Stroman fires up crowd leaving mound in possible final Toronto start
If this was the Stro Show's Canadian finale, it sure was memorable.
Toronto Blue Jays All-Star Marcus Stroman, who's widely expected to be traded ahead of the July 31 deadline, displayed plenty of emotion at the end of what was quite possibly his final home start for the team. As he exited the mound after tossing seven innings of one-run ball against the Cleveland Indians, a fired-up Stroman gestured to the Rogers Centre crowd and appeared to have a message for Blue Jays fans.
From The 6 to Number 6 💙@MStrooo6 | #StroShow pic.twitter.com/kU9L2VvBII
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) July 25, 2019
This is just my amateur attempt at lip reading, but it looks like Marcus Stroman said: "This is my (expletive) house". pic.twitter.com/xH2QTLGZBa
— Ian Hunter (@BlueJayHunter) July 25, 2019
"I said, 'This is my house,'" Stroman confirmed postgame, according to Sportsnet's Shi Davidi. "Because it is."
The right-hander then embraced manager Charlie Montoyo in the dugout.
Stroman and Charlie Montoyo with a C+ hug to mark the occasion pic.twitter.com/5wsWXoiUEt
— Nick Ashbourne (@NickAshbourne) July 25, 2019
"I just thought it could be my last outing here," Stroman continued. "I've always been emotional. I feel like I've had a pretty good tenure as a Blue Jay, hopefully this will be my third season throwing 200 innings or more. I pitched pretty well in the best division in baseball, you know what I mean?
"There's been no willingness from the front office to sign me, so I've just kind of come to terms with it and I'm ready to dominate wherever that may be. Absolutely dominate."
Although Stroman's expressed a desire to stay in Toronto, many in baseball - including the pitcher himself - expect that a trade will come down before August. The New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Atlanta Braves, and Philadelphia Phillies are but a few of the teams that have been connected to him this month.