During his seven-year stint with the Toronto Blue Jays, Bo Bichette established himself as a stoic presence within the organization both on and off the field.
But as Bichette and his New York Mets arrived at Rogers Centre to begin a three-game set, the 28-year-old couldn't hide his emotions while speaking to reporters before Monday's series-opener (7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+).
"It feels different, for sure," Bichette said. "But I'm excited to get out here and play some ball, see some guy. But definitely odd."
Bichette was originally drafted by the Blue Jays in the second round of the 2016 draft before slowly climbing Toronto's farm system and emerging as one of the top prospects in baseball.
He eventually debuted in 2019 and went on to play 748 games with the Blue Jays, racking up 904 hits, 111 homers, a .294 average and two all-star appearances. Bichette also helped Toronto to four post-season berths and, despite suffering a leg injury late in the season, to the 2025 World Series.
"No, I don't know what to expect," Bichette said through tears when asked about the reception he might get from the fanbase.
"I gave it everything I had... so I just hope that's appreciated."
The lasting image of Bichette in a Blue Jays uniform will be his three-run homer off Shohei Ohtani in Game 7 of last year's Fall Classic, as a hobbled No. 1 made his away around the bases after providing the first major blow in an all-time classic finale.
"I'm so grateful that we had that experience and got there," Bichette said of Game 7. "But you dream of winning it, so I don't know how many times I've replayed it, but it comes to mind every once in a while"
It all came after a regular season in which Bichette slashed .311/.357/.483 with 18 homers and 94 RBIs while earning All-MLB Second Team honours.
Bichette joined the Mets this past off-season on a three-year, $126-million contract that has player options after both of the first two seasons.
Despite entering the year with high expectations, things haven't played out as either Bichette or New York might have liked. New York begins play on Monday with a 35-49 record and sitting last in the NL East.
Bichette, meanwhile, has a .687 OPS and 10 homers on the season — numbers that have been boosted by a hot June.
While both the Mets and Blue Jays will be looking to get back on track this week in Toronto, there is no doubt that emotions will be running high once Bichette takes the field as an opponent for the first time at Rogers Centre.
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