George Springer

BIOGRAPHY

George Springer was born on September 19, 1989, in New Britain, Connecticut. He is an outfielder in the MLB.

The Astros selected Springer in the first round (11th overall) of the 2011 MLB draft. He made his MLB debut in 2014, for the Astros. Springer has played primarily in right field and also spent significant time in center field. A native of New Britain, Connecticut, Springer is of Puerto Rican and Panamanian descent.

Springer played college baseball at the University of Connecticut, where he was named Big East Conference Baseball Player of the Year and a First Team All-American. In 2017, Springer became an MLB All-Star, Silver Slugger Award winner, and World Series champion. He was also named the 2017 World Series Most Valuable Player (MVP), hitting a record-tying five home runs (Reggie Jackson and Chase Utley accomplished the feat in 1977 and 2009, respectively), as the Astros defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers in seven games. He was again an All Star in both 2018 and 2019.

On January 23, 2021, Springer signed a six-year, $150 million contract with the Toronto Blue Jays. He injured his quadriceps in spring training, however, and missed the start of the season. He finally made his debut in the team's 23rd game of the season on April 28. Springer was again placed on the injured list on May 5 with a quad strain. While on the injured list, Springer made his first return to Houston as a Blue Jay in an early-May series, and received a standing ovation. Springer returned to Toronto's lineup on June 22.

On August 2, Springer was named AL Player of the Week batting .400 with eight runs scored, five doubles, three home runs, seven RBI, six walks, and a .960 slugging percentage over seven games played. On August 9, for the second week in a row, he was named AL Player of the Week after batting .364 with nine runs scored, three doubles, a triple, three home runs, 11 RBI, and a .788 slugging percentage in eight games. Springer suffered a left ankle sprain on August 14 and was placed on the injured list for a third time in 2021. He returned from his third stint on the injured list on August 30.

In 2022, Springer received his fourth All-Star selection and helped lead the Blue Jays to a Wild Card berth. Springer, along with Matt Chapman, got two hits during the first game of the 2022 American League Wild Card Series against the Seattle Mariners. During the eighth inning of the second game, J.P. Crawford hit a ball into the middle of center field. Springer, while trying to catch the ball, collided heavily with Bo Bichette, allowing Crawford to get an RBI double. Springer's injury resulted in him having to be carted off the field. The Mariners would rally from this to complete a two-game series sweep, ending the Blue Jays' season.