A Blue Jays player cried four times Sunday after George Springer and Max Scherzer both played potentially their final game in MLB

Blue Jays rookie gets emotional

by Miracle Dimwesh

Sep 28, 2026

Toronto Blue Jays hat

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The Toronto Blue Jays’ final game of 2026 was about much more than the score. For Brandon Valenzuela, it became an emotional farewell to two veterans who may have played their final MLB games.

Valenzuela told reporters he cried “like four times today” as George Springer and Max Scherzer received emotional send-offs at Rogers Centre. The moment was shared by Sportsnet’s Anna Dua on X as Toronto closed its season with a 5-1 win over the Cincinnati Reds.

Scherzer started the afternoon with a standing ovation and delivered one of his best outings of the season. The 42-year-old right-hander allowed one run over seven innings, struck out seven and earned his 225th career victory. He finished with 3,557 strikeouts, ninth-most in MLB history.

Springer received his own ovation before the game and another after opening the third inning with a double. Sean Keys replaced him as a pinch-runner, giving the 37-year-old a memorable exit from what could be his final game with Toronto.

Springer finished his sixth season with the Blue Jays batting .249 with 15 home runs and 54 RBI across 126 games. His six-year, $150 million contract is now complete, although he has not announced that he is retiring.

Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider (14)

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Valenzuela provided his own highlight, hitting a two-run homer in the second inning. It was his ninth of the season and helped Toronto build an early lead.

The Blue Jays finished 79-83, last in the AL East after missing the postseason one year after reaching the World Series. Tampa Bay won the division at 98-64, while the Yankees and Red Sox claimed the AL Wild Card spots.

For Toronto, the season ended with a win. For Valenzuela, it also came with four emotional reminders that some of the veterans he looked up to may not be back in 2027.