Blue Jays-Dodgers World Series Game 7 Thread: Max Scherzer vs Shohei Ohtani

[max silver]

48 minutes ago, gruber9292 said:

The worst part of it all is that Ross Atkins will be back. It can't get any worse than this. 

Uh newsflash man he's the guy that assembled the team that came within literal inches of winning a world series. It's time to let this petty grudge go for crying out loud.

[max silver]

2 hours ago, Landry_25 said:

Wow I didn’t even realize how bad that was. First time I’ve seen it from this angle that’s brutal! More reason to hate the idiot 

Apparently the coaching staff told IKF to stay close to the base to avoid getting picked off. That's just insanely risk averse to not even allow him to take a normal lead as he would have had plenty of time to get back to the base with where Muncy was positioned. 

[Terminator]

2 hours ago, Landry_25 said:

Wow I didn’t even realize how bad that was. First time I’ve seen it from this angle that’s brutal! More reason to hate the idiot 

Yeah this angle shows how pathetic his lead was

 

[Terminator]

28 minutes ago, max silver said:

Apparently the coaching staff told IKF to stay close to the base to avoid getting picked off. That's just insanely risk averse to not even allow him to take a normal lead as he would have had plenty of time to get back to the base with where Muncy was positioned. 

He took their instructions way too far 

[Pinkfloid]

Playing scared there cost us the game in hindsight. Still, we should've cashed in so many opportunities before it got to this point

[Terminator]

 

[gruber9292]

1 hour ago, BTS said:

He just assembled a team that was literally an inch from winning the World Series 

He didn't do shyte. He lucked his way into the team forming a new found identity / chemistry with the Santander and to a bit of a lesser extent Varsho injuries in his 10th year as GM. Players like Barger, Clement, Lukes and Schneider excelled in their new found more involved roles. Do you think that this all would have happened if Satander and Varsho didn't get injured? They still haven't built a viable bullpen in TEN f***ING YEARS. 

Signing and giving IKF starts in crucial games over Schneider was ridiculous. If we needed another decent base running defense first type infielder, Jiminez would have fit the bill and more so imo. 

Ross Atkins will be here plaguing us for a while longer. 

[gruber9292]

38 minutes ago, max silver said:

Uh newsflash man he's the guy that assembled the team that came within literal inches of winning a world series. It's time to let this petty grudge go for crying out loud.

You need to wake up and take a step back and tell me that Ross Atkins was responsible for the team's run this year. 

[glory]

IKF is a free agent after this season, the Jays need a backup IF next year, and Ross Atkins valued him at $15M two years ago for being the exact same player he is now. They just gave him ~40 plate appearances in a World Series playoff run. I'd be shocked if he's not back next season at something like 1/3 or a small deal like that. I nearly vomited typing that but I'm just preparing for that now so it eases the pain when it actually happens. 

[Terminator]

2 hours ago, Angrioter said:

A Toronto fan since the late 80s, growing up as a kid in an 3rd world country. Listening  the games on the radio since we didn't have cable TV.

I'm 44 years old and I know I won't see my favorite team win another championship ring.

Things were in place for them to win this year:

A hitting coach who transformed a group of mediocre hitters into productive hitters.

Bichette hit .370 after the All-Star break.

Springer had his best season at 45.

Vladdy, Clement, and Barger were in elite form during the playoffs.

Trey pitched like one of the best pitchers in the game.

A team defense like no other.

This was my last chance to see my team win.

 

My WhatsApp is full of messages from people I know and love, trying to comfort me as if a family member had died.

I think I'll be away from this forum for a while. It's a blow that will take time to heal.

Yeah this all so true

So close and to have so many improbable things happen in the final innings 

32 years since the last one and there’s no telling if we’ll ever be back

you kind of just have to realize it’s sports and distance yourself from it all because this is about as dark as it gets as a fan

it's devastating

[gruber9292]

I hate Ross Atkins with a passion but was pulling for the team more than ever because of the players that played hard and faught all year that took the team this far. 

[jaysblue]

Still dissecting this game even after a night of sleep. A couple of things I will say:

- agreed with Jonn about the Gimenez brawl. Like Wrobleski didn't hit him on purpose there, but yes was throwing inside each time that almost hit on the previous two pitches. That could have sparked something on the other side with the Dodgers. Like this is Game 7 of the World Series. He should have just taken his base rather than barking back at Wrobleski and causing all benches and bullpens to clear. 

- at the time when they brought in Yesavage, I did question it a bit, especially after he was brought back out in the 8th, since the Jays still had their late-inning options available such as Fluharty, Fischer, Dominguez and Hoffman to cover those last 6 or 9 outs. Throwing a 22-year-old into that situation in a Game 7 is ballsy. At the end of the day, Yesavage did hold his own, but sucks that Muncy got a hold of one in the 8th there. Either would have saved Yesavage for extras or only would have used him for the one inning. 

- if IKF was taking a bigger lead and dives head first, he scores at home easily. Frustrating that he was still playing a big role on this team especially in a critical Game 7. Wasn't that fond of the decision to bring in IKF for Bo there. 

- Hoffman has pitched great all Postseason and really turned his season around. Sucks he gave up a game-tying HR to Rojas. You can't allow that to happen to the No. 9 hitter in that spot. How sweet would have it been if its Hoffman vs. Ohtani with 2 outs and the World Series on the line? That would have been a perfect ending right there that even Hollywood couldn't create. Regardless, the best of best closers will blow saves and sucks Hoffman gave up the lead, but he still kept things tied 4-4 and the Jays had a chance to win in Extras. 

- seemed like Dave Roberts made all the right moves in this Game 7. Bringing in Pages for Edman in CF and he makes that catch in his collision with Kike, bringing in Yamamoto for 2.2 innings after pitching the night before. 

[Pendleton]

18 minutes ago, Terminator said:

 

This is infuriating, all he needed was an average lead and he's beating Smith's foot to the plate to win the game. Shouldn't have even slowed to slide (headfirst or not) but rather just sprinted through the plate like his life was on the line. 

[McGriff19]

This is atrocious.  

[Olerud363.354]

4 minutes ago, Terminator said:

32 years since the last one and there’s no telling if we’ll ever be back

For a team with financial advantages and good management they should get a decent shot at it every few years especially with the expanded playoffs.  

Should get a few more shots.  Chances to win it all are still probably only 1/15 any year.  Better than Pirates (now that I said that watch Paul Skenes lead them to a World Series)

[jaysblue]

1 hour ago, gruber9292 said:

The worst part of it all is that Ross Atkins will be back. It can't get any worse than this. 

Atkins isn't going anywhere after the season they had, same with Schneider lol. 

 

[Stangstag]

3 hours ago, Doubleplay21 said:

IKF is a terrible baserunner

https://larrybrownsports.com/baseball/blue-jays-fans-isiah-kiner-falefa-baserunning-game-7/725199

That’s unacceptable for a guy that was brought in to pinch run. Unreal. The front office infatuation with IKF probably cost is a World Series lol

[Stangstag]

1 hour ago, Ball4Life said:

Can someone give a non emotional recap as to why Toronto lost this World Series? I do believe you win and lose as a team, but there were some individual performances (mostly baserunning) that negatively stick out to me.

Honestly baserunning was the difference this series. Several key moments that didn’t go our way. With better baserunning we probably win one of these games we lost.

[Fastball21]

IKF has released a statement saying runners were told to stay close to the bases so not to get doubled out, maybe true but I still think when the pitcher goes into his windup have to take some lead towards home. 

[gruber9292]

3 minutes ago, Fastball21 said:

IKF has released a statement saying runners were told to stay close to the bases so not to get doubled out, maybe true but I still think when the pitcher goes into his windup have to take some lead towards home. 

He also looked flat footed on contact. Horrible base running at the absolute worst time for Ross' little fetish signing. Very strange how Ross signs insignificant players with decent amounts of money attached to them to boot. This is why he needs to justify the signings by playing them way too often. Same went for Bradley Zimmer. It's a type of cancer that needs to be removed. 

[jaysblue]

37 minutes ago, gruber9292 said:

He didn't do shyte. He lucked his way into the team forming a new found identity / chemistry with the Santander and to a bit of a lesser extent Varsho injuries in his 10th year as GM. Players like Barger, Clement, Lukes and Schneider excelled in their new found more involved roles. Do you think that this all would have happened if Satander and Varsho didn't get injured? They still haven't built a viable bullpen in TEN f***ING YEARS. 

Signing and giving IKF starts in crucial games over Schneider was ridiculous. If we needed another decent base running defense first type infielder, Jiminez would have fit the bill and more so imo. 

Ross Atkins will be here plaguing us for a while longer. 

Atkins deserves credit where credit is due. 

As for this team being lucky, well yes luck was definitely a factor in play during the regular season and Postseason. If bad luck exists, good luck also exists. Guys like Clement, and Lukes having the seasons like they did, Springer having a huge bounce back at age 36, Kirk bouncing back after two lost seasons offensively, Barger coming up and making an immediate impact and getting some of the biggest Postseason performances out of a 22-year-old with Yesavage. 

Atkins deserves credit for having Clement and Lukes around as depth. Without them, the Jays don't make the Postseason. Definitely some luck involved since nobody here expected these guys to hit the way they did especially during the Postseason after being AAAA guys for years. As for Springer, got to give the coaching staff and front office credit for keeping him healthy. Atkins resigned Kirk to the extension prior to the offseason, which now even looks like more of a steal after the season he had. Barger and Yesavage were drafted under Atkins, so credit for having a farm system producing two major league contributors during the season and who both look like they could be core pieces for this team. 

Now does Clement and Lukes repeat or keep up this performance up moving forward? Can Springer keep up his 2025 magic? Will the bench be as strong again with Straw, Schneider, Heineman? Those are big question marks and could be issues if 2 or 3 of those things don't happen. Something Atkins and company need to plan and be ready for. 

Varsho when healthy put up great numbers offensively. As for Santander, looks like his contract could be dead weight now, but he'll have a chance to bounce back next season hopefully.

Jays bullpen was meh all season long and had its high and lows. Agreed the bullpen wasn't a strength, though heck the Dodgers didn't even have a bullpen and they still won a World Series. Hopefully the Jays do target some high profile elite arms for the pen during the offseason. Money shouldn't be an issue.

IKF sucks and hopefully Atkins never brings him back to Toronto. 

[Omar]

8 hours ago, Laika said:

I don't think you guys understand 

This.

All of you guys writing long diatribes full of ifs and but's trying to rationalize the loss give me zero comfort.

I appreciate the commiserating but I just can't.

[L54]

36 minutes ago, gruber9292 said:

I hate Ross Atkins with a passion but was pulling for the team more than ever because of the players that played hard and faught all year that took the team this far. 

K nobody gives a s*** honestly 

[Olerud363.354]

9 minutes ago, jaysblue said:

Guys like Clement, and Lukes having the seasons like they did, Springer having a huge bounce back at age 36, Kirk bouncing back after two lost seasons offensively, Barger coming up and making an immediate impact and getting some of the biggest

On the other hand Giminez under-performed with the bat.  Satander did nothing.  Bichette was injured for most of the playoff run and we lost multiple runs in the World Series because he couldn't run (couldn't score last night in the second) and downstream effect of having to sub IKF.

Berrios was a non-factor.  Garcia injured.  

[SeranthonySantander]

As a 28 year watcher, not as bad as I thought I would feel.  It just makes you question why putting so much happiness in something where for example if we got the safe call at home there, they probably can't overturn it.   Among many other things.  

I am just upset there is no more games to watch.

The whole run up is really the best part and short of hard drugs you can't replicate this feeling.

[Olerud363.354]

8 hours ago, SeranthonySantander said:

look at dodger fans social media the last 5 days.  They won last year, 5 years ago, they were even more miserable than anything I was seeing from Jays fans at any point this series.  Even mid season with them in first place, never happy.  The happiness would be fleeting and by the start of next season, most fans would go back to being entitled and whining about the same stuff every fan does.

It is impossible to be satisfied long term

Exactly.  The Yankees fan base is miserable.  Every 3 game losing streak in August is a disaster.   The Dodgers fans take a pout and leave in the 7th inning in World Series games.  They literally left and gave up their World Championship team.  

After Joe Carter hit the homerun in 1993 in a blink of an eye Jacob Brumfield was playing for Olerud (against righties), Carter was one of the worst players in baseball and given 3 years of 700 PAs with negative WAR.  The franchise was a miserable mess literally 4 months later.  Do you know what it was like going to the Dome in 97 watching Carter?  I half wished he didn't hit that homerun.    

Do you think 2 years from now you would be happier if the Jays beat Cincinatti 4-1.  Like if they had a Texas Rangers 2023 style ring?  

Don't get me wrong. Am not discrediting the ring.  But how much of a difference in satisfaction is there between Rangers 2023 and Jays 2025?  

[Jays24]

8 hours ago, Ball4Life said:

It’ll be okay everyone. Life goes on.❤️

False, life stops now

[SeranthonySantander]

12 minutes ago, Olerud363.354 said:

Exactly.  The Yankees fan base is miserable.  Every 3 game losing streak in August is a disaster.   The Dodgers fans take a pout and leave in the 7th inning in World Series games.  They literally left and gave up their World Championship team.  

After Joe Carter hit the homerun in 1993 in a blink of an eye Jacob Brumfield was playing for Olerud (against righties), Carter was one of the worst players in baseball and given 3 years of 700 PAs with negative WAR.  The franchise was a miserable mess literally 4 months later.  Do you know what it was like going to the Dome in 97 watching Carter?  I half wished he didn't hit that homerun.    

Do you think 2 years from now you would be happier if the Jays beat Cincinatti 4-1.  Like if they had a Texas Rangers 2023 style ring?  

Don't get me wrong. Am not discrediting the ring.  But how much of a difference in satisfaction is there between Rangers 2023 and Jays 2025?  

Yea I started watching about 97 I think and had no idea about playoff baseball or what it would even be like.  I just liked watching guys like Delgado have 3 home run games in empty dreary looking skydome.

One thing baseball kinda teaches you is that eternal optimism which is good to have in life, which is also the occasional good things happening mixed in with lots of set backs.

[gruber9292]

31 minutes ago, L54 said:

K nobody gives a s*** honestly 

Speak for yourself and not for fans that hardly missed an inning of a game since 1983. You'd give a shiit if you did. 

[Ryu In My House]

This team was incredible. I have followed the Blue Jays since 1984, seen a lot of really good teams during that span, but this team was amazing, and never gave up. When their back was to the wall, and fans had all but given up, they kept proving people wrong. Something had to give in game 7. I am very sad and disappointed, but I appreciate all the amazing memories of this run I will have. I hope the Blue Jays FO can just build on things from here, and make some additions/extend some players to keep everyone exited and keep on making runs into October for a while. Playoff ball is SO fun.