José Antonio Bautista Santos, known professionally as José Bautista, is a Dominican former professional baseball player who had a successful 15-year career in Major League Baseball (MLB).
He primarily plays right field and third base and is best known for playing for the Toronto Blue Jays. Bautista’s MLB career began in 2004 when he debuted with the Baltimore Orioles.
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- Full name: José Antonio Bautista Santos
- Stage name: José Bautista
- Date of birth: October 19, 1980
- Age: 43 years old
- Place of birth: Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
- Nationality: Dominican
- Occupation: Dominican baseball right fielder
- Height: 1.83 m
- Parents: Americo Bautista, Sandra Bautista
- Siblings: Luis Gabriel Bautista
- Spouse: Neisha Croyle (married 2017)
- Children: 4
- Relationship: Married
- Net worth: $45 million
Early life and education
José Antonio Bautista Santos was born on October 19, 1980 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
He is the son of Americo Bautista and Sandra Bautista, and has a younger brother named Luis Gabriel Bautista.
Bautista attended De La Salle High School in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, where he excelled as a junior baseball player.
After graduating from high school, he continued his education and pursued a baseball career at Chipola College, a community college in Florida known for its strong baseball program. Ethnically, Bautista is Dominican and he is a Christian.
Career
José Bautista, nicknamed “Joey Bats,” was a prominent player in Major League Baseball, especially during his time with the Toronto Blue Jays.
After being drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2000, Bautista’s early career was inconsistent as he bounced between various teams.
After being traded to the Blue Jays in 2008, Bautista’s career changed. He became a power-hitting superstar, leading the American League in home runs twice and becoming a regular All-Star. From 2010 to 2015, he reached the peak of his power, synonymous with the Blue Jays’ resurgence.
One of the most iconic moments of Bautista’s career was his memorable flip-flop after hitting a game-winning home run against the Texas Rangers in the 2015 playoffs. The event sparked a debate about sportsmanship but cemented Bautista’s status as a fan favorite and a great character.
After his peak years with the Blue Jays, Bautista’s performance declined and he played for several teams before retiring in 2018.
Although his prime was short-lived, Bautista left an indelible mark on the game with his powerful hitting and charismatic personality. He is considered one of the greatest players in Blue Jays franchise history.
In March 2023, the Blue Jays announced that Bautista would be inducted into the team’s Class of Excellence on August 12, 2023. One day before the ceremony, Bautista would sign a one-day contract and officially retire as a Toronto Blue Jay.
Social media
- Instagram Name: @joeybats19
- Twitter Username: @JoeyBats19
Personal life
José Bautista, a former professional baseball player, is married to Neisha Croyle Bautista.
The couple married in a lavish ceremony in Palm Beach, Florida in 2017, attended by friends and family, including many of Bautista’s former teammates from his playing days.
José and Neisha Bautista have four daughters, although their children’s names have not been released to the media.
Net worth
José Bautista, a former professional baseball player, has an estimated net worth of around $45 million.
The majority of his wealth comes from his successful career in Major League Baseball (MLB), particularly during his time with the Toronto Blue Jays.
His net worth is a testament to his exceptional skill and influence as a professional baseball player, especially during his time with the Toronto Blue Jays, where he established himself as one of the league’s most powerful hitters.
