Colorado Rockies' LaTroy Hawkins (32) talks with the fans during spring training baseball practice in Scottsdale, Ariz., on Feb. 21, 2015. LaTroy Hawkins is quickly coming to terms with the idea of ending his long career with the Toronto Blue Jays. The 42-year-old reliever announced in December that his 21st year in Major League Baseball would be his last, but he never thought it would finish in Canada. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Darron Cummings

TORONTO - LaTroy Hawkins is quickly coming to terms with the idea of ending his long career with the Toronto Blue Jays.

The 42-year-old reliever announced in December that his 21st year in Major League Baseball would be his last, but he never thought it would finish in Canada.

"I can honestly say I did not expect to be here," said Hawkins in the Blue Jays clubhouse on Wednesday afternoon. "But you know what? I'm not opposed to it. I actually love it. I get to be in another country for two and a half months, hopefully three months."

Hawkins, who says he loves to travel, has played for the Minnesota Twins, the Chicago Cubs, the San Francisco Giants, the Baltimore Orioles, Colorado (twice), the Houston Astros (twice), the New York Yankees, the Milwaukee Brewers, the Los Angeles Angels, the New York Mets and finally the Blue Jays.

The pitcher, who was part of Tuesday's blockbuster trade that sent star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki to Toronto from the Colorado Rockies, is already adapting to his temporary home.

"Do you know what I love about Toronto? It's so culturally diverse," said Hawkins. "I love that. The food, all kinds of restaurants from all over the world. You can't find that in too many places."

Both Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos and manager John Gibbons said that one of the appeals of getting Hawkins was his leadership. The hope is that in addition to eating up innings out of the bullpen he could mentor some of Toronto's young pitchers.

Although he's happy to fill that role this season, Hawkins does not see a future in teaching young players, at least not immediately after retiring.

"I don't want to coach right off because if I'm going to coach I'd want to continue to play," said Hawkins.

His statistics this season back that up, as his 3.47 earned-run average is well below his career ERA of 4.32.

Hawkins has amassed 74 wins, 94 losses, 126 saves and 970 strikeouts since he made his first appearance for Minnesota in 1995. This season he has a 2-1 record with 21 strikeouts. He pitched a scoreless inning in a 3-2 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday in his first appearance for Toronto.

When the Blue Jays' season ends he plans on taking a step back from baseball and returning home to watch his 13-year-old daughter Troi start high school. He also plans to help his wife Anita run a Fresh Healthy Cafe in Prosper, Texas, north of Dallas.

Although he's one of the most experienced players in baseball, Hawkins is reluctant to give any tips to fellow players who get moved ahead of Friday's trade deadline.

"I don't have any advice for anyone," said Hawkins. "It's a roller coaster of emotions. You just got uprooted from your normal routine and everything else that's normal to you. Try to deal with it the best you can. Anywhere you play baseball is baseball.

"All the stuff outside of baseball will take care of itself."

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News from © The Canadian Press, 2015