Kevin Gausman once gifted all Toronto Blue Jays field staff custom gloves

During his five seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays, Kevin Gausman has developed a reputation as one of the most respected players to ever play for the franchise, and this one thoughtful gesture perfectly sums up why.

This week, Gausman sat down with Lindsay Dunn of The Nation Network after what could have been his final home start in a Blue Jays uniform to reflect on his time here. He was asked about one kind moment that the team's field crew will likely never forget.

In his first season with the Blue Jays in 2022, members of the Blue Jays grounds crew became fans of Gausman's signature mint-blue-coloured Marucci glove.

Rather than simply thanking them for the compliments, the veteran pitcher surprised each member of the field staff with their own custom mint-blue-coloured glove, going the extra mile by personalizing the gloves with their nicknames.

"They shag for us every day, and I just remember I wanted to get them something to feel a part of our team," Gausman told Dunn.

The 35-year-old said the Blue Jays organization did so much to help him and his family feel at home in Toronto, and the gift was his way of giving something back to the people who work behind the scenes every day.

The custom gloves are no cheap gesture either. According to the Marucci Sports website, a mint-coloured baseball glove with custom engraving is well over $600.

The story comes at a time when the 35-year-old starting pitcher's future with the Blue Jays is uncertain.

Gausman is in the final season of his five-year, $110-million contract with Toronto and is likely to be moved to a contender ahead of the Aug. 3 MLB trade deadline.

After what may have been his final start at Rogers Centre on Tuesday against Tampa Bay, Gausman said he's trying not to think too much about what comes next.

"There's been a lot of cool moments here, and I hope it doesn't end. Though I've been around long enough to know that it's a business," he said.

Kevin Gausman and his signature Marucci mint-blue-coloured baseball glove. (John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images)

"We've loved every moment that we've been here. My wife, Taylor, and I are sad we might leave."

During his time in Toronto, Gausman has become one of the franchise's all-time great starting pitchers. He ranks seventh in strikeouts and second in strikeouts per nine innings, trailing only the great Tom Henke.

And even if he ends up being dealt at the deadline, Gausman has made it clear to fans that this wouldn't be the last we'd see of him and his family.

"I want to be back in Toronto when I retire," he said. "I love the summers here."

Spoken like a true Canadian.