NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 07: John Schneider manager of the Toronto Blue Jays looks on from the dugout before the game against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on April 07, 2024 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)
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The Toronto Blue Jays have spent much of the 2026 season proving they can overcome adversity. Despite injuries to several key players and the lingering disappointment of last year’s World Series defeat, the defending American League champions have remained in the postseason picture.
But one adversity that has refused to totally disappear involves the struggles of former closer Jeff Hoffman.
Toronto Blue Jays Pitcher Jeff Hoffman Hears Boos From Home Fans
Hoffman entered the season expected to serve as one of the anchors of Toronto’s bullpen after joining the organization ahead of last season. However, some rough outings have reignited memories of last year’s World Series.
“Hoffman is in the second year of a three-year, $33 million contract that he signed with the Blue Jays ahead of the 2025 season,” Jared Greenspan wrote for MLB.com. “He recorded 33 saves while pitching to a 4.37 ERA in 71 appearances last year, but his otherwise strong postseason will be remembered for the infamous game-tying home run that he surrendered to Miguel Rojas in the ninth inning of Game 7 of the World Series.”
This season, Hoffman has a brutal 6.26 ERA across 30 games and frustration from home fans manifested in some booing at the Rogers Centre last week.
Toronto Blue Jays Manager John Schneider Sends 2-Word Jeff Hoffman Message After Turn
That turn by the fans prompted manager John Schneider to publicly defend the pitcher’s season so far.
“It’s weird,” Schneider said of Hoffman’s campaign, according to the “6ix Inning Stretch Podcast.” “It’s definitely weird and I think that, as far as the boos, I mean, I love our fans and I get it when they want people to be great. I’d rather they boo me than boo Hoffman, who has given up runs two out of his last nine outings, you know what I mean?”
While Hoffman has remained one of Toronto’s most important relievers, many fans still associate him with the final moments of the Blue Jays’ heartbreaking World Series loss and they won’t tolerate much more of a leash for the beleaguered pitcher.
Yet Schneider’s comments also suggest the organization believes some of the criticism has become disconnected from Hoffman’s actual performance.
Whether fans can fully move past the events of last October remains to be seen. But Schneider’s comments made one thing clear: the Blue Jays manager believes the criticism directed toward Hoffman might be better directed at himself.