Tenured in Toronto

At ballparks around the game, players will reach 10 years of major league service this season and be celebrated in clubhouses for their longevity and professional example. The ritual has become a recurrent theme in Toronto, where the Blue Jays have to keep replenishing their supply of cake, champagne and heartfelt testimonials.

On April 2, outfielder George Springer became one of roughly 1,600 players in MLB history (out of more than 23,000 overall) to reach 10 years. It’s the latest milestone in a career that’s produced four All-Star appearances, two Silver Slugger Awards and a 2017 World Series MVP Award in Houston.

On April 17, Springer was joined by pitcher Kevin Gausman, a two-time All-Star and the American League’s 2023 strikeout leader. Today, outfielder Kevin Kiermaier joins his teammates in the club. He’s a four-time Gold Glove recipient and won the 2015 Platinum Glove as the best defensive player in baseball.

During a recent road trip, the three Blue Jays reflected on their shared achievement with the MLBPA. The interviews have been edited for length and clarity.

What runs through your mind as you reach 10 years?

Kevin Gausman

There were a lot of times in my career when this seemed like a longshot for me. The percentage of guys is pretty small, so it’s a cool accomplishment. I played with guys like Nick Markakis and Adam Jones who set the tone, and you saw the way they went about it and got to 10 years. I was lucky enough to be locker mates with Nick his last two years in Baltimore. It was fun to watch him go about his business.

Kevin Kiermaier

It’s amazing to think about my journey. I was drafted in the 31st round back in 2010 -- the 941st pick overall. All I saw at that time was an opportunity. I developed this mindset in junior college when I decided I wanted to get drafted. It was a life-changing moment for me committing my life to baseball.

I always tell people, ‘I’m not the best or most talented player on the field. But I play as hard as anyone and I care more than anyone.’ That’s why I’m here today. It’s been a heck of a ride and it’s not done yet.

George Springer

Having a chance to play Major League Baseball is an absolute honor. It's a privilege. Anybody that gets that chance should really enjoy it and not take putting on a big league jersey for granted. One thing that's stuck with me throughout my career was something Adam Jones said to me. When he got his 10 years I remember thinking, ‘Wow, that's an amazing accomplishment.’ And he looked me in the face and said, ‘Kid, just play every game as if it were your last one, and while you do it, have fun.’ I've really kind of embraced that.

What do you recall most about signing your first professional contract?

What do you recall

Kevin Gausman 

(fourth pick in the 2012 draft out of LSU by the Orioles)

I couldn't have been drafted by a place I knew any less about. I had never been to Maryland, so learning about the franchise and that organization was really cool for me. In my mind, I was part of the group of players that kind of brought baseball back to Baltimore. We were pretty good in 2013, and in 2014 we won the AL East. I got to be around some really, really good ballplayers. Adam Jones. J.J. Hardy. The list goes on and on. It’s something I’ll never forget, for sure.

Kevin Kiermaier 

(31st round draft pick by the Rays out of Parkland College in 2010)

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I had two phenomenal years in junior college, and I was told I was gonna get drafted in the eighth to 15th round. I had a draft party and all my buddies came over. They were all drinking and playing wiffleball in the backyard and I’m being the umpire and just waiting. I never got a call that second day, and everybody went home. I could not believe it.

The third day started with the 31st round, and I got a call from the Rays. I was happy but a little ticked off, because I thought I should have been drafted higher. They were like, ‘We’ll give you $50,000.’  I said, ‘Man, I want an opportunity, but I don’t want to sell myself short. It sounds like I’m going to Purdue, my dream school, and prove to everyone that I’m better than this.’

They called back and said, ‘What if we gave you $75,000?’ And I thought, ‘You know what? I just want an opportunity.’ It would have been much more thrilling if it had happened 24 hours earlier and all my buddies were there and we could have had that moment together. My mom and dad were at work and no one was at the house and I had that call to myself. But we got something worked out, and from that point on I said, ‘I don’t have a Plan B. I will make it to the big leagues. If it comes down to putting in work and it’s up to me, that’s all I need to hear.’

George Springer 

(11th pick in the 2011 draft out of UConn by the Astros)

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It was really hard to describe. For me, it was more so for my mom and dad and all the people that had gotten me to this point. If it wasn't for them and their sacrifice. I wouldn't be here. Yes, I'm the one playing the game. But at the end of the day, there's always somebody behind the curtain. I owe so much to my mom and dad and my grandparents and everybody who got me to that one moment in time.

Your first big league game?

Kevin Gausman 

(pitched five innings for the Orioles in Toronto on May 23, 2013)

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My girlfriend at the time is now my wife. She was at the game, and my whole family was right above the visiting dugout in Toronto. They had canceled all the flights from Denver going into Toronto that day, so my family had to rush to catch a flight to Chicago and go through Detroit. Somehow they got from Detroit to Toronto and made it just in time for the game.

I didn't know any of this warming up. But it was obviously something you dream about your entire life. That's kind of why Toronto has always held a special place in my heart, because I made my debut there. I gave up a home run to J.P. Arencibia. It wasn't the greatest start, but it was good to get the first one out of the way.

Kevin Kiermaier 

(defensive replacement in Game 163 of Tampa Bay’s 2013 season)

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In 2013, I started in Double-A and missed out on the batting title by a fraction of a point. I got to Triple-A and had a great year. I went home for the offseason, and the farm director called and said, ‘We want to send you down to Port Charlotte for a hitters’ camp.’ I’m like, ‘You’ve got to be kidding me.’ Everybody else there was from low A or high A, and I thought I had graduated from this stuff.

I wasn't super happy that week. Then one day all the coaches came into the batting cage and huddled around me. I was like, ‘Do I have a bad attitude or something?’ They told me, ‘Hey, our big league team plays in Toronto this weekend. If they win two of three, they’re going to play Game 163. We didn’t bring you here for a hitters’ camp. We brought you here to keep you ready because we might activate you if our team advances to Game 163, which would be in Texas.’ 

The Rays won two of three and I got a call Sunday night saying, ‘You’re going to Texas tomorrow. If we get a lead, you’re going in (for defense).’ I was like, ‘Hell yeah, let’s go.’ Sure enough, they activate me and David Price throws a complete game. We get a lead and they said, ‘You’re going to center.’ I was nervous leading up to the game. But when I took the field, I remember telling myself, ‘I belong here.’ Texas was going crazy with 40,000 people, and I was cool, calm and collected. We won the game, and two days later they put me on the roster and I played two innings in the wildcard play-in game against Cleveland. So my first two days in the big leagues, I popped champagne. 

George Springer

(played right field and went 1-for-5 vs. the Royals on April 16, 2014)

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I left Colorado Springs at 5 in the morning and didn’t get to Houston until 1:30 or 2 in the afternoon. I showed up with everything that I had on the trip -- a bat bag, a suitcase full of clothes and my gear. I didn't even have any contact lenses yet, because they got lost in my bag (along the way).I remember being oddly calm, which means I was probably really nervous. I couldn't believe I was having this opportunity to fulfill my dream to one day play Major League Baseball. My first time in the box, I'm staring out at Jeremy Guthrie and I got to 1-0. I think he kind of graciously threw me a ball. And then it was almost an auto hack, and I grounded out to Alcides Escobar. My next time up, I hit a swinging bunt and the ball went about seven feet. It was probably the fastest I’ve ever run in my life.

Was there a low point or a time when you wondered how far you would last in the game?

Kevin Gausman

In 2019, I got non-tendered by the Reds and designated for assignment by the Braves. I didn't know where I was going from there -- whether I was going to be a starting pitcher again or a reliever. I still felt like I could be a starter, so I kind of had to make that decision and put all my cards on the (table).

It was a mixture of a lot of things. I started to be healthy and feel good. I changed my delivery to free up my body and get myself in a more athletic delivery. And I began trusting myself to throw my best two pitches more. We had our first child in 2019, so I had to figure out some things in my life off the field, recovery-wise. It’s all about learning as you go and always trying to get better. 

Kevin Kiermaier

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My first live batting practice in pro ball, I was in Princeton, West Virginia. I faced a Dominican lefty throwing 98 and I felt like I could not see the ball. I remember walking out and thinking, ‘Oh my gosh. Do I know what I'm getting myself into? This is not gonna be easy by any means.’ But then I played really well my rookie year and kept gaining that confidence.

Everything has always come down to hitting for me. I can play defense and run the bases with anyone. But I’ve given myself a lot of stress and anxiety over hitting just because it's always been so hard for me.

I've been streaky throughout my career, but I never felt I don't belong in the big leagues. Even when I'm at my worst, I can make an impact defensively. I can be great in the clubhouse and let my teammates know that when things get sideways, they can count on me to handle it like a pro. I'm not gonna pout or hang my head. Gaining respect from my teammates is the thing that means the most to me. I don’t want them to ever think they can't count on me or trust me.

George Springer

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Every year there's stuff you have to fight through. There's always a new challenge in life. I have two kids now, so I’m sort of learning how to operate the day as a father and be away from my wife and kids. Injuries are going to happen in this game. They’re always tough because as a competitor, the last thing you want to do is be sitting on the bench. You want to be playing. It doesn't matter how you're doing.

Which teammates or peers most influenced you along the way?

Kevin Gausman 

(began wearing Roy Halladay’s No. 34 jersey in 2021)

Being from Colorado, you don't have many guys in the big leagues to watch. Roy Halladay was one of the best. He gave me inspiration and the feeling that I could do it if I really believed.

Early in my career, I watched Chris Tillman and the way he went about it on and off the field in Baltimore. When I was with Atlanta, he was in Florida and he would come in and watch my bullpens to help me get back to where I felt right. He's been a guy I've always been able to reach out to and talk to about pitching. 

Kevin Kiermaier

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In my rookie year in 2014, David DeJesus always hyped me up and told me how good I was. When you hear it from established guys, those little tidbits help. For me it was about staying simple and finding people to gravitate to who would give me that positive reinforcement. David DeJesus and Evan Longoria definitely opened my eyes and instilled that confidence in me from the get-go. They treated me great. They made me feel like a big leaguer. I credit all the guys in that clubhouse who allowed me to be myself and let my skill set do what I do out there on the field.

George Springer

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Torii Hunter when I was a kid. Dexter Fowler my first year in the majors. Colby Rasmus and Carlos Gomez. Those guys kind of stuck out to me because they took me under their wing and helped me understand the everyday (aspect) of the game.

I love Michael Brantley to death. Having a chance to play with him changed my career. We don't live too far apart now, and he’s my best friend. He's one of those guys that when he talks, you listen. He doesn't have to use a lot of words. He can just look at you a certain way and you know what he's saying. At least I do. He commands a room with his presence. That’s why he’s so revered around the game.

Do you have a favorite memento from your time in the big leagues?

Kevin Gausman

I have the ball from every 500 strikeouts in my career. Last year I got to 1,500. I had a walkoff sacrifice fly in San Francisco, and I kept the bat. We were playing the Braves. It was the bottom of the 11th and we had used everybody on our bench. (Gabe) Kapler said, ‘If the bases are loaded, you’re gonna be in there.' I got to a full count and hit a pop fly to right field and made it happen.

Kevin Kiermaier

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My Platinum Glove is my baby. I won that back in 2015. When I look at it, I think of all the work I did with my brothers and things I’ve done in the offseason to have the tools I do defensively. I’m so proud of it, because there's only one person who can win it in each league. I still have the patch on all my gloves, and I’ll look down at it and say, ‘You know what? I’m still the best. No one can do what I do out here.’ I'm a little older and maybe I’ve lost a step or two, but I don't want any other centerfielder out there other than myself.

George Springer

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I gave the bat from my first hit to my mom and dad and they hung it up in their house. For me, that hit is a culmination of so much sacrifice and hard work. I don’t ever remember my mom and dad saying no when I asked to go to the park and play or I needed a ride somewhere. Things weren't always easy for them to have three kids and be going in every direction. For me, that means more than anything.

(The bat) was a Chandler, which I used at the time. I believe it was an I-13, 34 (inches) and 31 (ounces). Black barrel. Gold label and all-natural handle. Every time I go to their house, I see it. I wrote my mom and dad a little message that they framed. It’s awesome.

If you could share any words of wisdom with your teenage self, what would they be?

Kevin Gausman

Have a short memory. You have to be able to turn the page in this game and not think too hard. But also know that you have to work at your craft to be the best you can be. I would say to myself, ‘You have no idea what you’re in for. Stay strong.’

Kevin Kiermaier

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One of my favorite quotes came from my outfield coordinator with the Rays. Skeeter Barnes said, ‘Kid, no matter what happens in your career, don't let the game change you. Change the game.’

I never want any type of success or money or accolades to change who I am. I’m just a small Midwestern Indiana boy, I know where I came from and what I’m about. I'm trying to play my style, my way. Hustle. Effort. One hundred percent, all out. That’s how I'm trying to change the game. I'm not gonna let anything distract me from that.  

I would tell 15-year-old me, ‘I don't know what you're trying to accomplish in life. But I promise you this: If you have a steady dose of confidence and self-belief, you can do anything you want. I promise you that.’ 

George Springer

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Everything about this game is mental. It’s designed to have you fail. This game will knock you down and it'll beat you up. But you know what? It’s all about how you handle it. Are you going to stand up and then fall back down, or are you gonna stand up and fight? That’s the biggest part of it.