It's always hard to see your exes do well without you, especially when a ring is involved.
Two ex-Toronto Blue Jays got their hands on some silverware Wednesday night as the Los Angeles Dodgers won the World Series, taking down the Yankees 7-6 to secure a 4-1 series win in Game 5.
In the process, Toronto fans were treated to a La La Land-esque epilogue, fantasizing about the life that could've been if Teoscar Hernandez and Kevin Kiermaier had still been with the team.
"It was amazing," Hernandez said to Sportsnet's Hazel Mae following the win. "We started the game losing 5-0. Like I always say, we never give up. And the pitching always came through. Hold the game, gave us a chance. They [Yankees] made some mistakes and we took care of it."
The 32-year-old played a big role in the Dodgers' win, hitting the game-tying RBI double to cap off a momentum-snatching rally in the top of the fifth inning.
Overall in the World Series, Hernandez slashed an incredible .350/.381/.550 with seven hits, one home run and four RBIs. In the post-season as a whole, the former Blue Jay slashed .250/.352/.417 with 15 hits, three home runs and 12 RBIs.
It was the first World Series that Hernandez had ever appeared in.
Kiermaier, meanwhile, was making his second appearance in the big dance after losing to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2020 while still a member of the Tampa Bay Rays.
The four-time Gold Glover was traded from the Blue Jays to the Dodgers at this season's trade deadline, instantly giving the storied centre fielder a chance at redemption and an opportunity to taste glory before he hangs up the cleats following the 2024 campaign.
Though he didn't get a chance to take the field in the World Series, Kiermaier made four appearances in the NLCS against the New York Mets, coming in as a late substitution in the outfield or on the basepaths.
"I can't believe it, this is amazing," Kiermaier said to Hazel Mae, still elated from the win. "This is everything I worked for my whole life, to be a part of this celebration. It's early stages but what a feeling."
"I'm a happy man," he added, looking forward to riding off into the sunset with a World Series ring.
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