Addison Barger Hits Historic Grand Slam, Blue Jays Lead World Series 1-0

BREAKING: In a stunning display of talent and determination, Addison Barger made history on October 24, 2025, by hitting the first-ever pinch-hit grand slam in World Series history, propelling the Toronto Blue Jays to an 11-4 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers. This pivotal win gives Toronto a commanding 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven championship series.

Barger, just 25 years old, delivered the game-changing moment during the sixth inning at Rogers Centre, where a sold-out crowd of 44,353 fans erupted in celebration. Coming in as a pinch hitter for Davis Schneider, who had generously offered his couch for Barger to sleep on the night before, Barger crushed a slider from Dodgers reliever Anthony Banda a staggering 413 feet to score Nathan Lukes, Andres Gimenez, and George Springer.

The grand slam not only electrified the crowd but also significantly boosted the Blue Jays’ chances of winning the game, shifting the likelihood of victory to an impressive 99.4 percent.

In a post-game interview, Barger wore a shirt from his minor league days that read “I Hit Balls Hard,” a humorous nod to his journey from single-A teams to the World Series spotlight. He remarked, “Yeah, the goal is to hit the ball hard, so I’ll take it.”

The emotional stakes were high for Barger as his family watched his World Series debut from Schneider’s apartment, leading to some light-hearted moments about his sleeping arrangements. Schneider humorously recalled, “He’s a head case, but he’s funny.”

Barger’s breakout season has been remarkable, with a regular season batting average of .243, 21 home runs, and 74 RBIs. In the postseason, he has elevated his game further, hitting .324 with three home runs and eight RBIs.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider praised Barger’s simple yet effective approach, emphasizing the importance of his contributions. “Addy’s been so big for us this year,” he stated.

As the series continues, all eyes will be on Barger and the Blue Jays as they look to capitalize on this momentum. Fans are eager to see if Barger can deliver again in Game 2, scheduled for October 25.

Stay tuned for more updates on this thrilling World Series matchup as the Blue Jays aim for their first championship title in franchise history.