TORONTO – American George Springer continued to feel good vibrations playing for the Toronto Blue Jays on Canada Day.
The 35-year-old outfielder drove in a career-high seven runs with a solo homer to left field within the fourth, a grand slam to left centre within the seventh, and a two-run single up the center within the eighth to lift the Blue Jays to a 12-5 win against the Latest York Yankees on Tuesday.
Canada’s only Major League Baseball club placed on quite the pre-game show to rejoice this country’s 158th birthday, and the ceremony touched most of the Blue Jays, including Springer.
Manager John Schneider caught the ceremonial pitch. Your entire team joined Canadian armed servicemen and ladies, holding a big Canadian flag that covered the outfield at Rogers Centre.
Finally, because the anthem was ending fighter jets hummed over the stadium.
“We got to go hang on to the flag, and I assumed that was cool,” Springer said. “This obviously is a really big day, and for us to win was big for us.
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“I do know we probably haven’t won (rather a lot) on lately here. However the Jets were cool with the anthem. The entire environment was awesome.”
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The Blue Jays improved to 13-12 on Canada Day at home, but sport a woeful 17-29 record overall on July 1. Springer, nonetheless, has enjoyed good times on Canada Day in addition to a renaissance this season.
“I feel the most important thing for me is I actually have learned methods to handle the failure,” said Springer, who has gone 9 for 19 (. 474) with three homers, 10 RBI and five runs scored in five Canada Day games for the Blue Jays.
“You’re going to have ups and downs. It’s not at all times about getting successful, it’s the method, right? Ultimately, , it’ll start to point out. You simply must hang in there.”
By snatching the primary two of the four-game series, the Blue Jays have pushed to inside a game of the American League East Division-leading Yankees.
Toronto has gone 21-10 since May 27, and Springer has played a big role within the turnaround.
“When he’s playing well often our whole team plays well,” Toronto veteran starter Kevin Gausman said. “He’s a man who can take over a game and when he’s locked in he can take over a series.”
Springer hit his a centesimal homer as a Blue Jay and his ninth profession grand slam before 41,129 at Rogers Centre.
He has been secretive as to what adjustments he’s made on the plate this season. But a part of Springer’s comeback could be attached to Schneider employing him more as a delegated hitter to avoid wasting him physically.
Springer likes to call the DH role an OP, for offensive player, due to his baserunning ability.
“George is a big-time player when he’s at his best,” Schneider said. “He likes moments like that. … It’s easy for him to slow the moment down.
“I remember in spring training saying, ‘Hey George, I don’t want you to hit 40 homers. I would like you to be productive throughout this lineup.’ He’s really grasped onto that. And when a man like him does it, it trickles right down to everyone else.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 1, 2025.
© 2025 The Canadian Press