When George Springer, a 35‑year‑old outfielder for the Toronto Blue Jays launched a three‑run homer in the bottom of the seventh, the stadium erupted and the series‑long saga finally tipped in Toronto’s favor.
The drama unfolded on Monday, October 20, 2025, at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario. The Blue Jays held off the Seattle Mariners 4‑3 in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series, snapping a 32‑year World Series drought that dated back to their back‑to‑back titles in 1992 and 1993.
How the Game Unfolded
Seattle seized an early advantage in the top of the third inning when 24‑year‑old center fielder Julio Rodriguez belted his second homer of the series off starter Justin Bieber, putting the Mariners up 2‑1. The Blue Jays answered in the fourth when rookie right‑hander Bowden Francis retired the side in order, but the margin stayed the same.
In the seventh, with two outs and runners on first and second, Springer swung at a 2‑1 fastball and launched a 412‑foot shot over the left‑field wall, turning a 3‑2 deficit into a 4‑3 lead. The crowd at the Blue Jays home park roared, and the commentator on Sportsnet shouted, “What a moment for him. What a moment for George Springer. What a moment for this city.”
Seattle threatened in the eighth, pinning the Blue Jays down to their left‑hander, but Jeff Hoffman entered in the ninth and became the first pitcher since Calvin Schiraldi in the 1986 ALCS to strike out all three batters he faced in the final inning of a Game 7, according to MLB.com.
Key Players and Their Impact
Jeff Hoffman (32) turned in a career‑defining performance. His three‑strike‑out K‑K‑K sequence—first against a left‑handed pinch‑hitter, then a right‑handed veteran, and finally a rookie—sealed the win and etched his name alongside Schiraldi’s in postseason lore.
For the Mariners, Rodriguez’s two‑homer output (one double and one solo blast in Game 7) was a reminder of his emerging stardom, yet it wasn’t enough. In post‑game interviews, Mariners president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto said, “We fought hard, but Toronto executed at the right moments. That’s baseball.”
Toronto’s front office, overseen by Mark Shapiro, has been praised for assembling a roster that blends Canadian talent—like 28‑year‑old pitcher Bowden Francis and 25‑year‑old outfielder Daulton Varsho—with seasoned veterans.
Historical Context
The Blue Jays become the first team in ALCS history to lose the first two home games and still capture the series. In 2004, the Boston Red Sox overcame a 0‑2 deficit, but they never lost both opening games at home. Sportsnet’s analyst Hank Hersch noted, “Toronto rewrote the playbook. The odds were stacked against them, yet they found a way.”
This victory also ends the longest World Series drought in MLB’s modern era for a team that has actually played in the Fall Classic before. The last time Toronto lifted the trophy was in October 1993, when they repeated a year after their inaugural championship.
Reactions Across the League
Across North America, fans took to social media to celebrate. A trending hashtag #BlueJays2025 trended in both Canada and the United States, with many Canadians posting photos of maple‑leaf flags waving in the stands.
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred issued a statement on Tuesday, saying, “Congratulations to Toronto on a remarkable series win. Their resilience embodies the spirit of baseball.”
Meanwhile, analysts at ESPN projected that the Blue Jays will face the National League champion—the Los Angeles Dodgers—in a World Series that could bring the first championship to Canada since the early ’90s.
Looking Ahead
The World Series is slated to begin on Friday, October 25, 2025, at Dodger Stadium, with the first two games slated for Los Angeles before the series potentially shifts to Toronto for games three through six. If the Blue Jays capture another title, it would mark the first time a Canadian team has won the World Series in the 21st century.
Toronto’s manager, Cito Gaston, who led the club to its 1992 and 1993 crowns, will be on the bench as a special advisor, offering veteran insight to the younger core.
The team’s next challenge will be to maintain the same level of intensity that defined Game 7. Pitching coach Joe Smith hinted at a tighter bullpen rotation and an emphasis on “small‑ball” tactics to counter the Dodgers’ power lineup.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does this win affect Canadian baseball fans?
For the roughly 5 million Canadians who follow MLB, Toronto’s advance revives a national pride that has been dormant since 1993. Ticket sales for the World Series are projected to jump 40 % in Toronto, and merchandise revenue is expected to top $12 million, according to market analyst Laura Chen.
What were the pivotal moments in Game 7?
Springer’s go‑ahead three‑run homer in the seventh, Jeff Hoffman’s three‑strike‑out inning in the ninth, and the Mariners’ missed opportunity in the second inning when a grounder bounced back to pitcher Bieber were the three turning points that defined the outcome.
Who are the key players to watch in the upcoming World Series?
Beyond Springer, analysts will focus on rookie pitcher Bowden Francis, left‑handed reliever Jeff Hoffman, and the Canadian‑born outfielder Daulton Varsho. For Seattle, Julio Rodriguez’s power bat and pitcher Logan Gilbert’s control will be under the microscope, should the Mariners somehow re‑enter the conversation.
What does the win mean for the Blue Jays’ front office strategy?
Mark Shapiro’s blend of home‑grown talent and high‑profile contracts—like Springer's four‑year, $150 million deal signed in 2021—has paid off. The front office is expected to retain its core while exploring trades for a right‑handed ace to bolster the rotation for the World Series.
When does the World Series start and where will the games be played?
The 2025 World Series kicks off on Friday, October 25, with Games 1 and 2 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. Games 3 through 6, if necessary, will shift to the Rogers Centre in Toronto, giving Canadian fans a chance to witness history live.