Do you recall what you were doing at 5 in the morning on Friday, March 18th?
Personally, I was about three hours into my sleep about to be unwillingly woken up by my kittens. Do you want to know what Matt Chapman was doing? The new Blue Jays third baseman was already at the training facility, ready to work.
Bo Bichette and Santiago Espinal arrived at the #BlueJays complex at 6:15am. Asked if they knew what time new teammate Matt Chapman was scheduled to show up today.
Espinal: “oh, he’s here already. He got here at 5am.”
— Hazel Mae (@thehazelmae) March 18, 2022
While Santiago was incorrect in regards to the time, it does leave a good first impression with the fans, the front office and his fellow players. Not just that, but from interviews you can tell that the third baseman is excited to be a part of this team.
Matt Chapman on what time he arrived: “think I told them 5:55a..was here at 6am..I knew I was gonna have a busy day… wanted to make sure I could meet all my teammates…I’m now part of the breakfast club… I couldn’t sleep either, felt like my first day of school.” #BlueJays pic.twitter.com/MpXkSGt2Md
— Hazel Mae (@thehazelmae) March 18, 2022
The similarities to former Blue Jays infielder, Marcus Semien are present. Like Semien, Chapman spent the previous season with the Oakland Athletic’s, but struggled offensively. For Semien, the move paid off well, as he signed a seven year, $175 million contract. Chapman spoke with the former Jay, who said that the 28-year-old third baseman would love it in Toronto.
Matt Chapman spoke to Former #BlueJays Marcus Semien on joining the organization:
“He gave me about as much of an update as he could, and just told me how much I’m going to love it (here), and love the guys.”
*Chapman with George Springer pic.twitter.com/Gy …
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Author: Brennan Delaney / Blue Jays Nation