Bo Bichette had been dreaming of playing in a World Series since he was a little kid so there was no way he was going to let an injury get in the way of the biggest moment of his career.
Bichette took a serious risk earlier this month as he made an early return from a sprained right knee that had kept him out of action since early September. A setback could have cost him a lot of money this off-season when he hits free agency for the first time in his career.
The thing is, Bichette couldn't care less. The Florida native had been working toward the goal of winning a World Series title since he was selected by the Blue Jays in the second round of the 2016 MLB draft. After missing the two previous rounds, nothing was going to keep him off the field against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
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"It's the World Series, so none of that stuff really matters, to be honest," Bichette said prior to Game 6. "I'll put it all out there for this. So there was no tough decisions in it.
"I had a lot of people telling me to take care of myself, for sure. I mean, even I had that mindset a little bit, but to have an opportunity to play in this series is ... I mean, this is a no-brainer."
As Bichette prepared to face the Dodgers in Game 6 he did so knowing that his time with the Jays could be nearing its end. The Jays are expected to try to re-sign him this off-season but how much they are willing to pay after signing Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to a 14-year deal worth $500 million (U.S.) earlier this year remains unknown.
Even Bichette doesn't know how committed the Jays will be to bringing him back. The thought of this chapter in his life coming to an end has crossed his mind several times, but it's something he has been attempting to ignore because of what's at stake.
"It's incredible," Bichette said of his experience during these playoffs. "My dad never had an opportunity to play in a World Series. So, I mean, your whole career everybody's telling you don't take winning for granted. But you have to learn that for yourself.
"There have been a lot of times where I thought we would win and we didn't. So to be here and to learn from past seasons is ... it's special to be here. It's something I'll never take for granted."
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Despite not playing for more than six weeks, Bichette entered Friday batting .313 (5-for-16) with a run scored and three RBIs in the World Series.
Springer returns
George Springer made his return to the Jays' lineup Friday after missing the two previous games because of "right-side tightness" that is likely related to an oblique muscle.
Springer departed Game 3 in Los Angeles during the middle of an at-bat after he took an awkward swing. He nearly returned for Game 5, but the Jays took a cautious approach and decided to give him a couple more days to heal.
With Springer getting the start at designated hitter and batting out of the leadoff spot, Bichette went back to second base and Isiah Kiner-Falefa returned to the bench.
"I think ... the feedback we got from (Springer) in the last couple days helped, and watching him swing," Jays manager John Schneider said. "The season has the potential to just be two games. If it had the potential to be another two weeks, maybe a little bit different, but he's ready to go."
Quotable
"I think Halloween's a made-up holiday anyway. I don't dress up. It's kind of like my least favourite holiday of the year. So if it's a chance to hang out in the neighbourhood and have a couple cold ones and laugh at some costumes, I'm all for it, but I like this costume a lot better." -- Schneider, on playing Game 6 on Halloween.
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