Latest news with #JoséBautista
New York Times
09-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Blue Jays hope to buck franchise history after win streak ends at 10 games
CHICAGO — For years, the Blue Jays watched other teams rattle off lengthy win streaks. The Tampa Bay Rays started the 2013 season with 13 victories. The Cleveland Guardians won 22 in a row in 2017, a modern MLB record. Earlier this year, the Minnesota Twins dropped a 13-game streak. The Jays were merely viewers and victims of those American League runs. It 'sucked' watching the Rays rattle off 13 wins to start 2023, manager John Schneider said. Advertisement 'There's times when you're like, 'Wow is this team ever going to lose?'' Schneider said. In 2025, the Jays are the franchise that captured magic and stacked win after win. Toronto became the team it had previously watched from afar — the streaking squad building breathing room. A 2-1 loss to the White Sox on Wednesday ended the Jays' streak one win short of tying a franchise-record 11 consecutive wins. The lossless run vaulted Toronto to the top of the American League East, but as Blue Jays history shows, a streak alone can't build a successful season. 'It's where you want to be,' Schneider said. 'You want people to know that you're playing good baseball, and that you know how to win.' The last time the Blue Jays sat atop the AL East this late in a season was 2015 — the José Bautista, Josh Donaldson, Edwin Encarnación Jays. That was also the last year they posted a double-digit win streak. The Jays have reached an 11-game win streak five times, but only the two in 2015 turned into October baseball. Prior to this season, the franchise's 10 longest streaks produced just three playoff appearances. Toronto's current roster is well aware of what a win streak can do when built upon. Eric Lauer, who pitched four innings and allowed two runs in Wednesday's loss, was a member of the Milwaukee Brewers in 2021 when the St. Louis Cardinals won 17 games in a row to vault back into the postseason. A streak like that gets everyone's attention. Even the pop-ups are fun 😅 Just a team of guys being dudes — Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) July 9, 2025 'It definitely made you aware of them,' Lauer said. 'It puts a little bit of a target on their back, and everybody's gonna give that specific team their best effort and their best go. So I think that's kind of where we're at right now.' José Berríos' Twins were eliminated from division contention three weeks before the 2017 season ended because of the Guardians' 22-win hot streak that year. Berríos remembers that feeling — on the wrong end of another team's greatness — and wants to taste the other side, he said. Advertisement There's a difference between the streak success stories and the teams with a 10-game footnote. Even outside of two streaks, the 2015 Jays still played four games over .500. The 2017 Guardians were 80-60 when you take out the 22-game heater. With added wild-card teams, one strong stretch can put a team in postseason contention. But, still, the rest of the games matter. That's what gives the 2025 Blue Jays confidence, Max Scherzer said. Toronto's strong play dates back long before the streak. In the month before the 10 straight wins, the Jays posted a 17-10 record. Since May 28, they have a +48 run differential, if you care about that. In the month before the 10-game streak began, Toronto posted the fourth-most runs in baseball. 'This streak didn't happen because all of the sudden we got hot,' Scherzer said. 'We started playing really good baseball a month ago.' Wednesday's loss ended Toronto's undefeated stretch. Now the Blue Jays will find out if the streak stands alone or, bucking franchise history, becomes the foundation of something bigger. 'Baseball is a lot more fun than when you're on streaks,' Scherzer said. 'I get it. But for me, being part of those streaks and being in the league, it's not as much about the streak. What's impressed me about this team is the team.' (Photo of Nathan Lukes: Geoff Stellfox / Getty Images)
CTV News
03-07-2025
- Sport
- CTV News
Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero Jr. named American League all-star starter
Toronto Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (27) hits a two-run single against the New York Yankees during sixth inning MLB baseball action, in Toronto on Monday, June 30, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Thomas Skrlj Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is once again an all-star. It's the fifth straight year the Toronto Blue Jays slugger has made the American League all-star team, and the fourth time he'll be the starting first baseman. He beat out New York Yankees star Paul Goldschmidt for the top spot, garnering 75 per cent of the vote to take the starting spot at first base. It's the second consecutive fan election for Guerrero, and his fourth fan election in five seasons to join Hall of Famer Roberto Alomar and José Bautista as the only Blue Jays with four fan elections. The 26-year-old Guerrero has hit 12 home runs and 44 runs batted in to go along with a .278 batting average in 84 games this season. He leads the Jays in runs with 53. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 2, 2025.
Globe and Mail
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Globe and Mail
Blue Jays' slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. named American League all-star starter
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is once again an all-star. It's the fifth straight year the Toronto Blue Jays slugger has made the American League all-star team, and the fourth time he'll be the starting first baseman. He beat out New York Yankees star Paul Goldschmidt for the top spot, garnering 75 per cent of the vote to take the starting spot at first base. It's the second consecutive fan election for Guerrero, and his fourth fan election in five seasons to join Hall of Famer Roberto Alomar and José Bautista as the only Blue Jays with four fan elections. The 26-year-old Guerrero has hit 12 home runs and 44 runs batted in to go along with a .278 batting average in 84 games this season.
Globe and Mail
08-06-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Bat-flip king José Bautista's second act is all business
Ask any Blue Jays fan where they were the night of José Bautista's legendary 2015 bat flip, and chances are they'll remember exactly what they were doing. Mr. Bautista's memory of that moment, however, is surprisingly hazy. 'I remember hitting the ball,' he says, 'and then I was just … in the dugout, getting a drink. I kind of blacked out.' The sound, he adds, was overwhelming. 'It felt like the stadium was shaking.' Over a decade with the Jays, Mr. Bautista became one of the most iconic figures in Canadian sports – not just for his home runs or six All-Star appearances, but for the intensity and swagger he brought to the field. These days, he's busy building a quieter second act. Since retiring, Mr. Bautista has acquired a professional soccer team, backed a coffee farm in his native Dominican Republic, opened a fitness facility and taken stakes in multiple brands. He's invested in Canadian companies like Flow Water and is now the national face of Mary Brown's Chicken. He's also remained connected to his Canadian fanbase, supporting grassroots sports and raising funds for the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame, into which he was inducted on Saturday. He sat down beforehand to talk about what life is like post-MLB, his evolution as an entrepreneur, and how he sees his legacy. What parts of your baseball career show up in your business life? The biggest thing is situational awareness – reading the environment and adjusting on the fly. You've got to understand the economic cycles, what engagement with your fans (or customers) looks like, and what you're really offering. That same thinking applies in business. Things are always shifting, so you have to stay resilient and adapt. You won't turn a business around overnight. But if you keep showing up, stay thoughtful, surround yourself with good people and put in the work consistently, small gains add up. Were you always interested in business? Yeah, I'd been investing for almost two decades at that point. When you're making money in pro sports, you get introduced to the wealth management world pretty quickly. I used it as a learning opportunity. I carved out a little side pot – money I could put into direct investments where I could meet the founders, ask questions and really understand the business. One of the first was Marucci Sports, a baseball equipment company. I joined their board in 2010. We sold the company right before COVID. Why go hands-on? I wanted a chance to roll the dice on things that felt interesting or personal. And even then, I wasn't replacing the advisers – I just became more active in a portion of what they were managing. I was the annoying client who came in with a lot of questions. Like, 'What's in this fund? Who runs it? How do they pick companies? What are the fees? What's the holding period?' I wanted to learn. Legendary Blue Jay Jose Bautista chats chicken, Netflix, and dishes on his Dominican hero Can you walk me through your biggest investments since then? Marucci was by far the biggest. Endy, a Canadian mattress company, was probably number two. I also got involved in a few pre-IPO and early-round opportunities. Some of them didn't work out – one was kind of like a WeWork concept that flopped, but we rolled that into something else that's doing okay now. Overall, I've probably done five or six, with about a 50-per-cent success rate, which feels lucky. What makes you say 'yes' to a brand or company now? For me, it has to serve a purpose, because I'm not just chasing returns. Giving back is a big one. Not harming the environment is another. I like companies that are thinking about the future, especially using technology to do things better or more efficiently. But even more than that, I want to work with good people who stick to their values. Because when things get tough – and they always do – you don't want to be involved with someone who's going to start cutting corners. Tell me about Bella Aldea, the Dominican coffee company you're backing. I grew up drinking espresso with my grandma on weekends in the Dominican Republic, so it's definitely personal. Most people don't associate Dominican Republic with coffee, even though we're one of the top-producing countries. So when I met my partners – fifth-generation coffee growers in a small mountain village called Juncalito – I felt like I could help tell that story. How do you handle the challenges of doing business in the DR? Having great partners is essential, and controlling the supply helps. We're vertically integrated – we own the farm, do the processing and roasting, and handle export. That lets us control consistency and quality from the source. Let's talk about the Las Vegas Lights FC. What made you want to own a soccer team? I've always wanted to invest in professional sports. But when you look at leagues like MLB or MLS, the valuations are so high that, even if you do invest, you don't really get a seat at the table. With the United Soccer League, I saw an opportunity to actually be involved. This is a long-term play. But the league has come a long way in the last 10 to 15 years, and with promotion and relegation on the horizon, it's about to become a lot more dynamic. Baseball gives you instant feedback – hits, errors, the scoreboard. Was it strange adjusting to a world where results can take longer to show up? A little, yeah. In baseball, maybe I make an adjustment to my swing, and by my next at-bat, I'll see a change. In business, you might change a strategy and not know if it worked for six months. But it also forces you to be more thoughtful. You look for patterns. You rely on data. You talk to customers, partners, investors, whoever can give you insight. And it teaches you patience, which isn't always easy for someone wired like me. What's the biggest business mistake you've made? Early on, I was afraid to dig deep into financial statements. I'd get these investor updates and just kind of skim the parts I didn't fully understand – I didn't want to look like I didn't know what I was doing. Now? I ask everything. I don't care how dumb it sounds. If I don't get it, I want to figure it out. I'd rather look a little clueless and learn something than pretend and miss something important. Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Still investing, for sure. Still giving back. I've already helped 62 kids through college with my foundation. But I have a lot more energy and curiosity to offer. I want to keep building – whether it's businesses, relationships, or maybe something bigger in the sports world. If I can add a few more stories to that list, help a few more people, and still have time to be present for my daughters … I'll be happy with that. This interview has been edited and condensed.
Associated Press
03-06-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
José Bautista Steps Up to the Plate Again for Mary Brown's Chicken with a Spicy New Twist on the Batter's Box
TORONTO, June 3, 2025 /CNW/ - Baseball season is heating up and so is Mary Brown's Chicken. The proudly Canadian quick service restaurant is once again teaming up with Toronto Blue Jays icon, José Bautista, to bring fans the return of the beloved Batter's Box - now with an all-new, exclusive flavour: Sweet Habanero. After a smashing success in 2024, the partnership between Mary Brown's Chicken and the six-time MLB All-Star returns with even more flavour. José Bautista is back as the face of the campaign, bringing the heat and excitement around Mary Brown's Chicken signature offering. 'I had such a great time working with Mary Brown's Chicken last year, and I'm excited to be back,' said Bautista. 'Bringing fans together over amazing food and a shared love of the game is what this partnership is all about. And trust me, you're going to want to spice things up with my new sauce.' Inspired by the bold, vibrant flavours of his Dominican heritage, the Sweet Habanero sauce brings a perfect balance of heat and tanginess to the table. It's a flavour reflecting José's roots and fiery passion for the game. The Batter's Box includes 6 pieces of Mary Brown's Signature Chicken available in Original, Spicy, Honey BBQ or the new Sweet Habanero, medium taters, 2 freshly baked biscuits, and a medium gravy. All for $22.99 plus tax. 'We're excited to continue our partnership with José Bautista,' said Kala Patel, Vice President of Marketing at Mary Brown's Chicken. 'He brings so much heart and genuine passion to the brand. He's the perfect ambassador for our Batter's Box promotion, which is all about sharing and celebration. This year, the addition of the Sweet Habanero sauce takes the Batter's Box to another level.' Bautista's return to the Batter's Box with Mary Brown's Chicken comes just days before he is set to be inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame on June 7, 2025. His contributions to baseball in Canada have left an indelible mark, and this collaboration celebrates both his heritage and his lasting impact on the game, as well as his impact on Canadians. Make it a Grand Slam From June 3rd to September 8th, guests can take their meal to the next level with the $9.99 Grand Slam add-on, an unbeatable offer designed to offer more value and more to share while watching the game. This craveable combo includes snack-size Pop-Ins, 2 cookies, and 2 cans of pop. The Batter's Box is available at Mary Brown's Chicken locations across Canada (excluding MB Express and Rogers Centre locations) and can be ordered through the Mary Brown's App, Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Skip, starting June 3rd, 2025. To learn more, please visit About Mary Brown's Chicken: Mary Brown's Chicken has over 280 locations across Canada and is growing. The brand is 100 per cent Canadian-owned, being first established in St. John's Newfoundland in 1969. Mary Brown's is renowned for its Big Mary®, named Canada's Best Chicken Sandwich, and made-fresh methodology including hand cutting and hand breading its Signature Chicken and Taters from farm-fresh Canadian ingredients. Mary Brown's Chicken has achieved 19 consecutive years of same-store sales growth, earned the Canadian Franchise Association's Franchisees' Choice Designation for 15 straight years, and holds a Platinum designation with Canada's Best Managed Companies. The company's first international locations opened in 2024, and outside of Canada, Mary Brown's Chicken operates in Mexico, the UK, and India. Connect with Mary Brown's Chicken on social YouTube: @marybrownsofficial Instagram: @marybrownsofficial Facebook: @marybrowns TikTok: @marybrownschicken SOURCE Mary Brown's Chicken
