County Executive Adam Bello honors Brighton native Ernie Clement with a ceremonial key to Monroe County

Monroe County, New York – Monroe County paused to celebrate one of its own this week as County Executive Adam Bello presented Brighton native Ernie Clement with a Key to the County, a gesture reserved for moments when local pride swells beyond the usual civic heartbeat. The ceremony followed Clement’s electrifying breakout in the 2025 World Series, where his bat and relentless energy turned him into one of the postseason’s most talked-about players.

Clement’s October surge wasn’t just impressive — it was historic. The Toronto Blue Jays infielder shattered a major-league record by collecting 30 hits across the postseason, a total no player had ever reached. His performance powered Toronto to within a single win of capturing the World Series title, drawing national attention while simultaneously sending waves of excitement through the Rochester area.

“Seeing Ernie Clement shine on baseball’s biggest stage filled the Rochester community with immense pride, proving that dedication can lead anyone from school athletics to the highest level of their sport. His performance not only resulted in personal achievement but also created a powerful moment of shared triumph for local sports fans,” said County Executive Bello. “Ernie’s success offers an exciting, tangible connection for aspiring young athletes, demonstrating that the path from local fields to the big leagues is achievable, and inspiring them to follow in his footsteps.”

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For longtime followers of local sports, Clement’s rise reflects years of steady development and quiet determination. At Brighton High School, he emerged as one of the region’s most dynamic talents, earning recognition as the Democrat & Chronicle’s All-Greater Rochester Player of the Decade for 2010–19. His skill carried him to the University of Virginia, where he helped guide the Cavaliers to a national championship in the 2015 College World Series. He continued to elevate his profile a year later when he was named Most Valuable Player of the Cape Cod League, cementing his status as a rising force in collegiate baseball.

Clement’s path through the professional ranks took him through Cleveland and Oakland before he arrived in Toronto in 2023. While he had already built a reputation as a dependable, high-energy player, this year’s postseason run marked his arrival as a household name, especially back home. The achievement also ended a long local drought: Clement became the first Rochester-area native to appear in a World Series since Johnny Antonelli pitched for the New York Giants in 1954 — a span of more than seven decades.

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For Monroe County residents, the Key to the County represents far more than a ceremonial token. It underscores the bond between the community and an athlete who grew up on local diamonds dreaming of the same stage he ultimately reached. In honoring Clement, Bello emphasized how the moment belongs not only to the player but to the region that helped shape him.

As Clement returns to the offseason grind and the Blue Jays look ahead to next year, his accomplishment continues to resonate. His record-breaking postseason has become a rallying point for young athletes across the area, a living reminder that extraordinary stories can start in ordinary places — even in the familiar neighborhoods of Brighton.