Schneider learning as Jays chase wild-card spot

Every time fans with pasted-on moustaches are shown on the Rogers Centre Jumbotron, all the Toronto Blue Jays start elbowing Davis Schneider, telling him to look.

TORONTO – Every time fans with pasted-on moustaches are shown on the Rogers Centre Jumbotron, all the Toronto Blue Jays start elbowing Davis Schneider, telling him to look.

The disguises are a loving tribute to the 24-year-old Schneider, who has rocked the distinctive facial hair since the film “Top Gun: Maverick” came out in May 2022. But when Schneider debuted for Toronto with a splash on Aug. 4, hitting a home run in his first-ever Major League at bat, Blue Jays fans started wearing their own moustaches in his honour.

That hirsute homage has not escaped the notice of Schneider’s teammates.

“They don’t chirp me too much, but they kind of make fun of me a little bit with just how many people are wearing moustache and everything,” said Schneider after batting practice on Saturday. “Every time I go out to the field to stretch before the game George Springer and Daulton Varsho are already out here and when I walk out and there’s fans clapping, wearing fake moustaches, I just look at Springer, shaking my head, and he’s cracking up about it.”

The utility man was solid for the triple-A Buffalo Bisons this season, hitting .275 with 31 home runs and 64 runs batted in. But since being called up to the major-league club in Toronto, he’s come into his own at the plate.

Schneider hit .426 through 14 games in August, racking up six homers and 14 RBIs with a .526 on-base percentage. He became the first player in MLB history with nine hits and two homers in his first three games. Coaker Triplett is the only other major-leaguer with nine hits in his first three games, accomplishing the feat for the Chicago Cubs in April 1938.

That hot start would be impossible to maintain, but Schneider is still hitting .297 for the Blue Jays with a total of eight homers, 20 RBIs and an impressive .423 OBP.

Despite the gentle ribbing he sometimes gets from his teammates, Schneider welcomes all the attention he’s getting from the fans..