Blue Jays Suffer Heartbreaking Loss in World Series Game 7

The Toronto Blue Jays faced a gut-wrenching defeat in Game 7 of the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers on October 28, 2023. The final score of 5-4 marked a painful end to a season filled with promise, leaving players visibly shaken and emotional in the aftermath.

Third baseman Ernie Clement struggled to hold back tears while speaking to reporters, while pitcher Max Scherzer was seen wiping tears from his cheeks. Closer Jeff Hoffman, who was on the verge of securing a save, expressed deep regret for the loss, stating, “It sucks. Supposed to end differently. Was just one pitch. I cost everybody here a World Series ring. It feels pretty s—ty.”

Hoffman was just two outs away from closing the game when Miguel Rojas of the Dodgers hit a 3-2 slider, tying the game and shifting the momentum. Two innings later, Will Smith delivered the decisive blow against Shane Bieber, providing the Dodgers with their first lead of the game. Bieber later reflected on the pivotal moment, saying, “Hung a slider to a great guy who hits sliders well. I didn’t execute. This one stings. It’s going to sting for a while.”

Scherzer, who pitched 4.1 innings and allowed only one run, noted the deep bonds formed within the team. “I’m 41 years old, and I never thought I could love baseball this much,” he said, expressing his affection for his teammates. “This team had that closeness, had that camaraderie. We had that passion not only for the game but for each other.”

The emotional weight of the defeat was magnified for the Blue Jays, as they had maintained a 3-1 lead thanks to a three-run homer from Bo Bichette in the third inning. Despite the potential for celebration, the atmosphere turned somber as the ninth inning unfolded with Hoffman’s missed save opportunity.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. provided a glimmer of hope with a powerful hit to center field, but he too recognized the futility of the moment. “People that know me know I stand at home plate and watch them go out. I knew it wasn’t going anywhere,” Guerrero remarked.

In the locker room following the game, Guerrero took the time to commend his teammates. “I can’t be any prouder of my teammates and all the things we accomplished this year,” he said. Manager John Schneider echoed this sentiment during his first team meeting of the season, thanking the players repeatedly for their hard work and dedication.

Clement, who set a postseason record with 30 hits, faced heartbreak in the ninth inning when his chance to win the series was thwarted by a catch at the wall made by Dodgers center fielder Andy Pages. Reflecting on the season, Clement said, “We gave it everything we had. When you fall short but you can say you left it all out there, there’s something to be proud of there.”

The Blue Jays, who finished last in their division in 2024, made a remarkable comeback this season by winning the AL East and reaching the World Series. Despite not achieving their ultimate goal, players like pitcher Kevin Gausman noted the significance of the journey. “Everyone in here is pretty devastated,” he said. “We’re a really good team. It took them playing perfect and having a great last couple of innings to beat us, and that’s what happened.”

Bieber encapsulated the collective sentiment by stating, “This group is unlike any other I’ve ever been a part of. That’s a sentiment we all kind of feel personally.” As the Blue Jays reflect on this challenging defeat, their unity and resilience throughout the season remain a source of pride.