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Toronto Blue Jays Manager John Schneider ripped Seattle Mariners fans after they appeared to boo when four-time All-Star George Springer went down in the seventh inning after being hit in the knee by a pitch.
Speaks to reporters with permission the sailors to take a 3-1 lead in the American League Championship Series, Schneider called out what he described as poor sportsmanship from the Seattle crowd.
Toronto Blue Jays’ George Springer is helped by manager John Schneider, left, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr., right, after being hit by a pitch during the seventh inning in Game 5 of baseball’s American League Championship Series, Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
“I know it’s a great atmosphere to play in,” he said. “And it’s really, really cool to play here and I think the fans who booed him should take a look in the mirror and understand what kind of player he is.”
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“I’ll stop there because when a guy gets hit in the knee and is in obvious pain and you have 40,000 people cheering, that’s not the right thing to do,” Schneider continued.
Springer was hit on the right knee cap by a pitch from right-hander Bryan Woo with the Blue Jays leading 2-1 late in the game. Springer fell to the ground in agony and was eventually helped off the field, limping.
Toronto Blue Jays’ George Springer falls after being hit by a pitch against the Seattle Mariners during the seventh inning of Game 5 of baseball’s American League Championship Series, Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
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That’s when the bows roared.
“I don’t know how you bump somebody that’s down on the ground hurts,” Blue Jays third baseman Ernie Clement said, “I don’t get it. I’ve had a lot of respect for all the Mariners fans, especially the ones that I’ve kind of talked to throughout the series, they’ve been great. But it’s a tough moment. It’s pretty classless.”
Teammates and staff help Toronto Blue Jays outfielder George Springer (4) off the field after he took a pitch to the knee from Seattle Mariners pitcher Bryan Woo (22) during the seventh inning of MLB Game 5 of baseball’s American League Championship Series action in Seattle, Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Springer has been a dominant presence in the Blue Jays’ attempts to reach World Series for the first time since 1993. His run-scoring double in the fifth gave him six straight games with an extra-base hit. The 36-year-old is hitting .256 with three home runs and five doubles this postseason.
