Blue Jays continue to take Yankees down a notch even after postseason elimination

New York Yankees fans are already reeling from another "failed" season. Of course they had a good year, going 94-68 and getting to the ALDS after eliminating their long time rivals, the Boston Red Sox, in the Wild Card series. But in the Bronx it's usually World Series or bust and in 2025, it was a bust thanks to the Toronto Blue Jays.

But even a few days after the Blue Jays destroyed the Yankees playoff hopes and dreams, they are still finding ways to take the Bronx Bombers down a notch by surpassing one of their all -time greats on the record holders list.

Blue Jays continue to take Yankees down a notch even after postseason elimination

When Blue Jays leadoff hitter George Springer hit the first pitch he saw out of the ballpark to begin Game 1 of the ALCS against the Seattle Mariners, it moved the 36-year-old into fifth place on the all-time postseason home runs list.

It was the 21st playoff home run for Springer surpassing Yankees legend Derek Jeter who hit 20 in almost 400 more plate appearances. Jeter starred for the Yankees from 1996-2014 winning five World Series as well as a World Series MVP award. The Yankees made the playoffs every year Jeter played with the team from 1996 through to 2007 and then again from 2009-2012. The team also never finished below .500.

In total, Jeter was a part of 17 separate playoff runs resulting in 734 plate appearances and 20 home runs - although Baltimore Orioles fans would argue he only should be award 19 considering his home run in the '96 ALCS was only a home run thanks to fan interference.

Springer, whose career started with the Houston Astros in 2014, is in the midst of his eighth trip to the postseason. Like Jeter, Springer has also won a World Series MVP award, when the Astros claimed the 2017 championship over the Dodgers - albeit in controversial fashion and five of his now 21 home runs came during that World Series.

While Springer was a member of the Blue Jays teams that went to the playoffs in 2022 and '23 the team played just four total games and Springer did not swat a ball over the fence in any of those contests. His first Blue Jays playoff home run came earlier this postseason, in Toronto's 13-7 win over the Yankees in Game 2 of the ALDS, which feels appropriate considering who he has now passed.

Incredibly it was also the first leadoff home run for a playoff game in Blue Jays history and it puts him right behind another Yankees legend. Springer's next home run will tie Bernie Williams for fourth on the all-time list at 22 home runs.

Ahead of Williams are current Phillies star (but soon to be free agent) Kyle Schwarber with 23, Springer's former Astros teammate Jose Altuve at 27 and Red Sox legend Manny Ramirez, the all-time leader, at 29.

Springer and the Blue Jays eliminating the Yankees was a sweet moment in franchise history and if Springer can surpass two Yankees legends on an all-time list in one postseason, that will be the icing on the cake.