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Everyone's favorite baseball player is back. Reports from the Toronto Star indicate that the utility infielder who stole so many Canadian hearts last season has picked up a minor league contract for 2014:
You can exhale, #bluejays fans. The #jays just inked Munenori Kawasaki to a minor-league deal w/ invite to ST. It's a Festivus miracle!
— Brendan Kennedy (@BKennedyStar) December 24, 2013
Kawasaki's stats were less than impressive in 2013 -- in 96 games, he batted .229/.326/.308 with 12 extra-base hits and seven stolen bases -- but his antics off the field may have played a role in bringing him back to Toronto. Here are just a few of the tools Kawasaki brings to the game:
When asked to address the fans after a walk-off, he proudly asserts his nationality:
He is able and willing to mentor his teammates, and helped Mark DeRosa with some key phrases during his bit on Intentional Talk... twice:
He utilizes his baseball techniques in his offseason activities:
And, perhaps most important of all, he choreographs his own victory dances:
Circle August 11-13 on your calendars, Mariners fans. It may not mean much for the M's win-loss column, but it'll be one series you won't want to miss.
