Bichette A Star On And Off The Field
It was easy to become enamored with Bo Bichette the baseball player simply looking at his stat line at A-Lansing before ever watching him play a game myself..384 batting average. 10 home runs. 51 runs batted in. 12 stolen bases.When he arrived in Dunedin and hit .348 with 21 runs
It was easy to become enamored with Bo Bichette the baseball player simply looking at his stat line at A-Lansing before ever watching him play a game myself.
.384 batting average. 10 home runs. 51 runs batted in. 12 stolen bases.
When he arrived in Dunedin and hit .348 with 21 runs batted in and 10 stolen bases in his first 34 games against tougher competition, falling for Bichette the prospect became effortless.
It wasn't just the video-game stats that popped off the page and brought a steady stream of fans seeking autographs and national media seeking interviews to Florida Auto Exchange Stadium. The hits and home runs and stolen bases were fun, but it was smaller things that made Bichette stand out on a daily basis.
It was Bo and his father Dante, a former multi-time All-Star and National League home run champ, alone in the batting cage hours after an uncharacteristic oh-fer at the plate, hitting under a solitary light long after the stadium's went dark.
It was grace not often seen at this level at shortstop, ranging up the middle, spinning, throwing a strike to first, forcing me to pencil a star next to the 6-3 in my scorebook so I wouldn't forget to mention the great play our 19-year-old shortstop had just made in the game recap I'd write hours later.
It was the adjustments at the plate. The opposing pitchers thinking, finally, they had cracked the kid who simply keeps hitting as they throw another fastball high and tight to Bichette, believing they had found his weakness. The fastballs kept coming higher and tighter and harder, knocking Bichette off the plate, often leaving him sprawling out of the way. The pitchers were sent back to the drawing board when he stood up, dusted himself off, and deposited the next one he saw over the wall in left field.
Most of all, though, it was the fact that, despite all the attention, the awards, the top prospect lists, the All-Star games, the autograph seekers, the magazine covers, the television specials, Bo Bichette the person has not changed.
"Honestly, I just want to be remembered as someone who lived their life correctly," Bichette says, sitting at his locker in shorts and a t-shirt, his socks pulled up to his knees, waiting out a rain delay. I'd sat through interview after interview with Bichette over the past two months, hearing him get asked about his career goals as a player. I wanted to go a different direction. What were his career goals as a person? "All I can ask for is for people to look at me and say he lived his life the best he could and did everything he could to represent Jesus Christ."
When the rain passed and he took the field, Bichette stopped first to sign autographs for the flock of fans in the right field corner of Florida Auto Exchange Stadium before warming up, the crowd shouting his name from the minute he emerged from the clubhouse door.
"I think that it's the right thing to do. I know a lot of people come to see me play and come to get an autograph from me. The least I could do is stop and give them one," he says about the autograph seekers who show up at home, on the road, even at the team's hotel after games. "For me, I remember when I was a little kid, I would want autographs from players. It's a cool opportunity for me to help people out."
With Bichette and fellow top prospect Vladimir Guerrero Jr. on the roster, the amount of autograph seekers at home games has increased exponentially. Fans wait in the parking lot late at night after games hoping to catch a glimpse of the two young stars. On the road, they race the team bus back to the hotel after games.
"It's cool. It's something that definitely a year ago I didn't think would be happening. I knew I'd probably be getting asked for autographs, but people waiting at the hotel? The team makes a lot of fun of me for it, but it's definitely a good experience."
It doesn't take much looking to find where Bichette gets his humility from. The apple doesn't often fall far from the tree. At each Blue Jays home game, his father Dante and mother Mariana sit in the same seats near the top of the stands where the breeze is best at countering the August Florida heat. Dante smiles and shakes hands with the fans who approach him, signing his name with a flourish on the baseballs and cards offered to him. Mariana chats amicably with the regulars sitting nearby.
While his preternatural ability to barrel up a baseball and fan-friendliness come from his All-Star father, Bichette is quick to credit his mother's influence in shaping the person he has become.
"We were lucky to have her to set the example for us," Bo says, talking about the myriad of community service projects Mariana set up for the family while he was growing up. "I remember when we were younger, we used to go below this overhead highway where many homeless people were and my mom would set up and we would feed people."
He continues to cite examples of ways his mother has gone out of her way to help others and set an example for her sons.
"On Thanksgiving, instead of eating a ton ourselves, we go and help out at a local shelter. It's something that my mom really enjoys doing. It's really fun."
When asked what it all means to him and why he continues to seek out ways to help others, Bichette pauses and then continues, displaying self-awareness and humility not often found in someone so young or so famous.
"I've grown up pretty fortunate. I realize there's people out there who struggle and don't get the same things that I do and have the same resources I do. To help them out, it definitely feels good."
On the field that night, he goes 2-3. He drives in a run, scores one himself, and steals a base. It's not enough. Despite all his success this season, he's still looking for ways to change his game. When asked what he'd like to improve on, he doesn't hesitate before simply saying "I want to get better at everything".
Off the field for Bo Bichette, though, no change is needed.
Batista Carves, Brown Drives in Three as Jays Win Fourth Straight
FORT MYERS, FL - The Dunedin Blue Jays claimed their fourth consecutive game and clinched a series victory as they shut out the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels 3-0 in game five of a six-game series Saturday night at Hammond Stadium. Gilberto Batista, Nate LaRue, Johan Simon, and Javen Coleman combined
Stephen Shoves, Jays Smash Season-High 16 Hits To Win Third Straight
FORT MYERS, FL - The Dunedin Blue Jays won their third consecutive game and picked up their sixth win over their last eight as they defeated the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels 9-1 in game four of a six-game series Friday night at Hammond Stadium. Dunedin’s bullpen trio of Bennett Flynn,
Joseph’s Go-Ahead Homer Lifts Blue Jays Over Fort Myers
FORT MYERS, FL - Jean Joseph’s go-ahead 9th inning homer lifted the Dunedin Blue Jays over the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels 5-4 in game three of a six-game series Thursday night at Hammond Stadium. The Blue Jays have homered eight times over the first three games of the series and
Yesavage, Stanifer Dominate as Dunedin Downs Fort Myers, 7-3
FORT MYERS, FL - Dominant pitching from Trey Yesavage and Gage Stanifer, coupled with timely hitting, powered the Dunedin Blue Jays to a 7-3 win over the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels in game two of a six-game series Wednesday night at Hammond Stadium. Yesavage and Stanifer combined to allow one
Power Surge Falls Short in Extra-Inning Heartbreaking Loss to Ft. Myers
FORT MYERS, FL - The Dunedin Blue Jays dropped an 11-inning heartbreaker to the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels 13-12 in game one of a six-game series on Tuesday night at Hammond Stadium. Dunedin battled back from a 6-0 deficit in the 2nd inning to tie the ballgame in the 7th
D3 Second Baseman Turned Blue Jays 102 MPH Flamethrower: Meet Colby Martin
DUNEDIN, FL - The Toronto Blue Jays have a pitcher in their farm system who throws 102 MPH. That’s not the crazy part. Until last year, Colby Martin was a Division III second baseman. A Lititz, Pennsylvania native, Martin bounced around Dlll programs and finally landed at Shenandoah University in
Yesavage Named Florida State League Pitcher of the Week
DUNEDIN, FL - Dunedin Blue Jays RHP Trey Yesavage has been named Florida State League Pitcher of the Week for April 29–May 4. Toronto’s No. 2 prospect, Yesavage earned his first professional win on May 1 vs. Clearwater, tossing six shutout innings with eight strikeouts, no walks, and just four
Duran Homers, Jays Drop Series Finale to Daytona
DUNEDIN, FL - The Dunedin Blue Jays fell to the Daytona Tortugas 6-2 in their series finale on Sunday afternoon at TD Ballpark. RHP Gilberto Batista (4 IP, 4 R, 1 ER, 7 H, 1 BB, 1 K) took the loss, allowing four runs (one earned) in four frames with
Third Straight Double-Digit Hit Night Powers 14-1 Win
DUNEDIN, FL - The Dunedin Blue Jays tallied their third consecutive double-digit hit game as they defeated the Daytona Tortugas 14-1 in game two of a three-game series on Saturday night at TD Ballpark. The Blue Jays are outscoring opponents 32-4 over their last three games, and their +66 run
Holcombe, Aponte Lead Dunedin Past Daytona in Series Opener
DUNEDIN, FL - Three different Dunedin Blue Jays logged three-hit games as they defeated the Daytona Tortugas 8-2 in game one of a three-game series on Friday night at TD Ballpark. RHP Colby Holcombe (5 IP, 1 R, 4 H, 1 BB, 6 K) picked up his second win of
Yesavage Wins Battle of Aces in Jays' 10-1 Rout
DUNEDIN, FL - Blue Jays top pitching prospect Trey Yesavage outdueled Phillies top pitching prospect Andrew Painter as the Dunedin Blue Jays fired on all cylinders to defeat the Clearwater Threshers 10-1 in their series finale on Thursday night at TD Ballpark. Yesavage, Gage Stanifer, and Javen Coleman combined for
Offense Silenced as Jays Shut Out by Threshers
DUNEDIN, FL - The Dunedin Blue Jays were shut out by the Clearwater Threshers 4-0 on Wednesday night in in game two of a three-game series at TD Ballpark. Dunedin was kept off the scoreboard for the first time this season, and tallied a season low five total bases. JR
Late Lead Slips Away as Jays Drop Opener to Threshers
DUNEDIN, FL - The Dunedin Blue Jays dropped their series opener to the Clearwater Threshers 5-4 on Tuesday night in a late-inning thriller in game one of a three-game series at TD Ballpark. Tuesday’s contest saw four lead changes. RHP Gilberto Batista (5 IP, 4 R, 5 H, 2 BB,
Catcher-Turned-Pitcher Nate LaRue Embracing New Role
Since Little League, Nate LaRue’s right arm from behind the plate has been his calling card. It earned him a scholarship to Auburn University, where he gunned down 36% of would-be base stealers. It earned him a free-agent deal with the Blue Jays after his senior year in 2023. Then,
Tibbitts, Munoz Power Jays To Series Finale Victory
TAMPA, FL - The Dunedin Blue Jays secured their third consecutive victory as defeated the Tampa Tarpons 8-5 on Sunday afternoon in their series finale at The Tank. Dunedin concludes the six-game set with Tampa having won five games and have won seven of their last nine contests. Dunedin’s 12
Shaw Homers, Pitching Dominates As Jays Take Series Over Tarpons
TAMPA, FL - The Dunedin Blue Jays clinched their first series win of the season as they defeated the Tampa Tarpons 5-1 on Saturday afternoon in game five of a six-game series at The Tank. Dunedin has taken four of the first five games in the set, and have won
Yesavage Dazzles Again, Stanifer Slams Door in Jays Win
TAMPA, FL - Trey Yesavage was perfect into the fifth and Gage Stanifer delivered four shutout innings of relief as the Dunedin Blue Jays defeated the Tampa Tarpons 4-2 on Friday afternoon in game four of a six-game series at The Tank. Dunedin has taken three of the first four
Offense Stalled In 7-2 Setback To Tarpons
TAMPA, FL - The Dunedin Blue Jays offense was stymied as they fell to the Tampa Tarpons 7-2 on Thursday night in game three of a six-game series at The Tank. RHP Austin Cates (5.1 IP, 4 R, 6 H, 2 BB, 1 K) fired 5.1 frames with four runs
Aponte Clears the Bases, Jays Win Thriller in Tampa
TAMPA, FL - The Dunedin Blue Jays defeated the Tampa Tarpons 6-5 on Wednesday night in a thriller in game two of their six-game series at The Tank. Dunedin has won back-to-back games to open up their series, and have won four of their last five contests. RHP Gilberto Batista
Munoz’s Three-Hit Game, Defensive Gems Spark Jays Past Tarpons
DUNEDIN, FL - The Dunedin Blue Jays topped the Tampa Tarpons 6-3 on Tuesday evening backed by timely hitting in game one of their six-game series at The Tank. RHP Khal Stephen (5 IP, 2 R, 2 R, 6 H, 0 BB, 5 K) fired five frames and allowed a
Varsho Continues Rehab Assignment, Jays Drop Series Finale to Lakeland
DUNEDIN, FL - The Dunedin Blue Jays dropped their series finale to the Lakeland Flying Tigers 4-1 on Sunday afternoon at TD Ballpark. Daulton Varsho appeared in his second game on MLB Rehab Assignment with Dunedin, and played seven innings in centerfield, going 0-for-3. RHP Colby Holcombe (5 IP, 3
Arnold Goes Deep Twice, Yesavage and Stanifer Combine for 17 Ks In Win Over Lakeland
DUNEDIN, FL - The Dunedin Blue Jays were firing on all cylinders as they defeated the Lakeland Flying Tigers 12-3 on Saturday night at TD Ballpark in game five of a six-game series. After falling behind 3-1 in the 5th inning, Dunedin scored 11 unanswered runs. The Jays are nine
Daulton Varsho Assigned To Dunedin On MLB Rehab Assignment
DUNEDIN, FL – The Toronto Blue Jays have assigned outfielder Daulton Varsho to Class-A Dunedin on MLB Rehab Assignment beginning Saturday, April 19, ahead of Dunedin’s 6:30 PM game against the Lakeland Flying Tigers at TD Ballpark. Varsho, who was named the 2024 American League Gold Glove winner for centerfield
Munoz Homers In Third Straight, Jays Outslug Flying Tigers
DUNEDIN, FL - The Dunedin Blue Jays offense erupted to take down the Lakeland Flying Tigers 11-7 on Friday night at TD Ballpark in game four of a six-game series. Dunedin’s 11 hits, two home runs, and four extra-base hits all mark their second most in a contest this season.
Munoz Homers Again, Jays Fall On Education Day
DUNEDIN, FL - The Dunedin Blue Jays fell 6-4 to the Lakeland Flying Tigers in Thursday’s matinee at TD Ballpark in game three of a six-game series. RHP Daniel Guerra (3.2 IP, 4 R, 4 H, 3 BB, 3 K) yielded three runs in 3.2 innings of work and was