Toronto Blue Jays' Jose Bautista stretches a single into a double as he slides safely into second base during the eighth inning against the New York Yankees in a baseball game Thursday, May 26, 2016, in New York.Julie Jacobson/The Associated Press
As befitting a man of sudden leisure, Jose Bautista sauntered out from the Blue Jays clubhouse late Friday afternoon wearing black shorts and a black Toronto Raptors jersey bearing the No. 7 of Kyle Lowry.
And his mood was just as dark after learning that Major League Baseball had rejected his appeal of a one-game suspension – for basically being Rougned Odor's punching bag.
As a result, the Blue Jays right fielder was not in the lineup for Friday night's game against the Boston Red Sox, the first of a three-game weekend series at Rogers Centre, where the roof was opened for the first time this season.
"No MLB logos on this stuff," Bautista muttered to no one in particular, referring to his basketball attire, as he came out to discuss – sort of, at least – his feelings on his appeal's rejection.
As for the exact reasons why, Bautista said he could not say as he did not quite understand the league's reasoning that he said was spelled out to him in a letter.
"I would rather you hear from them because to me, in my head, it's so – I don't know, out of the blue or so unfounded or so, it doesn't have any basis," Bautista said, obviously struggling to make sense of things. "I can't figure it out.
"The reasons I read in the letter to me are so, I don't know, they don't fit. It doesn't match. I don't understand it so I'd rather not even comment."
MLB does not usually comment on the appeals process either.
Josh Donaldson was Toronto's one-man wrecking crew on Friday night, driving home five runs off two home runs, a double and a single as the Blue Jays (25-25) won 7-5 over the American League East-leading Red Sox (29-19).
Donaldson's second dinger was critical, coming in the bottom of the eighth inning with the game deadlocked at 5-5.
He skied an offering from Boston reliever Koji Uehara the other way, with the ball just tucking in fair beside the right-field foul pole, a two-run shot that provided Toronto with its winning margin.
Donaldson also orchestrated a crucial double play in the Boston fourth inning with the bases loaded and one run already in, which kept the score at 2-2.
"He's a special player," said Toronto manager John Gibbons about the reigning American League most valuable player. "He can beat you so many ways – with the bat, with the glove."
It was a balmy night that must have prompted one man, clad only in his underwear, to leap on the field in the seventh inning and lead stadium security on a merry chase around the turf as a festive, near-sellout gathering of 46,470 roared with amusement.
Bautista's appeal was heard Thursday in New York where the Blue Jays were winding up a series against the Yankees. It was presided over by John McHale Jr., the special assistant to baseball commissioner Robert Manfred.
The only light MLB would shine on the matter was to say that McHale's job is to hear the appeals, listen to the perspectives of both sides and then consider "previous precedents for similar infractions." It was here that Bautista got his bushy black beard somewhat in knots, arguing that in his defence before McHale he provided plenty of case studies that he said backed up his claim that the one-game suspension was not warranted.
"I can say that I provided more than 20 examples of previous situations where the runner was more at fault taking part in a bad slide where contact was made and injuries were coming out of the plays," Bautista said. "And there was never suspensions or fines.
"On the other hand, [MLB] only showed three examples of situations that don't even put the same play – plays at the plate, plays on first base. And one play between first and second. I don't know. It doesn't seem to be relevant to my situation. But again, you guys have to ask them."
Odor delivered The Punch Heard 'Round the World to Bautista's jaw on May 15 after Bautista slid in hard toward the Texas Rangers player at second base.
Both benches emptied and afterward MLB levied fines and suspensions to a total of 14 players and coaches for their part in the melée.
What is even more galling to Bautista is that Odor, who was initially handed an eight-game suspension, won his appeal and had his penalty reduced to seven games.
"His situation is his situation," Bautista said when asked for his reaction. "Can't say that I agree with it but he's got his right to appeal.
"And apparently he either has friends in high places or that organization does or he did a really good job of convincing them. I don't even know what. He convinced them of something."
Bautista said that, over all, the process left a rather bitter taste in his mouth.
And while he did not reveal the exact reasons he was given for his appeal being turned down, Bautista said MLB should be more forthcoming.
"I think they owe it to the fans who pay a lot of money to come watch me play and give them a specific reason why I'm not playing today," Bautista said.