Employees cheer Beeston, give standing O

 * Blue Jays and Rogers Centre employees gave president Paul Beeston a standing ovation when he got up to speak at the annual staff Christmas party. ..... 2014 Canadians in the Minors … Canadians in College 2015 Canadian draft list …. Canadians in College 2016 Canadian draft list  Letters of Intent

By Bob Elliott

If you were walking by the Rogers Centre Thursday afternoon you might have heard a low rumble.

The Blue Jays were staging their annual Christmas party inside the Blue Jays clubhouse.

Vice-president Stephen Brooks spoke and then president Paul Beeston said a few words to the assembled staff as is the case each December.

The clubhouse which held more than 200 Blue Jays and Rogers Centre employees erupted in applause with a long, loud standing ovation for Beeston.

“It was great, Paul was standing on the logo and everyone moved in towards him applauding,” said one of those doing the cheering. “Paul told the group “I’m back next year, we`re going to try to win this thing.’”

Edward Rogers, son of the late Ted Rogers, who ran the Rogers Communications empire phoned Chicago White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf during the World Series asking to interview executive vice-president Kenny Williams to replace Beeston, 69. Since then, names of possible successors have appeared in the media.

ESPN broke the original story on Williams Dec. 7. Since then the names of Baltimore Orioles GM Dan Duquette and Washington Nationals Mike Rizzo have surfaced as the replacement for Beeston.

Rogers Communications has not commented on Beeston’s status.