Amid Jays mania, future of president Shapiro murky
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In a way, he's the last man standing when looking at Toronto's three major sporting entities.
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The Blue Jays, given the very nature of baseball and its summer calendar, are the lone team remaining until fall arrives when both hockey and hoops will begin anew.
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The Jays have been the talk of the town and of the country.
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The buzz hasn't been this high since the days of Jose Bautista.
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Despite the Jays' success and the team's expected inclusion in the post-season, the fact remains Shapiro's contract does expire this season.
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He oversaw the renovation and re-imagination of Rogers Centre where fans have flocked back to the ballpark to a venue that has earned rave reviews.
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As they prepared to play host to the Chicago Cubs for a three-game series, Shapiro gathered with the media in the hours leading up to Tuesday's first pitch.
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While the session couldn't be described as a total love-fest, at least for many of the media in attendance, it was hard not to notice the sense of accomplishment resonating from Shapiro.
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Shapiro and GM Ross Atkins have been raked over the coals for years among fans and media alike.
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One can excuse either for basking in the glow of success, while at the same time completely aware how times can easily change, how a team's fortunes can be random and fickle.
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'I have a distinct appreciation for the city of Toronto and the opportunity to lead a team that represents an entire country, which was at the root of the decision 10 years ago to come here,'' said Shapiro.
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'I also have a distinct appreciation for the level of empowerment that I have in this role that is pretty unique throughout baseball, someone to lead both the business side and the baseball side and help represent Rogers ownership at the league level as well.
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'And when I think about alternatives, I've never been a grass is greener guy, 24 years in one place in Cleveland and 10 years here now. The appreciation for what I have and the people I get to work with every day and the city I work in and the country I live in, those things are the drivers for me to remain here.'
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Fair enough.
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At the same time, there is the business side to sports.
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Brendan Shanahan's contract expired following the Leafs' second-round loss to the Panthers in the NHL playoffs.
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