A fan favourite throughout his remarkable season, Ernie Clement probably developed an even closer bond with Toronto Blue Jays supporters after his post-game meeting with reporters on Saturday.
A teary-eyed Clement looked much like many of the fans at Rogers Centre following the Blue Jays' 5-4 Game 7 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series.
"The only thing I can think of right now is spending this last night with all the boys," an emotional Clement said. "I'm just going to miss them in the off-season. I couldn't wait to come to the field every day and just hang with everybody. I've been crying for probably an hour. I thought I was done with the tears, but I just love these guys so much. It was just so much fun coming to work every day and battling with these guys. We have so much to be proud of, even if it didn't go our way."
Signed to a minor-league contract by the Blue Jays after he was released by the Athletics in 2023, the infielder turned into a hugely influential part of the 2025 American League champions on offence and defence.
The native of Rochester, N.Y. nearly won Game 7 in the bottom of the ninth when his drive to deep centre was snagged by a leaping Andy Pages in centre field as he crashed into teammate Enrique Hernandez with the bases loaded and two out.
Clement's double in the eighth inning was his 30th hit of the post-season, setting an MLB record.
Randy Arozarena set the previous record of 29 in 2020 with Tampa Bay. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had 28 hits during the Blue Jays' playoff run.
Clement, 29, was quick to come to the defence of Jeff Hoffman and Shane Bieber, who gave up the game-tying and game-winning home runs, respectively.
"I'd go to war with Jeff Hoffman every day of the week. I want him on the mound. I want Biebs on the mound. Those are guys I would take a bullet for. Ninety-nine times out of 100, those guys get the job done," Clement said.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider was full of praise for the former high-school hockey star afterward.
"Ernie had a phenomenal year," Schneider said. "I hope he wins a Gold Glove, he should. He kind of became the face of our team because of the way he plays. Unbelievable run he was in this entire post-season ... He's turned himself into an every-day major league player that is going to contribute to win a world championship."
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