Joey Loperfido says goodbye to Toronto with a message that hits right in the feels
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Victor William
Feb 13, 2026 (5:19 PM)
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Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Joey Loperfido has officially played his last game as a Blue Jay, but he made sure to leave with the same class he showed every day on the field.
The baseball business is ruthless, and today it sent one of our favorites back to where it all began.
Joey Loperfido (Drafted 7th round, 2021 by Houston) was traded back to the Astros this morning in the deal for Jesus Sanchez.
It’s a bittersweet moment because, in a short time, "Joe Cooks" became a legitimate fan favorite north of the border.
He didn't just wear the jersey; he embraced the city and the weight of playing for "a whole country."
His parting words were pure class: "I’m so grateful to have gotten to play with this group... That postseason run is something I’ll have for my whole life."
That run he's talking about? He was right there in the thick of it, grinding out at-bats and playing hard defense when the lights were brightest.
Loperfido slashed .333 with an .879 OPS in his 2025 stint with us, showing flashes of the player he is destined to become.
A short but memorable chapter in Toronto
It is rare for a player to make such an emotional impact in less than two full seasons, but Loperfido was different.
He understood the passion of this fanbase and fed off it every time he stepped into the batter's box.
Sending him back to Houston gives him a chance to reunite with the organization that drafted him, which is a nice silver lining.
But for us, it's a reminder that the cost of acquiring big-league talent like Sanchez often means saying goodbye to good people.
He leaves Toronto with a career .248 average and 8 homers across two seasons, but his contributions went beyond the box score.
He was a spark plug, a great teammate, and a guy who genuinely loved being a Blue Jay.
We wish him nothing but the best in Houston—except when he plays against us, of course.
Once a Jay, always a Jay. Thanks for the memories, Joey.
Also read on Toronto Baseball Insider :
Ross Atkins reveals why he decided to trade Joey Loperfido back to Houston
Ross Atkins reveals why he decided to trade Joey Loperfido back to Houston