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George Springer says goodbye in potential final Blue Jays game: ‘It’s been an absolute honour to play here’
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Photo credit: Kevin Sousa-Imagn Images
Thomas Hall
Sep 27, 2026, 20:00 EDTUpdated: Sep 27, 2026, 20:01 EDT
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TORONTO — After six seasons and 776 regular-season games as a Blue Jay, George Springer likely played his final game with the franchise — perhaps his last ever — during Sunday’s 2026 finale, parting with an emotional farewell at Rogers Centre.
The 37-year-old, wrapping up his six-year, $150 million contract — the richest free-agent deal signed by a position player for this organization — after spending the first seven seasons of his career with the Houston Astros, returned to his trademark leadoff position for one final time in Game 162 against the Cincinnati Reds, serving as the designated hitter.
There was consideration to start Springer in the outfield, which he’s only done twice this season, but the Blue Jays ultimately settled on putting him at DH. These last few weeks have been especially grinding for the veteran hitter. He’s been banged up physically down the stretch, nursing a few undisclosed ailments that will likely be revealed in the coming days.
Never once did he consider coming up shy of reaching the finish line. Availability is often the best ability, as most will say in this business. While that sentiment hasn’t always been the case for Springer, particularly during his inaugural campaign with Toronto, making himself available as often as possible has always been his mindset — he made that known the day he signed here.
“I told [general manager] Ross [Atkins] when I first signed that I will give you everything I’ve got, every single day,” Springer said at his locker pre-game, fighting through tears at times. “I will give you 100 per cent of whatever it is I have. It doesn’t matter if I’m hurt, sick, it doesn’t matter.
“For me, what’s so cool is that I’m going to leave a locker room with friendships that I’ll have forever. It’s not just friendship; this is family to me. I love this place. I love it here. I’m so thankful.”
Leading off the bottom of the first inning for potentially the final time, Springer — the owner of 65 career leadoff home runs, second-most all-time to Rickey Henderson’s 81 — exhaled deeply as he walked up to the plate, with the crowd’s standing ovation building behind him. He took off his helmet, tipping it to the 42,000-plus fans applauding, as his emotions rose to the surface again.
Springer swung through a sweeper at the knees for strike three. But that didn’t matter to those in attendance. They started cheering again anyway. The roars began a second time during his next AB, which, after blooping a ball into shallow left field and advancing to second base on an error (later ruled a double), served as hit No. 763 as a Blue Jay.
It also marked the end of his final game in this city.
Manager John Schneider stepped out of the club’s dugout, holding up his hand as a pinch runner came to replace Springer. Sean Keys ran out towards second base and gave Springer a big hug before taking his place in the game. Then, as Springer walked off the field, he soaked in every moment of what could be the final moments of his career. He waved to the crowd as his eyes watered after crossing the third-base foul line.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr., teammates with Springer since the very beginning of his time in Toronto, with the two forming a little-brother-big-brother bond, waited to embrace him at the top step of the dugout.
“He’s been here since the first day,” Springer said. “It was a really cool embrace with a guy who’s a dear friend of mine, who I’ve really grown to love and enjoy over these last six years.”
It was the perfect way to wrap a bow around the history they’ve shared over the last six years together.
“He’s always thought I was old, which is hilarious,” Springer chuckled. “But I love him, and I know he’s going to do everything he can to be the player that everybody expects from him.
“I owe a lot to him. He took me in, and was very welcoming from the first day. I love him.”
Springer then walked down the line, hugging each of his teammates, coaches and a few of the club’s strength and conditioning staff. At the end was Schneider. They wrapped their arms around each other, embracing their cherished relationship that, as player and manager, has now reached its conclusion.
“He’s changed the trajectory of the organization,” Schneider said of Springer. “He said he wanted to do that when he got here, to leave it better than when he got here. I think he’s done that. He’s meant a lot to me.”
Landing Springer in free agency was the start of something bigger for the Blue Jays. He, along with Hyun Jin Ryu (who signed the off-season prior), was part of the first wave of marquee players to sign north of the border. They set the stage for the Robbie Rays, Marcus Semiens, Kevin Gausmans, Chris Bassitts, Kevin Kiermaiers, Anthony Santanders of the world before Dylan Cease and Kazuma Okamoto arrived last winter.
From there, the 2017 World Series MVP fully embraced this market. He’s essentially an honorary Canadian at this point. But even more, a father figure for most, including many in Toronto’s clubhouse. How do you say goodbye to someone like that? You can’t. It’s see you later.
On the field, though, nobody knows what the future holds for Springer. He revealed before the game that — like Max Scherzer — he plans to make a decision this winter after discussing it with his wife, Charlise, ensuring whatever they decide is the right call for them and their three children.
“This whole day has been emotional in a good way,” Springer said. “I just can’t say ‘thank you’ enough, and I’ve said it a bunch today. This fanbase, this team, this organization, the guys in this locker room who have been here and the guys who are not, mean the world to me.”
Springer loves this city, this country. Even after the heartbreaking ending to last year’s World Series loss to the Dodgers, he and his wife returned to Toronto for a visit about a month later — upon which multiple fans came up to them, not asking for an autograph, but to say ‘thank you’ for everything he had done throughout that magical run.
Those interactions still feel weird for Springer, who turned it around, insisting he should be the one to say “thank you.” As he walked off the field Sunday, maybe the final time as a player, he was able to say it one last time.
“It’s been an absolute honour to play here every single day, and I just hope that they know that,” he said.

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