What John Schneider regrets about the end of the Game 7 loss

The Toronto Blue Jays they are still haunted by the end of their oblivion World Series Game 7 loss of Los Angeles Dodgersand now their manager is publicly reliving that moment. In a recent appearance, John Schneider shared his deep regret for one particular decision that may have changed the outcome of the 2025 Fall Classic. He admitted that the play has gone over his head a thousand times, each viewing reminding him how a single pick in the most pressured ninth inning of his career could have changed the entire trajectory of the franchise.

During the ninth inning of that decisive Game 7 at the Rogers Center, the score was tied 4-4 with one out and the bases loaded. Isiah Keener-Strah he was standing on third base, representing a potential departure. On the next pitch, Daulton Warshaw hit a ball from second base to Miguel Rojas, who fired to catcher Will Smith, beating Keener-Falefa by inches. The out ruined the Blue Jays’ best chance for a win before the Dodgers clinched the title in the 11th inning.

Speaking about the Dirty Territories network, in a segment shared with X (formerly known as Twitter), Schneider reflected on what went wrong and what still weighs on him today.

“He’s got the brunt of it, and I hate that he’s carrying it.”

John Schneider says his staff could have done a better job of getting Isiah Kinera-Falefa out a little more in the ninth inning of Game 7.

“He’s got the brunt of it, and I hate that he’s carrying it.” pic.tvitter.com/5LvKp2DEKSr

— Foul Territori (@FoulTerritoriTV) December 10, 2025

The manager acknowledged that the Blue Jays’ coaching staff instructed Keener-Falefi to take a conservative lead—just 7.8 feet, according to Statcast—to avoid back-pick throws from Smith. In hindsight, Schneider believes the team could have pushed him “a step or two further down the line,” a difference that could have made a championship run.

Schneider’s comments mark a rare public admission of tactical regret at the highest level. By shifting the responsibility from the players to the staff, he showed both responsibility and leadership. For the Blue Jays, that reflection shows how one pitch in Game 7 of the World Series can define an entire season — and stick with the team forever.