George Springer hits 21st postseason homer, passes Derek Jeter and is 5th on career list

TORONTO (AP) — Toronto's George Springer homered on the first pitch from Seattle's Bryce Miller in the AL Championship Series opener on Sunday, moving past the New York Yankees' Derek Jeter into sole possession of fifth place on the career list with his 21st postseason home run.

Springer’s 385-foot drive to right field on a fastball at the outside corner put Toronto ahead with the first postseason leadoff home run in Blue Jays history. Springer has 63 leadoff homers in the regular season, second to Rickey Henderson’s record 81.

“I was just kind of looking for something to hit,” Springer said following Toronto's 3-1 defeat. “It wasn't anything specific.”

Manny Ramirez hit a record 29 postseason homers and is trailed by Jose Altuve (27), Kyle Schwarber (23) and Bernie Williams (22).

Seattle has won three of four games at Toronto this year.

“Everybody knows obviously what we need to do,” Springer said. “If some balls falls, obviously it's a little bit of a different story.”

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Toronto Blue Jays' George Springer watches his solo home run take flight as Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh looks on during the first inning in Game 1 of baseball's American League Championship Series, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, in Toronto. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Toronto Blue Jays George Springer, left, watches his solo home run take flight as Seattle Mariners pitcher Bryce Miller looks on during the first inning in Game 1 of baseball's American League Championship Series, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, in Toronto. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Toronto Blue Jays George Springer celebrates as he runs the bases after hitting a solo home run against the Seattle Mariners during the first inning in Game 1 of baseball's American League Championship Series, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, in Toronto. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Toronto Blue Jays George Springer connects for a solo home run against the Seattle Mariners during the first inning in Game 1 of baseball's American League Championship Series, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, in Toronto. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Toronto Blue Jays' George Springer rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run against the Seattle Mariners during the first inning in Game 1 of baseball's American League Championship Series in Toronto, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President Donald Trump on Sunday brushed aside concerns about conservative commentator Tucker Carlson's recent interview with a far-right activist known for his antisemitic views, which has caused a schism within the GOP.

Trump defended Carlson, citing “good interviews” he'd had over the years with the former Fox News host. He said if Carlson wants to interview Nick Fuentes, whose followers see themselves as working to preserve America’s white, Christian identity, then "People have to decide.”

Carlson had an amiable sit-down on his podcast last month with Fuentes that touched off a controversy among conservatives. It roiled the Heritage Foundation, where the president of the right-wing think tank defended Carlson for his interview, drawing outrage from staffers. Heritage President Kevin Roberts later denounced Fuentes' views.

Trump told reporters as he prepared to fly back to Washington from a weekend in Florida that when it comes to Carlson, “You can’t tell him who to interview.”

“If he wants to interview Nick Fuentes, I don’t know much about him, but if he wants to do it, get the word out,” Trump said. "People have to decide.”

Trump a few minutes later added, “Meeting people, talking to people for somebody like Tucker — that’s what they do. You know, people are controversial."

The president then said: “I’m not controversial, so I like it that way.”

It's not the first time Trump has been asked about Fuentes. Three years ago, he hosted Fuentes at a dinner at his Mar-a-Lago resort, along with the rapper Ye, formerly known as Kanye West.

Trump at the time said he had not previously met Fuentes and “knew nothing about” him.

Fuentes’ visit to Trump’s estate was condemned by numerous Republicans, including former Vice President Mike Pence, who said it was wrong for Trump “to give a white nationalist, an antisemite and Holocaust denier, a seat at the table.”

Trump said Sunday that he didn't know Fuentes at the time and that he didn't know he was coming with Ye.

Trump's defense of Carlson's interview comes as he has used his second-term administration to crack down on colleges and universities over what his administration claims is a tolerance of antisemitic views during protests over the Israel-Hamas war.

Carlson has been critical of U.S. support for Israel in that war and has come under fire for his own far-right views, including the white-supremacist theory that says whites are being “replaced” by people of color.

Price reported from Washington.

President Donald Trump speaks to reporters before boarding Air Force One at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach Fla., on his way back to the White House, Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)