak accident. Once I got healthy, I was chomping at the bit to get going,” Saunders said. “Ultimately, I wanted to prove, not just to the organization, but the fan base as well and my teammates why I was traded over here in the first place. It took a lot of hard work and preparation to get to today.”

That’s what makes those who know him even more pleased to see him rewarded.

“When you saw him last year, you could just tell he wanted to be out there so bad and compete and just wasn’t able to,” said Tigers reliever and former teammate Mark Lowe. “To go from that to making an All-Star team the year you're finally healthy, if you’re not happy for a guy like that, you've got some issues.”

Blue Jays skipper John Gibbons described Saunders as a “manager’s dream.” Gibbons said he didn’t realize how good of a player Saunders was when he was with Seattle, but seeing him on an everyday basis has changed his perspective.

Off the field has also provided keen insight into his makeup. He didn’t pout last year. He didn’t throw a fit when learning of the near-trade that fell apart, and he has always prepared as a true professional.

Gibbons can only imagine what Saunders, a good “Canadian kid,” must feel after receiving the support of encouragement from his whole country. The manager hopes Saunders never forgets.

“This is something that when his playing days are over, he'll look back at and feel great,” Gibbons said.