Jose Bautista on the bat flip heard around the world, joining the Blue Jays Level of Excellence
“The 1-1 from Dyson. Bautista with a drive. Deep left field. No doubt about it!”
There are sure moments for Blue Jays followers from coast to coast which are remembered like they occurred yesterday.
Joe Carter’s World Series successful residence run. Dave Stieb lastly reaching his elusive no-hitter. Edwin Encarnacion’s extra-inning blast to ship Toronto to the ALCS.
But maybe none are extra memorable than Jose Bautista’s go-ahead residence run within the 2015 ALDS, capped off with an exclamation-point bat flip that also seems on spotlight reels at present.
“It felt like the stadium was coming down. It felt like the Earth was shaking,” mentioned Bautista, reflecting on the second throughout his look Wednesday on The FAN Morning Show. “To be able to create that type of memory for the fans in the stadium and whoever was tuned in … that’s the biggest prize of all.”
Despite how fondly it’s remembered by followers, on the time the celebration triggered waves throughout the baseball neighborhood. Hall of Famer Goose Gossage was notably outspoken in opposition to the bat flip, calling it a “disgrace” to the sport.
Oh Goose, if solely you knew.
Flash ahead to at present, and the ripple results of Bautista’s iconic celebration will be seen throughout all ranges of baseball. From Randy Arozarena folding his arms with a mean-mug after a clutch hit, to Jazz Chisholm Jr. euro-stepping his approach round third base, the Jays slugger helped pave the best way for a extra fun-loving model of the sport.
“I think it played out that way – not that I set out to do that,” Bautista continued. “I think that moment just helped open the floodgates when it comes to celebration.”
Even although the bat flip is likely to be entrance of thoughts for a lot of followers when requested about Jose’s 10 seasons in Toronto, his tenure in Canada was a lot greater than that.
His rise to stardom in 2010 was fueled with a new-found surge of energy, main the league in residence runs with 54. Now for many, this could be fairly the powerful act to observe. But Bautista stepped as much as the plate in 2011 and reclaimed his title as soon as once more, cementing his place among the many high sluggers within the Majors.
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With all that energy, his dependable glove and cannon for an arm in proper area might typically be an afterthought. But Bautista’s defence proved to be simply as electrical as his plate presence, searing fear into the again of baserunners’ minds. Who might blame them – it’s not each day you see somebody flip a routine single right into a 9-3 putout at first (cheers, Billy Butler).
But maybe most significantly, Bautista helped deliver the thrill and keenness of baseball again to not solely a company, however a whole nation.
On Aug. 12, Jose Bautista’s identify shall be added to Rogers Centre Level of Excellence, alongside different Blue Jays legends.
“It’s obviously a great honour, I’m extremely happy to forever be enshrined on the Level of Excellence with all the other great names,” mentioned Bautista. “I couldn’t be more excited.”
Catch The FAN Morning Show Monday to Friday, from 6-9 a.m. ET.
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