In a thrilling Game 7 of the World Series, Ernie Clement of the Toronto Blue Jays made history by securing three hits, setting a new major league record with 30 hits in a single post-season. This achievement surpassed the previous record held by Randy Arozarena, who had 29 hits while playing for the Tampa Bay Rays during the 2020 playoffs.
During the 2021 post-season, Toronto played 18 games across three playoff rounds, while Tampa Bay played 20 games in four playoff rounds in the previous year after a shortened regular season due to the pandemic. Despite their impressive performance, both teams faced defeat against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series.
Clement’s remarkable performance in Game 7 included a single in the second inning, another single with a run scored in the sixth, and a leadoff double in the eighth inning that set the new post-season hits record and forced Dodgers reliever Emmet Sheehan out of the game.
Moreover, Clement extended his hitting streak to 13 games, a new record for the Blue Jays in the post-season. His batting average throughout the post-season stood at an impressive .411, with 30 hits in 73 at-bats, one home run, and nine RBIs. Despite going 3-for-5 in Game 7, the Blue Jays narrowly lost 5-4 in 11 innings.
In a crucial moment in the bottom of the ninth inning, Clement nearly secured the victory for Toronto with a deep hit to left-center field that was caught on the warning track with the bases loaded, ultimately sending the game into extra innings with a tied score of 4-4.
Reflecting on the emotional rollercoaster of the game, Clement expressed his feelings, 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, later moving to the Athletics in September 2022 before eventually joining the Toronto Blue Jays. His versatility was evident in the 2025 regular season, where he played 157 games across all four infield positions, achieving a batting average of .277 with nine home runs and 50 RBIs. Notably, Clement achieved career highs of 12 home runs and 51 RBIs during the 2024 season.