TORONTO -- George Springer grew up in Connecticut, so he doesn’t mind the cold of December in Toronto.
Late Wednesday morning, Springer was back in town for an event in support of Make-A-Wish Canada, in partnership with Jack Astor’s. Springer’s co-pilot for the event was 11-year-old Delfina Budziak, a Make-A-Wish ambassador who overcame a critical liver disorder and transplant.
Budziak is also a big Blue Jays fan -- and a Springer fan -- so she got all of the best answers out of Springer, from her reaction to his home run in Game 7 of the AL Championship Series to his favorite ice cream flavors. Over the years, we’ve seen Springer become increasingly present at these community events, particularly those benefiting kids in need. Springer has hosted an annual event to benefit SAY -- the Stuttering Association for the Young -- and he is now teaming up with Make-A-Wish Canada to help children with critical illnesses realize their dreams.
“It’s very heartwarming to be involved and to be here,” Springer said. “It’s hard to describe for me. I wish every kid could get everything they want and enjoy the life they want to live. To be a part of it and to be here, to hopefully help somebody, this means the world to me.”
Springer kept turning back to his new friend, Budziak, as a source of inspiration for what she’s already gone through in her life. Springer may be 36 now, but he’s still the biggest kid in the Blue Jays’ clubhouse, so these events -- and connecting with kids -- always seem to come naturally. After Springer spoke about his work with Make-A-Wish Canada over the holidays, the conversation naturally found its way back to the Blue Jays and the World Series run that’s still so fresh, just a month removed from that Game 7 loss to the Dodgers.
Springer isn’t eager to revisit the past. Besides, he’s been through triumphs and heartbreaks before in his career with the Astros, so he understands this game better than most. He spoke with a sense of pride, though, about the season he and his teammates built together.
That momentum is already alive again, fresh off the signings of Dylan Cease (seven years, $210 million) and Cody Ponce (three years, $30 million). Springer loves the moves, even if he didn’t exactly catch the first push notification on his phone.
“I was sleeping. A lot of that stuff happens way past my bedtime,” Springer said, laughing. “It’s nice to wake up to see that news. The guys were all talking about it, and it’s exciting.”
Springer is looking forward to “being normal” for a while longer over the holidays, spending more time with his wife and their two boys. Eventually, the ramp-up for Spring Training will grow more intense, but the past month has allowed him to recover from a long, grueling season. Springer was playing through multiple injuries by the end of it, and while he still won’t pull back the curtain to tell us everything that he was dealing with, he said that no procedures were required after the season, and he’s excited to get to camp fresh for the final year of his six-year deal.
The early additions have only energized Springer, along with everyone else returning to that clubhouse in 2026. The Blue Jays now have one of the most talented and deepest rotations in baseball. Bo Bichette or Kyle Tucker would make this an incredible offseason if they landed alongside some bullpen help, but there’s plenty of time for that, and Toronto has burst out in front of the market with the Cease and Ponce deals.
“Our team was special, and is special to me,” Springer said. “There’s a lot that goes into playing this game. For guys to want to come here and to want to sign up for as long as they have, it means a lot to us and shows who they are as well.”
Over 12 seasons in the big leagues, Springer has learned not to play GM. These are days for relaxing and recovering. They’re days for Springer to take care of himself, but also give back to those around him, which includes Toronto, his home for the past five seasons. Springer’s postseason experience has also been a lesson, though, that the winter blows by when you make a deep run.
“It’s been a quick month,” Springer said. “Spring Training will be here before we know it.”