The Toronto Blue Jays are coming off their most successful season in over three decades, but also one of their most heartbreaking losses in franchise history.

The Blue Jays won their first American League pennant since 1993 and lost in extra innings to the Los Angeles Angels in Game 7 of the World Series on Nov. 1.

One of the Blue Jays' key contributors, outfielder Addison Barger went on MLB Network on Wednesday and described the feelings in the clubhouse following the loss.

"It was really sad. I think everybody was really upset," Barger said on MLB Network. "I don't think anybody wasn't crying in there. I think it was more just — losing sucks but also saying 'goodbye' to everybody. We spent whatever — eight, nine months straight with each other and we were all so close to each other and it was such a good group. You just know it's not going to be necessarily the exact same team next year, because it never is and it's kind of sad."

Toronto went from being in last place in the American League East in 2024 to finishing with a 94-68 record and first place in the AL.

The Blue Jays had a belief that they could win throughout the season, but it was a four-game series against the New York Yankees from June 30-July 4 that Toronto realized its potential, according to Barger.

"I would like to say the belief is always there," Barger said. "But definitely the four-game sweep over the Yankees, I think it was June or July, early July maybe, that was the big one for us. We took over first place in the AL East and I think by then we knew we were a good team and we were a contender and we had a real shot."

Barger, in his second season in the majors, scored 61 runs in 135 games and hit 32 doubles, a triple and 21 home runs with 74 RBIs. He slashed .243/.301/.454 with a .755 OPS.

In the playoffs, Barger scored eight runs in 17 games and hit four doubles and three homers with nine RBIs. He slashed .367/.441/.583 with a 1.024 OPS.

"They're teaching you how to win," Barger said. "It's about being a competitor and being a gamer and playing the game the right way. Bat speed's cool, throwing the ball hard is cool, all that stuff is great. But you need to learn how to win. And that's first and foremost before any of that."

RELATED HUSKIES STORIES

BLUE JAYS PITCHER EXERCISES $16 MILLION PLAYER OPTION: Shane Bieber will be back with the Blue Jays in 2026. CLICK HERE

BLUE JAYS INFIELDER SNUBBED FOR GOLD GLOVE: The Blue Jays' All-Star infielder didn't receive a Gold Glove despite being on top of the majors in many defensive statistics. CLICK HERE

WASHINGTON MEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM BLOWS OUT ARKANSAS-PINE BLUFF 94-50: The Huskies sprinted past the Golden Lions in an emphatic beginning to the season. CLICK HERE

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

Remember to join our HUSKIES on ROUNDTABLE community, which is FREE! You can post your own thoughts, in text or video form, and you can engage with our Roundtable staff, as well as other Washington fans. If prompted to download the Roundtable APP, that's free too!