Major League Baseball handed out its Most Valuable Player awards on Thursday night and Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson took home the American League hardware.
From clutch home runs to diving slides, here are the top five plays from “The Bringer of Rain” in his MVP-calibre season with the Blue Jays.
Donaldson hit 41 home runs during the regular season, but none provided as much drama as this walk-off shot in Toronto’s final home game of the regular season. So. Clutch.
THE GREAT ESCAPE (SEPT. 2 VS. INDIANS)
Josh Donaldson shows his wild side on the base paths, running home on a shallow pop fly to right field. On a close play at home plate, Donaldson jumps past the catcher and just gets his hand on the plate to score. Check out the slow-motion replay to truly appreciate the athleticism.
CROWD SURFING (JUN. 24 VS. RAYS)
Josh Donaldson leaps into the stands with reckless abandon to make a spectacular catch and keep Marco Estrada’s bid for a perfect game alive in Tampa Bay. It wasn’t a perfect game in the end, but the leap into the crowd certainly was.
BAREHANDED BEAUTIES (JUN. 10 VS. MARLINS)
Donaldson displays his Gold Glove-worthy defence with a pair of barehanded stops at third base, followed by laser throws to first for the outs against Miami.
DONNIE WALK-OFF (MAY 26 VS. WHITE SOX)
Donaldson caps off one of the best individual performances of his career, drilling a three-run shot to beat the White Sox in the ninth inning. He finished the game 4-for-4 with five runs, four RBI and two home runs.
