Blue Jays to honour José Bautista on Level of Excellence
Posted March 5, 2023 12:23 pm.
The Toronto Blue Jays will honour José Bautista by placing him on the Blue Jays Level of Excellence during a special pregame ceremony on Saturday, Aug. 12, 2023.
08.12.23.
We celebrate Excellence ⭐️ pic.twitter.com/4ddp1EH9nI
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) March 5, 2023
Bautista was traded to the Blue Jays from the Pittsburgh Pirates on August 21, 2008, and in the 2010 season earned an MLB All-Star selection, three American League Player of the Week awards and two American League Player of the Month awards that showcased his talents to Blue Jays fans.
In 2010 Bautista set the Blue Jays’ single-season home run record with an MLB-leading 54 home runs, a franchise record that still stands to this day. Hitting 288 home runs as a Blue Jay, Bautista trails only Joe Carter for the most in club history.
From 2010 to 2015 Bautista hit more home runs than any other player in the league, and won three Silver Slugger Awards in 2010, 2011, 2014 in that time. Bautista also appeared in six straight MLB All-Star Games.
“I am deeply humbled and excited to join the Blue Jays Level of Excellence and be recognized among the distinguished names that circle Rogers Centre,” said José Bautista in a statement. “Canada holds a special place in my heart and will always be home for my family and me, and we can’t wait to celebrate this honour with my beloved Blue Jays fans – the best fans in baseball!”
One of Batista’s most iconic moments in Toronto came during Game 5 of the 2015 ALDS against the Texas Rangers, where Bautista hammered a go-ahead three run ball and celebrated with a bat flip as the entire country watched on.
Bautista joins a prestigious group including George Bell, Dave Stieb, Joe Carter, Cito Gaston, Tony Fernandez, Pat Gillick, Tom Cheek, Paul Beeston, Carlos Delgado and Roy Halladay on the Level of Excellence.
