Shapiro and Atkins: Is it time for Toronto Blue Jays fans to declare a job well done?
Photo credit: https://torontosun.com/
How much credit should president Mark Shapiro and general manager Ross Atkins get for this Toronto Blue Jays historic year?
Remember when fans were up in arms, calling for the heads of President Mark Shapiro and General Manager Ross Atkins?
The 2024 season was a disaster based on the talent on the roster that led to a 74-88 record and last-place finish in the AL East.
The front office was under fire, and the future looked bleak.
Since Mark Shapiro and Ross Atkins assumed their roles within the Toronto Blue Jays organization, their tenure has failed to have that breakthrough moment in the postseason.
Conversely, the team hadn't won a playoff game since 2016 on a team the duo largely inherited, and in a results-oriented business like running a professional baseball club, zero playoff success may not have been enough to keep them around much longer.
However, here we are in October 2025, and suddenly, the narrative has flipped and you can bet Mark Shapiro's phone is blowing up.
When it comes to Mark Shapiro and Ross Atkins the narrative has changed amongst Blue Jays fans
Besides turning the concrete multi sports relic that used to be called SkyDome into an actual ballpark worthy of baseball fans from around the world, Mark Shapiro pushed all the right buttons in 2025 when it came to the on-field product.
The player personnel decisions Mark Shapiro and Ross Atkins made this year resulted in this incredible Blue Jays season.
With the club having the best record in the American League for only the fourth time in 49 big-league seasons.
The increase in wins from one season to the next, from 74 to 94 is a startling number by itself.
The Blue Jays won the American League East for the first time in a decade.
They won the American League Division Series over the New York Yankees, advancing to the American League Championship series for the first time since 2016.
It's not easily explained or interpreted. It just happened. And not necessarily because of the way Shapiro and Atkins drew it up.
This was a pressure-filled season for the club president and the general manager, both of them under heat when the season began.
The 2024 season was a near disgrace. The 2023 season ended in playoff controversy, confusion and finger-pointing.
After the Blue Jays sealed the deal against the New York Yankees on Wednesday night Shapiro looked on from the dugout like a proud poppa.
In a post game interview with the media Shapiro spoke about this teams resilience without taking an ounce of credit.
«Just such a picture of resilience, determination, team effort, so many of the values that are easy to celebrate and you aspire to when you think about building an organization, not just a team,» Blue Jays president and CEO Mark Shapiro, leaning against the dugout railing amid the party around him, said in an interview. «These guys, they really personify that And I was proud. That's how it felt. That and the silence in Yankee Stadium, that's the greatest sound. I've heard it twice in my career. And as much as I would always want to celebrate at home, this would be the second-best place in the world, because there's nothing better than hearing complete silence and just 30 guys in the middle of the field. It's unbelievable.»
Even Yankees manager Aaron Boone gave them props for picking up Shane Bieber at the deadline.
"Credit to the Blue Jays for picking up Bieber at the deadline and being able to add him to the rotation."
Humbled by the Blue Jays in the ALDS, Boone also gave credit to the team who dominated his Yankees all season long.
A team that Shapiro and Atkins built for the playoffs.
«Credit to the Blue Jays and the year they've had. They beat us this series, simple as that.»
The job isn't done yet and yes there is a long way to go still, but it's time to give credit where credit is due.
It's time to drop the "Shatkins" moniker Blue Jays fans shout from the hilltops with every decision they disagree with.
| POLL | ||
OCTOBRE 9 | 472 ANSWERS Shapiro and Atkins: Is it time for Toronto Blue Jays fans to declare a job well done? Do you think its time to give Mark Shapiro and Ross Atkins credit where credit is due? | ||
| Yes | 200 | 42.4 % |
| No | 101 | 21.4 % |
| Too early to tell | 87 | 18.4 % |
| Only if the Blue Jays win the World Series | 84 | 17.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
TRENDING NOW
