Joey Bats joins Level of Excellence, but Cubs spoil Blue Jays party

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The human side of Jose Bautista was on full display Saturday as a full house at Rogers Centre paid tribute to the Blue Jays icon as Joey Bats joined the team’s Level of Excellence.

He was feted by former teammates and coaches, honoured for his achievements and contributions both to the franchise and Toronto.

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While the festivities did run a bit long, lasting roughly 45 minutes, it was dripping with emotion, ceremony and nostalgia.

Bautista was visibly emotional as he should have been given the authenticity of the reception he received.

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The love-fest for Joey Bats began a few days ago when the Jays made Bautista available to every media outlet in anticipation of Saturday’s big day.

On Friday, a symbolic one-day contract was signed, forever linking Bautista to the Blue Jays.

It all culminated Saturday.

Bautista did the honours of throwing out the ceremonial first pitch to Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

There were tears and cheers, memories relived and words that resonated.

“You guys have no idea how much this means to me and my family,” said Bautista when he addressed his captive audience.

He had to clear his throat to fight back tears as he spoke.

“You embraced me and my family as your own and I cannot thank you enough for that,” he said.

“You treated me like an all-star long before becoming one and all that mattered was that I was one of your Blue Jays. That will not be forgotten and I will always be proud to represent you.”

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The familiar strains of Joseeee, Jose, Jose, Jose pulsated throughout the ballpark, which had the roof closed during the festivities.

Along with video tributes, the Blue Jays made a $100,000 donation to Holland Bloorview Kids Hospital in honour of Bautista’s charitable efforts.

Jays Care also announced the creation of the Joey Bats All-Star Award for athletes, coaches and youth across their programs, which will be awarded to six athletes each season.

There were Muskoka chairs, a diamond No. 19 chain and a jersey to commemorate the one-day contract Bautista signed to retire as a member of the organization.

The day also featured 20,000 bobbleheads distributed to fans entering the stadium depicting Bautista’s famous bat flip in the 2015 American League Division Series against Texas.

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Former managers Cito Gaston and John Gibbons were welcomed back amid wild applause.

The only boos were reserved for Ed Rogers, chairman of Rogers Communication.

Bautista thanked everyone and anyone who played a role during his time in Toronto, from clubhouse attendants to chefs.

Toronto was Bautista’s fifth team in four years.

When he was traded to the Jays in August 2008, Bautista arrived in Toronto at a career crossroad.

“I was reaching that point in my career where it was continue to be that utility guy for the rest of my career or try something different and hopefully it’d work,” Bautista said.

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Bautista played his final game in Toronto six years ago.

There’s nothing more he can do other than look up to the second level in right field where his name will forever remain in Blue Jays lore, joining Roy Halladay, Paul Beeston, Pat Gillick, Gaston, Dave Stieb, George Bell, Joe Carter, Tony Fernandez, Tom Cheek and Carlos Delgado.

“I owe a great deal to this franchise, they gave me a chance and I was able to accomplish a lot here,” added Bautista. “I definitely was already in my head retired as a Blue Jay, but to make it official is kind of cool.”

GAME ON

Bautista acknowledged the current Blue Jays and Chicago Cubs, who watched his ceremony with reverence.

“Play ball,’’ he explained.

And play they did as the Cubs took a 4-1 lead through four innings after Toronto opened the scoring in the third inning.

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Unlike Friday’s snore-fest, Saturday’s game was much more compelling and competitive.

Perhaps the Bautista celebration had a lot to do with it.

Once again, Cody Bellinger was a beast with the bat, while Dansby Swanson hit a three-run home run.

The game would be decided in the ninth when the Cubs got to Jordan Hicks, beginning with a ground-rule double by Bellinger, who came around to score on a Christopher Morel double.

It stood up as the winning sequence as the Cubs aim for a sweep Sunday following their 5-4 win.

The game ended when Whit Merrifield, who earlier hit his 11th home run of the season, lined out to centre.

Hicks took the loss for the Jays, who started Chris Bassitt.

Bassitt gave up only four hits in six complete innings, but one hit featured Swanson’s long ball.

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K-MAN SCHNEIDER

Davis Schneider made his first appearance in Toronto.

When he came to the plate in the second, fans applauded Schneider, who batted fifth in the order.

He struck out and then struck out again in his second plate appearance.

Saturday marked Schneider’s seventh game in the big leagues.

He was a hit, literally and figuratively in Boston, when the callup went deep in his first at-bat.

During Toronto’s three-game series at Fenway, Schneider hit two homers in helping the Jays record a sweep of the Red Sox.

After going hitless in Cleveland, Schneider stroked a double against the Cubs in the fifth inning and came around to score.

He drew a one-out walk in the eighth inning.

DANNER ON THE DL

Tough break for callup Hagen Danner, who joined the Blue Jays on Friday from Triple-A when Alek Manoah was sent down to the Bisons.

The right-hander entered the game to begin the ninth inning.

Danner forced a line out to the first batter he faced.

On the second batter, Danner was hurt following a pitch.

Turns out he suffered a left oblique strain.

The Jays placed Danner on the 15-day injured list Saturday.

Nate Pearson was recalled.

fzicarelli@postmedia.com

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