Modern MLB rule adjustments such as the pitch clock and ghost runner, plus widespread analytics adoption and improved injury prevention, have altered how the game is played and how individual statistics accumulate. George Springer hit the 61st leadoff home run of his career, second all-time and 20 behind Rickey Henderson, and his 22nd leadoff homer as a Blue Jay tied Devon White while requiring nearly 200 fewer at-bats. Many franchise records now appear unreachable. Relief pitching has become volatile; closers often serve short tenures. Tom Henke's run as an almost eight-season closer with elite metrics (563 innings, 411 hits allowed, 644 strikeouts, 2.48 ERA, 1.025 WHIP, 10.3 K/9) stands out as unlikely to be replicated.
Despite this, George Springer put Jays Nation on record watch last week when he opened the third and deciding game against the Pittsburgh Pirates with a home run. The Springer Dinger was the 61st lead-off home run of the 35-year-old's career - second all-time, and 20 behind the legendary Rickey Henderson. It also marked the 22nd time he's done so as a Blue Jay - tying Devon White for the most in franchise history, while needing nearly 200 less at-bats to get there.
Many memorable closers have plied their craft for the Jays, providing back-end stability - with surprisingly short tenures. B.J. Ryan had two effective seasons as closer - and sits 7th in franchise history. Billy Koch, Jordan Romano and Casey Janssen all sit ahead of him - and each only held the title for three seasons. So the idea that one pitcher could be one team's closer for nearly eight full seasons, as Tom Henke was for the Jays, is simply unthinkable in today's game.
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