Blue Jays vet Springer has “clear mindset”

Manager John Schneider believes that George Springer, the elder statesman of the Toronto Blue Jays, is off to a significant start to the season because he's at peace with himself.

TORONTO – Manager John Schneider believes that George Springer, the elder statesman of the Toronto Blue Jays, is off to a significant start to the season because he’s at peace with himself.

In the Blue Jays’ third win in a row, a 5-3 decision in the series opener against the Cleveland Guardians on Friday, the 35-year-old Springer found a way to safely reach base four times. Springer walked twice, knocked out a homer in the fifth inning and reached base on a catcher’s interference call.

This was another example of his comeback after a poor 2024.

“I think last year he got caught up in a lot of different stuff, trying to do too much, and just having one thing leading to another,” Schneider said.

“He carried us for about a month but wasn’t there all year. So finding peace … I think having a clear mindset, understanding that it’s not going to be perfect every single night, and just being invested in every single at bat.”

Springer credits conversations with Schneider and Blue Jays associate manager DeMarlo Hale.

“It goes back to something Schneids says, Demarlo says,” Springer said. “‘Every day, just do something to help the team win.’

“Obviously, one swing of the bat can help, but being able to walk or get hit by a pitch or score a run. There’s more than one way to help the team. It’s kind of my job to do as many things as I can to help us win.”