BREAKING NEWS:Former Toronto Blue Jay head coach Cito Gaston who just recovered from surgery sent a massage to head Toronto Blue John Schneider concerning…..see more

In a surprise move that has stirred baseball fans across Canada, former Toronto Blue Jays manager and club legend Cito Gaston has emerged from a recent surgery with a strong message for current skipper John Schneider — urging leadership, focus, and a return to the team’s championship mindset.

Gaston, 81, who led the Blue Jays to back-to-back World Series titles in 1992 and 1993, had been recovering from a successful minor cardiac procedure earlier this summer. After weeks out of the public eye, he broke his silence in a statement issued through his representatives and later shared with local media.

“I’ve been watching the team, and I care deeply about the Blue Jays — always have, always will,” Gaston wrote. “This organization knows how to win. I want to remind John [Schneider] and the whole clubhouse that wearing the Blue Jays uniform comes with pride, purpose, and expectation. The fans deserve nothing less.”

Sources close to the former manager say the message was a “personal and professional gesture,” aimed at uplifting a team that has struggled with inconsistency this season. The Blue Jays, currently sitting fourth in the AL East, have been under scrutiny after a string of disappointing losses and growing questions about the team’s leadership and postseason prospects.

Gaston reportedly spoke highly of Schneider’s potential but emphasized the importance of connecting with players “on and off the field” — a hallmark of Gaston’s own managerial style during the Blue Jays’ golden era.

John Schneider responded to the message during a pregame press conference on Wednesday afternoon.

“I have immense respect for Cito. He’s a legend, and getting a message from him means a lot to me and the guys in that room,” Schneider said. “We’ll take his words to heart. He knows what it takes to win here.”

Gaston, who remains a beloved figure in Toronto sports history, is expected to make a public appearance at Rogers Centre later this season as part of a ceremonial first pitch, health permitting.

For Blue Jays fans, Gaston’s message is a stirring reminder of the team’s storied past — and perhaps a rallying cry for a better future.

Baseball fans across the nation were caught by surprise today after legendary former Toronto Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston released a heartfelt and pointed message to current head coach John Schneider, urging him to stay true to the club’s legacy — and calling for a renewed sense of urgency as the team’s playoff hopes hang in the balance.

Gaston, who recently recovered from successful cardiac surgery, has largely remained out of the public spotlight in recent years. But those close to the 81-year-old say that while his health may have slowed him down physically, his passion for the game — and for the Blue Jays — remains as fiery as ever.

“I may not be in the dugout anymore,” Gaston said in a written message delivered privately to Schneider and later shared with media outlets, “but my heart is still with this team. I’ve been watching closely. This city knows what winning looks like — and it’s time we get back to that.”

A Wake-Up Call Amid a Shaky Season

The message comes at a pivotal moment for the Blue Jays. After entering the 2025 MLB season with high expectations and a roster brimming with talent — including franchise cornerstone Bo Bichette, star slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and ace Kevin Gausman — the team has failed to find consistency, sitting at fourth place in the AL East, with a sub-.500 record.