Blue Jays: The Jose Bautista era has officially ended

Former Toronto Blue Jays slugger Jose Bautista made his debut with the Atlanta Braves and it may take some time getting used to, we all knew it was over but to actually see it was the final nail in the coffin that the Bautista era in Toronto is officially over.

In true Jose Bautista fashion the aging superstar doubled in his first at-bat before finishing the day 1-4 with two strikeouts as the first place Braves fell to the San Francisco Giants. Bautista manned the hot corner while batting fifth behind cleanup hitter Nick Markakis in the Braves lineup.

Prior to the contest, Bautista penned a heartfelt article in the Players Tribune thanking the Blue Jays and all his supporters north of the border. The article titled Thank You, Toronto was the final chapter in a decade-long novel that needed to be closed before the 37-year old began his new chapter in Atlanta.

Bautista had nothing but praise and thanks for the place he called home for the past ten seasons.

"With me and Toronto, it’s always felt like there is this … almost deeper understanding there. We just get each other — it’s like we exist on this shared wavelength together."

"It felt like we put Toronto Baseball back where it belongs. It felt like we sent out this big reminder to the world, after all these years, to not sleep on the Blue Jays — to not sleep on this city.Because this city, man — this city can ball its heart out.And I’ll never forget it."

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Nobody knows how Bautista’s tenure in Atlanta will play out but one thing we have all learned is to never bet against Joey Bats. The man simply epitomizes clutch and is one of the top big game performers this sport has ever known. Just ask Sam Dyson or Darren O’Day.

If nothing else mark your calendars for the 19th and 20th of June when Bautista and the Braves roll into Toronto for a mini two-game series at his old stomping grounds. I have to admit it will be strange to see Bautista sitting on the first base side as opposed to his familiar third base dugout.

Next: Blue Jays: Can we finally move Biagini to the bullpen?

However as well all know, nothing lasts forever and this especially true in baseball.