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Best moments in Blue Jays-Yankees history ahead of 2025 ALDS

What are some of the more memorable moments between these two division rivals?
ByJake Ferraro|
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Sep 26, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Justin Smoak (14) looks on as New York Yankees staff and players restrain catcher Gary Sanchez (24) during a bench clearing brawl in the third inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Sep 26, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Justin Smoak (14) looks on as New York Yankees staff and players restrain catcher Gary Sanchez (24) during a bench clearing brawl in the third inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images | Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
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2016's brawl

On Sept. 26, 2016, things got chippy quickly into the Blue Jays-Yankees game in Toronto. It all started in the first inning when Yankees pitcher Luis Severino hit Josh Donaldson. In the second inning, Blue Jays pitcher J.A. Happ threw a pitch behind Chase Headley. Then, Happ hit Headley which resulted in warnings being issued. After Headley was hit, tempers flared with the benches clearing.

In the next half inning, Severino hit Justin Smoak which led to Severino getting thrown out. After Smoak was hit, the benches cleared again and punches were thrown. Having the benches clear twice in a span of two innings doesn't happen often, but it happened in a 2016 Blue Jays-Yankees game.

2015 revenge for an All-Star

From 2011-2012, catcher Russell Martin spent two seasons with the Yankees, and was an All-Star in 2011. In 2015, Martin played his first season as a Blue Jay. It ended up as a special year for Martin and the Blue Jays as the Canadian made his fourth All-Star Game and the Blue Jays won their first division title in 2022 years. Martin was a major factor in their division title run as he had a tremendous season producing a 3.0 bWAR with 23 home runs and a 112 OPS+.

One of Martin's best games from 2015 was against his old team on Sept. 11, 2015. Martin hit two home runs in the Blue Jays' 11-5 win in the Bronx which put Toronto 2.5 games up on the Yankees heading into the stretch run of their playoff chase.

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