AL WILD CARD SERIES: MARINERS VS BLUE JAYS

October 7, 2022

John Schneider

Rogers Centre

Toronto Blue Jays

Pregame Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Get started with manager John Schneider.

Q. We've been asking Bo and George about sort of the atmosphere in the city and in the stadium. What are you expecting today? Have you felt sort of a buildup towards this?

JOHN SCHNEIDER: Yes, I think so. I think guys have been waiting for this for a little bit. It's a group that's very confident and very talented, so I think they're very excited to be here right now.

As far as the atmosphere, I can't wait. Assuming it's going to be loud, assuming it's going to be very energetic. Roof is going to be closed. It's going to be a little bit extra probably because of that, but we know the passion of this fan base, and I think over the last couple of years with us not being here as well, it's going to be that much more.

Trying to just enjoy the first couple of minutes and then get down to baseball.

Q. How will you know when things are going right? Obviously, the Gatorade splash at the end of the game would be it, but before that how would you know?

JOHN SCHNEIDER: Looking at the at-bats against Castillo to start, watching Manoah navigate through their lineup the first time and taking care of the ball defensively and playing the type of game that's gotten us here.

Kind of feel the opposition out, feel the starter out, make necessary adjustments and go from there. We're confident with the brand of baseball that we're playing right now.

Q. George was just talking about how much he likes batting lead-off especially in moments like these. He is, obviously, a guy that's had some postseason experience here. How valuable is it for you to have George Springer take the batter's box for the very first at-bat of this game?

JOHN SCHNEIDER: Hopefully it's after three quick outs today, but having him, his presence, his experience, not just the first time, but every time that spot comes up again is huge.

I think he sets the tone for us offensively both with his performance and with the preparation that goes into each game. Couldn't ask for a better guy when you're talking about contact on base, damage potential. He has been one of the best in the game for a while.

Q. Yesterday Alek said to us pressure is something you put in your tires. I just wondered, have you seen him --

JOHN SCHNEIDER: Of course, he did.

Q. Have you seen him around today? What's he been like? What's his demeanor like, and how excited are you to watch him?

JOHN SCHNEIDER: I haven't seen him yet. I've been stuck in my office. I'm sure his demeanor is great. I'm sure his routine is spot-on to what it's been all year.

Yesterday just in talking to him he is really ready for this moment. Expect him to kind of go about it like it's a normal start and confident that he can handle the situation.

I'm sure he is doing his thing right now as he usually does.

Q. I think when people took a look at this roster at the beginning of the season and ran down who is on it, who is where, nobody expected Danny Jansen to be leading you in OPS when the season is over, even though he didn't qualify. What's it been to see him, especially since he got back from the latest injury, how he has played in September to earn a spot even when he is not catching?

JOHN SCHNEIDER: His at-bats have been tremendous. I think for a long -- not a long time, but for the first part of his career, especially when he got to the Big Leagues, he was trying to do things that maybe not were his strength.

This year kind of leaned into what made him really good in terms of pulling the ball and in terms of trying to do some damage.

I think that's translated into better swings as a whole. Love his at-bats right now. Love the aggressiveness. Couldn't be happier for him for kind of turning it around.

Yeah, happy for him, and it's been a great addition for us the way he has gone about it.

Q. This will be your first time managing in the postseason. Are there the same kind of nerves or feelings in the morning that a player playing in the first postseason game would feel?

JOHN SCHNEIDER: Yeah, no doubt. I think if you're not nervous, you're not where you should be. You're a little bit nervous, but you know, you feel good about your prep and your process and all that kind of stuff. I think the normal check-down of a game is going to be the same, but you definitely wake up feeling very excited.

This is something I've been looking forward to for a long time with this organization and this fan base, so there is a little bit extra there, so just try to take that in early and remember where your feet are and enjoy it.

At the same time you trust the prep work that you have done. Once that first pitch gets thrown, you are kind of back down to business. But, really looking forward to it.

Q. Have you talked to any other managers that have managed in these games and asked for any advice or tips?

JOHN SCHNEIDER: No, not off the top of my head. I've spoken to Gibby once earlier in the year.

I think players that have been here before and listening to them talk about the atmosphere here in the postseason, listening to Pete and Luis talk about it when they were here in '15 and '16, what to expect. Just excited to be a big part of it, especially with the group of players that are here.

Q. The hockey season starts next week.

JOHN SCHNEIDER: It does?

Q. There you go. The Maple Leafs used to be the only thing here that people would cheer for really, and everything else is secondary. That kind of changed in 2015-2016. Where do you think it's at now? Do you think it's a Blue Jays town right now because the playoffs are starting?

JOHN SCHNEIDER: I would hope so. I think that this team has been through a lot. This team has not played here the last couple of years consistently, so I would hope that the support is there.

We love playing here. We love the support of the fan base not only here, but across the country. Yeah, that's the hope.

I know that hockey runs deep here in Canada, and hopefully the Jays can kind of flip the switch and hold off that hockey season for a little bit. We're excited to be here in front of our fans.

Q. Do you have a vivid memory of seeing playoff baseball for the first time whether on television or in person?

JOHN SCHNEIDER: At the Big League level, or just in general?

Q. Yes.

JOHN SCHNEIDER: When I was really into it, you're watching playoff games on TV. I remember watching probably the most vivid memory was in '15, you know, us against Texas.

I told this story before. I was getting married that weekend to my wife, and my parents and her parents were at our house, and we were watching the Jays-Rangers game. We had dinner reservations. Me and my father and my father-in-law said, Okay, ladies, we'll meet you at dinner after this inning is over, and that inning happened to be the seventh inning. Needless to say, we missed dinner.

I think that jumps out to me. I've always been a baseball fan. I've watched every World Series for as long as I can remember, every playoff game for as long as I can remember.

There are certain things that stick out. There are certain situations that always come up, and you try to put yourself in those situations. Here we are now.

It's been a cool ride, and thankful to be here in this role as opposed to watching it on TV.

Q. Having watched every World Series that you can remember, they say that sports are never as good as they were when you were 12 years old. When you were 12 years old, that was the Blue Jays winning the World Series, right? Is that an impactful memory for you?

JOHN SCHNEIDER: "Touch 'em all, Joe," or that was '92. Sorry, that was in Atlanta. '93 was "Touch 'em all, Joe."

No doubt. I think every clip or every video clip that you see get played over and over again, you know, it's something that you watch and something you remember.

I remember the Blue Jays being dominant and winning back-to-back years for sure and the talent on those teams was incredible.

We're trying to get back to that level, obviously. Those are definitely two teams that stood out for sure.