Good news:Toronto Blue Jays star player is back

Level of Excellence will be given to a former Toronto Blue Jays player.

This weekend marks the return of one of the Toronto Blue Jays’ most productive players to the city.

The Blue Jays will honor José Bautista for his career when he ascends to the Level of Excellence at the Rogers Centre(opens in a new tab) on Saturday afternoon in a pregame ceremony.

According to a news release from the team, this award is given by the franchise to players who have demonstrated “tremendous individual achievement.” This honor has also been given to other Blue Jay greats, such as Roy Halladay, Carlos Delgado, Joe Carter, and George Bell.

This weekend marks the return of one of the Toronto Blue Jays’ most productive players to the city.

The José Bautista

It’s fantastic to be able to share my career with the fans and to continue as an integral part of the organization going forward. It’s fantastic,” Bautista declared on CP24 Breakfast on Tuesday. “I can’t wait to be back this weekend and celebrate with the fans because I’m so grateful, happy, and humbled.”

Following his August 2008 trade from the Pittsburgh Pirates to Toronto, Bautista played for the Jays for more than nine seasons.

After making six all-star appearances and winning three Silver Slugger awards between 2010 and 2015, the slugger became well-known to Toronto supporters.

While leading Major League Baseball in 2010, he hit 54 home runs, setting a franchise record for the most in a single season. In all, he hit 288 home runs while playing for the Blue Jays.

However, Bautista stated that his famous bat-flipping moment (opens in a new tab) is the one he is most proud of, out of all the home runs he has hit in his career.

“I was fortunate enough to be in that position in such a big moment of such a crucial series, and just being able to connect that home run and come through for the franchise was huge,” he said. “We had a great team that year in 2015, and we had a 22-year playoff drought.”

“I was just fortunate to be in that moment, and in the end, that’s why professional baseball exists and we do what we do. It created a lot of memories for the fans.”

In honour of Bautista’s achievement, the first 20,000 fans to head into the ballpark Saturday will get a Jose Bautista Bat Flip Bobblehead.

“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,” President and CEO of the franchise Mark Shapiro said in a release.

“On behalf of the organization, we are proud to honour José and his remarkable career with Blue Jays fans.

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Guerrero Jr., Bichette, Merrifield, and Gausman of the Blue Jays are named to the all-star team. Bichette leads the American League in hits this season with 113.
July 02, 2023, 3:42 PM PDT | Last updated: July 2, 2023 John Chidley-Hill · The Canadian Press

Bo Bichette is appreciative to be joining the all-star team once more.
Four Toronto Blue Jays were selected for Major League Baseball’s midseason exhibition on Sunday, including the league’s top hitter. Bichette will be joined at the all-star game by slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr., ace Kevin Gausman, and second baseman Whit Merrifield.

Bichette, who was an all-star in 2021, stated that as he gets older, he will value the honor more.

“I think I took it for granted my first year, to be honest,” Bichette admitted before going on to become an all-star. “So if I get that opportunity again, I’ll be definitely happy to take it.”

With 113 hits so far this season, Bichette leads the AL. The shortstop has 51 runs batted in, 15 home runs, and a.317 batting average.

Guerrero has appeared in three straight all-star games, and in 2021 he was named the most valuable player of the exhibition. He is striking.274 this season with 52 RBIs and 12 home runs.Guerrero made the announcement on Friday that he would be taking part in the Home Run Derby, where he would be thrown to by Blue Jays manager John Schneider during the exhibition. In the 2019 derby, they combined for a record-breaking 91 home runs.

Guerrero declared on Friday that he will take part in With an AL-high 146 strikeouts and a 3.04 earned run average, Gausman has a 7-4 record.

Currently hitting.282, Merrifield has 30 RBIs spread between the outfield and second base, including two home runs. Before the trade deadline of the previous season, he was dealt from the Kansas City Royals to Toronto.

He claimed that his third all-star appearance resulted from his new beginning with the Blue Jays.

Merrifield remarked, “It’s nice to be rewarded for a decent first half.” Particularly considering that I had a difficult start to the previous year.

“Missed out last year, so it’s nice to get off to a better start.”

The all-star game at T-Mobile Park in Seattle will take place the day after the home run derby on July 10.