Frasor reminisces with Blue Jays at Fenway

BOSTON -- The door to the visitors’ clubhouse at Fenway Park swung open Saturday afternoon, and players and coaches converged around an unexpected visitor with smiles and loud greetings.

Former Blue Jays pitcher Jason Frasor, who holds the team record for most appearances with 505, was in Boston with his eight-year-old son, Jack, to check off their final stop of American League East ballpark visits.

“He’s all in on baseball, so this makes me happy,” Frasor said, while watching batting practice in the Toronto dugout before the game.

Frasor began his career with the Blue Jays in 2004. He played seven-plus seasons in Toronto before being traded to the White Sox in ‘11. Frasor was traded back to the Blue Jays the following year and finished his 12-year Major League career in ‘15 after spending time with the Rangers, Royals and Braves.

The 41-year-old Frasor now resides in Tampa, Fla., where his focus is his family. He still is involved in baseball, just on a different level -- coaching Little League. Frasor couldn’t help but feel nostalgic being around his former team, who he had not seen since last season.

“It makes me miss it,” Frasor said of visiting the Blue Jays. “It makes me miss it because I enjoy coaching and watching the game on TV, but it’s not like, ‘Oh man, I wish I was in that hotel in Minneapolis or something.’ But then you come here, you sit at Fenway Park, you watch [batting practice] and it’s like, ‘Oh man, I want to put the uniform on.’”

Frasor cites his Major League debut on April 16, 2004, as his favorite moment with the Blue Jays. That day, he pitched 1 2/3 innings in what would be the start of owning the team’s all-time appearance record. He holds a sizable advantage on the list -- Duane Ward, who played in Toronto from 1986-95, is second with 452 appearances.

Years later, Frasor keeps in touch with pitchers Jesse Carlson (Blue Jays, 2008-10) and Scott Downs (Blue Jays, ‘05-’10), among others. His home has plenty of memorabilia to commemorate his lengthy career, but he counts the moments he can’t frame or put into a case that matter the most.

“I have all my jerseys. I have balls signed by guys that I admire. But it’s all up here,” Frasor said, pointing to his head. “I used to be into the stuff, but now it’s what I experienced.”