Blue Jays Shared A Special Moment With Team Legend
On Friday, it was announced that slugger Jose Bautista would be officially retiring from baseball.
He signed a one-day contract with the Toronto Blue Jays to finish his career in the place where he made several great memories.
The veteran slugger was added to the Blue Jays Level of Excellence before Saturday’s game against the Chicago Cubs and even got a chance to throw out the first pitch.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. caught the first pitch and asked Bautista to sign the ball for him, while Marcus Stroman, now with the Cubs, went out to give his former Blue Jays teammate a hug.
On Twitter, Blue Jays analyst Brennan Delaney posted the video of Bautista’s first pitch.
José Bautista’s ceremonial first pitch.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. wanting him to sign the ball ?
Marcus Stroman coming out to give José a hug ? pic.twitter.com/hytqqYlrmE
— Brennan Delaney (@Brennan_L_D) August 12, 2023
Bautista spent the vast majority of his career with the Blue Jays.
He joined the team in 2008 and later emerged as one of the game’s top sluggers.
In 2010 and 2011, Bautista led all of baseball in home runs.
He and Stroman were teammates with the Blue Jays from 2014-17.
Bautista also had a flair for the dramatic.
In Game 5 of the 2015 ALDS, he hit a go-ahead home run against the Texas Rangers that sent Rogers Centre into a frenzy.
He followed up his swing with an epic bat flip that still permeates through Blue Jays history.
This is certainly a touching moment.
Blue Jays fans will always love Bautista and remember what he did for the organization.
He helped bring great memories to the City of Toronto and was certainly a favorite among Blue Jays fans during his time with the team.
Read More: Blue Jays Shared A Special Moment With Team Legend