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We're back to work tomorrow with Mark Shapiro & Ross Atkins doing their second "we're sorry, we're accountable and we'll be better" media conference in the last three years. Until then, why not enjoy the good times? #Bluejays season ended on a super-high note - listen to Scherzer & Springer here:

The Blue Jays' emotional final game with Max Scherzer and George Springer

Podcast Episode · Deep Left Field with Mike Wilner · September 28 · 59m

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With the #MLB post-season having started without #Bluejays for the second time in five seasons (and also the second time in three seasons), I'll be watching from afar and rooting for Canadians and stories more than teams. But it would sure be nice to see #Brewers win the whole damn thing.

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The baseball season is long, even when it ends after 162 games and not 180, like #Bluejays played last year. I usually catch a cold right as the season ends. This year’s hit me on the weekend - you can hear it on the newest episode of Deep Left Field. Last night, I appear to have slept it off:

CPAP machine screen showing that it was in use for 11 hours and 23 minutes last night with 2.1 events of apnea per hour, which is pretty high for me, though quite good for having a full nose.

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For my latenighters and overseasers, here’s today’s new episode of Deep Left Field! The lasting impression of #Bluejays terrible 2026 may well be a great one - we hear from George Springer, Max Scherzer & Brandon Valenzuela about that incredible Game 162. Also, DeMarlo Hale on #Jays late collapse:

The Blue Jays' emotional final game with Max Scherzer and George Springer

Podcast Episode · Deep Left Field with Mike Wilner · September 28 · 59m

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Reposted by Mike Wilner

IT’S A SPECIAL BONUS EPISODE OF DEEP LEFT FIELD!!! #Bluejays season ended yesterday with an uplifting, emotional Game 162 and you’ll hear all about it from Max Scherzer, George Springer & Brandon Valenzuela! Also #Jays associate manager DeMarlo Hale about the season as a whole. Plus the mailbag!!

The Blue Jays' emotional final game with Max Scherzer and George Springer

Podcast Episode · Deep Left Field with Mike Wilner · September 28 · 59m

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Just submitted my 10-player ballot for American League MVP. I'm thrilled to be able to participate in this process. Been thinking hard about who I wanted to put where for a while, and seeking advice. Can't reveal anything until the awards come out in November, but very honoured to be part of it!

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The Blue Jays' emotional final game with Max Scherzer and George Springer

Podcast Episode · Deep Left Field with Mike Wilner · September 28 · 59m

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#Bluejays season is over, so it’s DEEP LEFT FIELD DAY!!! Today’s Special Bonus Episode looks back at the emotional, heartwarming Game 162 with George Springer, Max Scherzer & a teary-eyed Brandon Valenzuela. We also look back at the ugly first 161 with DeMarlo Hale. Coming your way shortly!

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Just put Monday's Special Bonus Episode of Deep Left Field to bed - you're gonna love it! A look back at #Bluejays emotional Game 162 with George Springer, Max Scherzer & Brandon Valenzuela! A look back at #Jays lost season with DeMarlo Hale! Your thoughts in the mailbag! Look for it Monday!

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Reposted by Mike Wilner

deepleftfield@thestar.ca is the place to send your thoughts as a disappointing #Bluejays season comes to an end on a very high note with an emotional finale. The end-of-season show drops tomorrow, so get them e-mail in now, please!

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Always sad to leave “the office” for another off-season. Would have been nice to have a little October baseball, but just like the vast majority of my 26 seasons on the full-time #Bluejays beat, we’re heading home after 162. You never know what the road ahead holds. Sure hope I’m back here in ‘27!

The empty Rogers Centre field, save for the grounds crew, as I head home after another season covering the Blue Jays. 26th on the beat full-time, 37th covering the Jays in some way, radio or newspaper.

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Scherzer, postgame, on being a #Bluejays: "I never realized it's the entire country of Canada, 40 million people. That'd be the biggest market of any team in the league. There's so many fans on the road and everybody's so passionate about baseball. ... That speaks my language. I love it."

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Myles Straw puts the squeeze on a Hector Rodriguez fly ball to end #Bluejays 50th season. #Jays leave their fans with a good taste in their mouths heading into what promises to be a very long off-season. The end-of-season mailbag waits for you at deepleftfield@thestar.ca! Fill it up!

Myles Straw makes the catch to end the season.

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The official scorer has removed the JJ Bleday error from George Springer's final at-bat. Springer now has a double. #Bluejays

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Paul Sewald takes over for top9 with #Bluejays leading 5-1. If two runners get on base then maybe Louis Varland will get a save today.

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Charles puts a Charge into one. McAdoo blasts his third home run of the season to make it 5-1 #Bluejays bot8. That means Louis Varland won't get a save today.

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It has been a phenomenal final day of the season at the ballpark, ending a brutal #Bluejays year. Fill up my end-of-season mailbag at deepleftfield@thestar.ca for tonight's bonus episode, please!

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Scherzer gives Springer and Vladdy huge hugs in the dugout, then jumps into the stands to see his four kids. Just a beautiful moment. Baseball-wise, he threw 114 pitches, the most he'd thrown in a game since Sept. 20, 2020! He did it on 3 days' rest. What a way to go out, if this is it. #Bluejays

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A leadoff walk to 9-hitter Owaldo Cabrera ends the season for Scherzer after an incredible performance. He hands over the ball to John Schneider, hugs everyone on the mound, raises his hands to the crowd and walks off the mound, waving and tapping his chest the whole way. #Bluejays

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Andres Gimenez grounds out to begin bot7, so for only the third time in franchise history, #Bluejays won't have at least two batters with 60 RBIs in a full season. This has been a fun day overall, for sure, but that's pretty embarrassing. deepleftfield@thestar.ca

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Scherzer pops up Will Banfield to end top7. No strikeouts in the inning and Scherzer is at 109 pitches with #Bluejays up 4-1. He hasn't thrown this many pitches in a game since Aug. 22/22, more than four years ago.

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John Schneider goes to the mound with two out in top7 to a chorus of boos to ask Scherzer if he wants to keep going. At 104 pitches, Scherzer makes his case, Schneider leaves him in and Mad Max yells "F*** Yeah!" #Bluejays

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Max Scherzer takes the mound for top7 at 97 pitches - on short rest - with Paul Sewald warming in #Bluejays bullpen. If he strikes out the side this inning, he ties Justin Verlander for 8st on the all-time list. deepleftfield@thestar.ca for the end of season mailbag, please!

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Two more strikeouts for Max Scherzer in a perfect top6 give him seven on the day. He's at 97 pitches - pitching on short rest - and he's 42 years old. But how can you not let him keep going? 4-1 #Bluejays to bot6.

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#Bluejays announce a crowd of 42,131, their 61st sellout in 81 home games this season. Final attendance for the year is 3,338,878.

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No fanfare for Kazuma Okamoto as he's replaced defensively by Josh Smith to begin the 6st. #Bluejays

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Mason Fluharty starts to bounce around in #Bluejays bullpen as Max Scherzer comes back out to the mound for top6 at 86 pitches.

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Scherzer with two more strikeouts in a scoreless top5 to give him five for the day. Halfway to catching Verlander. 4-1 #Bluejays to bot5.

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Scherzer has thrown 62 pitches over four innings, with three strikeouts. I figure he'll go five to qualify for the win and come out one batter into the sixth to get the ovation. #Bluejays don't have anyone up in the bullpen.

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With #Orioles game in The Bronx being rained out, #Bluejays will finish the season in sole possession of last place in the AL East regardless of the outcome of this game. Fill up the end of season #Jays mailbag at deepleftfield@thestar.ca!

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Very emotional moment as Springer hits a soft line single to left and winds up at second thanks to JJ Bleday's misplay. He comes out for pinch-runner Sean Keys and takes quite a bit of time coming off the field, soaking it all in one last time before going into the dugout. #Bluejays

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#Bluejays pour out of the dugout to salute the fans here in Game 162.

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Scherzer gets a pair of strikeouts in top3 but gives up three straight hits before popping up Sal Stewart. 2-1 #Bluejays to bot3. Scherzer with 3 Ks (eight to go).

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Brandon Valenzuela, on a hit-and-run, blasts his 9th home run of the season. A shot to dead CF to make it 2-0 #Bluejays bot2.

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Reposted by Mike Wilner

#Bluejays season comes to an end today. There will be a Special Bonus end-of-season episode of Deep Left Field and I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!!! Give me your end-of-season #Jays thoughts at deepleftfield@thestar.ca please!

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Springer, second on the all-time leadoff HR list to Rickey Henderson, sells out on every swing in his first at-bat after digging in with tears in his eyes and strikes out. #Bluejays

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Scherzer throws a perfect top1, with one strikeout. #Bluejays

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#Bluejays send Max Scherzer out to the mound by himself before the rest of the team takes the field. He has a good half-minute out there on his own, waving to the crowd. I think it's better than 50-50 (though maybe not much better) that this is the final game of his Hall of Fame career. #Jays

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