Former Toronto Blue Jays slugger José Bautista has unofficially been retired from the MLB since 2018, his last year in the big leagues. But he will fittingly be officially retiring as a member of the Blue Jays.
Bautista was amongst the best power hitters in all of baseball during his lengthy 15-year MLB career, earning six All-Star game appearances over the course of his career.
His career didn’t get off to the quickest start, but he skyrocketed into massive success in the MLB upon joining the Blue Jays in 2008. He went on to earn all six of his All-Star game appearances with the Blue Jays, with his best season coming in 2010 while hitting a whopping 54 home runs.
He is undoubtedly remembered by most MLB fans as a Toronto Blue Jays player, and he will officially be signing a one-day contract with the Blue Jays to officially retire as a member of the team.
José Bautista will sign a one-day contract with the Blue Jays to officially retire as a member of the team. 💙 pic.twitter.com/sjO9Dw54na
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) August 11, 2023
Fans took notice of this announcement and were happy that he will forever be remembered as a member of the team.
Intensity personified.
I love this. Welcome back @JoeyBats19 – you were always #NextLevel#bluejays@MLB https://t.co/jFaIcFRdcw— Bill Jeffery (@iambilljeffery) August 11, 2023
Bat flip was great but do not whittle this man's career to one moment. He was absolutely cracked at the turn of the decade in the Angry Jay Bird logo era. That 2010 season, 54 home runs, 100 walks, 124 RBIs, .995 OPS, back to back Hank Aarons. 6x All-Star, 3x Silver Slugger. https://t.co/rBCdJFAHgZ
— Jermaine (@notinbutaJthang) August 11, 2023
https://twitter.com/kimathim10/status/1690007549611798531
I'm not crying on a Friday morning. What are you talking about?
In all seriousness though, this makes me so incredibly happy. I always hoped this would happen. Can't wait to be there tomorrow! https://t.co/63RVPoYtuR
— ℳcKina✨ (@m_c_k_i_n_a) August 11, 2023
As a Jays fan, this makes me so happy. https://t.co/N8izi4OdBf
— Sherri (@sherriontherock) August 11, 2023
As he should. Cannot wait to watch his level of excellence ceremony tomorrow! https://t.co/OLmWcr8eig
— John Marino (@JMarino_27) August 11, 2023
Bautista spoke to the media about what retiring as a Blue Jay means to him, where he said that in his mind he was already retired a Blue Jay.
“It is huge, I obviously owe a great deal to this franchise. They gave me a chance, and I was able to accomplish a lot here. I was definitely already in my head retired as a Blue Jay. But to make it official is kind of cool. And this way, fans can kind of have their moment too.”
"In my head I was already retired as a Blue Jay."
José Bautista discusses how special it is to announce his retirement officially as a member of the Blue Jays. pic.twitter.com/O3004N8DCH
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) August 11, 2023
