Date: November 1, 2025
Source: Dodger Blue (YouTube)
Hours before the decisive Game 7 of the World Series, manager John Schneider met with the media to discuss leadership, team mindset, and his confidence in Max Scherzer to take the ball in the biggest game of the season. Schneider reflected on his players’ resilience, George Springer’s veteran presence, and how the Blue Jays have raised their organizational standard in 2025.
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On Supporting Younger Players After Game 6
“It starts with the veteran guys — whether it’s putting your arm around them or giving them a kick in the ass. They’ve been doing that all year. You’ve got to flush it. There’s a whole new set of circumstances today, and I’ve got all the confidence in the world they’ll be ready.”
On George Springer’s Leadership
“George said a few things last night — what he’s said all year: go play your game. It’s another opportunity to out-team another team. Move on and focus on what we’ve got to do today.”
On Facing Shohei Ohtani
“It’s unique, for sure. Our pitchers get ready for the hitter, and our hitters get ready for the pitcher. It’s rare that it’s the same guy doing both, but our focus doesn’t change. Compete and execute — that’s what we do.”
On Planning the Pitching Strategy
“It starts with Max. We’ll see how hitters react and look for spots where certain matchups make sense. Everyone talks about pitching in Game 7, but I don’t want that to be the only focus — we’ve still got to find ways to score.”
On Addison Barger and Lineup Confidence
“He’s really good at just going out and playing. I talked to him after the game and told him I have confidence in him — that’s all he needs. His at-bats have been really competitive.”
On Learning from the Last Game 7
“Like last time, we expect everyone to be ready. You can’t predict what’ll happen a few innings down the road — you react to the moment and trust your guys.”
On Max Scherzer’s Mentality
“When we told him he had Game 3, he said, ‘Okay, so three and seven.’ He’s been preparing for this since the start of the series. He’s competitive as anyone I’ve ever seen, and that edge is exactly what we needed this year.”
On Jeff Hoffman’s Dominant Postseason
“He’s pitching at a really high level right now. He’s locating, sequencing, executing — and doing it in the biggest moments. That’s what makes him elite.”
On the Decision to Intentionally Walk Ohtani in Game 6
“If he hits a two-run homer, the opposite question comes — why’d you pitch to him? We talked about it before the series: if there’s a chance to take the bat out of his hands, do it and move on. I didn’t lose sleep over it.”
On Trey Yesavage’s Role Out of the Bullpen
“He’s definitely available. We’ve got targeted parts of the lineup for him. It’s cool that he’s done it before, even if tonight’s a different stage. He’ll be ready to go.”
On the Meaning of This Season
“You take a step back and reflect on what we’ve done — not just the record or getting to Game 7, but how we did it. We’ve raised the standard and expectation of this organization a hell of a lot this year.”
On the Culture the Team Has Built
“For us, it’s cohesiveness, toughness, respect — for the game, your opponent, and your teammates. That’s what we stand for, and I feel like we’ve established that this year.”
On George Springer’s Health
“He’s fine. Probably a little uncomfortable at times, but he came through it okay. Looking for him to have a moment tonight — he’s had a few in these settings.”
On the Hitting Staff’s Impact
“They’re a great trio — Pop, Lou, and Hunter. The biggest thing was defining roles clearly from the start. They know their strengths, communicate well, and bring endless energy and prep. It’s worked really well.”
Pulse Takeaway
John Schneider’s calm confidence before Game 7 reflected the identity he’s helped shape — resilient, united, and fearless. With Max Scherzer ready, the bullpen locked in, and veteran leadership guiding the way, Toronto enters its biggest night in over three decades knowing exactly who they are. The standard has been raised — now it’s time to finish the job.
Quotes from John Schneider via Dodger Blue (YouTube). Used for analysis and commentary.
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