Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Chris Bassitt. Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images

Watch: Blue Jays pitcher has to wear team's fantasy football punishment

By Adam Gretz | Last updated Feb 22, 2025 4:49 PM ET

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Chris Bassitt celebrated his 36th birthday on Saturday as the team opened its 2025 spring training schedule against the New York Yankees.

His birthday was the only thing he was celebrating.

His teammates used that game as an opportunity to shame him for losing the team's yearly fantasy football league, and he had to wear his last-place finish.

Literally.

Not only did the Blue Jays make Bassitt serve as the team's ball boy, sitting on a stool outside of the dugout and wearing the helmet that ball boys usually wear, but he also had to switch his number to "4-10," his record in fantasy football.

Happy birthday, Chris Bassitt!

(And better luck in your fantasy football league next season ) pic.twitter.com/plNkPJwIe8
— MLB (@MLB) February 22, 2025

Sometimes, fantasy sports leagues are more about not losing to avoid the punishment than winning to get the prize.

Bassitt has pitched for the Blue Jays the past two seasons, recording a 26-22 record and 3.86 ERA in his 64 starts with the team.

Adam Gretz

Adam Gretz is a freelance writer based in Pittsburgh. He covers the NHL, NFL, MLB and NBA. Baseball is his favorite sport -- he is nearly halfway through his goal of seeing a game in every MLB ballpark. Catch him on Twitter @AGretz

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