Blue Jays’ Historic Start to ALCS
The American League Championship Series is kicking off with excitement. George Springer made history by hitting the first postseason leadoff home run for the Blue Jays during Game 1 against the Mariners.
Springer launched the first pitch from Seattle’s Bryce Miller deep into the right field bullpen, giving Toronto a quick 1-0 advantage.
As he made his way around the bases, the Rogers Center erupted with cheers.
What makes this moment even more remarkable is that Springer’s leadoff homer on the first pitch is a rarity; since pitch counts started being tracked in 1988, only two other players have accomplished this feat, as noted by The Athletic.
At 36, Springer is now the second-oldest player in postseason history to hit such a home run, surpassing even Yankees legend Derek Jeter for total career home runs in the playoffs with his 22nd.
He now trails Bernie Williams and Kyle Schwarber, who each have 22, along with Jose Altuve (27) and Manny Ramirez (29).
This moment was also special for Springer’s personal touch—he wore a custom Hartford Whalers batting glove while hitting the solo shot, and it will be donated to the Hockey Hall of Fame after the playoffs.
Having grown up in New Britain, Connecticut, Springer shares a unique bond with the franchise that moved to North Carolina and became the Hurricanes. He also played college baseball at UW.
The Blue Jays, aiming to extend their successful season, hope to make a return to the World Series for the first time since 1993 after eliminating the Yankees in the Division Series.
