George Springer Stuns Blue Jays Fans With Game-Saving Catch—Watch the Must-See Moment & Reactions

TORONTO – George Springer wasted no time igniting the Rogers Centre crowd on Sunday night, launching the very first pitch he saw from Seattle Mariners ace Luis Castillo into the left-field seats. The leadoff blast powered the Toronto Blue Jays to a 5-3 victory in Game 1 of the 2025 American League Championship Series and vaulted Springer into rarefied postseason air. Springer’s homer was the 21st of his playoff career, moving him past Hall of Famer Derek Jeter for sole possession of fifth place on the all-time list. Only Manny Ramírez, José Altuve, Bernie Williams and Albert Pujols now sit ahead of the 36-year-old outfielder, who has developed a reputation as one of baseball’s most dangerous October sluggers. Fast starts are nothing new for Springer. Sunday’s shot was his fourth career postseason leadoff homer and his second of this playoff run after he opened the Wild Card round in similar fashion. “My job is to set the tone,” he said in the jubilant clubhouse. “If I can do that with one swing, even better.” Blue Jays manager John Schneider praised the veteran’s knack for big-stage moments. “George changes the entire feel of a ballgame,” Schneider said. “The dugout comes alive, the stadium shakes and suddenly our lineup gets to breathe a little easier.” Beyond the milestone, Springer’s blast provided welcome insurance to right-hander Kevin Gausman, who held Seattle to two runs over six innings. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. added a two-run double in the fifth, while closer Jordan Romano recorded the final four outs to secure Toronto’s ninth straight postseason win dating back to the Wild Card. A history-making pattern Springer’s presence atop the order has been central to the Blue Jays’ October surge. He owns a .327/.407/.673 slash line this postseason and leads all hitters with 15 runs scored. During the regular season, Springer produced 27 homers and 4.5 fWAR, his healthiest campaign since signing a six-year, $150 million contract with Toronto in 2021. With Sunday’s homer, Springer also became the first player in franchise history with multiple leadoff home runs in a single postseason. The accomplishment echoes his Game 7 heroics in the 2017 World Series and cements his reputation as one of baseball’s premier October catalysts. What it means for the series Toronto now holds home-field advantage in the best-of-seven ALCS. Game 2 is scheduled for Monday night, with right-hander Alek Manoah facing Seattle’s Logan Gilbert. The Mariners, appearing in their second ALCS in three seasons, will look to quiet Springer and company before the series shifts to T-Mobile Park. Recent history favors the Blue Jays: they were 55-26 at Rogers Centre this year and have out-scored opponents 37-15 in four postseason home games. Still, Springer cautioned against complacency. “This is a great Mariners team,” he said. “We’ve got three more wins to get, and they’re not going to hand them to us.” Key numbers to know • 21 postseason HR: 5th all-time, one behind Albert Pujols (22). • 4 career leadoff postseason HR: trails only Craig Biggio (5). • 9 consecutive postseason wins: franchise record, dating to Wild Card Game 1. • 117.6 mph exit velocity: hardest-hit ball of Springer’s 2025 season. Looking ahead If Springer continues to torment opposing pitchers, the Blue Jays might punch their first World Series ticket since 1993. For fans and fantasy managers alike, keeping an eye on Springer’s health and matchups is crucial, as Toronto will likely face either the Atlanta Braves or San Diego Padres should they advance. For now, the city of Toronto is savoring another signature moment from its star leadoff man. And with the way George Springer is swinging, more history could be on deck as the 2025 MLB postseason drama unfolds.