He’s Going, Going, But is He Gone?

The Toronto Blue Jays have Bautista to thank for the return of the fans and the return to the post season, but that time has come to let go.

It dawned on me recently while watching a Jays game that this could, and probably should, be the end of the José Bautista era for the Toronto Blue Jays (2010–2017).

As Bautista popped his 21st HR of the season out the park, I looked back on the greatness of his era of Blue Jays baseball. It’s greatness pales in comparison to the World Series Championship era, but far outshines the Vernon Wells (2002–2010) and Carlos Delgado(1996–2004) era.

Despised and feared by the opposition, embraced by Toronto Fans. With 14 years in the big leagues, including seven and a half seasons with the Jays, his accomplishments are nothing short of amazing:

• Six time All-Star (Broke the record for all star voting 2011)
• Three time Silver Slugger Award winner
• 918 career RBI (16th among active players)
• 329 career HR (7th among active players and 108th all time)
• Led the league in home runs in back to back seasons (2010, 2011)
• Led the league in walks twice (2010, 2015)
• Five seasons in the top ten for on-base percentage
• Six HRs and 16 RBIs in two post season appearances

Fans around the major leagues will remember Joey Bats for his numbers and accolades, but Jays fans will remember him as something else: arguably the most electrifying player in Jays history.

He provided so many big moments. He was a reason to be excited to watch a Jays game in years when they weren’t many other bright spots. The big postseason home runs, his aggressive base running, the fake beards on women and children in the stands, and the wacky celebrations each season. His 54 home runs in 2010 were by far the biggest accomplishment of his career, but Jays fans will remember things like the infamous bat flip with an even bigger smile.

You could argue that Toronto should have moved on from Bautista after last season based on his huge contract demands, or that the real Bautista era ended when Josh Donaldson joined the team. Even so, we will all remember the positive impact he had over the years. I will be making a point to tune in for the last home series of the season against the Yankees, September 22nd-24th, to see how he says his farewells to the fans who have supported him over the years.

And you know he is going to be swinging for the fences, looking for one last big moment for the Blue Jays in front of his home crowd. It’s almost fitting that it’s a season with not much else to look forward to.

Oliver Johnston is a hockey and baseball contributor for TheOcho.ca.