George Springer and the Blue Jays, following a familiar path to the World Series

After 32 long years, the Toronto Blue Jays are American League champions. Thanks to George Springer, who cemented himself in Toronto history with the biggest hit of his life, his go-ahead three-run home run in the bottom of the seventh inning gave the Blue Jays a 4-3 lead they would not relinquish. The win in Game 7 against the Seattle Mariners gave them the series victory.

Springer had a magnificent season and Jays Journal thinks he was clearly the Blue Jays' 2025 MVP in the regular season. He came through all season long and then delivered one of the biggest hits in franchise history to help send his team to the World Series. In an ironic twist the path Springer, and the Blue Jays, have taken to get here is very similar to the path he followed when he played in the Lone Star State.

Springer's path in Toronto is familiar to the Astros 2017 World Series title.

In 2017, Springer was a key part of the Houston Astros winning the 2017 World Series. Springer was also named that years World Series MVP. The steps they took to get there are very reminiscent of what his currently happening with the Blue Jays.

In the 2017 ALDS the Astros were division champions and didn't have to play in the first round (which at the time was a one game wild card format). They then eliminated a team from the AL East to begin their postseason run, disposing of the Boston Red Sox. Similarly, the 2025 Blue Jays eliminated a team from the AL East, the New York Yankees to start their playoff run.

In the 2017 ALCS, the Astros defeated the Yankees in seven games to win the AL Pennant. Like the Astros, the Blue Jays knocked off the Seattle Mariners in Game 7 to win the ALCS. Springer's home run led to the Blue Jays ultimately winning, while it was Springer who caught the final out in 2017 to finish off the ALCS.

The Astros then moved on to the World Series and matched up against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The series went seven games, with the Astros *prevailing* with their first World Series championship in franchise history. The Blue Jays are now set to play the Dodgers in the 2025 World Series.

Springer hit .379 with 11 hits in 29 at-bats and five home runs in that series including a home run in Game 7. Those numbers may be hard to replicate this time around, but Springer has already had a memorable postseason for the Blue Jays.

Game 1 of the World Series begins on Friday night at Rogers Centre and the Blue Jays will be looking to be the first team to knock off the defending champions in a World Series since the Yankees did it in 2009 against the Philadelphia Phillies.