Springer soaks up Canada Day vibes at the plate
TORONTO – American George Springer continued to feel good vibrations playing for the Toronto Blue Jays on Canada Day.
The 35-year-old outfielder drove in a career-high seven runs with a solo homer to left field in the fourth, a grand slam to left centre in the seventh, and a two-run single up the middle in the eighth to lift the Blue Jays to a 12-5 win against the New York Yankees on Tuesday.
Canada’s only Major League Baseball club put on quite the pre-game show to celebrate this country’s 158th birthday, and the ceremony touched many of the Blue Jays, including Springer.
Manager John Schneider caught the ceremonial pitch. The entire team joined Canadian armed servicemen and women, holding a gigantic Canadian flag that covered the outfield at Rogers Centre.
Finally, as the anthem was finishing fighter jets hummed over the stadium.
“We got to go hang on to the flag, and I thought that was cool,” Springer said. “This obviously is a very special day, and for us to win was big for us.
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“I know we probably haven’t won (a lot) on these days here. But the Jets were cool with the anthem. The whole environment was awesome.”
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The Blue Jays improved to 13-12 on Canada Day at home, but sport a woeful 17-29 record overall on July 1. Springer, however, has enjoyed good times on Canada Day as well as a renaissance this season.
“I think the biggest thing for me is I have learned how to handle the failure,” said Springer, who has gone 9 for 19 (. 474) with three homers, 10 RBI and five runs scored in five Canada Day games for the Blue Jays.
“You’re going to have ups and downs. It’s not always about getting a hit, it’s the process, right? Ultimately, you know, it’ll start to show. You just have to hang in there.”
By snatching the first two of the four-game series, the Blue Jays have pushed to within a game of the American League East Division-leading Yankees.
Toronto has gone 21-10 since May 27, and Springer has played a significant role in the turnaround.
“When he’s playing well usually our whole team plays well,” Toronto veteran starter Kevin Gausman said. “He’s a guy who can take over a game and when he’s locked in he can take over a series.”
Springer hit his 100th homer as a Blue Jay and his ninth career grand slam before 41,129 at Rogers Centre.
He has been secretive as to what adjustments he’s made at the plate this season. But part of Springer’s comeback can be attached to Schneider employing him more as a designated hitter to save him physically.
Springer likes to call the DH role an OP, for offensive player, because of his baserunning ability.
“George is a big-time player when he’s at his best,” Schneider said. “He likes moments like that. … It’s easy for him to slow the moment down.
“I remember in spring training saying, ‘Hey George, I don’t want you to hit 40 homers. I want you to be productive throughout this lineup.’ He’s really grasped onto that. And when a guy like him does it, it trickles down to everyone else.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 1, 2025.
© 2025 The Canadian Press
Spirits maker Diageo will cease operations at its bottling facility in Amherstburg, Ont., early next year, as it shifts some bottling volume to the U.S., the company announced on Thursday.
The facility, which bottles Crown Royal products, will close in February in a move aimed at improving its North American supply chain.
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About 200 jobs will be affected.
“This was a difficult decision, but one that is crucial to improving the efficiency and resiliency of our supply chain network,” Marsha McIntosh, Diageo’s president of North America supply, said in a statement.
Diageo said it will engage with the community and find ways to support its employees through the transition, and work alongside Unifor to assist unionized workers.
The company said it will still maintain a “significant” footprint in Canada — including its headquarters and warehouse operations in the Greater Toronto Area, and bottling and distillation facilities in Manitoba and Quebec.
McIntosh added the company’s Crown Royal products will continue to be mashed, distilled and aged at its Canadian facilities.
© 2025 The Canadian Press
Toronto police say a 33-year-old man has been charged with attempted murder after allegedly striking two men with his car Wednesday evening.
Officers say they responded to reports of a collision in the area of Don Mills Road and Gateway Boulevard in the city’s North York neighbourhood just before 10:30 p.m.
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Police say two men got into an argument, leading to one man getting into his car and hitting the other man with it.
They say the man then put his car into reverse, striking a second man.
A man in his 50s was transported to hospital with serious injuries and the second man, in his 20s, had minor injuries.
Police say the suspect from Markham, Ont., faces several other charges as well, including two counts of assault with a weapon, uttering threats and dangerous driving.
© 2025 The Canadian Press
A court document shows a Lindsay, Ont., man facing charges for allegedly breaking into an apartment was carrying a crossbow when he was confronted by a tenant.
The resident, Jeremy David McDonald, is also facing assault charges in the incident on Aug. 18 — a fact that has generated widespread interest in the case.
Police information filed in court alleges that Michael Kyle Breen damaged a window and screen at McDonald’s home and carried a crossbow.
The court document says the 41-year-old Breen is charged with break and enter, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, mischief under $5,000 and failing to comply with a probation order.
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Police have said that Breen, who is scheduled to appear in court for a bail hearing next week, was already wanted for unrelated offences.
McDonald, the 44-year-old resident, was charged with aggravated assault and assault with a weapon after he allegedly “did endanger the life” of Breen.
Premier Doug Ford blasted the decision to charge the apartment resident, saying last week that it shows “something is broken.”
Kawartha Lakes Police Chief Kirk Robertson wrote in a statement Wednesday that he recognizes the incident has generated significant public interest and “emotional” responses, but called some of the reaction “unjust and inaccurate.”
Robertson wrote that individuals have the right to defend themselves and their property, but the law requires that any defensive action be proportionate to the threat faced.
“This means that while homeowners do have the right to protect themselves and their property, the use of force must be reasonable given the circumstances,” he wrote.
© 2025 The Canadian Press
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