Jose Bautista Honored On Blue Jays Level Of Excellence

Bautista's name and number will be put on the Blue Jays' Level Of Excellence at Rogers Centre on August 12.

© Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

José Bautista will be honored on the Blue Jays 'Level of Excellence,' the club announced Sunday.

Bautista played for Toronto from 2008 to 2017 and is widely regarded as one of the best Jays players of all time. The Dominican native ranks first in franchise history in position player bWAR (38.3), second in home runs (288), second in walks (803), and third in RBI (766). He also holds the record for most single-season home runs in Jays history with 54 in 2010.

“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 in a statement. 

The six-time All-Star is best remembered for his epic bat flip in Game 5 of the 2015 ALDS that led Toronto to a dramatic victory over the Rangers. 

The Blue Jays announce that Jose Bautista will be added to the Level of Excellence on August 12

Where does the Bat Flip rank on your all-time favourite sports moments?pic.twitter.com/BhuTGpCBBo

— Tim and Friends (@timandfriends) March 5, 2023

The Blue Jays will hold a pre-game enshrinement ceremony for Bautista on August 12 at Rogers Centre, where the first 15,000 fans will receive a Bautista Bat Flip bobblehead.

“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 honour with my beloved Blue Jays fans," Bautista said.