Toronto Blue Jays: Checking in on Fan Favourites

Over the years, the Toronto Blue Jays have employed many baseball players. Some forgettable, some memorable. Now that the Jays have returned to relevancy in the baseball world, older players from their past of faded into obscurity. Players not named Bautista or Donaldson have either retired or found their way onto another roster without many fans even knowing.

The concept of a ‘fan favourite’ is a relatively loose term. Many qualities can define someone in this category. Whether it has to do with skill, likability, or community impact, players can be adored by fans without actually producing an abundance on the field.

An example of a current fan favourite would be Santiago Espinal. While he definitely is a solid player, by no means is he putting up the same value as other players like Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. However, the way he plays the game and brings a positive attitude to the field every day has given him a good reputation amongst Jays fans.

Oftentimes, these players don’t tend to last very long. Their tenures can be cut short for a variety of reasons, and that’s no different than the players we’ll be looking at today. It’s nice to check in and get some closure on our friends from the past, regardless of whether or not they’re still playing.

Munenori Kawasaki

Blue Jays Career (2013-2015): .242/.326/.627

For a journeyman, glove first infielder, Kawasaki found a way to become a face of the Blue Jays. After signing a minor league deal prior to the 2013 season, he was called up to the big league club in early April after Jose Reyes suffered an ankle injury. From then until 2015, up and down from Buffalo, Kawasaki provided Blue Jays fans with memorable and noteworthy performances and appearances. This included memorable interviews, clutch hits, and nifty glove work throughout the infield.

Kawasaki left the team after the 2015 season and went on to sign a minor league deal with the Chicago Cubs. That contract would see him play 102 games with the Iowa Cubs in AAA and 14 games with the big league team. He made use of this short sample size as a 35-year-old, hitting .333 while spending time at second and third base. He would be awarded a World Series ring after the 2016 season, as the Cubs would go on to beat the Cleveland Indians in 7 games. Kawasaki would join the team on the bench, without being a part of the playoff roster.

2016 would be the last year Kawasaki played professional baseball in North America. In 2017, he returned to Japan to play for the Softbank Hawks of the Nippon Professional Baseball league. He played 56 games over the 2017 season.

In March of 2018, he retired from baseball after being released from his contract with the Hawks. This came as a result of a series of injuries that prevented him from being the player he’d like to be.

As recently as 2020, Kawasaki made an appearance with an Indy Ball team in Japan, homering on the first pitch he saw. Blue Jays fans everywhere will have fond memories of Muni, and he remains one of the top personalities in team history.

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.

Marco Estrada

Blue Jays Career (2015-2018): 124 games, 39 wins, 4.25 ERA, 2016 All-Star, 2X H/9 leader

Marco Estrada was an unheralded hero during his time in Toronto. Going into 2015, he was more of an afterthought looking at the arms the Blue Jays had to offer. Estrada was acquired in a trade with the Brewers the offseason prior in exchange for Adam Lind. He started the season in the bullpen and eventually made it into the rotation early on. What followed was dominance, an elite changeup, and clutch playoff performances.

Estrada took a step back in 2017, pitching to a 4.98 ERA and just not having much consistency to speak of. The year that followed was more frustrating, as Estrada pitched poorly between back issues and continued to struggle on the mound. Estrada became a free agent that following offseason and go on to sign a one-year contract with the Oakland Athletics. More injury issues followed him, and he was released in August after posting a 6.85 ERA in just 5 total starts.

Marco Estrada retired following his injury plagued 2019 season. He will be remembered as a class act in the Blue Jays organization, a face of the 2015-2016 playoff teams, and one of the best finesse arms in recent memory for the team.