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Toronto Blue Jays: Checking in on Fan Favourites

By Evan Gignac

TORONTO, CANADA - SEPTEMBER 22: Munenori Kawasaki #66 of the Toronto Blue Jays bats in the fifth inning during MLB game action against the New York Yankees on September 22, 2015 at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
TORONTO, CANADA - SEPTEMBER 22: Munenori Kawasaki #66 of the Toronto Blue Jays bats in the fifth inning during MLB game action against the New York Yankees on September 22, 2015 at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, CANADA – SEPTEMBER 24: Jason Grilli #37 of the Toronto Blue Jays celebrates after getting the last out of the eighth inning during MLB game action against the New York Yankees on September 24, 2016 at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /

Jason Grilli

Blue Jays Career (2016-2017): 72 games, 4.74 ERA, 3 saves, 81 strikeouts

When Jason Grilli came over to the Blue Jays in 2016, he already had a reputation. He was an eccentric personality, a flamethrower, and an accomplished reliever. What he gave the Blue Jays was electric moments, big strikeouts, and immortal celebrations that put him up there with the most passionate players in team history.

Grilli was acquired in a mid-season trade with the Atlanta Braves in 2016 for prospect Sean Ratcliffe. He would go on to throw 3.2 innings in the playoffs while striking out three and giving up a solo hit. The year after he struggled, pitching to a 6.97 ERA before being designated for assignment and subsequently traded to the Texas Rangers for prospect Eduard Pinto.

Following the 2017 season, Grilli was quoted as saying he wasn’t planning on retirement. Nevertheless, not since 2017 has he thrown a professional inning. At 45 years of age, I think it’s safe to say Grilli has hung up the cleats.

His most recent sighting was actually at Comerica Park, as Grilli took a friend of the family to watch a couple of his former clubs in action. He’s seen here getting some one-on-one time with young king Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and rocking a tasteful All-Star game pullover.

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