TORONTO (NEWS10) — Latham native and Shaker High School graduate Jeff Hoffman was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2014. 11 years later, he’s headed to the World Series with that same organization.
Hoffman closed out Game 7 of the ALCS Monday night, striking out the side in the top of the ninth inning to secure the Blue Jays a 4-3 victory against the Seattle Mariners, and punch their ticket to the Fall Classic.
“Pound the zone and don’t get to [Cal] Raleigh; that was my goal,” said Hoffman in a postgame interview on FOX. “Get strike one, put ’em away, do it quickly and let the guys behind me work. I didn’t need ’em tonight, but I felt all of ’em with me. This is unbelievable.”
Hoffman earned his second save of the postseason, and has been stellar throughout the playoffs. In 7.1 innings pitched, he’s surrendered just one earned run and struck out 12. He didn’t allow a single run in four appearances in the ALCS.
The 32-year-old closer looked shaky at times throughout the regular season, finishing with a 4.37 earned run average – a drastic uptick from his All-Star campaign with the Philadelphia Phillies last year when he boasted a career-best 2.17 ERA.
But Hoffman has delivered when it’s mattered most for the Blue Jays, and now he’s headed to the World Series for the first time in his 10-year big league career.
“Ending up back here after being drafted by Toronto and traded away, this is what full-circle looks like,” said Hoffman. “I couldn’t be happier. It’s a blast playing for [John Schneider], and I can’t wait to keep it going.”
The Blue Jays with square off with the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series. Game 1 is set for Friday, Oct. 24, in Toronto, with first pitch on FOX at 8:00 p.m.
