BY MIKE CORMACK
sportsnet.ca
Many Toronto fans had a hard time Tuesday accepting the fact that John McDonald was no longer a Blue Jay.
At times on Tuesday, it appeared John McDonald was still struggling with the concept himself.
For both parties, the cold reality is this: the 36-year-old, shortstop and fan favourite is now a member of the Arizona Diamondbacks after being traded to the desert along with second basemen Aaron Hill in exchange for fellow second basemen Kelly Johnson.
Johnson and McDonald are slated to become free agents this winter while Hill’s contract can be bought out for $1 million.
“Jose Bautista just joked to me that there are going to be riots in Toronto tonight because of how well liked these players are,” said Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos. “I laughed and I said my house might get egged moving these guys.”
The trading of one of the team’s most popular players may have come as a shock to the fanbase, but a trade to a contender was not only a possibility McDonald had been aware of for some time, but it was also an opportunity he had been seeking.
Yet when it came time to say goodbye during a pre-game press conference Tuesday at Rogers Centre, McDonald was determined to let everyone know where he plans on playing in 2012.
“The door isn’t closed on being a Toronto Blue Jay,” he said. “Alex has made it clear there’s an opportunity for me to be back here and that’s what made it easy for me through this process.”
As a 10-and-five player (10 years of major league service time, five consecutive years with his current team) McDonald held veto power over any trade involving him.
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He wanted the opportunity to play for a contender, yet he was at odds with leaving a city where he finally established himself as a major leaguer and developed an almost cult-like following based on his flashy defence and blue collar work ethic.
As a result, Anthopoulos kept McDonald abreast of any and all potential trade possibilities, including the initial phone call from Diamondbacks GM Kevin Towers, up until Tuesday afternoon when the deal was finalized.
But for McDonald, the opportunity to reach the post-season and perhaps play in a World Series was too good a chance to pass up at this stage of his career—especially since he seems to believe a contract offer from the Blue Jays is awaiting him in the off-season.
“It’s an opportunity that I wake up every morning thinking about,” McDonald said of the chance to play in the post-season. “It’s what every baseball player wants. It’s hard to leave, but the opportunity to play in the playoffs right now at 36-years-old, almost 37, is extremely exciting for me.”
If McDonald is experiencing any separation anxiety with leaving the Blue Jays, it would be understandable.
After being drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the 12th round (363 overall) of the 1996 draft, he struggled to find a role with the Tribe during parts of six seasons (1999-2004) before a December 2004 trade brought him to Toronto in exchange for Tom Mastny.
On July 22, 2005 he was shipped to the Detroit Tigers for future considerations, but was sent back to Toronto on Nov. 5 of that year along with cash considerations.
He had effectively been traded for himself.
MORE TRADE COVERAGE: Press conference audio | Jays acquire Kelly Johnson
But during his second stint in Toronto McDonald saw increased playing time and his highlight reel plays in the field quickly endeared him to fans and teammates. He further added to his legend on Father’s Day 2010 when he homered just two days after burying his dad Jack following a long battle with liver cancer.
On Tuesday, Hill cited that moment as one of his favourites as a Blue Jay, calling it “a miracle.”
McDonald said the home run was undoubtedly special, but he’ll also remember his time as a Blue Jay for where he finally felt like he belonged.
“My Father’s Day home run is probably right at the top of my list in terms of accomplishments, but it was more finally feeling like a major leaguer, feeling like someone that’s going to come to the ballpark everyday and being able to contribute to your team,” he explained. “It’s something I didn’t feel in Cleveland, being a part of those teams.”
That won’t be the case in Arizona however, where McDonald will see significant playing time at shortstop along with incumbent Willie Bloomquist.
The desire to win and the experience McDonald will gain this fall are qualities Anthopoulos acknowledges he’ll be looking to add to his young squad this winter.
“He just wants to get better and experience more things in his career,” Anthopoulos said of McDonald. “Which makes complete sense, especially if he’s going to be back here in 2012.”
If?
“My time may not be over here in Toronto, so it’s tough to look back and be thankful for all the things that have happened,” said McDonald. “I don’t see this as an ending.”
