The Toronto Blue Jays lost perhaps one of the most memorable World Series in recent memory. After going 74-88 last season, the Blue Jays defied expectations and roared through the regular season with a 94-68 record. It seemed as if all of Canada was behind the 2025 Blue Jays on their improbable run, one that took an 11-inning Game 7 against the defending champions to put it to an end.
As one may expect, morale in the clubhouse was low after the game, to say the least. Blue Jays star Addison Barger appeared on MLB Network’s Hot Stove on Thursday to share his insight, but also spoke on the bond he and the American League pennant winners shared.
“It was really sad,” Barger said. “I think everybody’s really upset. I don’t think anybody wasn’t crying in there. Losing sucks, but also saying goodbye to everybody, because we spent eight, nine months straight with each other, and we were all so close to each other, and it was such a good group.”
With a 4-3 lead and one out in the ninth inning, the Blue Jays could practically taste their first championship since 1993, and the roof of Rogers Centre felt as if it was going to erupt. Then, Dodgers veteran Miguel Rojas slugged his first home run since Sept. 19 to tie the game.
In the bottom half of the frame, the Blue Jays got even closer to baseball immortality. With one out in the bottom of the ninth and the bases loaded, the Dodgers narrowly made the force out at home with a ground ball, and on the very next pitch, a dangerous fly ball was sent to the outfield. Despite colliding with his teammate, center fielder Andy Pages made the catch and sent the game to the 10th inning.
A two-out, 11th inning home run from All-Star catcher Will Smith would prove to be the decider, as the Dodgers became baseball’s first back-to-back champions in a quarter century. Meanwhile, the Blue Jays fell just short of shocking the baseball world.
Despite the heartbreaking loss, the Blue Jays’ remarkable season and grit throughout the World Series united fans across Canada and set a promising foundation for the future.
https://www.newsweek.com/sports/mlb/blue-jays-star-gives-depressing-insight-into-world-series-game-7-loss-10998785