Ernie Clement explains special bond Toronto Blue Jays players have with each other

There's a much different feeling heading into this season for the Toronto Blue Jays and their fans. 

After years as a middling team, the Blue Jays shocked the baseball world in 2025. They not only put up an AL-best 94-68 record, they came within inches of winning the World Series.

Now, they're looking to prove it was no fluke.

"There's a little extra pressure to perform. That's just the reality of it," Ernie Clement said in an exclusive interview with Offside.

Clement has quickly become one of the team's most important players.

The 30-year-old, who recently represented the United States at the World Baseball Classic, played an everyday role for the Blue Jays throughout the 2025 season. It was in the playoffs, however, where he truly made a name for himself.

Clement recorded an MLB-record 30 hits in the postseason, posting a blistering .411 average with nine RBI across 77 plate appearances — an impressive feat for a player who was released by the Athletics just three years prior.

Ernie Clement was red-hot in the postseason (Kevin Sousa/Imagn Images)

"It’s been nuts. It really has been," Clement said of his journey. "The belief hasn’t changed. I’ve always believed in myself, but just getting the opportunity has been really special.

"I’m really lucky to be here and help these guys win. It’s hard to get an opportunity in the first place, and to take advantage of it means a lot. I’ve worked really hard for it.”

Clement was just one piece of a Blue Jays team that found success in 2025. While their play on the field played a major role in their World Series run, many within the clubhouse point to something else as the true difference-maker: their bond.

"We really care for each other," Clement explained. "It’s not like we just show up to the field, play, and go home. We like to hang out. Guys get to the field early to play cards or just talk. We spend a lot of time together, and we’ve built a really special bond. It’s easy to give 100 per cent when you truly care about the guy next to you."

That chemistry extends well beyond the ballpark.

"Davis [Schneider] has turned into one of my best friends," Clement said. "We’ll play golf, go out for dinner, do things away from the field. We usually live together as well, so I don’t spend too much time away from him."

The Blue Jays fan base is unlike any other in Major League Baseball, because it stretches throughout an entire country. That's something Clement got to know after he joined the team in 2023.

"When I first came over here, I was out playing golf with Whit Merrifield," Clement recalled. "We were about an hour away from Toronto, and everybody at the course recognized Whit. I just thought it was so cool.

"It’s pretty remarkable how into it the fans get. They pay attention, they know all the guys. No matter how far you are from Toronto, if there’s a Blue Jays fan, they’re going to say hi and wish you the best. We really appreciate the support."

As Clement alluded to, a season like last year’s has brought plenty of attention heading into 2026. Don’t expect that external pressure to impact this group, however.

"Our mindset doesn’t change. We’re going to play for each other. We’re going to play to win every single day," Clement said. "Everybody understands it’s not about the individual, it’s about the team. We’re going to go out there and try to win that day’s game and not overcomplicate it."

Management is fully on board with helping this group take the next step. Fans were overjoyed with several offseason additions, including Dylan Cease, Cody Ponce, Kazuma Okamoto, and Tyler Rogers.

"You want as many good baseball players and as many good people in the clubhouse as possible. These guys are not only great players, but awesome dudes. We’re building relationships and getting to know them so we can go to war together on the field. So far, it’s been great — they’re going to help us win a lot of games."

Featured in MLB video game

Clement's recent success has come with a few perks. One in particular was being featured in MLB The Show 26, which was just released by PlayStation on March 17.

By his own admission, Clement admitted that his video game baseball skills need improvement. That said, the excitement of being featured is something he's still trying to wrap his head around.

"It’s really, really cool. I think a lot of kids grow up playing video games, pretending like they’re in the Major Leagues. Not only do I get to do it in the video game, I get to do it in real life. It doesn’t get much better than that.”

Clement will not only be looking to raise his 79 overall player ranking this coming season, but continue to remain hot at the dish to help bring the Blue Jays success. Their 2026 campaign will kick off this Friday in a game at Rogers Centre against the Athletics.