What to know
- Kevin Gausman once surprised every member of the Toronto Blue Jays grounds crew with a custom mint-blue Marucci baseball glove engraved with their nickname.
- The pitcher said he wanted the field staff “to feel a part of our team” after they helped make him and his family feel welcome in Toronto.
- The gesture has resurfaced as Gausman’s future with the Blue Jays remains uncertain ahead of the MLB trade deadline.
- Gausman said he and his wife have loved their time in Toronto and hopes to return to the city when he retires.
As Kevin Gausman’s future with the Toronto Blue Jays hangs in the balance ahead of the MLB trade deadline, one story from his time in Toronto is reminding fans why he’s become one of the franchise’s most respected players.
Speaking with Lindsay Dunn of The Nation Network after what could have been his final home start at Rogers Centre, Gausman reflected on a thoughtful gesture he made for the Blue Jays grounds crew during his first season with the club in 2022.
After members of the field staff admired his signature mint-blue Marucci baseball glove, Gausman decided to surprise each of them with one of their own.
Rather than giving identical gloves, he had each one customized with the recipient’s nickname.
“They shag for us every day, and I just remember I wanted to get them something to feel a part of our team,” Gausman said.
The veteran pitcher explained that the Blue Jays organization had done so much to help him and his family feel at home in Toronto, and he wanted to give something back to the people working behind the scenes every day.
The custom gloves were also a significant gesture. According to Marucci Sports, a custom mint-coloured glove with personalized engraving costs more than $600.
The story has resurfaced as questions continue to surround Gausman’s future with the Blue Jays.
The 35-year-old is in the final season of his five-year, $110-million contract and has been mentioned as a potential trade candidate ahead of the Aug. 3 MLB trade deadline.
After what may have been his final start at Rogers Centre, Gausman admitted he’s trying not to think too much about what comes next.
“There’s been a lot of cool moments here, and I hope it doesn’t end. Though I’ve been around long enough to know that it’s a business,” he said.
“We’ve loved every moment that we’ve been here. My wife, Taylor, and I are sad we might leave.”
Despite the uncertainty, Gausman made it clear Toronto will always have a special place in his family’s life.
“I want to be back in Toronto when I retire,” he said. “I love the summers here.”
