A pivotal piece of Toronto Blue Jays history is now available for the highest bidder. The baseball slugger George Springer launched into the stands for a game-winning home run in Game 7 of the 2025 American League Championship Series has officially been put up for auction.
A Staggering Starting Bid for a Piece of History
The auction, hosted by the renowned collectibles firm Goldin, opened with a starting price of $10,000 US. As of Thursday afternoon, a single bid had been placed at that minimum. Fans and collectors have until December 13 at 10 p.m. to place their bids for this iconic piece of sports memorabilia.
The ball was caught in the left-field stands of Rogers Centre by Blue Jays fan Michael Angeletti, whose exuberant reaction was captured on camera and shared widely. Angeletti will provide provenance for the item, verifying its authenticity. The auction listing notes the ball shows "extensive wear, with white leather scuffing and surface abrasions throughout," a testament to its game use and historic journey.
The Swing That Sent Toronto to the World Series
The moment itself is etched in Blue Jays lore. In the bottom of the seventh inning against the Seattle Mariners, with the game tied, Springer connected with a pitch from reliever Eduard Bazardo. The result was a three-run homer that gave the Jays a 4-3 lead, a score they would hold to clinch the American League pennant and advance to the World Series for the first time in 32 years.
Reflecting on the moment at a Make-A-Wish Foundation event this week, Springer called it "hard to describe." He emphasized the team effort, stating, "I'm just happy I could come through in that moment... That was a very big team moment for us." When asked about potentially retrieving the ball from the fan who caught it, Springer was gracious: "He caught it. He earned it. I have the memory, which is incredible."
Capping a Remarkable Comeback Season
The home run was the crowning achievement in a spectacular bounce-back season for Springer. Following a difficult 2024 campaign that suggested a potential decline, the veteran outfielder rebounded powerfully. In 2025, he ranked among MLB's elite, placing second in on-base percentage (.399) and fourth in batting average (.309) among qualified hitters.
His performance was recognized on Wednesday when the Toronto chapter of the Baseball Writers' Association of America named him the Blue Jays Player of the Year and the team's Most Improved Player. His playoff performance, which included six doubles and four home runs, solidified his status as a clutch performer.
For Blue Jays fans and serious sports collectors, the auction represents a rare chance to own a tangible piece of the franchise's recent renaissance. Whether the final sale price soars far above the $10,000 starting point remains to be seen, but the ball's place in team history is already guaranteed.
