Blue Jays Closer Jeff Hoffman blew a kiss to the Orioles after throwing two scoreless innings and striking out four

Now that’s how you hold a grudge. Jeff Hoffman wasn’t just out to earn a save on Sunday—he was out for revenge. And after shoving for two innings against the Orioles in extras, he put the perfect punctuation mark on a petty masterpiece by blowing a kiss toward the dugout at Camden Yards.

Jeff Hoffman Blows a Kiss to the Orioles Dugout..lol

Jeff Hoffman blows a kiss to the Orioles, who almost signed him until they didn’t pass his physical pic.twitter.com/jjlvuO93LV

— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) April 13, 2025

Jeff Hoffman: Keeper of Receipts

Baltimore had Hoffman. They agreed to a three-year, $40 million deal with the 32-year-old reliever this offseason before backing out over “shoulder concerns” flagged during his physical. O’s front office said thanks, but no thanks.

Hoffman turned around and signed with Toronto for $33 million—and then circled this date on the calendar in permanent ink.

After striking out four over two scoreless frames to lock down the win, Hoffman didn’t say a word. He just looked into the dugout and floated that kiss like a dagger.

WATCH: Jeff Hoffman yearns for the days he wore a Phillies uniform

Petty? Absolutely. Uncalled for? Not even close.

This is the kind of stuff baseball needs more of. Guys remembering slights, getting the last word on the field, and letting the drama spill out in the most satisfying way. You ditch me over a physical? Cool. Now watch me mow down your hitters with the same shoulder you said was cooked.

Jeff Hoffman downplayed it afterward:

“Yeah, obviously, like, that’s definitely in my head,” he told MLB.com. “But once I’m in the game… I’m focused on making pitches… If you start to think about all that [other] stuff while you’re out there, things tend not to go well.”

That’s a vet response, but we all know what was really cooking underneath the surface. A blown save might’ve validated the Orioles’ concerns—but he didn’t just not implode, he dominated.

Right now, Hoffman’s sitting on a 0.96 ERA and 13 K’s in 9.1 innings. Meanwhile, the Orioles’ bullpen is still trying to figure out its closer situation after Félix Bautista’s injury. They bet against a healthy Hoffman. On Sunday, he walked into their ballpark and reminded them exactly what they lost.

With one kiss. Cold. Calculated. Beautiful.

Baseball’s best when it’s personal. And for Hoffman? Sunday was personal.

Join The Chase