NEW YORK – The Yankees are the American League Champions no more.
That’s because MLBbro George Springer was in the middle of a champagne celebration in the Blue Jays’ locker room on Wednesday night at Yankee Stadium. In fact, he played a huge role in a 5-2 victory over the Yankees, helping Toronto win the American League Division Series and advancing them to the A.L. Championship Series to play either the Mariners and Tigers.
This will be the fifth time a team with Springer on the roster becomes a step closer to the World Series.The other four trips to the ALCS occurred when he was with the Astros from 2017-20.
“It’s an honor [to go to the ALCS], especially to do it with this group of guys. I love these guys. This is awesome,” Springer said after the game.
In fact, it was Springer who broke a 1-1 tie in the fifth inning against right-hander Cam Schlittler With runners on first and third and no outs, Springer swung at an 0-1 pitch and slugged the ball to deep center field that allowed Ernie Clement to score the go ahead run, a lead they would never relinquish.
“I knew I couldn’t hit the ball on the ground. I was looking to get something in the air,” Springer recalled.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider wasn’t surprised by Springer’s heroics. In fact, Springer has been clutch all year. So far, it has been a season to remember and one of the reasons the Blue Jays are playing in October. In 140 regular season games, Springer had a slash line of .309/.399/.560 with an OPS+ of 161 and 32 homers. It is his best season since 2019 when he was with the Astros.
“I can’t say enough about what he has done for this team and what he means to us. It’s fitting that he was able to get that sacrifice fly,” Schneider said. “He has meant everything to this team. He has had a career year. He is an unbelievable leader and teammate and he is infectious with everyone around him.”
Right-hander Louis Varland has seen firsthand how Springer can affect a ballclub.
“He’s a veteran, a leader and he brings all of us together. He is the man,” Varland said. “He gives everybody confidence. He has been [in the postseason] before. He has done it all. He gives all of us young guys confidence.”
When asked if he is having the best season of his career, Springer declined to answer the question. He expects bigger things to happen this month. He stares at his teammates and can’t believe how talented they are.
“It’s not over yet,” he said. “Look around the locker room. Everybody is together. This is who we are as a team. This is awesome. I love these boys, our city, our fans, the country. This is so special.”
