Blue Jays' Role Players Provide Lift In Game One

[Sam Charles]

Maybe Cito Gaston throwing out the ceremonial first pitch was a sign of what was to come in game one of the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The two-time former Blue Jays manager is either revered or criticized for his managerial style of putting out the same lineup every day. Still, that approach resulted in a Hall of Fame-worthy career, one that most Blue Jays fans of a certain generation continue to hold dear.

Friday night’s World Series game one saw the Jays bring back a familiar line-up, similar to the one featured throughout much of the regular season. With Bo Bichette back in the clean-up spot, the team just seemed more at ease. That comfort level allowed them to work, which counts against a dominant starter like Blake Snell, and eventually led them to get into the Dodgers' bullpen early. Getting to the bullpen early also allowed the Jays' role players to take centre stage.

The Blue Jays started the game with a right-handed heavy line-up against the southpaw Blake. Davis Schneider started in left, and Myles Straw started in right. While both have seen action late in games, it was the first time they started.

During media day on Thursday, Bichette was asked repeatedly what his role would be during the series. His response remained consistent throughout. “I’ll play wherever and however the teams needs me to.” Not sure I’d have ever expected him to make a comment like that.

Winning helps the team embrace the concepts of teamwork and unselfishness.

The 1985 Blue Jays were a team built on consistency. An emerging outfield of superstars. Platoons at third and catcher. And a rag-tag group of pitchers featuring a young star, some seasoned veterans, and a rookie closer. By the time the Jays reached the World Series in 1992, they were a much more veteran team, but one that still relied on role players and bench players in certain situations. 

This team had players who were ready and willing to step up in an often unselfish role to contribute to the team. Pitchers like Dennis Lamp, Bob Filer, Pat Hentgen, and Mike Timlin. Players like Rance Mulliniks, Garth Iorg, Dave Winfield, Alfredo Griffin, and Derek Bell. Each embraces the role they were given, often with the game on the line.

As a Jays fan, it was a decisive moment to watch game one of the World Series for the first time in Toronto in thirty-two years. The Dome was rocking, and the team didn’t disappoint.

As the Sportsnet play-by-play team of Dan Schulman and Buck Martinez joked early in the game, who would have believed that the starting pitcher of game one of the World Series would be rookie Trey Yesavage, that Bichette would be at second, and that Ty France would be activated? Schneider and Straw would be in the starting lineup. Yet, with Snell on the mound, that is the lineup that manager John Schneider put out in game one.

Beyond the incredulity of the line-up, who would have guessed the final score?

The game came down to how the Jays would hold off the Dodgers' potent attack until they forced Snell out of the game. They did that by working counts and getting on base. 

As soon as the Dodgers' bullpen started stirring, you could see lots of action in the Jays’ dugout, too. Addison Barger grabbed a bat, and Nathan Lukes started tying his shoes. Why? Because they knew (or were told) the situation. Some right-handed pitchers were going to be entering the game, and they’d be taking the spots of Schneider and Straw in the lineup.

Barger’s grand slam, the first pinch-hit grand slam in a World Series, was incredible. It might be the walk that Lukas drew after falling behind 0-2 in the count that really started to open the potential floodgates. Or maybe it was John Schneider’s decision to pinch-run for Bichette in that sixth inning?

All three moves were essential to that inning’s success and the game’s eventual victory. Each player played their role perfectly. A little more speed on the bases might have resulted in Alejandro Kirk seeing a better pitch in his at-bat. And ultimately, when the inning came to a close, the Jays had a nine-run lead.

On the mound, it’s hard to fault Braydon Fisher for giving up two runs on a Shohei Ohtani home run, although the walk in the inning wasn’t ideal. Fisher, who was traded to the Jays from the Dodgers for Cavan Biggio, has been fantastic all season and in the playoffs. The nerves in the World Series are enormous, although you couldn’t tell while watching Chris Bassitt and Eric Lauer mow down the Dodgers to close out the game.

The latter pitchers are great examples of players willing to do whatever it takes to help the team. Lauer was crucial to the mid-season turnaround for the Jays. Bassitt has been a steady, veteran presence for the squad all season. Now, both are at the ready should any of the starters falter in this best-of-seven series.

In 1992, who would have guessed that Pat Borders would be a World Series hero? This year, who would have guessed that Ernie Clement would nearly be hitting .500 in the playoffs? If you did, you should definitely consider getting into professional gambling.

In 1993, the Jays were looking to repeat as World Series champions. Paul Molitor was brought in for his veteran leadership and Hall of Fame resume, and did not disappoint. He ended up being a runner-up for the American League MVP that season. That championship was also thanks to players like Ed Sprague, Rob Butler, Pat Hentgen, Rickey Henderson, and Duane Ward. Sometimes their contributions were obvious, and sometimes they weren’t. Each knew their role and executed when called upon.

Back to the present day, as the Jays prepare for game two of the 2025 World Series, they’ll probably need to turn to other members of the roster to contribute.

Joe Carter will throw the game two ceremonial first pitch. While George Springer launched the Jays into the World Series with his ALCS game seven homerun, perhaps it will be an unsung hero for the Jays to create some World Series magic in game two. Can’t wait.

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