Dear Munenori,
When I was younger, I watched every Blue Jays game.
Not knowing much about the sport, I always picked my favourite players based on who seemed the nicest, the most interesting — who I would hang out with if I ever got the chance.
You, Mune, fit that category. And now I hear you might leave us.
We’ve only had one season, and although it’s been more than enough for us to love you, we are nowhere near ready to say goodbye.
You arrived amidst a slew of former all-stars, a light-hitting minor league free agent not expected to do much for the team, let alone the fans.
But it is because you were an underdog that you captured Toronto’s attention and, ultimately, heart.
It was that heart, dear Munenori, that almost broke Friday. The Jays didn’t pick up the $1 million option on your contract making you a free agent. Does that mean you’ll come back on a cheaper deal, go to another MLB team or head to Japan for a more lucrative contract?
So I write this letter not as a goodbye, but as a plea: stay Mune!
Obviously not for the money, but for us — don’t they always say you can’t buy happiness?
You were just a 32-year-old shortstop signed at the start of spring training as insurance. No big deal amongst the big names who were supposed to deliver for the Jays.
And yet you became a light in an otherwise dreary season. No one could deny your energy, quirkiness and infectious love for the game.
You carried around a Japanese-to-English translation book, starred in videos that went viral and were the Jays’ biggest cheerleader from the dugout. You gave us someone to cheer for, when all else failed.
We despaired when you got sent to the minors when Jose Reyes returned from injury. We did not have to mourn for long, however, as you rejoined the team two days later.
How long will we mourn this time, Mune?
When you struggled at the plate, we all struggled. Your mediocre numbers — 24 RBIs and a .229 batting average — gave us all the more reason to celebrate when you did connect. Remember when you hit that homer against Baltimore and we chanted your name?
Twitter cried for you on Friday.
“You need team players to win anything, and he’s the best example in years,” said SoylentEH.
One of us, William Dyer, went through multiple stages of grief in one tweet.
From despair and anger: “KAWASAKI! NO! DON’T GO!” To acceptance: “Ok, fine. Good luck, buddy.”
But it’s not fine, buddy, and the only luck I wish you is for next season . . . when you return to the Jays.
So what do you say, Mune? Will you stay for the fans?
Kim Nursall
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