Shane Bieber and Andrés Giménez have carried their Cleveland work ethic to Toronto, where both are contributing to the Blue Jays’ postseason run.
For Guardians fans, watching two familiar faces chase a championship in different uniforms brings mixed emotions.
Even longtime Cleveland voice Bruce Drennan acknowledged on his podcast that he’s pulling for them in the World Series, proof that some baseball connections transcend team loyalties.
“Obviously, I’m rooting for the Blue Jays. I want to see Shane Bieber get a ring. I want to see Andres Gimenez get a ring. There’s just so many ties on this Toronto team from our Cleveland Guardians. A little piece of me feels like a victory for the Cleveland Guardians if the Blue Jays do win,” Drennan said.
Do you want to see the former #Guardians players on the Blue Jays get a ring?
"I want to see Shane Bieber get a ring, I want to see Andres Gimenez get a ring."
Presented by @drinkgaragebeer https://t.co/UsJc4UIb6p pic.twitter.com/GqVQMaH7am
— Bruce Drennan Show (@Bruce_Drennan) October 24, 2025
Bieber spent seven seasons defining pitching excellence in Cleveland, compiling a 62–32 record with a 3.22 ERA and nearly 1,000 strikeouts.
He earned the 2020 American League Cy Young Award and two All-Star selections during that stretch.
His 2020 campaign remains legendary in Guardians history, posting a 1.63 ERA with 122 strikeouts across 77 innings while anchoring those scrappy, pitching-driven teams that consistently outperformed their payroll.
Despite missing the first half of 2025 recovering from injury, Bieber quickly reminded Toronto why he remains one of baseball’s most composed arms.
The right-hander went 4–2 with a 3.57 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, and 37 strikeouts over 40.1 innings across seven starts following the trade.
His command and poise have given the Blue Jays exactly what they needed down the stretch.
Giménez arrived in Cleveland as part of the Francisco Lindor trade and became a defensive anchor.
He hit .263 with 41 home runs, 43 stolen bases, and two Gold Gloves across four seasons, peaking in 2022 with a .297 average and an All-Star selection.
In Toronto, Giménez has posted a .210 average with seven homers, 35 RBIs, and a .598 OPS in 90 games this season.
His offensive numbers haven’t stood out, but his Gold Glove-caliber defense and speed have provided balance to Toronto’s World Series push.
For Guardians fans, watching both players thrive elsewhere is bittersweet but fitting.
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