With just two outs remaining, the Toronto Blue Jays stood on the brink of a World Series championship, but then the tide turned dramatically.
One-run lead. Ninth inning. Rogers Centre is holding its breath. Jeff Hoffman is on the mound with a chance to deliver the final outs of the season and cement one of the most iconic moments in franchise history.
A full-count slider to ninth hitter Miguel Rojas turned the tide completely. The ball soared into the bullpen, marking the first game-tying ninth-inning home run in World Series history. Just moments later, the Los Angeles Dodgers erupted in celebration on the field in Toronto.
Four months later, when questioned by Toronto Star’s Mike Wilner about his feelings regarding that moment, Hoffman provided a succinct one-word answer.
“No.”
The Weight of One Pitch—And the Context Behind It
It’s easy to let that one pitch define Hoffman’s 2025. That’s the nature of the game, particularly when it comes to those who finish it off. It’s all about securing those final three outs or facing the consequences. There’s a clear distinction.
However, the journey to that moment is significant.
Hoffman dominated the mound, striking out the side in Game 7 of the ALCS, propelling Toronto to the Fall Classic. He recorded an impressive 0.79 ERA during the postseason and surrendered only a single run throughout September, playing a pivotal role in the Blue Jays’ ascent to an American League East title, earning the trust of manager John Schneider in the game’s highest-stakes moments.
Yet, the regular season revealed some red flags. In 2025, Hoffman surrendered 14 home runs during the ninth inning. The energy was palpable, yet the impact was undeniable. Facing a Dodgers lineup featuring Shohei Ohtani waiting on deck, he aimed to put Rojas away with a slider.
It fell short of execution. Rojas delivered a perfect hit.
Hoffman has not attempted to reshape that moment. He has avoided making excuses or placing blame on the entire team. His response stays the same.
“No.”
Why Not Moving On Might Be Exactly What Toronto Needs
There’s a distinction between being shadowed by past mistakes and taking responsibility for them.
Hoffman’s unwillingness to dilute the moment indicates he grasps the expectations of the role. Per Forbes reporting, pitching coach Pete Walker has firmly established that the ninth inning remains his domain, despite the arrival of seasoned veteran Tyler Rogers. The team remained composed. They didn’t officially take away his position. They’re counting on perseverance.
The evidence backs up that strategy.
In the 1980s, Tom Henke faced the harsh reality of giving up devastating home runs at critical moments. He faltered in crucial postseason moments and suffered a tough loss. Henke remains celebrated as the finest closer in the team’s legacy, consistently stepping up to the mound and ultimately concluding his narrative on his own terms.
In the grand history of the game, it’s the October moments that define closers, overshadowing any solitary missteps along the way.
At 33 years old, Hoffman is locked in with a contract that extends through 2027. The Blue Jays stood their ground this winter. The addition of Dylan Cease, Kazuma Okamoto, and Cody Ponce bolsters a roster that has already demonstrated its ability to compete fiercely against the Dodgers.
If Toronto makes it back to October—which is the expectation—the story won’t change come March.
The scene will unfold in the ninth inning, with two outs and a slim lead on the line.
Hoffman remains uneasy about Game 7.
For the Blue Jays, that could be the pivotal aspect.
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