{"time":1774713134063,"blocks":[{"id":"0b3iC19cEe","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"The Toronto Blue Jays opened up the 2026 campaign with an intense 3-2 walk-off win against the Athletics at Rogers Centre."}},{"id":"Nx3w5CdRPt","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Kevin Gausman made history in his season debut and the Jays blew a 2-1 lead in the ninth inning before Andres Gimenez hit a walk-off single to right field in the bottom half for the victory."}},{"id":"1SNgSAEyPe","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"It was a great start to the most highly-anticipated season in Blue Jays history."}},{"id":"FFWLgSiu9K","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"And while Gausman was brilliant, he wasn't the only member of the Jays making history: Ernie Clement did as well, though his was a little more obscure."}},{"id":"eT3S9aWuXJ","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Per StatsCentre on social media:"}},{"id":"TEOSTB0Shm","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":".@BlueJays players to have multiple doubles in an Opening Day game:\n"}},{"id":"_n389yG9V3","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Ernie Clement (Via a pair earlier tonight in a 3-2 walkoff win vs the A's)\n"}},{"id":"Lryj5CfxYy","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Eric Hinske (2003 vs the Yankees)\n"}},{"id":"LuTKNOECdC","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Shawn Green (1999 vs the Twins)\n"}},{"id":"M6JnCl23-i","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Pat Borders (1994 vs the White Sox)\n"}},{"id":"NRGKxsORAr","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Kelly Gruber (1990 vs the Rangers)"}},{"id":"oFyPu9SMRb","type":"embed","data":{"service":"twitter","source":"https://x.com/StatsCentre/status/2037728990958330063","embed":"https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?id=2037728990958330063","width":600,"height":300,"caption":"","meta":{"title":"StatsCentre (@StatsCentre) on X","site_name":"X (formerly Twitter)","description":".@BlueJays players to have multiple doubles in an Opening Day game:\nErnie Clement (Via a pair earlier tonight in a 3-2 walkoff win vs the A's)\nEric Hinske (2003 vs the Yankees)\nShawn Green (1999 vs the Twins)\nPat Borders (1994 vs the White Sox)\nKelly Gruber (1990 vs the Rangers)","image":{"url":"https://pbs.twimg.com/media/HEd3tz4XEAAPeAq.jpg:large"}}}},{"id":"22Qc3oDD06","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Again, it's a little obscure, but hey, if it hasn't happened in 23 years, it's noteworthy. It's also a great start for Clement, who set the major league record for hits in a postseason (30) in 2025. With Bo Bichette gone in free agency, Clement stands to play every day at second base, so it's important that he get off to a good start."}},{"id":"sSMXuCSrDH","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"One of easiest guys to root for in the game, Clement has become beloved by Jays fans for his work ethic, perseverance, versatility and ability to put the ball in play. "}},{"id":"dZvHBvaZHa","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"A lifetime .261 hitter, Clement has spent parts of six years in the big leagues with the Cleveland Guardians, A's and Blue Jays. He also represented Team USA at the World Baseball Classic this March, helping lead the Americans to a silver medal."}},{"id":"bmUGdUPmZ4","type":"image","data":{"caption":"Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Ernie Clement (22) hits a double against the Athletics during the ninth inning at Rogers Centre. Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images","withBorder":false,"withBackground":false,"size":"full","alignment":"center","linkUrl":"","file":{"url":"https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/138f89b6-ab20-49ec-a977-601e3f7dbe07.jpeg","width":3253,"height":2277}}},{"id":"ap4cFDbG_j","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Clement and the Blue Jays will take on the A's again on Saturday afternoon (3:07 p.m. ET). Toronto fans will get their first look at Dylan Cease, who will make the start against Jeffrey Springs. A power righty who previously played for the Chicago White Sox and San Diego Padres, Cease was signed to a seven-year, $210 million deal this offseason."}},{"id":"OKI2UzH56H","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"He, along with Tyler Rogers, Kazuma Okamoto and Cody Ponce, were given nearly $350 million combined in guaranteed money as the Jays chase a second consecutive World Series appearance."}},{"id":"G4MSFANwGr","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"The series wraps up on Sunday before the Jays welcome the Colorado Rockies to Rogers Centre for a new series on Monday night."}},{"id":"51lFVbtKxW","type":"header","data":{"text":"JOIN THE CONVERSATION","level":1,"linkUrl":"","anchor":""}},{"id":"qrG2N1odPd","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Remember to join our BLUE JAYS 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 Blue Jays fans. If prompted to download the Roundtable APP, that's free too!"}}],"version":"2.31.0"}

Former Toronto Blue Jays All-Star Compliments Manager John Schneider