The 2024 Baseball Writers’ Association of America’s (BBWAA) Hall of Fame ballot features several notable candidates. Among them are Todd Helton, Billy Wagner, Gary Sheffield, Andruw Jones, Joe Mauer, Carlos Beltrán, Bobby Abreu, Andy Pettitte, Mark Buehrle, Chase Utley, Manny Ramirez, Alex Rodriguez, Adrián Beltré, Torii Hunter, Jimmy Rollins, David Wright, Omar Vizquel, Francisco Rodríguez, Bartolo Colon, Adrián González, Matt Holliday, and José Bautista.

This article, written by Jay Jaffe, takes an in-depth look at José Bautista’s career. Bautista experienced a breakthrough in the 2010–2011 seasons, becoming one of baseball’s top home run hitters. Despite a difficult start to his career, Bautista’s swing changes and improved performance led to a successful stint with the Toronto Blue Jays, where he set several franchise records and became a key player in their lineup.

Bautista’s upbringing in the Dominican Republic and his journey to professional baseball are also explored. Despite receiving low offers early in his career, Bautista prioritized his education and eventually found success in the minor leagues and later in the major leagues.

The article documents Bautista’s standout seasons with the Blue Jays, including his record-breaking 54-home run season in 2010. It also highlights his contributions to the team’s postseason success, including the iconic bat flip home run in the 2015 ALDS.

The article notes that Bautista’s performance declined in his later years, leading to his eventual retirement in 2023. While his statistics may not be Hall of Fame-worthy, his impact on the Blue Jays and his memorable moments in baseball will not be forgotten.