It took George Springer just one pitch to give the Toronto Blue Jays the lead in the ALCS.
After Kevin Gausman and the Blue Jays' defence worked a zero in the top of the first, Springer stepped to the plate against Seattle Mariners starter Bryce Miller and launched a 97.3 m.p.h. fastball 385 feet over the wall in right field.
It marked the first leadoff homer in Blue Jays playoff history and sent an already amped up Rogers Centre into a frenzy.
Springer, one of MLB's most decorated leadoff home run hitters, is Toronto's all-time leader with 23 blasts to open regular-season contests, and now owns a new chapter in Blue Jays history.
To further add to the history of Sunday's big fly, Springer also became the first player in MLB post-season history to have multiple career leadoff home runs on the first pitch of the game. He previously got the Houston Astros off to a hot start in Game 5 of the 2020 ALCS against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Springer is moving past the New York Yankees' Derek Jeter into sole possession of fifth place on the career list with his 21st post-season home run, as well.
Manny Ramirez hit a record 29 playoff homers and is trailed by Jose Altuve (27), Kyle Schwarber (23) and Bernie Williams (22).
After a dominant regular season that saw him post a .959 OPS, Springer also climbed the overall leadoff homer list, improving his career total to 63 — good for second behind Rickey Henderson's 83.
Since signing with the Blue Jays ahead of the 2021 season, Springer has spent most of his time batting leadoff. However, following a difficult 2024 campaign, the former World Series MVP opened the 2025 season batting lower in the order.
As the summer wore on, Springer earned his way back atop the Blue Jays lineup and hasn't looked back since regaining the position, a trend that continued in Game 1 on Sunday night.
— With files from the Associated Press
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