TORONTO — Almost a decade since his playing days with the Blue Jays came to an end, José Bautista continues to leave his mark on the city of Toronto.

Following Bautista’s retirement in 2023 — when he signed a one-day contract to retire with the team that helped turn him into one of baseball’s most feared sluggers — Jays Care Foundation announced a $120,000 donation to the Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital to enhance its Teen Lounge in honour of No. 19.

On Friday, that project came to fruition, as Jays Care, Holland Bloorview and Bautista officially unveiled the new-look Lounge. The Blue Jays- and Bautista-themed space offers inpatient clients a place to spend time and connect while at the hospital.

Three Holland Bloorview patients joined Bautista for the ceremonial ribbon-cutting and gave the six-time All-Star the honour of placing the first signed baseball into a display case that will eventually be joined by autographed balls from future Blue Jays visitors.

“It’s my pleasure to figure out different ways to continue to give back,” Bautista said. “Very often, as athletes, we take it for granted that our positions allow us to be in a situation that we can make an impact.

“So, I take that very much to heart, and any way that I can give back to the community, I’m always going to try to do that.”

Bautista’s on-field accomplishments have long been cemented in franchise lore at this point. The 2010 and ‘11 American League home run king was inducted into the Blue Jays’ Level of Excellence in 2023, has a mural in downtown Toronto commemorating his iconic bat flip from the 2015 ALDS and remains among the organization’s leaders in a number of offensive categories.

But what has helped turn Bautista into far more than just a baseball star was the connection he built with the city itself — a bond reinforced by events like Friday’s.

“I think José always wanted to be involved in the community,” said Blue Jays executive vice president of business operations Marnie Starkman. “It was important for him as a leader and as a player that even during the game and the grueling season that he found a way to make sure he was giving back.”

Bautista was certainly active as a humanitarian during his career in Toronto, but since his official retirement, he has very much remained a visible figure for the Blue Jays. Whether it was helping the team launch its City Connect jerseys in 2024, offering hitting advice to Toronto Minor Leaguers in Dunedin, or celebrating his induction into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame last June, it’s clear that Bautista has embraced his spot as one of the most important players in franchise history.

“Anytime that I can come back and figure out ways to give back has been one of my priorities,” Bautista said of staying involved in the Toronto community. “I got a lot [from the city] when I was playing here, and I have to figure out different ways to give it back. So, it’s been fun. It’s great, and I’m meeting a lot of great people while I’m at it.”

While Friday’s ceremony might be the most impactful part of Bautista’s return trip to Toronto, it was just the beginning of another celebration of his career.

As the Blue Jays open a six-game homestand at Rogers Centre, Bautista and longtime runningmate Edwin Encarnación are the subjects of Toronto’s latest giveaway — a bobblehead of the duo transported into the modern City Connect uniforms mid-home run flex.

It all continues to reinforce the special connection between Bautista, Toronto fans and the Blue Jays, one that isn’t fading away any time soon.

“When we have players like José, who feel it’s important to be involved, we embrace that,” Starkman said. “José has done such a tremendous job of being clear with us that he’s a Blue Jay through and through, and that’s important for his legacy and important for us as a team.”