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Blue Jays: Top 5 most memorable moments from the 2021 season

By Amy Sarkany

TORONTO, ONTARIO - OCTOBER 3: George Springer #4 of the Toronto Blue Jays salutes the crowd after defeating the Baltimore Orioles in their MLB game at the Rogers Centre on October 3, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ONTARIO - OCTOBER 3: George Springer #4 of the Toronto Blue Jays salutes the crowd after defeating the Baltimore Orioles in their MLB game at the Rogers Centre on October 3, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images) /
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Sep 3, 2021; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Marcus Semien (10) celebrates with the team after hitting a walkoff home run during the ninth inning against the Oakland Athletics at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Semien’s walk-off

Like many of us, I wasn’t sure about Marcus Semien when he was first signed with the Blue Jays in the offseason. But boy, were we all mistaken. Not only has he added a massive contribution to the Blue Jays team this year offensively and defensively, he has also became a leader to many of the young Jays.

The night of September 3 is just another one of the many reasons why Semien made such an impact on this team. The Jays were having a tough time against Marcus’ former team the Oakland Athletics, down 8-2 through the first seven innings until a six-run eight inning was put up by the Jays. The Athletics came back firing, scoring two more at the top of the ninth against closer Jordan Romano making it 10-8 for Oakland going into the bottom of the ninth.

With two on base, courtesy of a Breyvic Valera single and a Springer double, Marcus comes up to the plate and wins the game for the Blue Jays with one swing of the bat on a sinker and walks-off the game, winning 11-10 against Oakland.

https://twitter.com/TheAthletic/status/1433981039416786944

No doubt one of the most exciting, if not the most exciting, endings we have seen this year, and definitely one to remember, regardless of where Marcus Semien ends up next year. Little did we know that this game would launch a seven game win streak, two series sweeps and the start of a glimmer of hope for a potential Jays playoff run.

Blue Jays
TORONTO, ON – JULY 30: The Toronto Blue Jays line up behind a ‘Home’ sign to commemorate their first home game in Toronto this season prior to a MLB game against the Kansas City Royals at Rogers Centre on July 30, 2021 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

1. There’s no place like home

After nearly two years away from home and playing in Single-A and Triple A ballparks, the Blue Jays were finally allowed to come back home to Toronto and played their first real home game on July 30 against the Kansas City Royals.

After seeing the crowds of blue and white Jays jerseys make their way to the Rogers Centre, it felt like the city was alive again. The opening ceremony was one that had not only me holding back tears but also manager Charlie Montoyo and the players. The return to Toronto also sparked many offensive runs, with the Jays going 25-11 at the Rogers Centre, including sweeps against the Royals, Athletics, and Cleveland Indians.

https://twitter.com/BlueJays/status/1444805836337975300

Although the playoffs were just ever so slightly out of reach for the Blue Jays, the improvement from almost every batter and pitcher was clear, and there is so much good to take away from this season.

Next. Blue Jays: How will the television broadcasts sound in 2022?. dark

I have no doubt that the 2022 Toronto Blue Jays will continue to battle, improve and impress. If  this season shown us at least one thing, it was that this Jays team is always going to give it their all, no matter what team, pitcher, batter or odds are stacked against them.

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