George Springer playoff HRs: Blue Jays outfielder has Jose Bautista moment in ALCS Game 7

Jake Mozarsky

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George Springer playoff HRs: Blue Jays outfielder has Jose Bautista moment in ALCS Game 7 image

On October 14, 2015 in the seventh inning of Game 5, Jose Bautista hit a go-ahead three-run home run for the Toronto Blue Jays, who went on to beat the Texas Rangers and move on to the ALCS.

10 years later, George Springer added one of the most iconic home runs in Blue Jays history similar to what Bautista did 3,659 days ago; with Toronto trailing 3-1 in the bottom of the seventh inning, Springer launched a go-ahead three-run home run to make the game 4-3. The Blue Jays would go on to win, 4-3, to advance to their first World Series in 32 years.

Springer's heroics have helped the Blue Jays get to this point, and now, he has catapulted them to the Fall Classic. It also helped him ramp up the postseason home run leaderboards.

Let's take a look at Springer's home run that will go down in history.

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George Springer postseason home runs

Springer has earned the moniker of a true "Mr. October" for the modern era, ranking among the all-time leaders in postseason home runs. He has now hit 23 career postseason home runs.

Jose Bautista hit a 3-run HR on a 97-mph sinker in the bottom of the 7th to give the Blue Jays the lead in a winner-take-all game. Pic.twitter.com/CEjj7DQiRK

This currently ranks him 4th all-time in MLB history for career postseason home runs, solidifying his reputation as one of baseball's most clutch hitters when the stakes are highest.

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George Springer postseason stats

Springer is batting under.240 this postseason with four home runs and nine RBIs.

This was by far his most important moment, not only for this postseason, but in Blue Jays history.

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Players with most postseason home runs

Springer's 23 postseason home runs ties him with Kyle Schwarber, one of the most prolific home run hitters.

RankPlayerPostseason Home Runs Teams
1Manny Ramírez29Indians, Red Sox, Dodgers
2José Altuve27Astros
3Kyle Schwarber23Cubs, Phillies
3George Springer23Astros, Blue Jays
5Bernie Williams22Yankees
6Derek Jeter20Yankees

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Jose Bautista home run and bat flip

One of the most iconic moments in Blue Jays history came on October 14, 2015, in the decisive Game 5 of the American League Division Series against the Texas Rangers.

The winner-take-all game in Toronto was defined by an unforgettable, chaotic top of the seventh inning, where a controversial ruling on a ball striking batter Shin-Soo Choo's bat allowed the Rangers to take a 3-2 lead, momentarily crushing the hopes of the Rogers Centre crowd.

The tension and frustration that mounted after the call -- which was debated for nearly an hour and saw fans throw debris onto the field -- set the perfect stage for Bautista's heroics in the bottom half of the inning. With two runners on and the game tied 3-3, Bautista stepped to the plate and absolutely crushed a 97 mph fastball into the left field seats. The 431-foot, go-ahead, three-run home run propelled Toronto to the last time it was in the ALCS.

What followed the majestic blast was what made the moment one that stands in MLB lore: The Bat Flip Heard 'Round the World. Bautista stood motionless for a moment, admiring the flight of the ball before unleashing an aggressive, powerful flip of his bat that launched it high into the air. The bat flip instantly was etched forever into Blue Jays history and pop culture.

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Staff Writer