By Josh Lanier From Daily Voice
George Springer, a New Britain native and former University of Connecticut star, sent Toronto fans into a frenzy with a single swing in the seventh inning, lifting the Blue Jays to the World Series with a 4-3 win in a decisive Game 7.
This marks Toronto’s first trip to the Fall Classic since 1993. Springer’s fourth home run of the postseason made history — it was the first go-ahead homer in a Game 7 by a team trailing by multiple runs in the seventh inning or later.
Seattle’s Cal Raleigh and Julio Rodríguez each hit solo shots, giving the Mariners an early lead and hope for their first World Series berth. But the Blue Jays would not be stopped.
The Mariners' Magic, which had propelled them to the American League Championship Series, ended as Springer's 381-foot homer off of Eduard Bazardo landed in the stands of more than 44,000, causing a sleepless night for Seattle fans.
Springer, who won a World Series with the Houston Astros in 2017, where he hit five home runs in that series against the Dodgers, tying a series record held by Philadelphia's Chase Utley and "Mr. October" Reggie Jackson.
The 36-year-old Springer was named MVP of that Series.
Next up, the Blue Jays will host Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 1. The World Series leaves the United States for just the third time, with many in Connecticut pulling for the Canadians.