Josh Donaldson did not arrive to MLB as a ready-made star. N

Josh Donaldson did not arrive to MLB as a ready-made star. Neither did Jose Bautista or Edwin Encarnacion.It took Donaldson three awful years with Oakland to become a starter. Bautista bounced from Baltimore to Kansas City to Pittsburgh before settling in Toronto. Encarnacion was e sentially anonymous in Cincinnati.The edge thetrio played with in Toronto as a result of those early struggles, and the swagger with which they launched their 289 combined homers from John Jenkins Jersey 2015-17, endeared each player to Blue Jays fans. Canadahad not seen a World Series contender since the early 1990s, then watched the Blue Jays make the ALCS Byron Jones Jersey in consecutive campaigns.All three players remainspecial to the franchise, and Donaldson, who on Tuesday made his return to Toronto as a member of the Braves, finally got his chance to be appreciated. Donaldson won an MVP award and hit 116 long balls in 3 1/2 with the Blue Jays. He often , much to the enjoyment of his supporters.The Blue Jays greeted him with a video tribute and a standing ovation.MORE: Josh Donaldson gave Toronto an MVP and 116 homers in three and a half seasons.Toronto gives him a standing ovation. Sporting News MLB (@sn_mlb) "It was great. I felt like they did a great job," Donaldson told reporters after the game. "The fans have supported me from day one. Miami Dolphins Accessories Today they really showed that again. It means a lot coming in here. It's been a while."Donaldson played in just 52 games in 2018, but he has rewarded the Braves' faith in him this season, returning to form to slash .262/.377/.544. With Freddie Freeman, Ronald Acuna Jr. Robert Hunt Jersey and Ozzie Albies also producing, the addition of the third baseman has elevated Atlanta to the top of the NL East.Toronto, meanwhile, has struggled since its core three hitters left. The Blue Jays do have a new potential star trio developing this year in Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette and Cavan Biggio, all of whom are rookies 24 or younger. Those players would do well to produce even 75 percent of what Donaldson, Bautista and Encarnacion offered at their peaks, though their status as top prospects indicates that kind of ceiling is po sible.Even if the Blue Jays do turn their team around soon, Donaldson won't be forgotten.Well deserved homie.. thanks for the memories. Was Miami Dolphins Jersey an honor going to battle with you everyday! Kevin Pillar (@KPILLAR4)