Bautista reveals which current Toronto Blue Jays player reminds him most of himself
Exciting times lie ahead for the Toronto Blue Jays in the near future, something Jose Bautista knows all about.
The six-time All-Star is one of the more iconic players in Blue Jays history, having hit 35 or more home runs four times in his nine full seasons with the organization, including a career-best 54 in 2010.
Bautista was also a major contributor to the Blue Jays’ rosters in 2015 and 2016, teams which, while failing to accomplish their ultimate goal, were very much World Series contenders.
The 44-year-old recently sat down for an interview in Toronto with Offside while promoting his new coffee brand, Bella Aldea, and expressed optimism that this current Blue Jays team, which sits atop the AL East with an 84-62 record, is capable of going on a lengthy playoff run.
“As they probably know as well, when you are in the playoffs and you already make it through, it’s all about the unity, minimizing mistakes, staying healthy, and having a little bit of luck, too,” Bautista said. “I think they have all that it takes. It’s just a matter of keep doing what they’ve been doing all year long, and just enjoy it while you’re at it.”
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Along with his ability to hit home runs as well as his cannon of an arm in the right field, Bautista was also known for his fiery side. That was on display many times during his Blue Jays tenure, most notably when it came to his bat flip after his legendary go-ahead three-run home run in Game 5 of the ALDS against the Texas Rangers.
When asked which current member of the Blue Jays remains Bautista the most of himself, he gave an answer many weren’t expecting.
“There’s a bunch of guys, but maybe Bo Bichette a little bit,” Bautista said. “He’s a little bit intense like me. Maybe a little bit more relaxed than I was, but he definitely has that serious approach to playing the game he loves. He has a heightened sense of responsibility. I feel like I was the same.”
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The Jays are currently without Bichette, who was recently placed on the IL with a knee sprain. A return date has yet to be announced, but assuming he’s healthy and ready to go for the playoffs, perhaps we could be treated to some magic from the 27-year-old like we saw from Bautista during that epic 2015 run.
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