Michael Angeletti had a premonition that he would catch George Springer’s game-changing home run ball, and that’s exactly what happened. The Toronto native, donning a Springer jersey, was seated in the front row in left field at Rogers Centre during Game 7 of the American League Championship Series. This crucial game pitted the Blue Jays against the Seattle Mariners, both vying for a spot in the historic World Series.
As the score stood at 3-1 in favor of the Mariners in the seventh inning, Springer stepped up to the plate. Angeletti, confident about catching the ball, was texting his cousin about his prime spot before the unexpected occurred.
In a moment of perfect timing, just before the homer, Angeletti shared a winning sentiment with a fellow fan about the significance of seventh innings for the Jays, reminiscing about Jose Bautista’s legendary bat flip back in 2015.
When Springer’s bat connected, sending the ball soaring for a three-run home run, the stadium erupted with over 44,000 fans cheering in unison as the Blue Jays secured a 4-3 victory, earning their first World Series berth since 1993. The team is now geared up to face the Los Angeles Dodgers in the upcoming Fall Classic, with Game 1 scheduled for Friday night.
Angeletti, an avid traveler and owner of Niagara Toronto Tours, reflected on the unparalleled experience of being amidst the electrifying crowd during that memorable moment. He emphasized the importance of embracing unpredictability to create lasting memories, citing his desire to break away from passive viewing habits and truly immerse himself in real moments like these.
Following the once-in-a-lifetime catch, Angeletti safeguarded the historic baseball in a black glove, contemplating its authentication and potential return to the Blue Jays for posterity. Despite the possibility of parting ways with the ball, Angeletti cherished the unique experience and felt privileged to contribute to Canadian sports history.
