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George Springer’s home run was the defining moment of Blue Jays’ season… so far
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Photo credit: © Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Ryley Delaney
Oct 22, 2025, 13:00 EDTUpdated: Oct 22, 2025, 04:36 EDT
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George Springer’s three-run home run on Monday was special.
Even after a day and a half removed from the home run, it feels surreal. I was fortunate to get my hands on a Game 7 ticket when they first went on sale. Admittedly, my faith wavered at points during the series, especially when the Toronto Blue Jays were down 2-0 and the debacle that was the eighth inning in Game 5.
Thankfully, I held on to the ticket, and I can say that it was the best experience of my life. Here’s what it felt like at the ball park.
Let’s talk about Game 7
The Seattle Mariners opened the scoring in the top of the first, with the Jays getting that run back in the bottom of the first. With runners on first and third, Ernie Clement lined out to end the inning. That was the high point of the game for the next two hours.
Over the next five innings, the Jays had a player reach first in four of the five innings, but none ever advanced to second. At the same time, the Mariners took a lead in the top of the third, then got an insurance run with a Cal Raleigh home run in the top of the fifth.
To say that Rogers Centre was quiet over the course of these five innings would be an understatement. Sure, there was an occasional chant of “let’s go Blue Jays”, but the energy was all but drained heading into the bottom of the seventh. But then came the rally.
With Bryan Woo pitching, Addison Barger earned a five-pitch walk to put a base runner on. While it was a good start, this scenario had happened throughout the game. Things picked up when Isiah Kiner-Falefa hit a 0-2 pitch up the middle, giving the Jays their first runner in scoring position since the first inning. Andrés Giménez then laid down a great sacrifice bunt, moving the runners to second and third.
Sensing a struggling pitcher and the momentum changing, Mariners’ manager Dan Wilson brought in Eduard Bazardo. Rogers Centre was rocking throughout the commercial break; no one was sitting down as the Jays’ lineup flipped over. 
Shortly after the Jays beat the New York Yankees, I wrote an article detailing my experience at Games 1 and 2; it was somewhat of a sequel to my reaction to George Springer’s grand slam against the Yankees on Canada Day. In the article that came after the Jays’ ALDS victory, I noted how I was overwhelmed with emotions, and that I had never experienced anything like those two games.
Those two games didn’t even come close to this moment. Up stepped George Springer, who took ball one way inside. His second pitch? Well, you know what happened. That 1-0 pitch was driven to right field, just barely getting over the wall for a 4-3 lead. From my vantage point on the third base side in the 500’s, I knew the ball was hit well, but didn’t know if it had the distance or height to get over the wall. 
It did, and the arena went nuts. So nuts that you couldn’t even hear yourself think; the broadcast didn’t do it justice.  After letting the moment settle, I truly got overwhelmed with emotions, almost bawling my eyes out. Even now, I’m getting emotional writing about this because wow, this was special.
No one sat down for the remainder of the game. Chris Bassitt came out for the top of the eighth, pitching a clean inning. The Jays nearly scored even more runs, getting runners on first and third with no outs, but an unfortunate double play ended the threat.
That didn’t matter though, as Jeff Hoffman struck out the side in order, just one day after throwing 35 pitches. The third strikeout was the only other play that rivalled the noise of the Springer home run.
No matter what happens in the World Series, this will be an unforgettable season, and Springer’s seventh-inning home run is the crown jewel of it. Well, that is so far; who knows what lies ahead?
Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, Oilersnation, and FlamesNation. She can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.

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