Blue Jays Manager Receives Heartfelt Letter From Warriors' Steve Kerr After World Series Loss

Kerr praised Schneider's leadership and poise during the tough defeat, drawing parallels to his own team's painful 2016 Finals loss.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 6:08pm by Ben Kaplan

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An abstract, expressionist painting in neon colors, with rapid brushstrokes capturing the energy and emotion of a baseball game, players' faces and uniforms dissolving into unrecognizable splatters of color.A heartfelt letter from a respected NBA coach serves as validation for a baseball manager's leadership during a tough World Series defeat.San Francisco Today

Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider revealed that Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr had written him a letter following the Blue Jays' narrow World Series loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2025. Kerr praised Schneider's leadership and poise during the series, and drew parallels to the Warriors' own heartbreaking Game 7 loss in the 2016 NBA Finals. The letter, which Schneider did not receive until weeks later, served as validation for the Blue Jays' approach heading into the 2026 season.

Why it matters

The letter from Kerr, a highly respected NBA coach, underscores Schneider's growing reputation as a leader in the game. It also highlights the shared experience of dealing with tough losses at the highest level of professional sports, and the importance of perseverance and character in the face of adversity.

The details

Schneider told The Athletic that the letter from Kerr, dated November 2, 2025 - the day after the Blue Jays' World Series loss - was sitting on his desk when he returned to the Rogers Centre last week. In the letter, Kerr praised Schneider's poise, strength, empathy and confidence during the series, and congratulated him on the team's impressive season. Kerr also evoked the Warriors' own Game 7 loss in the 2016 NBA Finals, noting that the pain was real but that the character and connection of the group would ultimately define them.

  • The letter was dated November 2, 2025, the day after the Blue Jays' World Series loss.
  • Schneider did not receive the letter until he returned to his office at the Rogers Centre last week.

The players

John Schneider

The manager of the Toronto Blue Jays, who led the team to the World Series in 2025.

Steve Kerr

The head coach of the Golden State Warriors, a highly respected NBA figure who has won multiple championships as both a player and a coach.

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What they’re saying

“As I read it, I was like 'holy s***.''”

— John Schneider, Manager, Toronto Blue Jays

“I don't know but I felt compelled to reach out after watching your incredible leadership on display during the World Series. Your poise, your strength, your empathy and your confidence all shined through in all the toughest moments. I can see why your players love playing for you.”

— Steve Kerr, Head Coach, Golden State Warriors

“Congrats on an incredible season and I'm so sorry for the heartache. We lost Game 7 of the '16 Finals to Cleveland in similar fashion, and the pain was real. But what always survives through the tough losses is the character and connection of the group. The loss won't define you, but the way you and your guys carried themselves afterwards will.”

— Steve Kerr, Head Coach, Golden State Warriors

What’s next

The Blue Jays have extended Schneider's contract as manager through 2028, signaling their commitment to his leadership and the team's long-term vision.

The takeaway

Schneider's ability to earn the respect and admiration of a coaching great like Steve Kerr underscores his growing reputation as a leader in the game. The letter serves as validation for the Blue Jays' approach and mindset heading into the 2026 season, as they look to build on their World Series appearance and overcome the heartbreak of their narrow defeat.