Jose Bautista

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Lore & Background

The Pirates selected Bautista in the 20th round of the 2000 MLB draft. He played for four clubs, primarily at third base, before joining the Blue Jays in 2008. In 2010, he became the 26th member of the 50 home run club, while leading MLB in home runs for the first of two consecutive seasons. From 2010–2015, Bautista hit more home runs than any player in the major leagues. He was an MLB All-Star six consecutive times and won three Silver Slugger Awards and two Hank Aaron Awards. He was named the American League (AL) Player of the Month five times and AL Player of the Week four times. Bautista was voted in the top ten in the AL Most Valuable Player Award four times. In 2004, he made his MLB debut with the Orioles and became the first player to appear on five MLB rosters in one season, though he never actually played for the New York Mets. He ended the season with the Pirates, where he would remain for four-plus seasons. Bautista was traded to the Blue Jays in August 2008. After making adjustments to his swing, he broke through with ten home runs in September and October 2009. From 2010 to 2017, Bautista hit at least 20 home runs each year, and in four of those seasons, hit at least 35 home runs. In 2015, his bat flip in the American League Division Series (ALDS) caused a sensation that became a symbol of Toronto's first playoff appearance in 22 years. In 2011, Bautista set up a program that helps athletes from the Dominican Republic to attend universities in the United States. In 2024, he became the owner of Las Vegas Lights FC.

In Their Own Story

The defining moment of Bautista's career occurred during the 2015 American League Division Series (ALDS), marking Toronto's first playoff appearance in 22 years. In a high-stakes game against Texas, Bautista connected for a home run that sparked a legendary celebration: he flipped his bat high into the air as the ball cleared the fence. This gesture became an instant sensation and a symbol of the team's resurgence. Beyond the field, Bautista was a leader in the clubhouse and community, establishing a program in 2011 to help athletes from the Dominican Republic attend universities in the United States. His journey began humbly after turning down offers from the Yankees and Diamondbacks, eventually playing for Chipola College before being drafted by the Pirates in the 20th round of the 2000 draft.

Reader's Guide

Bautista attended a private high school, De La Salle High School, in Santo Domingo. He studied business at Mother and Teacher Pontifical Catholic University. He played for Chipola College, a junior college in Marianna, Florida, for two years until being drafted. The Pittsburgh Pirates drafted him in the 20th round (599th overall) of the 2000 Major League Baseball draft. He signed with the Pirates for a $500,000 signing bonus. After the 2003 season, the Baltimore Orioles selected Bautista in the Rule 5 draft. He made his MLB debut with Baltimore on April 4, 2004. After playing 16 games with the Orioles, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays claimed him off waivers on June 3. Twenty-five days later, the Kansas City Royals purchased him from Tampa Bay. He played 13 games for the Royals before they traded him to the New York Mets on July 30, who then traded him minutes later to the Pittsburgh Pirates. This series of transactions made him the first player to appear on five different MLB rosters in one season, since matched by Oliver Drake in 2018. Bautista played in 11 games for the Pirates in 2005. In 2006, his first full season, he hit .235 with 16 home runs and 51 RBI. In 2007, he posted similar numbers in 142 games, finishing with a batting average of .254, 15 home runs and 63 RBI. On August 21, 2008, the Pirates traded Bautista to the Blue Jays for a player to be named later, who eventually was Robinzon Díaz. Bautista batted .214 with three home runs and 10 RBI in 21 games for Toronto after the trade. In September and October 2009, he hit 10 home runs with 21 RBI, a .257 batting average and a .606 slugging percentage. He re-signed with the Blue Jays on a one-year, $2.4 million contract for the 2010 season. In 2010, Bautista began the campaign as the starting right fielder and leadoff hitter. On May 17, he was named AL Player of the Week. He hit his 20th home run on June 22, setting a new career high for a single season in just two months. Bautista was selected as a reserve for the 2010 Major League All-Star Game.

Did You Know?

• Bautista is the first player to appear on five different MLB rosters in one season (2004), though he never actually played for the New York Mets.
• He hit 10 home runs in September and October 2009, not just September.
• Bautista became the owner of Las Vegas Lights FC in 2024.