NFL
By: Greg Rector
Jose Bautista will be enshrined in the Toronto Blue Jays “Level of Excellence” this Saturday. The king-of-the-bat flip will be put up with the best players and managers in Blue Jays’ history.
“José Bautista captured hearts and ignited a fan base as part of the team that brought Toronto back to the postseason for the first time in 22 years. His on-field achievements propelled the team to greatness, and he undoubtedly belongs on the Blue Jays Level of Excellence,” said Mark Shapiro, President & CEO, of Toronto Blue Jays. “On behalf of the organization, we are proud to honor José and his remarkable career with Blue Jays fans.”
On that fateful evening, Canadian baseball fans went wild with glee when Jose Bautista hit that home run to beat the Texas Rangers in the fifth game of a wild ALDS series on that night of October 14th, 2015 I recall seeing the game and being delighted for the Blue Jays who had waited those 22 long seasons without playoff baseball succeed.
Jose Bautista’s Career
After he was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 20th round in the 2000 MLB draft Jose Bautista floated around playing for the Baltimore Orioles Tampa Bay Devil Rays and the Kansas City Royals after the Orioles had selected Bautusta in the Rule 5 draft after the 2003 season. He was also briefly a New York Met until they traded him back to the Pirates. Bautista set an MLB record for being with 5 different rosters in one season. hardly the type of stuff that would lead anyone to believe he would be going onto a Level Of Excellence for any ball club.
After floundering around as the Pirates’ backup third baseman and outfielder for the next four seasons he was acquired by the Toronto Blue Jays after Scott Rolen was injured. In 2009 Bautista began the year backing up Scott Rolen and playing behind Alex Rios and Adam Lind. As that season was ending the Blue Jays made changes to their coaching staff. Dwayne Murphy was named the new hitting coach and he had worked with Bautista on the now-famous high leg kick that we’re so familiar with now.
In 2010 things began great for Bautista and he ended up hitting 48 home runs on September 17th setting a new club record. He would end the season with 54 home runs and he knocked in 124 RBIs. That made Bautista a very popular baseball player and he was forever etched into the hearts and minds of Toronto Blue Jays fans.
Jose Bautista became the vocal leader of the Blue Jays after the great season and was the most popular Blue Jays player as fans loved seeing him hit homers. He followed up with seasons where Bautista hit 43 27 28 35 and then in that fateful 2015 season he returned with 40 home runs. His last three seasons were little left to see as he struggled with injuries.
Beating The Texas Rangers was the highlight for Jose Bautista and that moment he flipped his bat so wildly is etched in the memories of every Toronto Blue Jays fan who witnessed the moment. That moment is one I will never forget as a baseball fan.
The first twenty thousand fans who enter Rogers Center on Saturday will get a bobblehead of Jose Bautista
I’m certain that Rogers Center will explode once they replay that moment when Jose Bautista and his bat flip against the Rangers on Saturday afternoon. I know I will be watching and remembering how great a moment that was for baseball up here in Canada. Jose Bautista earned his place in the Level of Excellence for the Toronto Blue Jays.
Congratulations to Jose Bautista for his achievement and if you’re at the game enjoy the festivities.
