Former Blue Jays slugger Jose Bautista given legendary welcome in return to Toronto

Jenn Smith

Former Blue Jays slugger Jose Bautista given legendary welcome in return to Toronto image

TORONTO -- He came to this city as a virtual unknown, traded from the Pittsburgh Pirates to the Toronto Blue Jays for a “player to be named later." Ten seasons later, after six All-Star appearances, two home run titles, three silver slugger awards and one iconic bat flip, he left Toronto as a legend.

José Bautista, now a member of the New York Mets, made his return to the Rogers Centre on Tuesday night where he was met with a standing ovation from the home crowd who wanted to show their appreciation for his decade of contributions. It marked the first time Bautista played in Toronto as an opponent since June 24th, 2004 as a member of the Tampa Bay Rays.

"It's different, a little bit strange,” he told reporters as he described how it felt to be back on the field in Toronto prior to the start of the game. “But, I guess in this world and this sport you got to adjust and try to be comfortable in a new setting and new environment. I think once the game starts I'll be fine. It's just another game. But everything leading up to it is, again, a lot of memories, a lot of emotions."

As strange as it will be for Jays fans to see Bautista in a different uniform, he admits that he, too, has had a difficult time shedding his “Blue Jays skin”.

"I don't think you ever do that once you've played in one place for that long but, it was, again, tough when it's not what you're used to. You even feel like the other uniform looks strange on you. Even the colours. But, it's an adjustment and I'm still going through it."

Bautista has donned two different uniforms thus far this season. After a brief and lackluster stint with the Atlanta Braves, the Mets picked up the thirty-seven year old, where he has enjoyed a new lease on his baseball life, batting .250/.418/.476 in 36 games entering Tuesday's action.

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When asked what he was most proud of about his time in Toronto, Bautista was unable to give a specific answer. “It's just hard to pinpoint one or two moments. Obviously the playoff runs are great but just the life experiences, the friendships, everything else that comes with it. I don't think you can just single out a few moments out on the field. That would be unfair."

Bat flip aside, there is no shortage of moments from which to choose, whether it was hitting his 50th home run off of Félix Hernández in 2010, or his two home runs against the Royals in game six of the 2015 ALCS, or skipping around the bases at Camden Yards after taking his rival Darren O’Day deep, or gunning down Dustin Ackley at third base with an incredible throw from right field.

Or perhaps it was his home run against another legendary Blue Jay who was making his return to the Rogers Centre – an absolute bomb to straightaway centre field off of Roy Halladay on July 2nd, 2011, nearly seven years to the day before Bautista made his return.

That indelible moment marked a passing of the torch from one franchise player to the next; a changing of the guard that ultimately culminated in back-to-back American League Championship Series appearances in 2015 and 2016.

Despite all the triumph, Bautista’s departure from Toronto was bittersweet. His disappointing final season with the Jays, during which he slashed .203/.308/.366, ultimately led to management’s decision that they would not pick up his option for the 2018 season.

"No, I can't say that I was angry,” Bautista said. “I mean, it's a business decision and an understandable one. I'm not naive or selfish enough to believe that they should have done that. Numbers speak for themselves and it wasn't my best year. I think that's no secret. But I received an opportunity and here I am. I'm looking to make the best of it. I'm not trying to dwell on the past and let any of that drag me down. I feel like I can find enough drive just in my desire to continue to play the game and help my team win."

He spoke with emotion as he recalled his final week in Toronto, during which he played with the knowledge that the Jays would not be bringing him back for another season.

"I think for the most part you try to focus on playing the game and contributing, so I don't recall dwelling on it too much. I just kinda knew what the outcome would be before everybody else did so, obviously saddened that, at least at that point, I knew that the option wasn't going to get picked up. I didn't know that, you know, maybe not coming back was totally out of the question. It just ended up not working out. But, I don't recall thinking about it too much, I was just trying to focus on playing the game and I kind of dealt with it that way."

Bautista left an tangible mark on the field during his time with Toronto, where he hit 288 home runs, had 766 RBI and an OPS of .878 – good for a 35.7 fWAR during his decade with the Blue Jays. His success combined with his swagger left its mark with fans as well, who paid tribute to him during what was assumed to be his final game in Toronto last season.

"I wasn't expecting what happened in the last game, so that caught me by surprise. And those kind of things you get to enjoy them after they happen as a player. I don't think in the moment, you're just so caught up in it that it's something you don't get to experience all that often so I don't think you're prepared for it. So you kind of deal with it and kind of think about it afterwards and try to enjoy it like that. So, I enjoyed every second."

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Fans are not the only ones who are excited to welcome Bautista back. His former teammates were also looking forward to the occasion.

"It will definitely be nice to see him,” Kevin Pillar told Sporting News. “I know he had a long offseason, an interesting one to say the least. Gets an opportunity with Atlanta, you know, thankfully someone gives him an opportunity although his window to play there wasn't very long another team was able to pick him up and he's having a lot of success right now and that's what guys that have been around him knew, given the opportunity, and given the right amount of time that he would go out there and produce because that's what he's always done and it's always nice to catch up to him and see him play and I look forward to getting to spend a little time with him."

Justin Smoak expressed excitement at seeing his old teammate.

"Awesome. I love him. He's awesome. Love him to death," Smoak said. "Can't wait. I think a lot of Toronto can't wait, either, I'm sure. He's a great teammate. I know everybody says he's this, that, or whatever, but he was awesome. Love him."

When pressed further about what made José stand out, Smoak told Sporting News that Bautista was "just a good teammate. He cared about other guys on his team. He would help out when he needed to help out, and he was just a great guy. Loved him. Can't wait to see him."

Blue Jays manager John Gibbons told Sporting News that Bautista was incredibly focused and prepared. Not necessarily that he was easy to manage, but that he never had to concern himself because Bautista was always very prepared and productive, a guy who wanted to play every day regardless of whether or not he was banged up. What stood out, however, was how he carried himself.

"There was just a different intensity about him,” Gibbons explained. “That's kind of what made him go. Other guys might try to be a little more relaxed. Maybe it was just the way he carried himself. You could tell when it was getting close to game time after BP. He just kinda got locked into what he was doing. Very driven, though. Very driven. And I think he had a chip on his shoulder from earlier in his career when no one would really give him an opportunity. I think that burned him a little bit."

When asked by Toronto media if he thought fans would give Bautista a loud ovation upon his return, Gibbons joked "Oh, yeah, I would think so. Ryan Goins got one." He then added, "If the fans don't cheer him, I will.”

The crowd of 24,010 – and countless others at home – cheered Bautista all night long, from the reading of the lineups to his video tribute to his first at-bat, during which the Jays welcomed him back by playing his former walk-up song. Bautista, in return, acknowledged the fans, tipping his cap and giving them a round of applause. 

Bautista drew three walks and singled in the ninth inning as the Blue Jays spoiled his return to Toronto with a come-from-behind 8-6 win.

Despite the outcome, it was a return befitting a legend.

Jenn Smith