Jason Grilli wants to finish career with Toronto Blue Jays

It was about an hour after the Blue Jays playoff-ending loss to Cleveland.

Jason Grilli had spent nearly 30 minutes answering questions from reporters, and now he was alone at his stall in the clubhouse. The pitcher had already begun the process of packing his belongings into a couple of moving boxes that sat half-full on the floor in front of him. But he was taking a break from that now.

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For a few moments Grilli sat in his chair staring off into space, his elbows resting on his knees. It was clear the disappointment of falling short of a World Series win was weighing on him.

"To have an opportunity to put a banner next to one of those other ones up there," Grilli said, nodding to the championship banners from 1992 and 1993 hanging in the Toronto clubhouse.

"That's the dream."

This wasn't the first time the 39-year-old reliever has come close.

Grilli has pitched in the postseason four times with four different teams during his 14-year career, and still doesn't have a World Series ring.

Grew up cheering for Jays

In 2006, Grilli was with the Detroit Tigers when they lost the Fall Classic to the St. Louis Cardinals. He was 29 back then, still in the prime of his career and full of hope that there would be more chances to win it all.

It didn't look like he'd have a chance this year while he was pitching for the lowly Atlanta Braves, but in May, the Blue Jays traded for him.

For the Jays, Grilli brought a veteran presence and injected some life into a fledgling bullpen that at the time had incurred a league-worst 14 losses.

For Grilli, it was a chance to pitch for the team he cheered for growing up. His father, Steve Grilli, briefly pitched in the Blue Jays organization from 1979 to 1981.

His energy and enthusiasm made him an instant favourite in Toronto. Fans love the way he pumps his fist after big strikeouts and the way he pounds catcher Russell Martin on the chest protector, a ritual that started when the two played together in Pittsburgh.

"What you see is what you get out of me," Grilli said. "I'm emotional."

And he definitely appreciates the support from the fans.

"I've said it a million times, it's special how they've embraced me here," he said.

Will Blue Jays re-sign reliever?

Grilli doesn't yet know if he'll be back with the Blue Jays next season.

The Blue Jays will have to decide soon whether they want to bring Grilli back next season by exercising what's known as a club option. It would cost the team some $3 million to have him back in the bullpen.

Whatever happens, retirement is the farthest thing from his mind, even though he is among the oldest players in Major League Baseball. 

"They say age is just a number," he said, grinning.

"I'm going to turn 20 again here in a few weeks."

In reality, Grilli is turning 40 on Nov. 11.  

That won't stop him from dreaming of winning a World Series as a Blue Jay.

"I'd love to finish my career here," Grilli said.

"I'm not done yet."