The wives and girlfriends who were cheering on the Toronto Blue Jays during a fall playoff run that captivated all of Canada have taken to social media to pay tribute to their partners and the team following Saturday’s heartbreaking Game 7 loss.
With the Blue Jays leading 4-3 in the ninth, the Los Angeles Dodgers tied the game thanks to a solo home run by Miguel Rojas. The Dodgers took a 5-4 lead in extra innings following Will Smith’s drive over the left field wall that proved to be the difference maker.
After leading Game 7 for almost the entire nine innings, the Blue Jays’ season came to a grinding halt.
But many of the partners of the players — also known as WAGs — were filled with joy and praise for the players as they relived Toronto’s magical season.
Shane Bieber returned from surgery
Kara Bieber, wife to pitcher Shane, said she was “thankful” after her husband was able to come back from Tommy John surgery and contribute to the Blue Jays’ playoff push.
“For me, this is a story of falling in love with baseball again — the team, the women, the players, the fans, the staff, all of it,” Kara wrote on Instagram alongside a carousel of images of the couple. “I’d be lying if I said the outcome doesn’t hurt, but I can’t help but feel so proud of my husband and his teammates.”
Kara went on to hail Shane’s “drive” to win after he made his return to the mound following a mid-season trade to Toronto from the Cleveland Guardians.
Kara Bieber and Shane Bieber arrive at SI The Party at XS nightclub at Encore Las Vegas on Feb. 10, 2024 in Las Vegas.
“It’s almost easy for even me to forget that Shane came back from surgery just 2.5 months ago but that’s such a testament to his character, his drive, and the way he shows up no matter what,” Kara continued. “Baseball at this level is rare – the resiliency, the unity, the quiet trust between everyone chasing the same dream.
“But what makes it truly special isn’t just the game, it’s the kind of men they are, and the women who stand beside them holding it down through it all.”
The founder of clothing brand Kinlike and TELT Skincare also thanked Torontonians, crediting the city for rekindling her and Shane’s love of the game.
Kara Bieber celebrates her husband Shane and the Toronto Blue Jays on Instagram.
“I’ll never forget how Shane and I would be almost giddy after games, just talking about how lucky we felt to be surrounded by such incredible humans,” Kara wrote. “I’d tell him how amazing the women were, and he’d smile and say the same about the guys. We felt so welcomed from the moment we got to Canada. It’s something we’ll cherish forever.”
Charlise Springer in awe of husband
George Springer’s wife, Charlise, couldn’t get enough of her husband’s on-field heroics throughout the postseason.
When the four-time All Star and former World Series MVP slugged a three-run blast during Game 7 of the American League Championship Series against the Seattle Mariners, Charlise relived her husband’s iconic moment in a flurry of posts.
Her follow-up posts after the Blue Jays’ Game 7 World Series loss highlighted the roller-coaster of emotions she went through this year.
“Baseball doesn’t promise fairytale endings, but it gives you people and moments that last a lifetime,” Charlise wrote alongside a slideshow of images showing herself alongside other wives and girlfriends. “Feeling nothing but gratitude for the chance to represent Canada’s team and be part of something so special.”
Charlise called it an “honour” to watch George and his teammates “chase this dream together” and ended her post by saying she hoped the players “run it back” next year.
George Springer and his wife Charlise are seen in a 2018 file photo.
Gausman’s wife defends team’s talent
Kevin Gausman’s wife, Taylor, took aim at chatter that the Blue Jays were lucky to beat the New York Yankees in the ALDS and the Mariners in the ALCS to reach their first World Series in 32 years.
“If you actually watched these guys play this season, you know they didn’t get here with luck — they got here with grit, passion, humility and so much hard work and preparation,” the mother-of-two wrote. “They didn’t go down without a fight and I personally think they will always be the better team on and off the field. They wanted this more than anyone and you could see it in the way they played the games, all 180.”
Taylor said she and her husband, who joined the Blue Jays’ pitching staff in the 2022 season, were “grateful” to “represent Canada’s team.”
“It has been a beyond fun ride and although I’m sad it didn’t turn out the way we wanted, it still doesn’t take away how proud I am of what this team has accomplished this year. I can’t wait to be back next year — LFG Blue Jays,” she wrote.
Yesavage stayed humble, girlfriend says
Trey Yesavage’s girlfriend, Taylor Frick, praised the starting pitcher’s improbable rise from the minor leagues at the start of the season to the World Series in another heartfelt post.
“Although you have changed uniforms more times than I can count, your heart and drive has never altered,” she wrote on Instagram alongside a photo of the two embracing. “You have stayed humble, kind, and true to the person you were in the purple and gold uniform from the day I met you.”
In her lengthy post, Frick said Yesavage, who set a Fall Classic rookie record with 12 strikeouts in Game 5, was a winner for being selected by the Blue Jays in the 2024 MLB draft.
“To me, you won from the second you stepped on that Toronto field. You won with a team that believed in you, the records you have broken, & the support that is more than we could have ever imagined,” she wrote.
Trey Yesavage and Taylor Frick.
Vladdy ‘the best’ to his wife
Vladimir Guerreo Jr.’s wife, Nathalie, who has been married to the Blue Jays first baseman since 2023 and shares two daughters with the ALCS MVP, said she was “grateful” and “proud” of her husband and his teammates.
“To me, you will always be the best,” she wrote on Instagram alongside a gallery of highlights from the past year.
Girlfriend oozes with pride for Clement
Ernie Clement’s girlfriend, Stefanie Brejcha, said she was “honoured to be a part of this team and the Blue Jays family.”
She also praised the third baseman, who set a single-postseason record with 30 hits.
“I couldn’t be more proud of the fight Ernie has put up this season. Career highs, records broken, and every last ounce of energy he could put into the game,” Brejcha wrote on Instagram. “Never seen someone who has so much heart and passion for baseball and it has been amazing to watch you play out your life long dream.”
Varland’s wife notes the stress
Louis Varland’s wife, Maddie, said she her husband’s mid-season trade from the Minnesota Twins started what was “the craziest, most stressful yet most rewarding ride that baseball has brought us on so far.”
“Every person welcomed us with open arms and treated us like we were family from the start, and I’m so happy that we were able to be part of it,” Maddie wrote.
Alejandro Kirk’s wife, Sofia Castaneda, said she was “beyond proud” of her husband.
Meanwhile, Brendon Little’s wife, Emily, spoke about the team’s chemistry, saying it was “rare to find a group of guys like this.”
“This isn’t the ending we hoped for, but wow, this team deserves everything. Not just because they’re absolute workhorses and incredible players, but because they’re genuinely good people. Every single one of them,” she wrote on Instagram. “Baseball is funny … you never get the same exact team twice. But something about this group was special. The kind of team you’ll look back on years from now and still feel grateful to have been a part of.”