Why naming Kevin Gausman was the easy, obvious choice for Opening Day

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DUNEDIN, Fla. — Kevin Gausman has some treasured memories of the Rogers Centre, a ball park that continues to be the most important venue of his stellar career.

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His first career start in the big leagues as a member of the Baltimore Orioles.

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Starting in Game 6 of the World Series with a chance to win it for the Blue Jays and cap off the dream season of dream seasons.

And now he’ll get the ball for opening day in one of the most anticipated seasons in franchise history.

Manager John Schneider made what was, in many ways, the obvious announcement here on Sunday morning and he couldn’t be happier for his veteran starter and team leader.

“I’m pumped for him, pumped for us and it’s about time he got one,” Schneider said of Gausman’s first crack at opening day in what will be his fifth season with the Jays. “I’m excited for Kevin to get us going.”

Though the 35-year-old will be making his third career opening-day start, it will be his first in the uniform of the team and city that he’s made his adopted home.. And, obviously, it will come with an extra dose of emotion and pageantry as the Jays not only celebrate their 50th anniversary season, but raise the banner from their 2025 American League championship season.

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“I think opening day should be a national holiday,” Schneider said. “After the first one, it’s just kind of another start. But I think it’s really cool (for Gausman).”

The right-hander appreciates the vibe in the city and is well aware of the heightened atmosphere that will be in play on March 27.

“It’s going to be a lot different than most,” Gausman said in an interview earlier this week before the opening-day gig was formally announced, even if it was a foregone conclusion.

“There’s just the excitement around the team from what happened last year. We could feel that excitement and we’re looking to getting back there and feeling that same energy.

“We played great last year in front of our fans and we’re looking forward to doing that again.”

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Why Gausman as opening-day starter?

Besides his veteran presence, the man has earned it.

He’s been a workhorse throughout his big-league career and especially during his time in Toronto. And with his time with the team, he’s become a clubhouse leader.

It’s not just a ceremonial assignment, however, a point the manager made clear.

“Obviously, it’s his stuff, but I think it’s the trust factor and what you can expect with some extra hoopla and the ceremonies and the timing being off a little bit,” Schneider said prior to the Jays-Tigers pre-season meeting at TD Ballpark. “(Gausman) can navigate that. And Kev has done that in big games before.

“So when you’re trying to put a really competitive season together, it’s cool to have a guy you really trust who has been here for a long time to get it started.”

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The Colorado native was the logical choice performance-wise, as well. Last year’s starter, Jose Berrios, has been shut down with elbow inflammation and new guy Dylan Cease will likely get his day at some point. So, for now, Gausman is the man.

“It would be fun, but I try not to think about it too much,” Gausman said. “It’s one of 30-plus (starts per season). But it’s an honour and it would be really cool.”

Family man, team leader

The leadership factor is important for this, as well, which has definitely played into the choice.

“He’s such a quiet guy, but he’s so consistent,” Schneider said. “When you look back at the last four years of him being here, he’s just been so stable and so consistent, not only performance, but in the clubhouse.

“Everyone knows he’s a family man and he’s got his two girls, and you know that’s hugely important to him. But baseball is hugely important to him (as well.)

“He’s not the loudest character, but just knows what to do every single day. I think our starting rotation has kind of taken on this brotherhood almost and he’s been a huge part of it.”

With that status comes expectations and that, too, plays into Gausman’s toolbox.

“He’s done everything we could ask for him up to this point, and we’re going to continue to count on him big time this year,” Schneider said.

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