Blue Jays legend Josh Donaldson gives Newmarket beer league softball team memory of a lifetime
Josh Donaldson has long been known as the “Bringer of Rain” for his home run mashing ways but he might be transitioning to the bringer of dreams in retirement.
After receiving a direct message last Thursday from Newmarket, Ont., beer league softball team the Brew Jays where Devon Martin shot his shot in hopes of a chance to play with their hero, the Blue Jays legend didn’t hesitate to oblige.
“Where do you play and when?” was Donaldson’s reply.
On a gorgeous Monday night, Donaldson showed up in his Blue Jays gear to the delight of his new teammates and the complete astonishment of the opposing Blue Fins. The team chanted “Devon! Devon!” as Donaldson made his way to the dugout, in appreciation of their teammate’s efforts bearing fruit, before team captain Caleb Garbe delivered a riveting team speech as they got set to take the field.
“Our season so far hasn’t gone how we wanted it but we brought in help for a reason,” Garbe said. “Josh here has earned a place here but is gonna have to prove himself if he wants to stay. At the end of the day, it’s not the try league, it’s the get it done league.”
Donaldson co-hosts the “Get It Done League” podcast alongside former Blue Jays catcher Russell Martin and veteran broadcaster Arash Madani. Donaldson spent four memorable seasons with the Blue Jays, hitting 116 home runs and won the A.L. MVP award in 2015. He hit 41 home runs and drove in 123 runs that season.
The Brew Jays went the extra mile, too, presenting him with an endearing one-day contract dated June 8 that also honoured him as a “Brew Jay For Life.”
“The experience was like no other,” team member Matthew Jenkins said. “He was an idol of a lot of us growing up and getting to share the field with him was surreal. Truly a moment we will all never forget.”
Donaldson had a fantastic debut for his new team, going 4-for-4 with two home runs, a double, and a single. Unfortunately, he could not change the Brew Jays’ fortunes, who dropped to 0-4 after a 12-9 loss.
Despite the loss, Jenkins will go down as the happiest pitcher ever to give up a pair of home runs to Donaldson, even if he was a bit fearful of what might be coming back at him.
“Had to keep my head on a swivel there, no net, scared for my life a little bit,” Jenkins said. “Pleasure playing with our boy JD and hope to see him around a little more often. I think we need his help and he definitely mashes.”
