UPDATE: Following a gut-wrenching loss in Game 7 of the World Series, Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider is urging fans not to blame Isiah Kiner-Falefa for being thrown out at home plate, just inches away from a championship-winning run. In a press conference at the winter meetings in Orlando, Florida, Schneider expressed his sympathy for Kiner-Falefa, stating, “I feel so bad for Izzy for getting all the blame.”
This pivotal moment unfolded on November 5, 2023, when Kiner-Falefa, pinch-running for Bo Bichette, attempted to score after a critical hit. The game was tied at 4-4 after a homer from Miguel Rojas of the Los Angeles Dodgers, setting the stage for a nail-biting finish. With the bases loaded and one out, Kiner-Falefa took a short lead of just 7.8 feet—the fourth shortest lead recorded in this World Series—before making his move.
As Daulton Varsho hit a ground ball to Rojas, the Dodgers’ second baseman stumbled but managed to throw to catcher Will Smith, who controversially tagged Kiner-Falefa just before he reached home. The call was upheld after a 70-second video review, sealing the Blue Jays’ fate in a heart-stopping 5-4, 11-inning defeat.
“I’ve seen that video 3,000 times, and in 1,500 of them it looks like Will’s off the plate. In the other half, it looks like he’s on,” Schneider commented, emphasizing the close nature of the call.
The emotional toll of this loss extends beyond statistics. Schneider highlighted the strategic decisions made by third base coach Carlos Febles, who had advised Kiner-Falefa on his lead. “It’s not runner at third going on contact… A, you don’t want to get back-picked. B, you don’t want to get doubled up on a line drive,” he explained. The stakes were high, and every decision mattered.
In the aftermath, Schneider reflected on the game with a mix of regret and analysis. He noted, “I don’t really think that he could have done much more,” as he processed the myriad of what-ifs surrounding the final plays.
As fans and analysts dissect the game, Schneider plans to approach the situation from a new perspective. He remarked, “I haven’t done that yet, and I don’t know when I will. It’ll probably involve a beer or two when the kids are asleep.” His light-hearted comment underscores the personal and emotional weight of the loss, resonating with fans who share in the heartbreak.
Looking ahead, the focus now shifts to the offseason as the Blue Jays regroup and strategize for the future. Schneider humorously noted his runner-up position to Stephen Vogt for AL Manager of the Year, a reminder of the unpredictable nature of baseball and the challenges that lie ahead.
As this story develops, fans are left to ponder the narrow margins that define victory and defeat in Major League Baseball. The Blue Jays, despite the loss, are set to return stronger, with lessons learned and determination renewed.
