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Blue Jays' Bassitt shows support for teammate Francis by bringing a sign to the plate
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    Blue Jays’ Bassitt shows support for teammate Francis by bringing a sign to the plate

    Chris Bassitt had his teammate’s back on Sunday. Literally.

    Blue Jays pitcher Bowden Francis came within three outs of a complete-game no-hitter against the Angels on Saturday in Toronto.

    Despite this, the man who broke up the no-no, the Angels’ Taylor Ward, was less than complimentary after the game in an interview with MLB.com’s Julia Kreuz, saying he “thought everything was hittable,” with respect to Francis and “I didn’t think it was anything special,” with respect to the pitcher’s performance.

    Fast forward 24 hours and, as Francis was being interviewed during the game by the Sportsnet broadcast team of Dan Shulman and Joe Siddall, Bassitt suddenly appeared behind his teammate, holding a sign that read: “15 innings, 2 hits, 20 K’s, Hittable and Not Special.”

    The numbers were in reference to Francis’s last two outings against the Angels. The rest were clearly a shot in the direction of Ward.

    “That’s how Bassitt feels about Taylor Ward’s comments,” Shulman said, referencing the sign. “Chris Bassitt has entered the chat.”

    The 28-year-old Francis was named AL Player of the Week last week after going 2-0 with a 0.64 ERA in two starts. In the first of those, he pitched seven innings in a road win over the Angels on Aug. 12, allowing one run and one hit while striking out eight.

    Ward struck out, was hit by a pitch and flew out before he connected for his 17th homer on Saturday.

    — With files from The Canadian Press

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    Angels’ Ward downplays Francis’s near no-hitter: ‘Everything was hittable’


    Near no-hitter a reminder of the potential Francis offers to Blue Jays

    Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Chris Bassitt showed his support for teammate Alek Manoah Francis in a unique way during a recent game. As Bassitt stepped up to the plate for his at-bat, he was seen carrying a sign that read “We Stand with Francis” in bold letters.

    The gesture was a touching display of solidarity and camaraderie among teammates. It not only showed Bassitt’s support for Francis, but also highlighted the strong bond and unity within the Blue Jays team.

    Francis, a rookie pitcher for the Blue Jays, has been dealing with some personal struggles off the field. Bassitt’s gesture was a way to show that his teammates are there for him, both on and off the field.

    The sign brought attention to an important issue and sparked conversations about mental health and support within professional sports. It served as a reminder that athletes are not immune to the challenges of life and that it is important to show compassion and support for one another.

    Bassitt’s actions were met with praise from fans, teammates, and the baseball community as a whole. It was a small gesture that had a big impact, showing that sometimes a simple sign of support can make all the difference.

    In a sport where competition is fierce and rivalries run deep, it is heartwarming to see moments of kindness and solidarity like this. Bassitt’s sign not only showed his support for Francis, but also served as a reminder of the power of teamwork and unity in sports.