The Blue Jays Secure Fall Classic Matchup With the Dodgers
George Springer was instrumental for the Houston Astros securing the World Series in the 2017 season.
Canada's MLB team earned a spot in their initial championship series following 1993 by defeating the Mariners in the final Game 7 of the AL Championship Series.
Behind 3-1, the star outfielder delivered a three-run homer in the seventh inning, propelling the only Canadian franchise in the majors to a 4-3 series win in the best-of-seven series. They will now face the Dodgers, holders of the reigning title, in the forthcoming championship.
"It's incredible for this squad, Toronto, our country," said Springer, an integral part of the Astros team that claimed the 2017 championship. "It's truly an amazing experience."
Springer has now hit 23 total post-season home runs, making him third all-time trailing only Ramirez (29) and Altuve (twenty-seven).
"It's hard to imagine another person anywhere that I'd prefer in that moment except for Springer with his post-season brilliance," said manager John Schneider.
The Mariners, despite leading the series 2-0 and 3-2, remain the one club that has never reached in a World Series.
Mariners manager Dan Wilson commented "without a doubt that it's going to sting" in the wake of his side's defeat at Toronto's Rogers Centre, but applauded their performance in the campaign.
"It's a special team. It's a shame that we ended up on the losing end of this one," he continued.
Toronto's team secured the title on their two prior appearances in 1992 and 1993, and are set to host the Los Angeles in the opener on this Friday.
