Toronto Blue Jays president Mark Shapiro challenges the fan base in recent interview
Photo credit: The Globe and Mail
The Toronto Blue Jays front office started the week off strong by locking up their franchise star Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to a 14-year, $500 million contract extension on Monday.
Hours before signing first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr, Blue Jays President Mark Shapiro addresses critical fanbase on the Gate 14 Podcast to share some insight on his day-to-day as team president.
Among many topics, Shapiro discussed how he deals with a passionate yet critical Blue Jays fanbase.
Adam Laskaris of the Daily Hive writes that General Manager Ross Atkins and President Mark Shapiro joined the team's front office after the 2015 season. The two have overseen the development of young players like Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette turn into stars in the MLB.
But the Jays have yet to win a playoff series since 2016 under the two executives. Meanwhile, the pair have often been criticized for failing to lure big-name external free agents, often finishing second fiddle in infamous negotiations like those with Shohei Ohtani and Juan Soto each of the past two offseasons. -Laskaris
Shapiro explains how fans have every right to express their frustrations when the team isn't doing well, and that he takes full responsibility on turning things around as fast as possible.
It's not the critic that counts. If you get in the ring, do the job, put yourself on the line those are the people I respect, not the critic just sitting from the sideline throwing darts. Understand how hard it is [to be a baseball executive]. Understand how challenging these roles are and these jobs are, and then demand that we're doing the best we can possibly do, and demand that we get better and learn from the mistakes we make; I expect that. I demand that from myself and those around me. -Shapiro
The Blue Jays have yet to win a playoff series since 2016 under the two executives, which is why fans are rightfully starting to lose patience with the current ownership team.
The full interview is available on YouTube and other podcast platforms.
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AVRIL 8 | 3654 ANSWERS Toronto Blue Jays president Mark Shapiro challenges the fan base in recent interview Will Mark Shapiro remain the Blue Jays President at the end of the season? | ||
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