The Toronto Blue Jays are in the 2025 World Series. Yes, they will face the Los Angeles Dodgers in the October Classic, and be considered as a significant underdog. For now, it is time to recognize the excellence the Blue Jays displayed in winning the American League Championship Series in seven games over the Seattle Mariners.
The seventh game of the ALCS will forever be remembered by one hit in the seventh inning. That came off the bat of George Springer of New Britain, Connecticut. With the Mariners leading the Blue Jays 3-1, Springer hit a 381 foot home run to left center field. The home run was significant because Springer was battling a sore knee after getting hit by a pitch in the fifth game of the ALCS on Friday. The home run also scored Addison Barger, who walked earlier in the inning, and Isiah Kiner-Filefa, who walked earlier in the inning. There would be no more scoring in game seven, and the Blue Jays went on to win 4-3.
Springer’s blast will forever be remembered as the Springer Dinger, and was caught by a spectator wearing a Springer jersey. It will also be considered the second biggest three-run home run ever hit in Toronto. The biggest was in game six of the 1993 World Series. That is when Joe Carter hit a three-run walk off home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to help lead the Blue Jays to an 8-6 win over the Philadelphia Phillies. Remarkably, the Blue Jays have not even been to a World Series since. Meanwhile, the Seattle Mariners remain the only MLB franchise never to have been to a single World Series.
