Bautista to be honored on Blue Jays Level of Excellence

DUNEDIN, Fla. -- Former outfielder José Bautista will be added to the Blue Jays Level of Excellence, the team announced on Sunday. He will be honored in a pregame ceremony on Saturday, Aug. 12, before the Blue Jays play the Cubs at Rogers Centre.

“I am deeply humbled and excited to join the Blue Jays Level of Excellence and be recognized among the distinguished names that circle Rogers Centre,” Bautista said via the club's press release. “Canada holds a special place in my heart and will always be home for my family and me, and we can’t wait to celebrate this honor with my beloved Blue Jays fans -- the best fans in baseball! See you all this summer.”

Bautista, now 42, was traded to the Blue Jays from the Pirates on Aug. 21, 2008. He spent 10 seasons in Toronto, where he was a six-time All-Star, three-time Silver Slugger Award winner and finished top five in the AL MVP race twice ('10, '11). The Dominican native had an MLB-leading and franchise-record 54 home runs in '10, and he led the Majors in home runs (43), RBIs (132), slugging (.608) and OPS (1.056) in '11.

During his tenure with the Blue Jays, Bautista hit .253 with 288 home runs and 766 RBIs.

“José Bautista captured hearts and ignited a fan base as part of the team that brought Toronto back to the postseason for the first time in 22 years. His on-field achievements propelled the team to greatness, and he undoubtedly belongs on the Blue Jays Level of Excellence,” said Blue Jays President & CEO Mark Shapiro in a statement. “On behalf of the organization, we are proud to honor José and his remarkable career with Blue Jays fans in August.”

Bautista will be the 11th member of the Level of Excellence, joining players George Bell, Joe Carter, Carlos Delgado, Tony Fernandez, Roy Halladay and Dave Stieb, as well as manager Cito Gaston, executives Paul Beeston and Pat Gillick, and broadcaster Tom Cheek.