Former Blue Jay Teoscar Hernadez discusses emotional return to Toronto

The Toronto Blue Jays will head out on the road for almost two weeks after finishing up their series at home Sunday against the Seattle Mariners. The weekend series marked the first time the two clubs played each other since Toronto blew an 8-1 lead in last fall’s Wild Card Series game. It also marked the first time the Jays faced former teammate Teoscar Hernández since he was traded to the Mariners in the off-season. Lindsay Dunn spoke with Hernández about being back in the city for the first time since the trade:

Lindsay Dunn: As soon as you stepped onto the field the fans were chanting your name. What has it been like for you to be back here in the city and get such a warm embrace from Jays’ fans?

Teoscar Hernández: “I mean, the love that they give me is impressive. I didn’t expect nothing less from the fans, they are great. I enjoyed them so much for the time that I was here and I appreciate them.”

LD: Is this series against the Blue Jays something that you had circled on your calendar? Or have you just been taking it series by series?

TH: “As soon as the calendar went out, I just looked for that series to see if we come back here and when, and it was quick and now we’re here [laughs]”

LD: I know it’s been a while since you were actually traded but when it happened were you surprised by the decision?

TH: “I knew something was going to happen. It was not a surprise because I was seeing a lot of tweets on social media that might happen in the off-season. I was thinking about it but didn’t think it was going to be that quick! It happens right away in the off-season. It definitely is something that you never expected, especially for me. I was here for six years and spent a lot of time with the boys, but it is what it is. It’s a business and they do the best that they can to make the team better and that’s the way they feel.”

LD: This is your first time back here since last October and there’s been a little bit of changes to your outfield. What are your thoughts on the changes to the ballpark at the Rogers Centre?

TH: “It is amazing what changes they made here. I think it looks awesome and I think the fans love it.”

LD: The last time that you did play here was against Seattle in the Wild Card series. Is this something that your new teammates brought up to you or are they still bringing it up to you?

TH: “[Laughs] They’ve been bringing that out since I got there. So they are making fun of it, but in the end, they’re just trying to have a good time. It’s special to be back here and even in the wrong, not wrong uniform, but in another uniform.”

LD: You talk about that fun being had, fans here have so many fun memories of you wearing that home run jacket last season with the Jays but with your new team, you guys have a very interesting trident pole and a helmet celebration when you hit a home run. What was it like the first time you put that on?

TH: “It feels amazing! it brings a joy to the game. I think that if you don’t play with the joy and the fun of the game you’re doing this without like the biggest part of this game. I mean, it’s a game, it’s your job, but you have to have fun.”

He’s back! @TeoscarH returns to Toronto for the first time as a member of @Mariners . Says he can feel the love from all the Jays fans and has had this day circled on the calendar since the MLB schedule was released. #jays #NextLevel pic.twitter.com/SG3VfvdQ7S

— Lindsay Dunn (@LindsayDunnTV) April 28, 2023