Opening Day 2015: Jose Bautista robs Brett Gardner (Video)

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Jose Bautista is one of the best right fielders in the game, and he showed it versus Brett Gardner on Opening Day

Jose Bautista has never quite gotten the respect he deserves as a defensive outfielder. Known for having one of the best arms in the game, the Blue Jays right fielder often runs some of the best routes in baseball, and he showed that during the very first inning on Opening Day.

With one out in the first inning, Drew Hutchison pumped a fastball right over the heart of the plate to Yankees left fielder, who was sitting on the pitch and lined it to right. Bautista immediately got on his horse, and with a leap, caught the ball on with his back up against the Who But W.B. Mason sign. The ball didn’t have enough on it to get out of the yard, but it saved extra bases and kept the Yankees off the bases in the first inning.

That would be the only significant piece that the Yankees got off Hutchison through the first three innings of play. Meanwhile, the Blue Jays would finally get to Yankee starter Masahiro Tanaka with five hits and five runs, including an Edwin Encarnacion home run in the top of the third inning.

As for Jose Bautista, we mentioned how he was known more for his arm in right field than he is with his glove. Well, here’s an example from last season when he guns down not one but two Royals at first base from the outfield. Did I mention these were on back-to-back nights?

Needless to say, Joey Bats comes to the field with a pretty good glove too!

Next: J.D. Martinez hits first home run of 2015

More from FanSided

• Joe Burrow owes Justin Herbert a thank you note after new contract
• Chiefs gamble at wide receiver could already be biting them back
• Braves-Red Sox start time: Braves rain delay in Boston on July 25
• Yankees: Aaron Boone gives optimistic return date for Aaron Judge
• MLB Rumors: Yankees-Phillies trade showdown, Mariners swoop, India goes to Seattle