Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider celebrates with players and coaches in the locker room after beating the New York Yankees in Game 4 of baseball’s American League Division Series, Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
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Only the most devout baseball fans knew who John Schneider was when he took over as the Toronto Blue Jays’ manager almost midway through the 2022 season.
The Blue Jays elevated Schneider from the coaching staff to replace the fired Charlie Montoyo. Schneider was in his third year on the Blue Jays’ staff but had never played in the major leagues.
However, Schneider was a Blue Jays’ lifer.
Schneider Is A Career Blue Jay
He was drafted in the 13th round in 2002 from the University of Delaware and played six injury-filled seasons as a catcher in the Blue Jays’ farm system before retiring in 2007 after sustaining three concussions that year. Schneider then managed and coached in the system until being promoted to the big-league staff before the pandemic-altered 2020 season.
Schneider is no longer anonymous.
The 45-year-old leads the Blue Jays into the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers with Game 1 on Friday night at the Rogers Centre in Toronto. The Blue Jays are making their first appearance in the Fall Classic since 1993 after rallying to beat the Seattle Mariners in seven games in the American League Championship Series. The Blue Jays are the only non-United States franchise to reach the World Series.
Schneider Took Long Road To World Series
Schneider appreciates the moment.
“I try to take me out of it. But for me, it’s really special,” Schneider said. “Managing the rookie ball Gulf Coast League team and playing 10:30 games on a Saturday morning at the complex (in Dunedin, Fla.) is a far cry from this, right?
“But I think you think about the work that you’ve done, the people you’ve met, adjustments you’ve made, this was always the end goal, right, with this organization. Did I think that it would happen? Probably not because of how this game works and how there’s a lot of movement to this job
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 07: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. #27 of the Toronto Blue Jays reacts after a two-run home run against the New York Yankees during the first inning in game three of the American League Division Series at Yankee Stadium on October 07, 2025 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Ishika Samant/Getty Images)
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“So, I’m really excited about this,” Schneider said. “But I’m just as excited for guys that I’ve known for a long time, for (shortstop Bo Bichette), for (first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr.), for guys that have been here for numerous years. It’s just really cool for the organization, and I’m just thankful and humbled that I’m the one doing it, leading them into the World Series.”
Schneider Believes Blue Jays Can Pull Upset
The Blue Jays are considered heavy underdogs against the defending champion Dodgers, who are trying to become the first team to win consecutive titles since the New York Yankees won three in a row from 1998-2000. The Dodgers have won nine of 10 games in this postseason, including sweeping the Milwaukee Brewers in four games in the National League Championship Series.
However, Schneider has more confidence than ever in his team after winning playoff series against the Yankees and Mariners. The Blue Jays were 94-68 in the regular season, tying the Yankees for the best record in the AL, a significant turnaround from 2024 when Toronto finished last in the AL East.
“Two best teams left standing,” Schneider said. “Built differently, have different strengths. There’s a reason we are here, and there’s a reason they’re there. I think the one thing we cannot do is look over there and say that is Goliath. That is a beatable baseball team that has its flaws, and that has its really, really good strengths. How we expose each of them will determine who wins the series. And I got all the confidence in the world in my guys.
“I’ll say it until the day I die with this group: I’ll put this group of 26 (players) up against anybody. And they’re looking forward to taking on what is on paper the best team in baseball, that is playing really well right now, and I don’t think they would have it any other way.”
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnperrotto/2025/10/24/blue-jays-lifer-john-schneider-appreciates-the-world-series-stage/
