TORONTO — As the Toronto Blue Jays took on the Seattle Mariners in the American League Championship Series last fall, Arjun Nimmala and the other prospects at a developmental camp in Dunedin, Fla., gathered in their hotel rooms to watch the games at night.

George Springer’s dramatic Game 7 home run turned into a lasting memory.

“Different TVs have different delays,” recalled Nimmala, who was watching with Sam White, Owen Gregg, Tim Piasentin and Jake Cook. “I remember Springer's homer in the championship series … everyone's going crazy and our room's a little delayed, and we're like what just happened? And then we see Springer's homer, the entire hotel's just shaking, everyone's screaming. That was a very, very cool moment.”

No doubt his experience underlines the wide impact made by Springer’s drive, which was commemorated with a bobblehead giveaway Friday night as the Blue Jays beat the Minnesota Twins 10-4. Despite cold, wet weather, fans began lining up in the morning to ensure they received one upon entry, and hours before it had even been handed out, it was already being resold online for up to $195.

Since that two-run homer in the seventh inning of a 4-3 win Oct. 20, Springer’s heard countless stories about where various people were when he helped send the Blue Jays to the World Series. 

The way Blue Jays prospects celebrated resonated with him.

“It's all special,” he said. “I've been a part of that before where you're watching the........

© Sportsnet