It took eight games for the Athletics to see one of their old friends again – someone who just recently left for Toronto.
Matt Chapman went 0-for-2 with two walks in his first game against his former team for the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday, but it must have felt strange for his ex-teammates to watch Chapman play third base for nine innings in a uniform other than the Oakland green and gold.
For starting pitcher Daulton Jefferies, who took the loss in the 4-1 Blue Jays victory at Rogers Centre, facing Chapman was enjoyable.
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“He looks good in blue,” Jefferies told reporters after the game. “But it’s always fun to face a teammate like that, especially one that was part of that core group and such a role model for all the younger guys. I’m glad he looks happy. I wish him nothing but the best.”
Jefferies played sparingly in 2020 and 2021, so he didn’t get to experience too much of Chapman’s stellar defense behind him. But it’s clear that the three-time Gold Glove winner continues to command respect from the organization where he developed into a star at third base.
Chapman will receive his 2021 Gold Glove award before Saturday’s game, and manager Mark Kotsay is glad that it’ll also be in front of the A’s.
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"I know there’s a Gold Glove ceremony for him tomorrow and I’m thankful that we’re here for that and look forward to watching him accept that award,” Kotsay said (H/T Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle).
Related: Why Chapman trade to Blue Jays was 'strange' for A's GM Forst
On the field Friday, the A’s ran into the hot bat of Blue Jays slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who went 2-for-3 with a solo homer off Jefferies in the first inning.
Jefferies, who didn’t allow a run and got the win in his first outing of the season against the Philadelphia Phillies, fell behind immediately against Toronto when he hung a cutter to Guerrero.
“I try to think of everyone as lefties and righties instead of Vlad Guerrero and Bo Bichette and those guys,” Jefferies said. “But he’s a good hitter, I left a cutter up and he took advantage of it, put a good swing on it. Like I said, good hitters will do that.”
Kotsay, who played against Vladimir Guerrero Sr., said that Vlad Jr. is like his dad.
“You throw it anywhere and he’s going to barrel it,” Kotsay said. “As an opposing manager, you kind of go, ‘Oh gosh, here he comes again,’ but from a fan’s standpoint, it’s great for the game and you have to enjoy watching him.”