What’s not to love about Ernie Clement?
The Blue Jays’ fan favourite may have finished seventh at the inaugural MLB Open golf tournament — which was played last week and aired on Wednesday night — but likely won over the hearts of anybody who tuned in or saw clips from the event.
Clement, who was competing alongside Jays World Series legend Joe Carter, was one of the stars of social media for his affable approach and general good-vibes nature on the course at Shadow Creek Golf Course in Las Vegas.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DRQlD9ZAGVm/?hl=en
After setting an MLB record with 30 hits during the post-season, Clement had his share of viral clips from the tournament.
World Series revenge?
The Jays team were paired up with the Los Angeles Dodgers duo of Will Smith and Andre Ethier, leading to some playful trash talk.
While being interviewed while walking down the fairway after one of his many stellar shots, Clement was asked if he was looking for a revenge against Smith on the course.
“On the down low, yeah, maybe,” Clement said with a laugh. “It would be nice to get a win against those Dodgers.
“But they’re awesome guys, great golfer, we’re just having a blast out here.”
Clement and Carter shared some great chemistry on the course, with the retired Jays great even showing that he has been paying close attention to some of the current team’s celebration rituals.
After watching Clement sink a long putt, the pair recreated the signature handshake that the slick-fielding third baseman and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. routinely use, with Carter standing in for the current star slugger.
The duo also recreated the moment after Clement hit a tee-shot on the Par 3 17th hole to within just feet of the pin.
“Be as good as you look,” Carter said while commentating on the shot.
Some of the current and former MLB stars competing included Jimmy Rollins, John Smoltz and David Wright, while former Jays David Price, Justin Turner and Dan Plesac were teeing it up.
In the end, it was the Minnesota Twins pair of Royce Lewis and Aaron Hicks who took home the trophy for the event.
The event took place over three days last week and featured a pro-am that grouped MLB players with amateurs ahead of a two-day tournament of team best-ball scoring.
“A unique scoring system will turn every hole into a chance for players to climb the leaderboard,” MLB’s announcement explained. “Using a modified Stableford point-based scoring system, every individual plays their own ball, with the team using the best ball and earning points for their score on each hole.
“The team with the most points wins the tournament and the top three teams earn monetary donations to the charities of their choice.”
Clement multi-talented
Clement certainly is a man of many talents. While his baseball heroics are now well-known and is golfing currently is in the spotlight, the Rochester, N.Y., native also was a high school hockey star.
According to Daily Faceoff, Clement scored 70 goals in 79 total games at Brighton High School, including 27 goals in 20 games during his senior season.
Clement’s fine play in the field earned him two Gold Glove nominations this year — at third base and as a utility player. However, despite leading the Majors in defensive runs saved, Clement fell short in both categories. He is, however a favourite to win the MLB Heart and Hustle Award, an honour given annually to a player who “demonstrates a passion for the game of baseball and best embodies the values, spirit and traditions of the game.”
Clement went viral when, less than 24 hours after the final heartbreaking out of Game 7, he was at one of his favourite hometown haunts, the Pittsford Pub.
He was seen wearing a hoodie and winter hat, relaxing with some drinks and chicken wings while watching the Buffalo Bills take on — and defeat — the Kansas City Chiefs.
Clement is a big supporter of the Bills, having worn their jersey to Jays games in the past.
Of course, the local celebrity drew some attention from fellow patrons, and he signed some baseballs and posed for a photo with three young fans.