Former Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Chris Bassitt has opened up about the lingering pain from last season's heartbreaking World Series loss, revealing that even with a new campaign on the horizon, the memory remains fresh and motivating. Now with the Baltimore Orioles, Bassitt spoke candidly at spring training about how the defeat continues to shape his mindset and approach to the game.
The Unfinished Business of a Painful Defeat
"I'm not over it," Bassitt told reporters when asked about the memorable World Series clash between the Blue Jays and the Los Angeles Dodgers. "I think the only way I can possibly get over that is to win one... like I don't think I will ever get over that." His words echo the sentiments of many Toronto fans who still struggle to process how the championship slipped away in such dramatic fashion.
Bassitt emphasized that the loss represents unfinished business, describing the experience as both painful and educational. "I still have a lot of pain from that for sure," he admitted. "For sure it's unfinished business, but yeah, being so close and still so far away, it sucks."
Rejecting the Narrative of Moral Victories
The pitcher firmly dismissed any suggestion that the Blue Jays should simply take pride in their efforts rather than dwelling on the outcome. He stressed that in sports, as in life, failure provides the most valuable lessons. "We failed. A lot of people will say you didn't really fail. There wasn't really a loser in that World Series. No, we lost," Bassitt stated unequivocally.
He elaborated on this perspective, explaining, "We did things the wrong way and I think the only way to learn, to get through things, is to fail. Some people might point to injuries and all those things, but if you can just sit back and learn from it, you can be a better person, a better player."
A New Chapter with the Baltimore Orioles
Bassitt recently signed with the Orioles just before training camps opened across Major League Baseball. In Baltimore, he finds a team with a greater need for his experience and ability to eat innings, offering him more consistent opportunities than he might have had in Toronto.
"Had he signed back in Toronto, it would have been as insurance or depth with no guarantee of being run out there every fifth day," the report noted. "He'll get that opportunity in Baltimore, where they don't have the number or quality of starting options they have in Toronto."
Using Failure as Fuel for Future Success
Bassitt's reflections highlight how professional athletes process devastating losses and transform them into motivation. Rather than avoiding the painful memory, he embraces it as a catalyst for growth and improvement. His approach serves as a reminder that in competitive sports, setbacks often provide the foundation for future achievements.
As spring training progresses and the new season approaches, Bassitt carries both the weight of that World Series disappointment and the determination to channel it into better performance with his new team. His journey illustrates how athletes navigate the complex emotional landscape of professional sports, where triumph and heartbreak often exist side by side.
