Scherzer and Springer bring Toronto to tears in potential final game with Blue Jays

There wasn't a dry eye in the Rogers Centre on Sunday afternoon. 

The Toronto Blue Jays hosted the Cincinnati Reds for the final game of the season, in what was supposed to be a meaningless end to a disappointing season. The Jays were eliminated from postseason contention days ago, but it wound up being one of the most memorable games of the 2026 season. 

Emotions were at an all-time high as both George Springer and Max Scherzer played in what may be the last MLB game of their storied careers in front of a packed house in Toronto. 

Scherzer got the start despite being on short rest and did not disappoint, putting up seven dominant innings in which he allowed just six hits and one earned run, while striking out seven batters.

When manager John Schneider took him out of the game in the eighth inning, the future Hall of Famer received a rousing ovation from the Blue Jays faithful and jumped into the stands to hug his family. 

"This crowd, that's why I wanted to pitch one more game at the Rogers Centre," Scherzer told Sportsnet's Hazel Mae after the game. "You guys make it loud like that, man, that gives me all the adrenaline in the world. 

"I just wanted to keep out there, keep getting outs. Got the energy and was able to keep going. My arm felt great; I kept telling Schneids I felt great, and I want the ball, and I'm going until a runner gets on." 

I'm not crying, you're crying 🥲

What an ovation for Max Scherzer as he leaves the mound for the final time this season 👏

Thank you, Max 💙 pic.twitter.com/g8NBq8uxen

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) September 27, 2026

In true Scherzer fashion, he was able to defiantly call off Schneider earlier to stay in the game. Though when it happened a second time, he laughed, hugged his manager, and came off the field. 

While he hasn't officially called it a career, the way he went about this game certainly implies that retirement is a real possibility this offseason. 

If it is the end for Scherzer, it will cap off a legendary 19-year MLB career where he racked up 225 wins and an astounding 3,557 strikeouts, which ranks ninth all-time in the major leagues.

"This is a hidden gem in the league; Toronto is awesome," Scherzer told Mae. "I love playing here; you guys are the best. Thank you for your support. You treated me and my family so well. All the players here, we all feel the same; we love you guys. 

"Thank you!" 

"That's why I wanted to pitch one more time at the Rogers Centre ... This is a hidden gem in the league. Toronto is awesome. I love playing here."

What a pleasure to watch you one last time this season, Max 💙

(and one last water shower!) 🚿 pic.twitter.com/EUCMmsCusG

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) September 27, 2026

Springer also provided a few more emotional beats in Sunday's contest, as he was playing in what may be his final game with the Blue Jays. The 37-year-old will see his six-year, $150 million contract with Toronto come to an end, and his future is up in the air at the moment. 

He batted leadoff for the Jays at the DH position, an ode to the spot where he created so many memories while in Toronto. He managed a hit in two at-bats before getting taken out of the game in the third inning. 

Again, he walked off the field to a massive ovation. 

"I wholeheartedly believe that I owe every single person who roots for the Blue Jays, cheers for us, and wears a Blue Jays jersey past and present to go out there and give it all I got," Springer told Mae after the game. 

"Sometimes it might not have been up to par for some people, but I tried, and that's all that matters." 

George Springer walks off the field for potentially his final time as a Blue Jay 🥲 pic.twitter.com/v0wx0XEGtG

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) September 27, 2026

Springer has become one of the most iconic players in franchise history over the course of his six-year tenure, with his biggest moment coming during Game 7 of the ALCS, where he smashed a three-run home run against the Seattle Mariners to send the Blue Jays to the World Series. 

When asked about his future, Springer refused to give a definitive answer and said he will determine next steps with his family over the offseason. 

"I owe [my family] the world, and I've been gone a long time," Springer said. "My children deserve their dad at home, so I will sit down with my wife at some point this offseason, and we will address the future, but for now it's about being in the present. 

"From the bottom of my heart, from the bottom of our hearts, I wanna say thank you for all your support through the ups and the downs... I just wanna say thank you." 

"My children deserve their dad at home."

George Springer talks with @thehazelmae about contemplating his plans for the future 💙 pic.twitter.com/ZfuaYd2F2c

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) September 27, 2026

It seemed like the baseball gods were looking over the Jays, as Toronto cruised to a 5-1 victory to cap off the season. 

In many ways, the 2026 season was a massive disappointment, but for one night in late September, all that was put to the side to celebrate two special players.