Jose Bautista cranks historic homer, only 26th all time to 50

Toronto Blue Jays slugger Jose Bautista waves to fans as he walks off the field after the Jays 1-0 win over the Seattle Mariners in a baseball game in Toronto on Thursday Sept. 23, 2010. Bautista hit his 50th home run of the season in the first inning. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Frank Gunn)

A violent swing, a long drive to left (if you can believe it, another pulled home run) ….. JOSE BAUTISTA’S 50TH HOME RUN OF 2010!!!!!

As the Bautista faithful watched patiently, Jose took the Seattle Mariners’ Felix Hernandez deep in the first inning of Thursday’s game to become only the 26th player all time in Major League Baseball to reach the epic/illusive 50-homer mark.

That’s right, only one of 26 to do it. That’s elite company my bearded friends.

MLB.com was quick to get up a story on the historic blast, read it here.

Congrats to Jose Bautista, it’s been a magical season above the border.

Check out a front-row look at the blast over at Drunk Jays Fans blog.

MLB.com has a nice video of the left-center shot. Check it out here.

“Bautistaaaaaa’s first hit off Hernandez is home run number 50!”

“Number 50 babyyyyyyy!”

Tonight’s the night for No. 50?

It’s been a struggle these last couple of days as we wait with baited breathe for Jose Bautista’s 50th home run of the 2010 season to take flight (into left field).

As well paitently watch for the 50th bomb and haters continue to hate (see steroid allegations) … I present to you this classic Genesis hit “Tonight, Tonight” from the 1992 Invisible Touch Tour.

Some think the song is about buying cocaine. I, on the other hand, think it’s about a record-setting home run by a man with a beard.

Jose Bautista and the Jays take on the Mariners at the Rogers Centre tonight. David Pauley and his 2-8 record climb to the hill for the M’s. How magical (Phil Collins magicalish) would it be for Jose to blast one at home. Hopefully more than 12,000 people take in the game! David Pauley, here’s your chance to be a part of history.

Tonight’s the night, oh, oh.

Your single-season Blue Jays home run record holder … JOSE BAUTISTA!

Toronto Blue Jays' Jose Bautista rounds the bases after his two-run home run as Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Michael Bowden stands on the mound during the sixth inning of a baseball game at Fenway Park in Boston Friday, Sept. 17, 2010. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)

First, let me apologize for the lack of content on this blog lately. I’ve been in the process of moving and have failed Jose Bautista and his legion of fans…but enough about me, let’s talk about Jose.

As you well know at this point, Jose Bautista set the Toronto Blue Jays single-season home run record on Friday night. Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Michael Bowden served up the historic bomb (Bautista’s 48th of the season). The 29-year-old blossoming slugger blasted a fast ball into … you guessed it … left center to etch his name on the Jays’ record book.

Bautista had these comments after the game for the Toronto Star (story here)

“It’s way more enjoyable to hit it when we win,” he said. “I didn’t get to enjoy the one that I tied (the record) with so much because we lost that day.”

“I had a couple bad months but when I’ve been doing good I’ve been able to ride the wave for a long time,” Bautista said. “The confidence that Cito (Gaston) has given me and the change in the (batting) approach has allowed me to have that consistency.”

Ever the Bautista supporter, manager Cito Gaston added this:
“It couldn’t have happened to a nice person, as far as a player and a teammate,” Gaston said. “I’m proud I was here to see it.”

Jose can become the first Blue Jays player to reach 50 homers. Chances are it happens in the next couple of days.

Take a seat and witness baseball history being made! A record-setting year can’t hurt a player’s chances to win an MVP award, right? Only time will tell. It’ll be a fun ride the rest of the way and has been one hell of a season. Hats off to you Jose, you’re the man.

Bautista heats back up, reaches 46 homers (1 away from club record)

Toronto Blue Jays' Jose Bautista watches his game-tying two-run home run in the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday, Sept. 10, 2010, in Toronto. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Darren Calabrese)

Jose Bautista’s magical year keeps getting better. The Blue Jays’ super-slugging, beard-wielding outfielder smacked two home runs on Friday, a day after he’d went yard, to runs his ass-kicking 2010 home run total up to 46. The Jays lost the game, but at this point it’s all about developing prospects and Bautista chasing the MVP trophy (and club records).

Richard Griffin of the Toronto Star reports:
It was a bad night for Jays’ pitchers wearing goggles but another good night for Jose Bautista in a 9-8 loss to the Rays in Friday’s series opener at the Rogers Centre. While starter Brett Cecil allowed seven runs in two innings and closer Kevin Gregg walked two in the ninth, allowing an unearned run to break the tie, the red-hot Bautista added two more home runs to lead the majors with 46, one shy of the club record held by fellow Dominican George Bell.

“Right now I have to keep focus on helping the team win and keep trying to produce in game situations,” Bautista said when asked about the club record.

Manager Cito Gaston had this to offer:
“Tonight was a most-valuable-player kind of night,” manager Cito Gaston said. “It’s a tough loss to take because we battled so hard to come back.”

Damn skippy Cito, it certainly was a most-valuable-player kind of night!

ESPN.com adds:
The crowd of 14,305 called Bautista out of the dugout for a curtain call after he circled the bases. He has gone deep 30 times at home this season, matching Carlos Delgado’s club record, set in 2000.

Check out the article here (with video of the two bombs)

Bautista attempts to tie Bell today against Wade Davis and the Rays. All signs points to JoeBau at least reaching 47, if not 48. It’s been a hell of a run folks, and it’s not over ….

Quick link, great read on Jose Bautista/George Bell and the Jays HR record

Mark Zwolinski of the Toronto Star wrote and excellent piece today on Jose Bautista’s chase for the Blue Jays’ home run record. Sounds like George Bell and the Dominican Republic is really pulling for the breakout slugger.

Some standout quotes:
“He always comes over to talk to me,” Bautista said. “He was giving me tips when I was a minor leaguer and he’s giving me tips now. It was really flattering when I was younger and it still is. I was never sure when I was younger that I had the talent to play in the big leagues, but George, he always believed. I felt like he saw the talent in me and now that I’m older, I appreciate everything he said.”

“You know the Blue Jays have had a lot of good players — Carlos Delgado, Jose Canceco, and the record is still there,” said Bell, who turns 51 in October.
“But when a player like Jose comes along I feel very good. He’s one of my favourite players.”

Read the full story here

Good luck Jays vs. the dreaded Yankees today.

Who is the biggest Bautista fan?

Leave a comment below on why you’re Bautista’s biggest fan and I’ll pick the winner. Said winner will receive this 2010 Jose Bautista baseball card which was freshly purchased of eBay and will be sent to your door. Let’s hear it! Who is the biggest Bautista fan?

In your face Josh Hamilton! Jose Bautista named AL hitter of month for August

Toronto Blue Jays' Jose Bautista, left, and Vernon Wells shake hands after the Blue Jays defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 13-5 during a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2010, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

That’s right, Jose Bautista’s monster month of August has been recognized by Major League Baseball for its epic awesomeness.

Back to back months of being the best hitter in the American League should get JoBau a few more votes come MVP time. You’ll remember that in July, Jose tied with Delmon Young of the Twins for the AL’s top honor.

In the last 30 days, it’s safe to say Jose has been raking. Bautista has hit 11 home runs with 21 RBIs and a .304 average. The average isn’t anything to boast about, but he’s taken 22 walks and leads the majors by 10 in home runs. Bautista is right on Migguel Cabrera’s MLB RBI lead (Miggy has 107, Jose 104).

It’ll take another big month from the Blue Jays’ No. 19, but with the power of the beard Jose can do all things.

If you’re counting at home in 2010 that’s:
Jose Bautista 2 AL monthly awards
Josh Hamilton 1 AL monthly award
Robinson Cano 1 AL monthly award
Miguel Cabrera 0 AL monthly award

A final shout out to friend of the blog Clay Bucholz who was named AL pitcher of the month. Way to go Clay!