Toronto Blue Jays: Who is Their Team Leader? (Video)
Toronto Blue Jays: Who is Their Team Leader? (Video)
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The Toronto Blue Jays 11-10 loss heading into the All-Star break was no doubt entertaining. And yes, it continued to outline what is wrong with the team.
I mean come on, they scored 10 runs on the road and lost! That simply cannot happen to the Blue Jays, if they are hoping to make the postseason.
I’m going to try to simply ignore some of the issues that the Jays currently have and focus on the issue I find absolutely unacceptable. After the Blue Jays made on hell of a comeback against the Kansas City Royals, the bullpen gave up a few runs and the team were down 10-9 going into the 8th inning.
In the top of the 8th, the Blue Jays scored a run and the game was tied at 10-10. With two outs and a runner on first base, Jose Bautista stepped up to the plate, but was soon ejected after he fouled off a 1-2 fastball in the middle of his at-bat, forcing Justin Smoak to take his place.
This is supposed to be a team leader and the face of the franchise? This was a pretty big game for the Jays.
It was the last game before the All-Star break, with the Jays sporting a .500 record and after a pretty incredible comeback, their team leader gets tossed in a critical situation. They had a chance to win a series against what is arguably the best team in the American League, and then this happens.
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This is a pattern we have seen repeated over the course of the last few years and it can’t be ignored anymore. This is not what a leader would do in this situation.
I understand that Bautista is competitive and wants to go after each at-bat and make something happen, but say your piece to the umpire and be done with it. I understand this because I used to play baseball professionally and know that if I did what Jose did, I would be ashamed of myself when having to respond to my teammates and coaches.
It wasn’t even a strikeout pitch that was called against Bautista, that made him continue to argue. It was the second strike of his at-bat on a pitch about a ball inside.
Yes, it was a bad call, but he was still in control of his at-bat. The umpire gave Bautista time to say his piece and warned him a couple times before ejecting him.
Jul 12, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; As Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Jose Bautista (19) argues his ejection with home plate umpire Jerry Meals (41), manager John Gibbons (5) comes to the plate in the ninth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. The Royals won 11-10. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
The Jays have a good mix of personalities on the team, but it appears that Bautista is always trying to assert himself as the dominant leader of the pack. Winning teams don’t really have that.
Look at David Ortiz in Boston and he just goes about his business, complimenting everyone in the organization – the other players just fall in love with him. Yes, he has been tossed, has thrown stuff and gone overboard, but he at least picks his moments much better and – oh yeah – he has three World Series rings next to his name.
Bautista carries himself with a sense of entitlement. Alex Anthopoulos may as well see what interest teams may have in him.
I’m not saying trade him, but at least hear other teams out. If a consistent postseason contender like the Oakland Athletics can trade Yoenis Cespedes at the deadline, then the Jays can look into all options.
Bautista needs to remember that he hasn’t won anything. He’s had good seasons on talented teams, but he hasn’t led the Blue Jays anywhere.
That fire he has needs to be contained. Competitiveness carries a close balance between good and evil.
If Bautista wants to keep the respect of his teammates then it is time for his to act like a rookie for a little while. Keep your mouth shut and just play.
Also, here is a link to a quick article from CBS Sports, where they reference getting their information about Bautista’s ejection from the “Ottowa Sun”. I guess that means Canadians can start calling the United States Capital City “Washingtan”. (Yes, it’s easy to be frustrated right now.)