Toronto Blue Jays slugger Jose Bautista is a superstar without the excess swagger.
He hasn't forgotten what it was like a few years ago when he was a part-time player struggling to stay in the major leagues. Now he's the face of the Toronto franchise and a leader on a young team with a bright future.
"He knows what it's like to crawl through the mud to get to the top," said fellow outfielder Eric Thames. "He's smart enough to know that you can't take it for granted."
Strolling up to the batting cage on a warm, sunny Monday morning at the team's spring-training complex, Bautista is a friendly sort who also knows when to dig in and get serious.
He'll joke around a bit with teammates, engage in some casual banter and then focus his steely eyes on the mound before taking a few swings in the batting cage.
Bautista is coming off back-to-back career seasons but the spotlight hasn't got to him. He's quite comfortable with his progression and is keen to weigh in when teammates come to him for guidance.
"I think it's something that kind of falls in your lap," Bautista said. "People start gravitating your way when you start having success."
It's often just little things. Over the weekend, Bautista subtly chimed in as centre-fielder Colby Rasmus entered the cage.
"Make sure your hands are ready Colby," he said.
Rasmus nodded and promptly lashed a pitch to the outfield.
"There ya go," said a smiling Bautista.
The 31-year-old native of the Dominican Republic is quick to point out he doesn't have the recipe for success. There is certainly no know-it-all demeanour -- Bautista is just as keen to accept pointers as he is to give them.
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