Toronto Blue Jays Hold Players-Only Meeting After 2-9 Slump

Just over a week and a half ago, the Toronto Blue Jays had just completed a three-game sweep of the mighty Atlanta Braves, and were being seriously considered by many as one of the best teams in baseball.

Now, after a disastrous 11-game stretch against only teams from the murderous AL East division that saw them go 2-9, the Jays are in disarray. So much so that they held a closed-door players-only meeting after Thursday's loss, their 3rd in four games to the Tampa Bay Rays.

Blue Jays players called a meeting after the game. John Schneider said Team has been “punched in the face” but is glad players taking lead in addressing issues. https://t.co/buWPlphpCm

— Shi Davidi (@ShiDavidi) May 25, 2023

Third baseman Matt Chapman strayed away from any specific details of the meeting, but did offer up some strong thoughts on the players being accountable for this mess.  

Matt Chapman didn't want to get into the details of the Blue Jays' meeting, but said it was on players to take control of the situation: pic.twitter.com/SXR9qHk0Oc

— Shi Davidi (@ShiDavidi) May 25, 2023

We're all grown men here. It's up to us. We're the ones on the field. Our coaches can't hold our hands. We have to go out there and find ways to win games. We have to communicate with each other and help try to make each other better. We are a team and we want to win. If we want to win a division or play in the playoffs, it's up to us to find ways to get back on track. It's up to nobody else but us.

                                                                                          —Matt Chapman

Manager John Schneider admitted the team has been "punched in the face," and is glad the players have taken the initiative to try to hold themselves accountable.

Toronto is now just one game over .500 at 26-25, and find themselves in last place in the dogfight of a division. They're 10.5 games back of the 1st-place Rays.

Photo: Kevin Sousa-USA TODAY Sports