NEW YORK -- He’s here, he’s there, he’s everywhere, he's Ernie Clement.
Yankee Stadium buzzed with energy in Game 4 of the American League Division Series, but the one guy that was right in the middle of everything wasn’t one of its own. It was Clement, the Blue Jays’ infielder that has put together a 1.554 OPS in his first postseason.
In Wednesday night’s series-clinching 5-2 victory, he did a little bit of everything: he collected two more hits and scored on a go-ahead sac fly by George Springer in the fifth inning. He even got hit by a pitch and caught a scorcher off the bat of Aaron Judge.
And in the seventh inning, he advanced to third on a chopper that Jazz Chisholm Jr. booted for an error before scoring on a Nathan Lukes single to extend the Blue Jays’ lead.
Everywhere you looked, there he was, making an impact in every way possible.
“Ernie is not scared of any situation,” said manager John Schneider. “I think his play kind of shows the way he plays the game, whether it's on the bases, on defense, or at the plate. I think he's pretty confident right now. When you get into the postseason and the stakes are a little bit higher, guys like that tend to rise to the occasion, just guys that play the game the right way.”
In his first postseason, Clement has hit .643/.625/.929 with a double, a home run and five RBIs in four games.
“It's special,” Clement said of the win. “I think just doing it against the division rival makes it that much sweeter. It's a lot of the hard work paying off. For me, I'm swinging at good pitches and taking the bad ones. It's been pretty simple. I’m trying to get on base for our studs at the top of the order.”
Make no mistake, Clement has been a key player for the Blue Jays over the last few seasons, even if he’s just getting introduced to the national stage. In 157 games in 2025, the 29-year-old hit .277/.313/.398 while playing multiple infield positions.
“I think Ernie Clement has kind of made everyone aware of how good he is,” Schneider said. “Ernie had an unbelievable first postseason series for a guy that has been through it a little bit. I think he kind of epitomizes what we are in terms of how we play. So I'm thrilled for him.”
Twice designated for assignment -- in 2022 with the Guardians and before the ‘23 season with the A’s -- he’s been nearly a full-time player in Toronto for the last two years. He’s just gotten better and better over the course of his tenure.
On a team with a superstar like Vladimir Guerrero Jr., a respected veteran like Springer and an All-Star ace like Kevin Gausman, Clement and others at the bottom of the lineup complete a well-rounded roster that is now on its way to the ALCS.
“He's meant a lot to the team,” Schneider said. “You can put him anywhere. I remember him saying, ‘You can put me behind the plate, I'll catch.’ I think he was actually our emergency catcher at one point. He's really, really fun to have, and his style of play can get a little bit contagious. He's been really, really valuable to us this year.”
Clement would do just about anything to help this team. He’s not shy about it. But that’s what makes him such an important part of the Blue Jays in the midst of this run.
“I just care so deeply about everybody in this room and in the team,” Clement said. “And I just think when you put the team first, good things happen.”