Blue Jays: Kevin Pillar trade is reminder of human element of baseball

The Toronto Blue Jays shipped Kevin Pillar to the San Francisco Giants yesterday afternoon and once the dust settled, somewhere in the aftermath was a stark reminder of the human element of baseball.

Athletes take on a superhuman persona on the field and as fans, we often place them on a pedestal failing to recognize that players have wives, families and carry the same burdens and stresses of life that we all do.

Kevin Pillar was formerly the longest-tenured Blue Jays player breaking in with the club in 2013, the outfielder was affectionately known as “Superman” and was a human highlight reel in centrefield for the better part of over five seasons.

More from Toronto Blue Jays News

• Blue Jays: Snapping cold streaks at the right time
• Who Should the Blue Jays Extend First: Guerrero, Bichette or Manoah?
• Blue Jays now hold the top Wild Card spot, and yes that’s a good thing
• Blue Jays may have the tools to use a Bullpen Day
• Blue Jays win important first game after Bichette’s late inning heroics

The tradewinds were circling around Pillar for some time and it was no surprise when he was the next in a long list of Blue Jays players to take their talents elsewhere. However, when I watched Pillar fight back the emotion in his final interview, it donned on me the human element and toll that trades take on players and their families.

That point was again reinforced when Justin Smoak spoke to the media and was just as emotional as Pillar when speaking about his pal leaving for the Bay area. Smoak’s wife then took to social media and summed up the trade as a dagger to her heart in a heartfelt message to the Pillar’s.

We forget that players and their families also become a fabric of the community often volunteering countless hours to causes of their choice, which is in fact exactly what the Pillar family did. They build relationships on and off the field in an attempt to bring some normalcy to their fast-paced lifestyle.

However, then the business side of baseball comes into play and as it was yesterday, with one phone call that all comes tumbling down in a moments notice.

Pillar did everything that was asked of him during his tenure in Toronto and will be remembered as one of the best outfielders to ever patrol centrefield. We wish nothing but the best for you and your family moving forward in San Francisco, well except when you play the Jays. Good luck, Kevin.