George Springer’s home run was the defining moment of the Blue Jays’ season… so far

George Springer’s home run on Monday was special.

Luckily I held the ticket and I can say it was the best experience of my life. That’s what it felt like in the ball park.

Let’s talk about game 7

Over the next five innings, the Jays allowed a player to 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 inning, then got an insurance run with a Cal Raleigh homerun in the top of the fifth.

To say Rogers Center was quiet over the course of these five innings would be an understatement. Sure, there were the occasional chants of “let’s go Blue Jays,” but the energy was all but depleted heading into the bottom of the seventh. But then came the demonstration.

With Bryan Woo pitching, Addison Barger earned a five-pitch walk, putting a runner on. While it was a good start, this scenario happened throughout the match. The situation improved when Isiah Kiner-Falefa hit an 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 nice sacrifice bunt that moved the runners to second and third base.

Mariners’ manager Dan Wilson sensed a struggling pitcher and the momentum shifted, bringing in Eduard Bazardo. Rogers Center rocked during the commercial break; no one sat down when the Jays’ lineup flipped.

Those two games weren’t even close to this moment. Stepped up George Springer, who took the ball one way. His second pitch? Well, you know what happened. That 1-0 pitch was driven to right field, but barely cleared the wall for a 4-3 lead. From my vantage point at third base in the 500’s, I knew the ball was hit well, but I didn’t know if it had the distance or height to clear the wall.

That happened, and the arena disappeared nuts. So crazy that you couldn’t even hear yourself think; the broadcast didn’t do it justice. After letting the moment sink in, I was truly overwhelmed with emotion, nearly bawling my eyes out. Even now I get emotional messages about it, because wow, this was special.

No one sat down for the rest of the game. Chris Bassitt came out for the top of the eighth and pitched a zero inning. The Jays almost scored more runs, getting runners on first and third base with no outs, but an unfortunate double play ended the threat.

That didn’t matter, though, as Jeff Hoffman struck out consecutive batters just one day after throwing 35 pitches. The third strikeout was the only other play that could match the sound 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’s it; who knows what awaits us?