TORONTO — In 2002, the Blue Jays drafted a catcher out of the University of Delaware in the 13th round.
John Schneider caught for six unspectacular seasons in the Minor Leagues, batting .206, before he pivoted to managing. Seventeen seasons later, here he is, leading the Blue Jays into their first World Series since 1993. He’s a long way from the Auburn Doubledays and Charleston AlleyCats, the long-forgotten affiliates in the only organization he’s ever known.
“For me, this is really special. Managing the Rookie-ball Gulf Coast League team and playing 10:30 games on a Saturday at the complex is a far cry from this, right?” Schneider said. “But I think you think about the work that you’ve done, the people you’ve met, adjustments you’ve made, this was always the end goal, right, with this organization. Did I think that it would happen? Probably not.”
Schneider wants you to think he’s “just a dude,” but that’s just not true. Schneider has grown in this role — something managers are too rarely afforded the opportunity to do — and emerged in 2025 as one of the game’s best with a legitimate shot to win AL Manager of the Year. He hasn’t batted 1.000, but no manager has. It’s about avoiding the same mistake twice, which he’s done.
Since 2024’s disappointment, Schneider has been brutally honest and openly self-critical, a refreshing turn. It feels like we’ve seen the full, unfiltered Schneider come out, which is what got him here in the first place. He’s also mastered the fine line of what to say in the media — where he’s become an ace — versus what to say in the clubhouse. Those two messages aren’t always the same, and don’t need to be.
It’s not up to the media to frame Schneider as a manager, though. It’s not up to the stars, either. Players like Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette and George Springer are going to be in the lineup every day, no matter what. It’s the relievers and role players, all of whom look to Schneider daily for their next shot, who see the manager at work.
In John Gibbons’ era, that was players like Kevin Pillar and Ryan Goins who grew from role players to regulars and still speak of the love they hold for their old skipper. From Cito Gaston’s era, relievers still tell stories of how they never had to look over their shoulder. Role players, like Ed Sprague, felt empowered by him and hitters never had to second-guess if they’d be pinch-hit for.
Schneider, more than just a dude, has earned this clubhouse. Here is what those players have to say:
Ernie Clement: “He’s awesome. He has our back. He’s everything you want in a man leading the charge. He’s done a hell of a job. We would not be here without him. He takes the blame when things don’t go right, but he doesn’t get nearly enough credit when things do go right. He’s been awesome. We’re lucky to have him.”
Nathan Lukes: “Over the course of the year, I had a family matter with one of my kids. I had him to bounce some words off of. I had him telling me, ‘Get the [heck] out of here. Get out of the clubhouse. We’re pulling you out of the lineup.’ Knowing that he’s a family man means a lot because I would do anything for my family. Having him around is a breath of fresh air.”
Davis Schneider: “He is a great manager. Everyone loves him. The connection he has with his players is great. He trusts every single player up and down his lineup. When you know a manager loves his players and trusts you, he puts everyone in a good spot to succeed. That’s what a good manager does.”
Isiah Kiner-Falefa: “He does a great job of keeping things loose and being a regular human to us. I don’t get nervous going around him. I’m able to have regular conversations with him, and the coolest thing is that he has our backs. He trusts us. He puts us in the best spots to succeed.
“Sometimes, managers want to do things their way. He’s humble enough to listen to Don Mattingly, to [associate manager] DeMarlo [Hale], to [third-base coach] Carlos Febles. I call it an All-Star staff, and he uses all of them.”
Louis Varland: “Man, he’s the coach and the manager, but he’s like a player, too. He’s super approachable, easy to talk to. He’s basically one of the boys, but he still has that respect level. Everybody respects him, what he says and what he does.”
Eric Lauer: “He’s one of the easiest to talk to, most personable guys I’ve ever been around in a manager role … That’s huge as a manager. He’s been very up front and open with me, which I really appreciate as I’ve gone through different roles … He’s done anything and everything to get out in front of things for me and make things comfortable, seamless and easy for me. He’s really helped me.”
These relationships are what got Schneider here. They’re what will keep him here, too, now that he’s fully leaning into being himself in this job and “letting it rip,” as he loves to say. He’s brought the only organization he’s ever known to the biggest stage in baseball, and it’s right where he belongs.
