The Toronto Blue Jays have clinched their first World Series appearance since 1993 after a thrilling victory over the Seattle Mariners in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series. Trailing 3-1, outfielder George Springer delivered a game-changing three-run home run in the seventh inning, propelling the Blue Jays to a 4-3 series win. The only Canadian franchise in Major League Baseball (MLB) will now face the defending champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers, in the highly anticipated ‘Fall Classic.’
Springer, a key player in the Houston Astros’ 2017 World Series triumph, expressed his elation, stating, ‘I’m just so happy for our team, our city, our country. This is such an unbelievable moment.’ With 23 post-season home runs, Springer now ranks third in MLB history, trailing only Manny Ramirez (29) and Jose Altuve (27). Blue Jays manager John Schneider praised Springer’s clutch performance, calling it ‘October magic.’
The Mariners, who led the series 2-0 and 3-2, remain the only MLB franchise never to reach the World Series. Manager Dan Wilson acknowledged the disappointment but commended his team’s efforts, saying, ‘It’s a special team. It’s a shame that we had to come out on the wrong side of this one.’
The Blue Jays, who previously won the World Series in 1992 and 1993, will host the Dodgers in Game 1 on Friday, marking a historic return to the championship stage.