John Schneider gets my vote for the Manager of the Year

Final Blue Jays post for a while; I promise! But I can’t resist calling out John Schneider for his management of this year’s team.

Still a newbie baseball fan myself I don’t know the great managers of the past. But I have admired John Schneider’s direction of our rags-to-riches Jays this season. “They went about it the right way every single day” he repeatedly says. From last place in the AL East last year; from this year’s dismal start, actually a stumble poised to repeat last year’s fumble; through all the ups and downs of a ridiculously long MLB season, he has built a team to contend, to bounce back again and again, and coming within an inch to win the World Series. Many suggest this season will re-write Blue Jays history and raise the profile of baseball in Canada for generations. I think they’re right.

I encourage readers to watch Schneider’s post-Game 7 interview with Ken Rosenthal on FOX. While the loss “stinks” Schneider is grateful for the way the team played. This team is “special” and “it’s hard to know that this particular group won’t stay together.”  Trades, retirements, free agency, health matters, relocation to other leagues; all will play a part.

Apart from the bank accounts — the Dodgers payroll is close to double that of  Toronto’s — these teams were well matched, each true contenders for the trophy and a ring. Not “David and Goliath” as many claimed. “It was that close’: a world series Game 7 tied with extra innings. This just doesn’t happen a lot.

The entire series served up great baseball, games that turned on a dime, both teams loading the bases still unable to bring runs home; amazing fielding, and relentless offense all up and down the order. Vladdy on First and Barger out in right field; double first inning homers. As for pitching, Gausman and Scherzer starting, Bassitt helpful in the pen, and the new fellow — what’s his name? — right, Trey Yesaavage. I think he deserves a raise from his current 58K. In the end it was no surprise that Ohtani was truly amazing, but almost no one got past Yamamoto, the series MVP.

Schneider singled out the fans throughout the country, and beyond. Thank You for being here, and there, for us he said. From the regular season through to the post-season and the world series there are so many good memories for generations of Blue Jays fans. They are the most likeable group we’ve had in a long time.” The FOX crew put the icing on the cake. “The Jays played great baseball – they just didn’t win. Game 7 was one of the best baseball games ever witnessed.”

So how did this happen. I must mention hitting coach, David Popkins, who got the hitting going again. Schneider however did what needed to be done. Create a team environment where everyone, players, coaches, front office, media, could all do what they needed to do. And they loved it. Well done Jays, and John. See you next season.

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