Amid Jays mania, future of president Shapiro murky

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Having watched his presidential sporting peers shown the door and having built a relationship with two of the highest-profiled executives in the field, Mark Shapiro is fully aware of the nature of the business.

In a way, he’s the last man standing when looking at Toronto’s three major sporting entities.

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.

The Jays have been the talk of the town and of the country.

The buzz hasn’t been this high since the days of Jose Bautista.

Despite the Jays’ success and the team’s expected inclusion in the post-season, the fact remains Shapiro’s contract does expire this season.

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.

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.

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.

Shapiro and GM Ross Atkins have been raked over the coals for years among fans and media alike.

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.

“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.

“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.

“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.”

Fair enough.

At the same time, there is the business side to sports.

Brendan Shanahan’s contract expired following the Leafs’ second-round loss to the Panthers in the NHL playoffs.

Masai Ujiri’s deal had one year remaining, but the Raptors’ head honcho and ownership agreed to a mutual parting of the ways.

Of the city’s Big 3 teams, only Ujiri was able to lead a team to a title when the Raptors won the NBA championship in 2019.

The Jays have not been as positioned to at least make a deep run since the days of Joey Bats and for that Shapiro and his one-time besieged GM who has yet to be properly commended for his work must be given their flowers.

Those flowers can easily wilt.

Shapiro admitted he has had conversations with Rogers, but that’s all he was willing to offer.

“I don’t think it’s appropriate for me to comment other than what I just said,’’ he added. “I want to remain here and I can also say that both Edward (Rogers, executive chair of Rogers Communications) and Tony (Staffieri, president and CEO of Rogers Communications) have been reciprocal in that desire.

“These jobs in professional sports I’ve spent my entire adult life working in it and the reality exists having talked with Shanny after that (exodus) happened and having a distinct appreciation for Masai there’s an understanding that comes with it. Sometimes it’s your own doing, sometimes it’s situational, the nature of sports and outcomes and randomness that happens.

“I feel grateful every single day I get to pull into Rogers Centre, pull into Dunedin (home of the Jays’ spring training) and work in this role with the people I respect and care about so much. Gratitude is more what I focus on and there’s always the understanding that it comes to an end at some point.”

The precise end date remains up in the air.

Does Shapiro stay beyond this season or does Rogers ownership, which has complete control of MLSE, tweak how the Blue Jays are managed at the top.

As president and CEO of the ball club, there’s not much to quibble with what Shapiro has done or what Atkins has done.

Entering Tuesday’s play, the 69-50 Jays had the best winning percentage in the American League.

In the Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette era, the club has yet to win a playoff game.

Vlad Jr.’s 14-year, US $500-million deal kicks in, while Bichette is a pending free agent.

Shapiro was asked about Bichette, but said now is not the right time to discuss it.

Whether Shapiro’s time will soon expire in Toronto is up in the air.

fzicarelli@postmedia.com