Rogers Centre absolutely erupted Monday night when George Springer launched a three-run homer to vault the Toronto Blue Jays into the World Series for the first time in over three decades — and no one was more excited at that moment than his family.
Speaking in an interview with CBC’s The National following the game, Springer’s younger sister, Lena Springer, said she watched the game from her home and joked her celebration woke up the neighbours when her brother made the play.
“It’s something I envisioned him doing back when he was seven [or] 10 years old in the backyard,” she said. “It was pretty incredible.”
She said her brother is meant for this moment and said her advice to him is to keep bringing all of himself to the World Series games.
“This is the fun part, getting to do it on the national stage,” she said.
The Jays were down by two at the bottom of the seventh inning when Springer swung, giving the Jays a one-run lead over the Seattle Mariners and ultimately winning the American League Division Championships.
His father, George Springer II, said his son is not one to focus on the personal glory of the moment.
“I think he was glad that the team got the win and that he was able to contribute to that effort,” he said.
WATCH | Springer hit 3-run home run to win Game 7 of ALDS:
The Springer dinger becomes Blue Jays lore
George Springer’s three-run home run that got Blue Jays to the World Series was quickly deemed the ‘Springer dinger’ and joined the bat flip as a part of team lore.
Adding to Springer’s heroics is the fact that he is clearly playing through some sort of injury. Just a few days prior, he took a fastball to the inside of his knee in Game 6 in Seattle, which has left him wincing and hobbled at times while batting in subsequent games.
Fans in the stands could be heard booing Springer following his getting hit by a pitch.
“It was pretty ugly,” his father told CBC News when asked about the incident.
“The folks on the other side, they’re our opponents, not our enemies,” he said. Springer II said his son’s victory on Monday is a testament to his resilience.
“Obviously he was hurting that night and he found a way to get it done,” his father said.
George Springer II said the Blue Jays are a unique organization, being the only professional baseball team in Canada. He said their family has always felt welcome and said he was glad to share the win with fans across the country.
“It was just so reassuring and gratifying,” he said. “Not only did this elevate the team to the World Series, but it elevated the city of Toronto and it elevated the country of Canada in general.”
