IT’S TIME TO DELIVER THE GOODS, JAYS’ DONALDSON SAYS.
MVP HOPES TEAM CAN BUILD ON THE SUCCESS OF LAST SEASON
After the 38th game of the 2015 season, a fourth consecutive loss against the Astros May 16 in Houston that dropped Toronto’s record to 1721, Josh Donaldson stepped in front of the cameras and laid it on the line for his teammates.
“This isn’t the ‘ try’ league,” said Donaldson, his soft voice belying the intensity of his message. “This is the ‘ Get it done’ league. And you know, eventually they are going to find people who are going to get it done.”
Though the team continued to meander along in an inconsistent fashion for a couple of more weeks, it was that day in Houston that Donaldson emerged as the conscience of the Blue Jays.
“You know, I wasn’t looking at it that way,” Donaldson says now, on his first day back with the Blue Jays.
“I think it kind of got perceived that way. Looking back on it, I can see how that was a step. The fact of the matter was I was pretty upset about how we were playing. Something needed to be said and at that time that’s what I felt was necessary. I’ve never been one to back away from what I say.
“I want to go out there and everyone in that clubhouse knows I go out there and give 100 per cent. And I know those guys are giving 100 per cent, but at the end of the day you have to have higher expectations than trying to win the game. You’re expectation is to win the game.”
A year ago, Donaldson was a newcomer, just trying to find his way around his new teammates. Thursday, the third baseman arrived as a bonafide team leader, coming off an MVP season and determined to rekindle and reinforce that winning vibe.
“This year is about trying to get the troops on board early on what the objectives are and what our main goals are and I’m looking forward to having another good year,” he said.
As the 2015 season progressed, Donaldson saw his teammates gel together in a way that is rare.
“Clubhouse chemistry,” he said. “I know there are some people who are for it, some say it’s a non- factor, but I’m definitely a big believer in it. If you could have seen our clubhouse at the beginning of the season to what it was at the end of the season, you would definitely understand it.”
When the team took off in early August and won the AL East going away and lasted until the sixth game of the ALCS before losing to Kansas City, it marked the best season in Toronto since 1993. Donaldson believes firmly that the Jays are set now to take it all the way in 2016.
“Last year, I don’t think the expectations were there for everybody coming into camp,” he said. “Now you have guys who’ve been in the playoffs, they have a full season under their belt and they’re coming in with higher expectations of themselves. It’s an individual sport played as a team game, so the more your individuals play, at a higher level, the better your team is going to play.”
CLUBHOUSE CHEMISTRY. I’M DEFINITELY A BIG BELIEVER IN IT.