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New York Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Inside the Blue Jays' improbable revival: ‘It's a pretty cool atmosphere right now'
The visiting clubhouse brimmed with a quiet confidence. Players slid through narrow hallways with looseness, peeking at pregame scouting reports and bouncing out to the batting cage. At the centre of it all, four Toronto Blue Jays sat huddled around a wooden table. Hours before the Jays trotted onto the field to secure their 10th consecutive victory earlier this month, utilityman Davis Schneider pulled a red playing card from a central pile, tucking it into his guarded hand. Staring over from his locker, Joey Loperfido thought for a moment. The young outfielder had just been asked about the 2025 Blue Jays. How were they different? How had they surged to the top of the American League East? Advertisement As Loperfido began to speak, the group at the table laid down their hands. Someone — if you're going off the loudest cheer, it was Myles Straw — had just won. They screamed and hollered, and from across the room, Loperfido reached for his answer. 'I think you see it right there.' As Toronto rattled off victories and soared to the top of its division, everything went right. Players from Triple A notched game-saving hits the very same night they were promoted. Rookie relievers locked down games in extra innings. The group outplayed its expected record by five wins. When asked to explain the transformation, the players point to each other. The Jays didn't turn from disappointment to contender with a major winter splash. Instead, Roki Sasaki became the latest offseason disappointment for fans who clamoured for a free-agent saviour. There would be no Shohei Ohtani or Juan Soto signing to lift this team to greatness. And even the more modest offseason additions the Jays brought in haven't played a particularly prominent role in the turnaround. The difference between the failures of Toronto's turbulent 2024 season and the successes thus far of a reinvigorating 2025 campaign, they say, lies in the culture. 'Since I've been here, this is one of the best years that I've been in the clubhouse,' Vladimir Guerrero Jr. said through interpreter Hector Lebron. 'Once I wake up, I just can't wait to get to the field to be with my teammates. It's been unbelievable. It's what any manager would want, a team like that, a culture like that.' The change manifests in the dugout, which is typically buzzing during close games. The Jays point to a fresh commitment to base running, improved communication, hitters accepting more specific roles and pitchers empowered to adjust, even if it means bucking industry norms. Now, they begin the second half of a season filled with promise after completing the organization's best first half since 1992 — the year Toronto won the first of two straight World Series titles. Advertisement It's a stark, almost unbelievable, contrast from Toronto's trade deadline fire sale a year ago, during a dismal season that ended in last place. That 74-win campaign opened eyes to what the Jays needed to improve, multiple players said. In a way, this year's bountiful wins are a product of those many losses. This winter began with conversations, led by Toronto's veteran core. An organizational debriefing, veteran starter Kevin Gausman called it. Players texted players, coaches held meetings and calls, scouts chimed in, and the front office listened. They established a list of issues and went about correcting them. This improbable run to the top of the AL East — this ostensibly unyielding culture — has been exactly what they imagined. 'Sometimes, you got to go through some s— to really basically get exposed and fix issues,' veteran righty Chris Bassitt said. 'I feel like last year, I never want to go through it again. It exposed a lot of things, and I never want to go through it again.' As Guerrero's groundball hit rolled inside third base, George Springer bolted. The deeper the ball dribbled into the Chicago White Sox outfield, the faster Springer ran. As he rounded second base during a game last month, Davis Schneider stood in the Jays' dugout, slapping the foam pad in front of him. As Springer passed third and slid safely home, Schneider threw his hands in the air. That effective aggressiveness on the bases is something the team has tried to instill for years. Ahead of spring training in 2023, better base running was manager John Schneider's stated goal. That year, the Jays ended up as the fifth-worst base-running team in MLB, per Baseball Savant's extra bases taken. Last year, they fell to third worst. The 2025 Jays, by average sprint speed, are slower than the previous two iterations of the team. But, in bases taken, they rank above league average. That success is meant to send a bigger message. Advertisement 'What we can control,' Schneider said, 'is effort, anticipation and aggressiveness.' It took a lot of 'direct conversations,' Schneider said, a continuation of the honest discussions started in the offseason. The coaching staff presented numbers to Toronto's roster, explaining the runs lost by being one of baseball's worst base-running teams. They'd done that before, but it takes a veteran tone to set a standard. This year, the two players who have been among Toronto's biggest risers in trying for extra bases are Guerrero, who recently signed a $500 million extension, and Springer, who previously held Toronto's largest-ever contract. In fact, Springer has entirely embraced the mentality. On days he's the team's designated hitter, Springer's listed position on the lineup card flashing on a digital screen inside Toronto's home clubhouse often reads 'OP.' It's short for offensive player, a moniker coined by associate manager DeMarlo Hale and Schneider. It's a reminder that scoring runs isn't entirely about hitting and that edges can be gained through effort. The Blue Jays didn't get faster this season, but they nevertheless got better at base running. 'For lack of a better term, s— runs downhill,' Schneider said. 'So I hear it, I say to the staff, we go to the players. Then players are going to players, and they hold each other accountable.' Of course, other changes that have led to the Blue Jays' resurgence aren't quite as quantifiable, nor have they unfolded in plain view. Some of them have taken shape in places like the manager's hotel room at 2 in the morning. That's where Schneider pulled out a whiteboard during an April trip to Houston. Hale and hitting coaches David Popkins and Lou Iannotti sat sprawled across the manager's hotel room. As the coaches tossed out lineup concepts, the manager jotted down potential batting orders with his rounded letters, erasing one idea before moving on to the next. The Jays concoct lineups days in advance. They are malleable — accounting for hot streaks, injuries or pitching changes — but a general plan exists. Advertisement This season, those concepts are being communicated to players up and down the roster. By the time players get back to the hotel after a game, they often know whether they're in the next day's lineup and what position they're playing. That ample notice, players say, has made it easier to accept their roles and made them more willing to pass the big moment to the next man. It has fostered a new day, new hero mantra around the team. One game, it's Springer driving in seven runs, the next it's Ernie Clement delivering a walk-off. The Jays' dugout sounds like a space occupied by a team on pace for 93 wins. Batters nestle beside the hitting staff, and off-day pitchers listen in on pitching plans between innings. 'I wish more people could kind of hear what it's like in our dugout,' Schneider said. 'From a variety of people. Whether it's the starting pitcher, pitchers that aren't pitching or guys that aren't starting. It's a pretty cool atmosphere right now.' It's the atmosphere of any winning team Bassitt has ever been on, he said, though for the Blue Jays, the impact reaches beyond just good vibes. Three innings into his July 3 start against the New York Yankees, Bassitt ditched his cutter. It was a key part of the attack plan against New York — 10 of the Yankees' 12 regular hitters whiff over 20 percent against the pitch, and in Bassitt's last outing against the Bronx Bombers, he threw cutters 23 percent of the time. But on this night, he couldn't locate the pitch. When Trent Grisham hammered a cutter right down the middle, sending it 409 feet to the bleachers, Bassitt altered course. The veteran starter returned to the dugout, explained the issue, and the pitching plan changed. Only five of his next 94 pitches were cutters. What happened next, Bassit said, is Toronto's 2025 difference. Bassit's decision to ditch his cutter filtered up and down the dugout. Players took note. First-base coach Mark Budzinski altered outfield alignments, and the infield shifts were tweaked to accommodate the change in plans. Pitchers feel more empowered to make those in-game adjustments this year, Bassitt said, because they know they will be supported. 'If we want to change anything at any moment, we have the ability to change things at any moment,' Bassitt said. 'I know that's not the norm around the league. Like, a lot of the time, it's 'hey, do this and just shut up and do it.' That's just not what we're doing here.' Last year, the Blue Jays entered the All-Star break seven games under .500 and 8 1/2 wins out of a postseason spot. The looming trade deadline selloff was obvious at that point. The October dream was over early. As the dreadful season wore on, Bassitt said it became 'almost impossible' not to play for individual stats and personal outcomes. Advertisement There is no team culture that can survive that level of losing — hopes dashed that early. It's a slide the 2025 Jays sought to avoid, to the point their preseason conversations focused on this goal. 'I think every player has some sort of individual agenda, or maybe not agenda, but something underlying,' said Bo Bichette, one of the faces of the franchise. 'Like maybe they're not playing as much as they want, or they're not playing the position they want. Everybody has those, it doesn't mean that they're not here trying to win. But just trying to keep those kinds of things at bay, keep the focus on winning.' Toronto entered the season knowing the first month would be tough. Six of the club's first nine series came against opponents coming off appearances in the postseason. The April goal was .500 baseball — survive the spring. They finished that month 14-16. Since then, the Blue Jays are 41-25, the best record in all of baseball over that stretch. Maybe it was a scorching-hot month and breakouts from Addison Barger and Springer that kickstarted the climb. Maybe it was a dash of the good fortune required to overperform their plus-20 run differential, and the unheralded Eric Lauer saving the rotation. Or, maybe it was a matter of culture. Whatever the reason, winning perpetuates winning, even when the possibility seems remote. The Blue Jays' first-half surge was powered in part by their 27 comeback victories. 'It's easy to buy in when there's so many people around you that are bought in,' rookie reliever Braydon Fisher said. 'It's also easy to buy in when you're winning. And it's easy to buy in when we're playing electric baseball games.' This year, the Jays entered the break with excitement. It wasn't a four-day reprieve from a dismal season, but a needed break before a second-half battle for first place. After reshaping priorities in offseason texts and phone calls, it's where they hoped to be. Now, the Blue Jays hope to stay there. 'I'm just happy that everyone has bought in,' Bassitt said. 'But now it's just continuing. Obviously, we have a lot of games left. We're probably going to go through stretches that are not that great for four or five games in a row. But don't change that thought process. This thought process is why we're really good right now.' (Top photo of Addison Barger: Cole Burston / Getty Images)
NBC Sports
7 days ago
- Sport
- NBC Sports
MLB Power Rankings: Red Sox crash Top-10 going into All-Star break
Featured in the All-Star break edition of MLB Power Rankings, Jacob Misiorowski and Aaron Judge make history for different reasons, the Phillies do Cristopher Sánchez a solid, the Red Sox are suddenly the hottest team in the majors, the Angels surprise with their decision for the No. 2 pick, and the Rockies absolutely nail it. (Please note these power rankings are a combination of current performance and long-term projected outlook) Let's get started! Eric Samulski, Note: Rankings are from the morning of Monday, July 14. Last week: 1 Even after getting swept by the Mariners over the weekend, the Tigers enter the All-Star break with the best record in baseball. Tarik Skubal is set to become the first Tigers' pitcher to start the All-Star Game since Max Scherzer in 2013. Last week: 3 After losing seven straight, the Dodgers righted the ship by taking two out of three against the division rival Giants over the weekend. Tyler Glasnow made his return last week, and Blake Snell and Blake Treinen aren't far behind, so the Dodgers are about to get stronger. Last week: 4 Including an excellent outing in a win over the Yankees on Sunday, Shota Imanaga holds a 2.31 ERA over four starts since returning from the injured list. Last week: 2 Given the Astros moved on from Kyle Tucker and Alex Bregman this offseason and they've been without Yordan Alvarez for most of the first half, it's pretty remarkable that they own the fourth-best record in baseball going into the All-Star break. Last week: 8 The Brewers continue to surprise. Winners of seven straight — with a sweep of the Dodgers along the way — Milwaukee sits just one game behind the Cubs for the NL Central lead. The debate over the Jacob Misiorowski All-Star selection is dominating the conversation around MLB in recent days — and understandably so — it got me to thinking of the best players who never went to the All-Star Game. Kirk Gibson is absolutely shocking to me, but also familiar names like Tim Salmon, Tom Candiotti, and Eric Chavez. Last week: 6 The Blue Jays have cooled off a bit since their 10-game winning streak, but they go into the All-Star break in first place in the American League East. We should see them target a starting pitcher as the trade deadline approaches. My favorite thing that happened this weekend was Blue Jays manager John Schneider getting ejected after a potential Davis Schneider home run was ruled foul, only to have the outfielder hit a home run immediately following the ejection. Baseball is so weird and fun. John Schneider was livid and got ejected after Davis Schneider's potential homer was ruled foul 😳 THIS ONE COUNTS 🙌 Davis Schneider goes yard after his earlier shot was ruled foul 💥 Last week: 5 Pretty cool gesture by the Phillies, as Cristopher Sánchez activated the $50,000 All-Star bonus in his contract despite him being a notable snub for the midsummer classic. Sánchez responded by throwing a gem on Sunday, as the club salvaged the series finale against the Padres to go into the All-Star break with a half-game lead in the NL East. Last week: 7 Kodai Senga made a successful return from a hamstring injury on Friday and Sean Manaea looked great despite taking the loss in his season debut on Sunday, so things are looking up for the Mets as they move into second half. Last week: 9 While the Yankees lost to the Cubs on Saturday, Aaron Judge became the fastest player in MLB history to reach 350 career home runs. It's one thing to write that sentence, but the thing is, he's absolutely obliterated the record book in this regard. Fewest career games to 350 home runs: Aaron Judge: 1,088 Mark McGwire: 1,280 Juan Gonzalez: 1,298 Alex Rodriguez: 1,301 Harmon Killebrew: 1,319 Albert Pujols: 1,320 Last week: 16 I was high on the Red Sox coming into the year, and while things haven't exactly worked out the way I thought they would — Rafael Devers trade included — they've won 10 straight games to put themselves in a strong position leading into the trade deadline. CEDDANNE RAFAELA HITS IT OUT OF FENWAY 😤 THE @REDSOX ARE WALK-OFF WINNERS! Ceddanne Rafaela now has five homers and 14 RBI over his last eight games. Last week: 11 Jackson Merrill was down in the dumps with a 3-for-43 (.070) stretch before his two-homer game against Zack Wheeler and the Phillies on Saturday. He's had a bumpy (and injury-riddled) first half, but something closer to his rookie performance would be a huge development for the Padres. Last week: 13 While 33-year-old Robbie Ray will not pitch in the All-Star Game — he was replaced by Mets left-hander David Peterson — he earned his first selection since his age-25 season in 2017. Last week: 12 A great weekend for the Mariners, who swept the Tigers before taking LSU left-hander Kade Anderson with the No. 3 pick in Sunday's draft. Many considered Anderson to be the best player in this year's class. Now it's time for 'The Big Dumper' to get his close-up in Monday's Home Run Derby. CAL RALEIGH GRAND SLAM HOMER NO. 38 Last week: 14 Iván Herrera made his return to the Cardinals on Sunday after missing just about a month with a Grade 2 hamstring strain. He's been great when healthy this season with eight homers, 34 RBI, and a .320/.394/.529 batting line, but he also missed time in the first half with a knee injury. The Cardinals plan to mostly use him out of the DH spot the rest of the way. Last week: 15 Congratulations to Terry Francona, who became the 13th manager in MLB history to reach the 2,000-win club on Sunday. Does his team love him or what? That's our bleeping skipper. Last week: 10 While the Blue Jays and Red Sox are rising, the Rays continue to fall. They've lost four straight and 12 out of their last 15 games. One positive? Shane McClanahan is nearing his return to the Rays' rotation. Last week: 17 A frustrating first half for the Rangers, where they just can't seem to get over the hump, but it ended on an encouraging note this weekend as they took two out three from the Astros. You can squint and see how this club could go on a run in the second half. You could also see them spiraling. The next couple of weeks will be fascinating. Last week: 18 Losers of nine out of their 13 games, the Diamondbacks increasingly look like sellers and they have a bunch of interesting players with Eugenio Suarez, Merrill Kelly, Zac Gallen, and Josh Naylor all reportedly on the block. Last week: 20 What a first half for Byron Buxton. The apex? He accomplished the first triple in Target Field history on Saturday and did it on his own bobblehead day, to boot. THE HOME RUN THAT COMPLETED BYRON BUXTON'S CYCLE!!!! Buxton is my pick for Monday's Home Run Derby. Let's keep this feel-good story going! Last week: 21 Noah Cameron wrapped up a brilliant first half by spinning 6 2/3 scoreless innings with eight strikeouts as part of Sunday's win over the Mets. It's going to be hard for him to stand out in the AL rookie field which also includes Jacob Wilson and Nick Kurtz, but he's been a lifesaver for the Kansas City rotation with a 2.31 ERA across 12 starts. Last week: 19 The Angels' approach to the draft is always interesting, and of course they surprised by taking UC Santa Barbara right-hander Tyler Bremner No. 2 overall. There were other college pitchers who were considered better by most experts, but the Angels clearly thought there wasn't a true standout in this year's class and they could manipulate their draft pool in other ways. But if we know anything about the Angels, we'll probably see Bremner in the majors sooner rather than later. Last week: 23 The Orioles had seven picks in the top 93 players during the first day of the MLB Draft and they received high marks for their haul which included Auburn C/OF Ike Irish, Coastal Carolina C Caden Bodine, Arkansas SS Wehiwa Aloy, and prep OF Slater de Brun. They also finally got around to taking some pitchers with lefty Joseph Dzierwa out of Michigan State and right-hander JT Quinn out of Georgia. Last week: 25 The Guardians have won six out of seven since their 10-game losing streak, but it might be too little too late. Last week: 24 It was the Kyle Stowers Revenge Game on Sunday, as the former Orioles prospect went 5-for-5 with three homers, six RBI, and four runs scored in a blowout victory over Baltimore on Sunday. THREE HOME RUNS FOR KYLE STOWERS! Last week: 22 The latest blow for the Braves is Austin Riley hitting the injured list with an abdominal strain. It would be surprising if he's back by the end of July, so this continues to look like a lost year for Atlanta. Last week: 28 One year ago, Nick Kurtz heard his named called on draft day. On Sunday, he hit his 17th home run of the season and his 12th in 30 games since returning from the injured list. Folks have begun to put the Jim Thome comp on Kurtz recently. One you spot it, it's hard to unsee it. Nick Kurtz sends one the other way for his 17th homer of the year 🚀 Last week: 26 Paul Skenes and MLB history have become synonymous. He's adding another first to the list on Tuesday, as he'll become the first pitcher in baseball history to start the All-Star Game in his first two MLB seasons. The call to National League Starting Pitcher, Paul Skenes 🥲 Last week: 27 Interim Nationals general manager Mike DeBartolo had the weighty responsibility of making the No. 1 pick in Sunday's draft and they ultimately went with 17-year-old switch-hitting shortstop Eli Willits. Willits is the youngest No. 1 overall pick since Ken Griffey Jr. in 1987. No pressure, kid. THE moment 🥹@EliWillits x @OU_Baseball Last week: 29 2025 is the year of the high school shortstop and the White Sox played into the trend with the selection of Billy Carlson. In doing so, Corona (California) HS became the first high school in history to have two top-10 picks n the same year, as right-hander Seth Hernandez was selected sixth overall by the Pirates. Last week: 30 Say what you will about how the Rockies have operated over the past decade or so, but the Ethan Holliday pick just makes so much sense for all parties. Ethan Holliday is a gift to the Rockies at No. 4. And if the Rockies are ever going to turn it around, it will be with him.
Edmonton Journal
13-07-2025
- Sport
- Edmonton Journal
Despite wobbles in Sacramento, Blue Jays in first at All-Star break for sixth time in franchise history
First things first, as the Blue Jays impressively reached the All-Star break in what as recently as two months ago seemed like an unlikely spot: Leading the American League East. Article content Yes, they've wobbled some on their way to the four-day break, falling 6-3 to the Athletics on Sunday in Sacramento for their second loss in a row and third in the past four. Article content And yes, with a record of 55-41, the Jays have indeed won more games at the break than any other point in club history. Before getting carried away with that rosy narrative making noise, though, note that the 2025 Jays needed nine more games to get to that total than the 1992 team, which was 53-24 back when the Midsummer Classic came closer to the middle of a season. Article content Article content But all things considered, it's been quite a run for a Jays team that will scatter from the temporary home of the Athletics with a two-game lead over the defending division champion Yankees. With a 3-3 record on the now completed road trip, however, the Jays allowed the suddenly surging Boston Red Sox – now winners of 10 in a row – to get within three games of the lead. Article content Article content Schneider was ejected in the fifth inning after a spectacular showdown with the entire umpiring crew in protest of a Davis Schneider bomb to left field that was ruled as foul in the shoddy, minor league venue that is Sutter Health Park. Article content That bit of ill temper aside, Schneider the manager has plenty to like about a squad that has galvanized in the clubhouse and performing leaps and bounds better than last year's version. Article content Article content It's just the sixth time in franchise history that they've been in first come All-Star time and the first since way back in 1993. The team has played well over the past two months to reach that lofty position atop the AL East, a division it hasn't won since 2015. Article content Article content The break probably comes at a good time, however, for a team that could use the rest, especially on the pitching side. They certainly showed it in California, after the red-hot streak from earlier in the month chilled somewhat. Article content Sunday's starter, Jose Berrios, looked weary and Kevin Gausman, who took the loss on Saturday, acknowledged that the respite would be important for him to reset and ideally be as effective as he was in the closing months of the 2024 season. Article content The rest of the rotation could say the same, given the earlier injury issues for Max Scherzer and the struggles of Bowden Francis left them short-handed.
Toronto Sun
13-07-2025
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
Despite wobbles in Sacramento, Blue Jays in first at All-Star break for sixth time in franchise history
Get the latest from Rob Longley straight to your inbox Davis Schneider of the Toronto Blue Jays rounds the bases after hitting a home run in the top of the fifth inning against the Athletics at Sutter Health Park on July 13, 2025 in Sacramento, Calif. Photo by Lachlan Cunningham / Getty Images First things first, as the Blue Jays impressively reached the All-Star break in what as recently as two months ago seemed like an unlikely spot: Leading the American League East. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Yes, they've wobbled some on their way to the four-day break, falling 6-3 to the Athletics on Sunday in Sacramento for their second loss in a row and third in the past four. And yes, with a record of 55-41, the Jays have indeed won more games at the break than any other point in club history. Before getting carried away with that rosy narrative making noise, though, note that the 2025 Jays needed nine more games to get to that total than the 1992 team, which was 53-24 back when the Midsummer Classic came closer to the middle of a season. But all things considered, it's been quite a run for a Jays team that will scatter from the temporary home of the Athletics with a two-game lead over the defending division champion Yankees. With a 3-3 record on the now completed road trip, however, the Jays allowed the suddenly surging Boston Red Sox – now winners of 10 in a row – to get within three games of the lead. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. That said, manager John Schneider will gladly take where his team is today and do so with a worthy exhale after a truly impressive run that doesn't require false narratives to celebrate. After he cools down, that is. Schneider was ejected in the fifth inning after a spectacular showdown with the entire umpiring crew in protest of a Davis Schneider bomb to left field that was ruled as foul in the shoddy, minor league venue that is Sutter Health Park. That bit of ill temper aside, Schneider the manager has plenty to like about a squad that has galvanized in the clubhouse and performing leaps and bounds better than last year's version. It's just the sixth time in franchise history that they've been in first come All-Star time and the first since way back in 1993. The team has played well over the past two months to reach that lofty position atop the AL East, a division it hasn't won since 2015. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The break probably comes at a good time, however, for a team that could use the rest, especially on the pitching side. They certainly showed it in California, after the red-hot streak from earlier in the month chilled somewhat. Sunday's starter, Jose Berrios, looked weary and Kevin Gausman, who took the loss on Saturday, acknowledged that the respite would be important for him to reset and ideally be as effective as he was in the closing months of the 2024 season. The rest of the rotation could say the same, given the earlier injury issues for Max Scherzer and the struggles of Bowden Francis left them short-handed. The good news overall, is that prior to the latest hiccup, the Jays had reeled off a 10-game winning streak to zoom to the top of the division. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. What comes next matters most. But a team doesn't get to 14 games above .500 at this point in the season by accident. A worst-to-first season is no guarantee, but it's suddenly a realistic target for a team that is playing hard for each other. BERRIOS BLIP Prior to Sunday, Berrios was money against the A's as a starter going 4-0 in his six starts with a skimpy 2.15 ERA. On Sunday though, the righty looked weary and unsettled and was given the hook by Schneider after three innings. Berrios allowed a pair of two-run homers – to Austin Wynns in the second and Tyler Soderstrom in the next inning. Rather than have Berrios work through whatever was off – on five hits and four homers – Schneider opted to give his workhorse starter the rest of the afternoon off. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. That led to a parade of relievers entering the contest, including starter Chris Bassitt, who worked one scoreless inning on Sunday. SACRAMENTO LAMBS Playing in the minor league home of the Athletics was never going to be an easy task. the Jays' second trip to a steamy minor league stadium for a three-game series this season. After going 0-3 to the Rays in Tampa earlier, they dropped two of three to the Athletics, it snapped a streak of five consecutive series wins – and 11 of their previous 13. It was a far cry from a four-game sweep at the Rogers Centre earlier in the season when the Jays destroyed the A's by a cumulative 39-18 margin. The Jays offence on Sunday came late in the game and via the long ball: A solo homer from Davis Schneider in the fifth (Toronto's first hit of the game) and a two-run shot via the bat of Addison Barger in the seventh. Of note, Barger's 13th homer of the season is second-most on the team, three fewer than leader George Springer and one more than Vlad Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette. Read More Toronto & GTA Golf Editorial Cartoons Toronto & GTA Canada
National Post
13-07-2025
- Sport
- National Post
Manager gone wild: Blue Jays skipper John Schneider erupts and is tossed in Sacramento
Four innings before his All Star break was scheduled to begin, Blue Jays manager John Schneider was in an extremely foul mood. Article content Emphasis on foul. Article content Schneider was tossed in the fifth inning of the Sunday finale of a three-game series in Sacramento after umpires ruled a mammoth blast off to the deepest parts of left field of the bat of Davis Schneider blast was foul. Article content It was certainly one of the most animated – and entertaining – ejections of John Schneider's career as a Jays manager, three years to the day he was named as the interim replacement for his fired predecessor, Charlie Montoyo. Article content To say the skipper was fired up, was definitely an understatement. With Foreigner's Hot Blooded blaring over the speakers at Sutter Health Park, the minor league stadium home to the Athletics this season, Schneider wanted a piece of the entire umpiring crew. And he roamed all the way from the Jays first-base dugout to third base, before being escorted to the visitor's clubhouse beyond the outfield wall. Article content John Schneider was livid and got ejected after Davis Schneider's potential homer was ruled foul 😳 — Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) July 13, 2025 Article content Specifically though, Schneider sure seemed to want a piece of third base umpire Brian Walsh, who made the call on the field. Article content With associate manager DeMarlo Hale and third base coach and Carlos Febles trying (with only minimal success) to hold Schneider back, the manager was hotter than the 30-degree Celsius temperatures in Sacramento. Article content The play was subject to a 'crew review' by the umpiring staff, but with a shorter foul pole than most big league stadiums and sub-standard camera angles, the call on the field stood. Article content That's when Schneider stormed out of the dugout looking for a piece of any man dressed in black that he could get to. First up was home plate ump Tripp Gibson, who quickly ejected the manager, but the fun was just beginning. Article content With two coaches and three umpires restraining him – and Febles dugging on Schneider's hoodie – the Jays skipper certainly got his money's worth for the showdown. Walsh, meanwhile, wanted no part of the fired-up manager and retreated from his usual position. Article content Article content The ejection certainly was well-received in the Jays dugout, after a sleepy few innings in which the Athletics had jumped out to a 4-0 lead. Article content And it may especially have fired up Davis Schneider, the man John Schneider was sticking up for in the first place. Once the manager had reached the showers, Davis Schneider rocked A's starter Jeffrey Springs for a 439-foot homer to centre field.
