Blue Jays option clubhouse favorite Munenori Kawasaki to minors

ST. PETERSBURG – When Munenori Kawasaki first walked into the clubhouse two months ago, the Toronto Blue Jays didn’t know what they were getting into.

By the time the ebullient shortstop walked in on Tuesday night – with manager John Gibbons at his side – what the Blue Jays had gotten into is the American League East race.

And now the 32-year-old part-timer – a combination of cheerleader, mascot, clubhouse favorite, fan darling and even clutch hitter – was leaving.

“This is the part of the game that sucks,” pitcher Mark Buehrle said after Gibbons made the unprecedented move of announcing Kawasaki’s demotion to Class AAA Buffalo in front of the whole team.

“Between the fans and the guys in here, I think everybody’s fallen in love with this guy,” a visibly emotional Buehrle said. “He’s done everything everybody’s asked him to do and probably plus more. I love the guy.”

Gibbons understood the potential impact of the roster move, even if it was to make room for Jose Reyes’ return from the disabled list.

“Thank god the guy who’s replacing him is a superstar,” Gibbons said. “If it was anybody else, he probably wouldn’t be too popular coming in here.”

https://distilleryimage9.s3.amazonaws.com/138dd8bcdc4f11e2a9d722000aeb0b90_101.mp4

Kawasaki hit just .225 with one homer – albeit a clutch, three-run game-tying shot against Baltimore amid Toronto’s recent 11-game winning streak. But his celebrations after his own walk-off hits and teammates’ big plays, his dances in the dugout and effervescent post-game interviews had Blue Jays fans chanting his name.

“It’s not as if I’ve died,” he said through an interpreter.” I’m still a baseball player. It’s just that tomorrow the field will be different. But I’m still around and ready to help the team when they need it. It’s been a terrific experience. I really appreciate everybody and I love everybody.”

The Blue Jays considered keeping Kawasaki. They’re carrying eight relievers in bullpen getting less work because the starting pitching has improved after the team started the season 10-21. But only Aaron Loup and Neil Wagner, both very effective, have options remaining. Kawasaki could be sent to Buffalo without being exposed to waivers.

Yet, once the move was made, there was Kawasaki, still smiling.

“I absolutely can’t believe how I have been accepted by the players and the fans,” he said. “For this one strange Japanese guy to come here and be accepted the way I have is unbelievable.”

To teammates, so is the way he left.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen that before,” Buehrle said. “Usually you come in the next day and see the empty locker and that’s how you find out a guy got sent down.”

Gibbons knew he had little choice but to change protocol.

“There was something different about this one,” Gibbons said of informing Kawasaki after Tuesday’s game, then accompanying him into the clubhouse. “There’s difference-makers in the game. I think he helped bring our team together. He helped make things fun again.”

via Blue Jays option clubhouse favorite Kawasaki to minors.