Ernie Clement of the Toronto Blue Jays made history in Game 7 of the World Series by achieving a remarkable feat of securing three hits, setting a new MLB record with a total of 30 hits in a single post-season. This surpasses the previous record held by Randy Arozarena, who attained 29 hits as a rookie with the Tampa Bay Rays during the 2020 playoffs.
During the 2020 playoffs, Tampa Bay participated in 20 games across four playoff rounds due to a shortened regular season caused by the pandemic. In contrast, Toronto played 18 games spread over three playoff rounds in the current season. Despite their impressive performances, both teams faced defeat against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series.
Clement’s exceptional performance in Game 7 included a second-inning single, a single with a subsequent run scored in the sixth inning, and a leadoff double in the eighth inning, which not only broke the post-season hit record but also led to the removal of Dodgers’ reliever Emmet Sheehan.
Moreover, Clement extended his hitting streak to 13 games, setting a new Blue Jays post-season record. This surpasses the previous record held by Toronto catcher Pat Borders, who achieved a 12-game hitting streak in 1992 and was named the World Series MVP against Atlanta.
In his debut post-season appearance, Clement displayed outstanding batting skills, concluding with a batting average of .411 (30-for-73), along with one home run and nine RBIs. Despite his impressive 3-for-5 performance in Game 7 of the Series, the Blue Jays suffered a heartbreaking 5-4 loss in 11 innings.
Clement came close to securing victory for Toronto in the bottom of the ninth inning, hitting a long drive to left-center. However, the ball was caught on the warning track with the bases loaded, resulting in the game being pushed into extra innings with a 4-4 tie score.
Reflecting on the game, Clement expressed his emotional state, stating, “I’ve been crying for like probably for an hour. I thought I was done with the tears.” Clement’s baseball journey began when he was drafted by Cleveland in 2017 but was later designated for assignment in September 2022. After being claimed by the Athletics and subsequently released, he signed a minor league contract with Toronto.
During the 2025 regular season, Clement achieved a career-high of 157 games played, showcasing his versatility by appearing in all four infield positions. He boasted a batting average of .277, nine home runs, and 50 RBIs. Notably, Clement had previously set personal bests with 12 home runs and 51 RBIs for the Blue Jays in 2024.
