Marcus Stroman on Jose Bautista bat flip: 'Should have thrown it further'

Marcus Stroman calls the culture of baseball "very conservative," and hopes to be among a group of young players that helps push the game toward a more celebratory atmosphere, one where criticism over public displays of emotion are rare.

And not surprisingly, the Toronto Blue Jays starter has some strong feelings about the epic bat toss performed by teammate Jose Bautista when the slugger hit a three-run home run that decided the AL Division Series against the Texas Rangers.

“I really think Bautista should have thrown the bat further,’’ Stroman said of Bautista's Game 5 rocket off Rangers reliever Sam Dyson. “That was the second-most historic homer in Blue Jays’ history, besides Joe Carter’s (that ended the 1993 World Series). That was an extreme moment for not only the Blue Jays, but the country of Canada.

“When Bautista hit that homer, it was like Canada hit that homer. My whole body went completely numb. I never had a feeling like that. I remember hanging out with Bautista after the game and he said, “Dude, I just blacked out. I didn’t even know what I did.’’

Bautista earned some criticism for his antics, which once again magnified a culture clash that has played out in the game in recent years.

Stroman, who has a 15-6 record in 24 career starts, is among a group of players who have earned significant equity on the field at a young age. That group, he believes, may help spark a paradigm shift to loosen some of the constraints created by the game's on-field culture.

“Baseball is very conservative,’’ Stroman says, “but with the young wave of guys coming up, I feel like it’s starting to change. It’s a sport that slowly is starting to become more hip, more trendy, and more modern. It lacks behind the other sports in that sense, but I feel it changing.

“With the (Bryce) Harpers, (Mike) Trouts, (Carlos) Correas and (Javy) Baezes of the world, there’s a core group of guys who can make baseball more appealing to the young kids, who can make baseball look fun. I feel that’s what baseball lacks sometimes, that fun element.’’

The Blue Jays almost epitomize this ethos from a group perspective; their exuberance was evident throughout their run to the playoffs and to the brink of the World Series.

And no, Stroman says, the Blue Jays don't plan on changing their ways or their goals, even if ace David Price left to sign a $217 million contract with the AL East rival Boston Red Sox.

“I’m the most confident individual I ever met,’’ Stroman says, “and I’m telling you, we’ll be back. This team is too good. We’re too close. And too hungry.

“That place is going to be crazy all year.’’

The last time they were all together was last October, losing Game 6 in the American League Championship Series against the Kansas City Royals.

There were no tears, only quiet chatter and a conviction that they’ll be back.

“We weren’t down, we accepted it,’’ Stroman said. “It was all right. We knew were going to have the same corps of guys back. The vibe was, “We’re here. We put everybody on notice now, and people know we’re here.’

“Let’s get back here next year. Let’s get back to this point and let’s go further. Everybody go home, chill out, put your work in, and let’s rock this spring. We got it next year.’

“I remember Bautista telling me, ''Stro, we got this thing next year.’ Everybody just had that kind of confidence. “Let’s go. Let’s go get what’s ours.’’

And, oh, if you don’t like their enthusiasm, their public display of emotion, and yes, those wild bat flips, find another sport to watch.

“We don’t care what everyone else says,’’ Stroman said. “You got guys bat flipping bats all of the time, and guys don’t pay attention to it, but I feel like he gets a bad rap.

“People don’t understand Bautista, how much work this guy he puts in on and off the field. He’s relentless in his work ethic and his approach. He does everything he can to prepare himself - not only on the field, but off the field.

“Bautista is the man. I respect him more than anyone in the game.’’

Bautista and fellow slugger Edwin Encarnacion are both free agents after this season, adding urgency to 2016.

“We’re not worried about that,’’ Stroman said, “because we plan to win right now. I know I can’t wait to pitching in front of 50,000 screaming fans. We love the emotion. We feed off that energy.

“We can’t wait for it to be crazy all year when we bring a championship back to Toronto.’’

GALLERY: Marcus Stroman, Blue Jays' emerging star