The Blue Jays narrowly fell short in this year’s World Series against the Dodgers. However, that doesn’t mean everyone in his fanbase will have a gloomy winter after an intense series. One lucky fan recently won a record $25 million in the Jays Foundation’s 50/50 jackpot.
The prize pool, which amounts to more than $50 million, will be shared between an “Aric of Oshiwa” and the foundation via the sale of raffle tickets. The event marks the largest prize ever won by an individual from a 50/50 MLB jackpot. This sparked a lot of hilarious reactions from baseball fans who wanted a piece of the pie.
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In addition to the huge prize, Blue Jays great Joe Carter was tasked with being the messenger of the good news for “Aric.” With the other half being donated to a good cause, several fans also congratulated the foundation and the participants for accomplishing such a feat.
The $25 million jackpot actually surpassed previous records set in the postseason. The ALCS generated a $3.5 million prize while the ALDS reached a value of $1.2 million before a winner was drawn.
Blue Jays fail in dramatic Game 7 of World Series
In what was one of the closest World Series matchups in recent memory, the Blue Jays ultimately came up short in a winner-take-all Game 7 against the Dodgers. Toronto was actually in control for the majority of the match in front of a cheering crowd before a valiant comeback from the defending champions.
The Blue Jays started the scoring as Bo Bichette smashed a three-run homer to center field in the third inning off Shohei Ohtani. The Dodgers responded in the next half inning thanks to Teoscar Hernandez’s sacrifice fly that drove in Will Smith.
In the top of the sixth inning, Tommy Edman hit a sacrifice fly of his own to cut the Jays’ lead to one, all before Andres Gimenez recorded an RBI double to make it 4-2.
Just as both managers were exhausting their pitching options, Fall Classic and postseason veteran Max Muncy hit a solo home run off Jays rookie Trey Yesavage. This caused a pitching change when Jeff Hoffman replaced the greenhorn.
Unfortunately, Hoffman himself gave up his own home run to Miguel Rojas in the ninth. That tied the scores at 4-4 with Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bichette and Addison Barger batting in the bottom of the ninth for the home team.
Guerrero struck out while Bichette singled before being replaced by pinch runner Isiah Kiner-Falefa. Blake Snell then walked Barger, advancing IKF to scoring position and an extra man on base. This prompted Dodgers manager Dave Roberts to call on Game 6 starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto to clean house and hopefully earn the team a victory.
Yamamoto then delivered a free pass to Alejandro Kirk via a hit by pitch. With one out and the bases loaded, Daulton Varsho found himself in a force out as IKF was caught at home. Ernie Clement then smashed a ball that was ultimately caught by Andy Pages while colliding with teammate Kike Hernandez as the Blue Jays wasted several opportunities to close out Game 7.
In the extras, Will Smith scored the solo kickoff while Yamamoto’s dominance was on full display as he closed out the match winner after 11 innings, 5-4.
Edited by Daniel Santiago
