Former Colorado Rockies great Dante Bichette will be watching his son, Toronto Blue Jays infielder Bo Bichette, do something he never got to do — play in the World Series.
But Dante told Heavy Sports exclusively on a Mile High Sports podcast that he wasn’t sure how much the Jays could expect from his son, who is recovering from a knee injury and was left off of Toronto’s roster in the American League division and championship series.
“We’re not really sure,” Dante said October 24 about Bo’s status ahead of that night’s Game 1 against the Los Angeles Dodgers. “He could play second – they’ve worked him at second. He could play short and he could DH, depending on match ups. He’s not 100%, but it’s tough to sit out when you’ve got the World Series…I think he feels pretty good.”
If you can walk, you’re not sitting out the World Series, as the thinking goes. But Bichette estimated Bo being at about 80%. Running the bases is a concern, as is mobility in the field. But having his bat in the lineup should more than compensate for whatever he can’t do quite yet.
“If you’re looking for him to be Vince Coleman, he’s probably not going to be your guy,” Bichette said, referencing the 1980s base-stealing legend. “But if you’re looking for him to maybe deliver a big hit, I think you have to really consider him (being in the starting lineup) especially how he hits the high velo(city) and the elite pitching. That’s all these guys throw.”
Bo Bichette Is One of the Blue Jays’ Key Players
Bo Bichette was a critical bat in the Blue Jays’ lineup all year, along with George Springer and Vlad Guerrero Jr., before missing the final six weeks of the regular season. Dante compared that threesome to their counterparts with the Dodgers, Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman.
According to Baseball Savant, Bo Bichette was the major leagues’ second best hitter against pitches over 97 mph. “That’s why they’re trying to get him back in there,” Dante added. “Hopefully he can just deliver some of that.”
The Blue Jays have a solid lineup, top to bottom, and they’ve won two playoff series without Bo. But Dante knows having one of their top sluggers back in the lineup could make a big difference.
“The situation is going to dictate. If he gets in a situation where he leads off the seventh inning with a double and it’s a tight game, they’re going to pinch run for him.”
As for what the Bichette family will be doing when Bo comes to bat in the World Series?
“You’re at the mercy of the Baseball God’s here,” Dante smiled. “You pray for the best. … You know he’s worked hard and you just take a deep breath. You have to learn the mental game of parenting.”
Dante Bichette Was a Colorado Rockies Icon
Dante Bichette, 61, had several standout seasons as an outfielder for the Colorado Rockies.
His historic home run christened brand new Coors Field in April of 1995, and he went on to put up an MVP-caliber season that year, belting 40 home runs, with 128 RBI, 197 hits and an OPS of .984.
The four-time All-Star finished second in the MVP voting that season to Cincinnati Reds Hall of Famer Barry Larkin, while helping the three-year-old expansion Rockies into the National League Playoffs.
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