Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Chris Bassitt recently responded to comments made by Los Angeles Angels outfielder Taylor Ward, who downplayed Blue Jays pitcher Bowden Francis’ stellar performance during a game. The incident occurred after Francis carried a no-hitter into the ninth inning, only to lose it on a leadoff home run by Ward. Despite the home run, Francis’ performance was remarkable, striking out 12 batters and allowing just one hit over eight innings.
Ward, however, was dismissive of Francis’ effort, stating after the game that he didn’t find Francis particularly difficult to hit, suggesting that “everything was hittable” and that Francis’ performance was “nothing special.” These comments seemed out of place, especially considering that Francis had previously held the Angels to just one hit over seven innings in another recent matchup.
The dismissive remarks did not go unnoticed by the Blue Jays. The following day, during a SportsNet broadcast, Francis was being interviewed in the dugout when Bassitt humorously interrupted. Holding up a sign behind Francis, Bassitt highlighted Francis’ impressive combined stats against the Angels this season—15 innings pitched, two hits allowed, and 20 strikeouts. The sign also included the sarcastic phrase “hittable & not special,” directly mocking Ward’s earlier comments.
Bassitt’s playful yet pointed response underscored the absurdity of Ward’s remarks, given that Francis had effectively shut down the Angels’ offense in two separate outings. The Angels’ struggles this season, particularly their last-place standing in the AL West, make Ward’s critique seem even more misplaced.
This exchange serves as a reminder of the competitive nature of baseball, where players often use comments from opponents as motivation. Bassitt’s defense of his teammate highlights the camaraderie and support within the Blue Jays’ clubhouse, while also delivering a light-hearted but sharp retort to an opponent who, despite the bravado, has struggled against Francis on the field.
The incident may be minor in the grand scheme of the season, but it adds an extra layer of intrigue to future matchups between the Blue Jays and Angels, as players on both sides will undoubtedly remember this back-and-forth the next time they face off.
