“Jo-se, Jo-se, Jo-se” reverberated throughout Rogers Centre, marking the momentous Jose Bautista’s name was enshrined on the Toronto Blue Jays’ Level of Excellence after a six-year hiatus.
Jose Bautista, visibly moved, received a heartfelt tribute during a 45-minute ceremony prior to the Toronto Blue Jays’ game against the Chicago Cubs. The climax of the event was his ceremonial first pitch to Vladimir Guerrero Jr., symbolizing the passing of the torch between two pivotal figures in the Blue Jays’ offensive lineup.
Overwhelmed with emotion, Bautista addressed the packed crowd at Toronto’s downtown ballpark, his voice wavering as he expressed, “You cannot fathom the depth of meaning this holds for me and my family.”
Bautista then introduced a five-minute video, in which he recounted his arrival in Toronto via trade in 2008. He then extended gratitude to various individuals within the organization and the passionate fan base.
Bautista’s name was officially added to the Level of Excellence overlooking right field, where he played for most of his 10 seasons with the Jays. His name adorns the facing along the 400 level of the ballpark beside Hall of Fame pitcher Roy Halladay’s name.
Throughout his tenure in Toronto, Bautista achieved the distinction of a six-time All-Star and three-time Silver Slugger award recipient. His legacy is further punctuated by his 288 home runs with the Blue Jays, including a league-leading 54 homers in 2010 and 43 in 2011.
Yet, perhaps his most indelible mark in Blue Jays’ lore is his iconic bat flip, following a game-changing three-run home run during the decisive Game 5 of the 2015 AL Division Series against Texas.
As part of the commemoration, the JaysCare Foundation, the team’s charitable arm, donated $100,000 to the Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital in Bautista’s name. Additionally, Bautista received two Silver Slugger Muskoka chairs and a bespoke Blue Jays Level of Excellence diamond pendant. Also included was a mural capturing Bautista’s iconic bat flip, gracing the side of 99 Spadina Avenue, an adjacent office building.
Amid the introduction of Bautista’s close friends and family, former Blue Jays manager John Gibbons garnered resounding applause. Cito Gaston, the architect behind Toronto’s consecutive World Series titles in 1992 and 1993, was also greeted with an ovation rivaling Gibbons’s.
As the audience erupted in cheers, a parade of former Blue Jays, including Justin Smoak, Ricky Romero, Devon Travis, and Russell Martin, were announced by Sportsnet’s Hazel Mae.
Another standout moment was the thunderous applause for slugger Edwin Encarnacion, who was seen flexing both of his arms before marching to the stage.
Tens of thousands of fans queued around Rogers Centre ahead of the game, with some even camping overnight to secure one of the coveted 20,000 bobbleheads commemorating Bautista’s historic bat flip.
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