If any doubt about Munenori Kawasaki’s popularity existed a week ago, it has since disappeared completely.
Kawasaki hit a game-tying home run Friday to electrify the Rogers Centre crowd and make the case that he should remain on the roster a while longer. His Toronto Blue Jays teammates sure seem to like him, too.
Edwin Encarnacion chanted Kawasaki’s name along with the fans over the weekend, Jose Bautista posted a video of Kawasaki’s post-game celebration dance, and Mark Buehrle called the shortstop one of his favourite teammates of all-time.
Watch Bautista’s video courtesy of Sportsnet
Buehrle spoke for a significant portion of the fan base when he told John Lott of the National Post that he hopes the Blue Jays will keep Kawasaki around even when Jose Reyes re-joins the team this week.
“That’s pretty much what we’re feeling,” Buehrle told Lott. “Obviously, not knowing what’s going to happen when Reyes comes back, but I think a lot of guys here would put some money together to pay his salary.”
A noble offer, but this is not really a discussion about money.