NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. – Steve Pearce needs no introduction to the Toronto Blue Jays or life in the American League East, and he certainly is familiar with what to expect from the raucous crowds at Rogers Centre.
“It’s a great baseball atmosphere for the home team but when you’re the visiting team, it’s not comfortable going into Toronto and everybody knows that,” the versatile slugger said Wednesday on a conference call. “Players around the league, they know these fans get after it during games and it gives you that home-field advantage. It’s a great feeling for the home team, but like I said, when you’re a visiting player, it’s tough. …
“They’re loud, they’re going to get after you, if you make bad play, a stupid play, they’re going to be on you.”
Pearce, signed to a $12.5-million, two-year deal Monday, knows plenty about being on the wrong side of Blue Jays fans’ affections, having spent the majority of the past five seasons with the rival Baltimore Orioles.
He’s also had stops with the Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees, and joins a Blue Jays team that previously sought to pick him in 2014 when the Orioles designated him for assignment. Two days later Chris Davis got injured, and he ended up returning to Baltimore, helping the team edge out Toronto for the American League East title.
With the Blue Jays, he’ll play a mix of first base and outfield for a team that believes he has a chance to be an everyday player.
“I’ve been in the AL East for a long time, now, and Toronto’s always had a really good team, a tough team and as a ballplayer, stuff like that attracts you,” said Pearce. “It’s a great opportunity for me, I’m very, very happy to go there, it was a very easy decision and I’m excited.”