John Schneider, the manager of the Toronto Blue Jays, remains undeterred by criticism as his team competes in the American League Championship Series (ALCS). In his fourth year as manager, Schneider has learned to focus on his players and ignore outside noise, especially during high-pressure moments like the ALCS.

After a tough Game 5 loss to the Seattle Mariners, Schneider addressed the media, emphasizing his disinterest in social media and public opinion. "I’m not on TikTok. I’m not on Twitter," he said. "And three, I could care less what people think about me other than in my clubhouse."

Schneider's approach has contributed to his success, making him the fourth-winningest manager in Blue Jays history. He is also considered a leading candidate for the American League Manager of the Year award. He acknowledges that his perspective has evolved over time. "I think back to a couple years ago when you’re starting in this position (and) I think you care about it more then because you’re trying to make a name for yourself," he explained.

As the Blue Jays prepare for a crucial Game 6, Schneider reflected on the challenges of managing a team under scrutiny. He noted that with experience, he has learned to take criticism in stride. "The more you do it, the more you take (criticism) with a grain of salt. Not everyone in this (Rogers Centre press conference room) is privy to the information I am," he said.

One decision that has drawn scrutiny was his choice to bring in reliever Brendon Little during Game 5, which ended in a 6-2 loss. While Schneider may regret the outcome, he stands by the decision-making process. "You just have to be very prepared, very convicted in the decision, trust the people around you that have helped you get to this point. You make a decision, you move on," he stated.

Schneider expressed empathy for Little, who faced significant pressure in that game. "No one feels worse than me for him," he said. "As a reliever, you don’t get thrown into the pressure cooker that often from a media standpoint in the regular season. So that’s new for him."

Despite the media scrutiny, Schneider remains confident in his leadership. "When you have a group this tight … I love talking to you guys (the media) but at the end of the day, I care what they think and how they respond to what I say," he said. Schneider's focus on his team and disregard for external criticism reflects his growth as a manager and his commitment to leading the Blue Jays toward their first World Series appearance since 1993.