Rookie Barger Smashes First-Ever World Series Pinch-Hit Grand Slam

On October 25, 2025, the Toronto Blue Jays made history in Game 1 of the World Series. Trailing 5-2 in the bottom of the sixth inning, the Blue Jays called upon rookie Addison Barger to pinch-hit with the bases loaded. Barger, who had not been viewed as a power hitter during his time in the minors, seized the moment and delivered a towering grand slam, becoming the first player to ever hit a pinch-hit grand slam in World Series history.

Barger's heroics sparked a dominant performance by the Blue Jays, who went on to win the game 11-2. A few batters later, Alejandro Kirk added a two-run home run, capping off an impressive offensive outburst. The Blue Jays' victory has sent shockwaves throughout Canada, as the team looks to capture its first World Series championship in over a decade.

Barger's improbable rise has been a key storyline throughout the Blue Jays' postseason run. The young slugger has emerged as a powerful force at the plate, hitting the ball as hard as almost anyone in baseball. His grand slam in Game 1 of the World Series has cemented his place in the annals of baseball history, and has the potential to be a defining moment in the Blue Jays' quest for a championship.