A toast to Louis Varland

Louis Varland is having a stellar season.  Lights Out Louis recorded his 32nd save of 2026 yesterday as the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Cleveland Guardians by a score of 6-3.  The Blue Jays' closer has a sparkling ERA of 1.16, the lowest among all Major League relievers this year.  He could arguably become the team's best closer since Tom "The Terminator" Henke.  This is only Louis' first season as a closer, so in order to rank up there with Henke, he will have to prove himself in the years to come.  He will have to continue his dominance and show that this season is not an aberration, that he is the real deal.  

Louis Dennis Varland was born in Saint Paul, Minnesota on December 9, 1997, and was named after his uncle.  He played college baseball at the Concordia University, Sant Paul, and was selected by his hometown Minnesota Twins in the 2019 Major League Baseball draft.  On July 31, 2025, the Twins sent Varland and Ty France to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for Alan Roden  and Kendry Rojas.  Many Minnesota fans were unhappy about the trade because Louis was a popular and affordable hometown player.

Louis was used as a reliever by the Blue Jays in 2025 because Jeff Hoffman was considered the team's closer.  During the 2025 playoffs, Louis appeared in 15 games in relief, setting a new MLB postseason record by a pitcher.  In the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Jays were defeated in the 11th inning of the seventh game by a score of 5-4.  Unfortunately for the Bluebirds, Hoffman had allowed a game-tying home run by Miguel Rohas in the nineth inning.  

It's a moot point and it's hypothetical, but I still can't help but wonder what would have happened if Louis had pitched that 9th inning instead of Jeff Hoffman.  The Jays likely would have won the World Series.  But it was not to be.  They lost to L.A. in a heartbreaking fashion.  Louis did not begin closing games until April of 2026, due to Hoffman's inconsistency.  

Louis married his wife Madeline "Mattie" Varland in the 2024 offseason.  Maddie is a dentist.  According Louis' official MLB biography,. Maddie's father played for the Montreal Canadiens.  I found that interesting.  However, I couldn't find any further details online.  I don't know his name and I don't know whether he played in the National Hockey League or for an affiliate in the Canadiens' system.  

Lous' brother, Gus Varland. is also a pitcher in the major leagues.  Gus plays for the Washington Nationals.

- Joanne