Johnny Mac for Prime Minister
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| Image courtesy of Daylife via AP |
On May 2nd, Canadians will head to the polls and in turn will elect a Prime Minister. While we won’t see Johnny Mac’s name on the ballot, I would gladly cast my vote for John McDonald.
Earlier in the game, my friend and I were marveling how a player like John McDonald with a career .240 batting average has survived 13 years in the major leagues. On his stellar defense alone, Johnny Mac managed to make a career out of being a human highlight reel.
Eventually though, after playing 13 years in the bigs, once in a while you’re going to come up with a big hit. And that walk-off home run was arguably the biggest hit of his career next to his home run last year on father’s day.
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I think fans sometimes tend to romanticize certain players as the “Greatest Blue Jay of All Time”, but there’s no question that John McDonald is definitely up there as one of the best. Not necessarily because of his bat, it’s because he’s the consummate professional and team player.
There must have impressionable young minds who watched the game last night and said “I want to be like that”. Hopefully, the parents of those children teach their kids to grow up to play baseball like John McDonald.
That’s the kind of footprint Johnny Mac has left on this team and the impression will continue to leave as long as he’s in a Blue Jays uniform. That moment could not have happened to a better guy and congratulations to John McDonald.
Jose Bautista rides the Bau-cycle
In addition to John McDonald’s thrilling walk-off home run, I was on pins and needles watching Jose Bautista’s at bats in the late stages of the game. After he got the three hardest parts of the cycle out of the way, it seemed like he was destined to hit for the cycle.
However, rather than going for the milestone, Bautista maintained his same approach for every at bat and looked for good pitches to hit. He didn’t alter his game plan whatsoever and drew two walks in his final two at bats.
Just like John McDonald, Jose Bautista displayed why he is a consummate professional. He wasn’t selfish and did what he needed to do to put the team in the best position to win.
Even if he hit a double or a triple, I’m not even convinced Jose would hold up at first base for the single. That’s just the kind of player Jose Bautista is.
So in honour of Jose Bautista’s two walks, double, triple and home run, I say we begin a movement to create the “Bau-cycle”: which includes a walk, double, triple and home run.
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As LJ pointed out, if a walk is as good as a hit, then in my mind, Jose Bautista hit for the cycle. In fact, he did something even more impressive – Jose Bautista rode the Bau-cycle.
I just wanted to say, Ian, that I LOVE reading this blog. This was perfect and it summed up my feelings about Johnny Mac (my favorite Jay) and Jose Bautista (my other lovvie) perfectly. Brilliant. ~Aly
Holding up at first on a ball in the gap to complete your cycle is an iffy thing to do in the first place, and only acceptable if the game is not in doubt. No way would Jose have done that in a close game – he's not that kind of player (as evidenced by his willingness to take the walks).
Alison, thanks very much for the kind words! After last night's game, how can you NOT love Johnny Mac and Jose Bautista?
Sporkless, the game was still tied at that point and it would be very detrimental if Jose held up at first base. Even so, had it been a blowout score, I just have a feeling Bautista wouldn't have done it anyway.
Johnny Mac could probably do a very good job as PM compared to the men currently in the running. How sad.
did you hear his interview on the fan before the game today? i was tearing up listening to him stumble for words about how much the fan support means to him, and how much more confident he is at the plate now. he also confessed to having a 'tiny bit' of jealousy having watched other guys hit walk-off homers all these years, and he was so happy to finally experience that moment for himself. what a guy!
That was a great game to be at. Today's was pretty good too…Morrow awesome, Bautista awesome, 9th inning almost-rally awesome…David Price evil monster from hades that must be destroyed.
Amber, I don't doubt that – plus he could legislate we all get Friday's off to watch baseball!
Julie, I didn't hear the interview but what a classy guy Johnny Mac is. That hit could not have happened to a better guy.
BlueJaynator, that must've been a crazy game at the dome. One of the highlights of the year so far in Blue Jay Land.