8:15 AM Eastern
So Monday night it was revealed that John McDonald would be the defensive substitute for David Eckstein late in games in which the Blue Jays held the lead, and Tuesday night, McDonald suffered an apparent high right ankle sprain, which will knock him out of action for a while.
The play on which McDonald was injured didn’t look all that bad, but his reaction did. Writhing in pain on the turf, a look of sheer agony on his face, but still remembering to flip the ball to second base after the initial shock of pain. It hurt to watch, you never want to see anyone rolling around on the ground in intense pain, but especially a guy like Johnny Mac. Without knowing much at all - there will be further tests today - I’m going to say that McDonald will probably be out about six weeks, which probably gets him back in the line-up no sooner than the middle of June. It’s a blow to the Jays, for sure, they lose a massive weapon they were only beginning to figure out how to use properly. It’s eerily reminiscent of late May 2006, when McDonald won increased playing time at shortstop and then (I think) pulled a groin muscle and had to go on the disabled list.
The Jays will have to survive without him, and it’ll likely be Jorge Velandia who comes up to back up David Eckstein once Eckstein is healthy. Velandia hasn’t had a great deal of success in the bigs - he’s a career .188/.275/.271 over parts of seven seasons with the Padres, A’s, Mets and Devil Rays. Last year, however, though in only 50 at-bats, he hit .320/.424/.520, and for Syracuse this season, he’s at .287/.385/.426 - not bad for a back-up.
Of course, he may be the starter for a few days, because Eckstein strained a hip flexor going out to try to grab Dioner Navarro’s little looper into short left field in the 3rd inning. I knew something was up with Eckstein when, on Scott Rolen’s sac fly in the bottom of that frame, he jogged home from third. That guy doesn’t even jog from his fridge to his couch. Hopefully, he’ll only miss a couple of days. I don’t think Marco Scutaro is an answer at shortstop for the time being.
It was nice to see Brian Tallet back, the nearly two weeks off didn’t seem to hurt him much, and how about that Lyle Overbay? 2-for-2 with a double off the top of the wall in dead centre, a sac fly to deep left, a walk and two RBIs. You guys are all right, he’s gotta go.
I leave you with this: I almost collapsed in hysterics last night when I heard A.J. Burnett’s new entrance music, specifically requested by the big righty. It was that # 1 smash from way back in 1989 - “Hangin’ Tough” by New Kids on the Block. It would seem to me that the New Kids, and their evil offspring , the Backstreet Boys, N’Sync, 98 degrees and heck, maybe even Hanson, stand in just about diametric opposition to pretty much everything a professional athlete wants to portray.
The New Kids? Seriously?
Comments are encouraged - and remember, it’s Wednesdays with J.P. tonight!
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Hello Mike, yeah, I was driving home last night and heard Johnny Mac get hurt, ably recounted by Jerry and Alan and yourself, of course, and it didn’t sound good. The ice cream I was eating turned from reward for a job well done to consolation food in an instant. It sounds like Eckstein won’t be too long getting back in there, but I am a pretty big fan of Johnny Mac. But then, who isn’t? Why don’t you think Scutaro would be an able back up at short for the time it might take McDonald to recover, though? Is it the bat, because he seems quite a good defender.
Also, hey, I used to love the New Kids on the Block! I’d take their tape and my Walkman (the fancy yellow one that flipped the tape automatically) along with me to my baby sitting jobs. It was pretty hard to get the headphones past my giant hair though. And boy, I never really thought I’d admit that in public. I guess A.J. was going for the sarcasm, but maybe he overshot it a bit, huh?
Sorry about the bad spelling last entry, I’ll proof read after I proof read this time. Thanks.
MW: It’s OK for you to have loved the New Kids - you’re a girl (I assume). Scutaro is just not a good defensive shortstop.
- kitaGood morning Mike,
I won’t call in to say this, but you’ve been pretty intolerant and sarcastic with some of your callers lately. Cheer up, the Jays are starting to win! (Maybe you’re taking a page out of the Bobcat’s playbook. Back in the day he could be fairly nasty!)
Of course some of the comments people make are dumb and not based in fact, but keep in mind this is just a bit of entertainment for most people. They don’t have time to study stats. It’s your day job, so of course you’re way ahead of the rest of us. We appreciate all your great insights — but at the same time some people do have legit comments.
MW: I actually don’t think I’ve been any more sarcastic and intolerant lately more than I ever have, but maybe the constant Reed Johnson/Frank Thomas calls are getting to me. I mean, I understand that the audience changes, but when you’re answering the same question on a daily basis, it can wear on you. The Johnson calls will probably slow up now, though, because Reed has stopped hitting.
- JohnThat’s it, it’s over! Let the salary dump begin! Start building for the future! Fire the Manager! Fire the GM! Fire the mascot! Who is the Mascot now? Is it BJ Birdy they’re serving at those awful concession stands? Bring Tony Fernandez out of retirement! MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOKIE! CITO! CITO! CITO! Move the team back to the EX! Trade for Eric Hinske (who must love playing the bluebirds by the way)! Does anyone know Sid Finch’s number? Does he even have a number?! Cancel the season! Call Boston, tell them we can’t make it on account of irrationality!…
MW: Love it!
- AdamHi Mike,
I love the show and the blog - good times both - but I find that I’m increasingly disagreeing with much of what you’re saying about chemistry, intangibles, and killer instinct. Often I do agree with what you say, but it seems like your stance is too objective.
I know you can’t objectively measure those things, but I think that you can’t dismiss them as a result. Good teams do possess chemistry, have a killer instinct, etc. The Blue Jays don’t. They routinely lose to bad teams, never seem to get a big hit off a closer, and can’t sustain a quasi-respectable winning streak. I know the above comments probably frustrate you, and you won’t like what I’ll write now, but the two best callers last night, in my opinion, were Victor from Milton, and the guy who predicted only one win out of this 3-game series. They’re right: this is a glorified .500 team and they haven’t played meaningful baseball in even late August for years. Their pitching is absolutely spectacular - both the rotation and the bullpen - but that will only get a team so far. You have repeatedly stated that this is a good team, but ironically you’ve rarely, if ever, objectively given reasons for your position. I believe that you’ve said that once this team hits the way they are capable of, they’ll be a force, but I think that the team has too many streaky hitters; if one guy gets hot, two cool-off it seems.
Long live Snakeface!
MW: Bad teams also possess chemistry, but they don’t get credit for it because they don’t win, and then are plenty of very good teams with players who hate each other, but they all get credit for being leaders and having great chemistry because they win. Every team routinely loses to bad teams - remember, the worst teams still win about two of every five games, and the Jays haven’t had many big hits off of anybody, good closers or otherwise. The intangibles of which you speak are impossible to prove, and anyone can pull out any instances to prove or disprove their existence.
- AndyBurnett changes his theme music and he lays a semi-egg last night.
Mike, last night you mentioned how the Jays have had a better record than only roughly five teams in the American League against the Tampa Bay Rays.
The thing that made it worse though is the teams you mentioned were pretty bad over that same stretch: Kansas City, Texas, Baltimore, Detroit (they were awful for alot of those years), and Minnesota (OK the only team that had decent teams over that span).
Also, alot of people are putting blame on Gibbons, Ricciardi, Overbay, Wells, Eckstein, Rios, the Groundscrew etc etc etc for this start to the season. One name I have not heard mentioned and maybe should be mentioned more than anyone else is Marty Pevey.
The Jays look considerably less decisive on the basepaths this year and Pevey has made some real awkward decisions with his runners. The baserunning has been a borderline trainwreck this year.
MW: Pevey has made some awkward decisions, but please - he’s not the one hitting .100 with runners in scoring position.
- MarkMike, maybe AJ was being ironic in his selection of music.
MW: I REALLY hope so.
- Chris JonesSo you don’t think Overbay should be in the lineup against lefties? if not I think you should include the Overbay contract in the “long term contracts that aren’t going to look good the next couple years pile” as paying a platoon first basemen 7 million dollars in 2009 and 2010 is not going to look good. Especially when in that first basemens best offensive season 2006 his road OPS was just .791, Mike I love how you defend Overbay by saying he can scoop balls out of the dirt over at first base, Can you name me (1) Major League first baseman who can’t scoop balls out of the dirt? Like come on if the best thing you can say about a MLB first basemen is that he can scoop balls out of the dirt your in alot of trouble. I like the fact that Overbay had a good game last night so you try to rub it in everyones face remeber Mike Juan Pierre has good games sometimes too.
and When you said yesterday “As for Thomas, yeah, I threw out his best four games, but they were all in a row, and he was just SO bad (.114/.298/.114) outside those games that it had to be pointed out.”
I believe what really needed to be pointed out is that it was a really small sample size and the fact that Thomas had started slow each of the last two seasons and came back to have very good seasons. What also needed to be pointed out was the fact that the Jays are going to be an average offensive team at best and they were releasing their best hitter from the year befor. What also needed to be pointed out was the fact that at the time they were taking at bats away from Thomas and giving them to Rod Barajas and Joe Inglett.
Sorry so long Mike again I love the show and your work I just don’t see a point in talking about the things I agree with you on.
MW: Adam Dunn can’t hit lefties, and Carlos Delgado hasn’t had an OBP of even .320 against a lefty since 2004. There are lots of left-handed hitters who make a LOT more money than Overbay who don’t hit lefties well. Granted, those two at least have tended to hit righties a WHOLE lot better than Overbay does, but they do make twice as much money.
- Dan M.Lots of major-league first baseman aren’t very good at picking balls out of the dirt, but that’s not the key to the thing, it’s just another thing that Overbay does well.
And I did point all those things out about Thomas. The first 80 times I addressed the issue.
Heard you mention Josh Phelps in passing on JaysTalk last night….gotta admit, I find that thought somewhat intriguing.
Do we take it from this stiff getting called up that Joe Inglett has zero ability to play SS? Just looking at the bat you would think he’d be the obvious choice.
MW: Hey, be nice to Jorge Velandia!
- WillRainOH MAN! Just when it was starting to look up disaster strikes. Johnny Mac finally gets a break, gets in a game fairly early, gets on base right away, then gets seriously hurt. I think I’m gonna cry! :o(
Mike, are you kidding? I missed the big entrance so I never caught the music. New Kids? That is truly laughable!
- Kevin from AvonleaIndeed! How about Overbay! Like you have said Mike, why isn’t HE leading off?!
Scutaro doesn’t look like such a bad pick up right now. Johnny Mac is my son’s favourite player (same DOB), so I hope he gets back soon. Listening to the game, it sounds like Hill is now struggling at the dish. Are we just not allowed to have everyone hitting for a couple of games? We always struggle against Tampa. Just hoping we are at .500 heading into Cleveland. This is something I have noticed, and it is probably true with most pitchers. AJ gives up his first hit on what sounds like a great pitch in on the hands that found a hole. He then turns around and walks the next guy on 4 straight. Instant trouble. He seemed to unravel a bit. I notice that sometimes with Halladay after he throws a pitch which he thinks is an out pitch, but doesn’t get the call. Best #4 pitcher in the MLB on the hill tonight, hopefully he can get another streak going. Do you think they wait on the extent of Eckstein’s hip before they decide on a callup? Just leave Scutaro if it is just the next two.
MW: They called up Velandia, as I mentioned they might. You can’t go into a game with no back-up shortstop.
- Aaron Ker1. I think AJ is being ironic. Frankly, I didn’t think he had it in him. Scott Rolen for sure, but AJ? Who’d a thunk?2. Atleast John MacDonald isn’t a horse.3. Clearly God is angry with Jays Talk: “You want to argue about which shortstop deserves more playing time? Fine. NO SHORTSTOPS FOR YOU!”4. Do you think the Jays take a corner infielder or shortstop 17th overall in next months draft? Given J.P.’s ‘organizational need’ philosophy, I’m hoping they take that Beckham kid at North Carolina (there’s two projected first round Beckhams) or that Alonso guy at Miami? Not sure they’ll get either. But really, what do I know? 5. With another first overall coming (in two sports!), Tampa will be sick, sick, sick very shortly.
- peteHi Mike,
Love your blog and I just wanted to thank you for opening my eyes to the fantastic Jays blogging community - specifically Drunk Jays Fans. I listened to the podcast and it was great to hear some raw, uncensored Jays talk, and having you on just made it that much more legit.
I think the Jays have potential to hopefully be competitive this season, and have some meaningful games this September (it’s been a while). But do you think that Tampa Bay could overshadow them in the AL-east, do you think the Rays will be able to keep up their great start?
MW: No, I don’t. I’ll be stunned if the Rays win 85 this year.
- PaulNot sure why there’s no spaces.
Spaces are nice.
More people should use more of them.
MW: Makes stuff easier to read, too.
- peteLet’s hope the McDonald MRI doesn’t show any high achilles damage, as that would be a long long layoff. The flexor area would still be bad but perhaps not as long term. The other thing on JM is that the right foot is his plant foot for those unbelievable in the hole plays he makes. So depending on what they find out, your June date might be ok for a return, but some plays might be a struggle for quite a while afterwards (Aug-Sept). Let’s hope I am wrong and the news is good for John Mac (and the J’s). Question on the Velandia stats you have. Is there any way you can project a “likely” batting avg from Triple A to the AL for a veteran? Gut says that the .287 is probably .200-220 area but would be neat to know if there is such info. Won’t matter if Eckstein returns quickly but just wondering.
MW: There are those who believe you can. I think the Baseball Prospectus folks are the ones who calculate minor league equivalencies. McDonald, stunningly, said today that he thinks he won’t even need to go on the disabled list.
- Paul RyanI’m not a true beleiver but some of yout callers need to find a schedule and read it. There is no way that a single loss means that the Jays will never contend. The Rockies had an amazing finish last year, the Astros cam back to win the Central, the Yankees have rebounded from poor starts this past couple of years and the list goes on and on. Does this mean that the lss doesn’t matter, of course not but it certainly no reason to abandon all hope.
To the caller that thinks AJ isn’t smart enough to win I have to say I don’t get it. Let’s see if Rios or Stewart make good throws the three runs that Tampa scored might have been only one. But those plays were not made because of AJ’s lack of mental toughness, his low IQ, perhaps his unfortunate choice of entrance music which clear offended the Basebal Gods (not to mention lovers of music everywhere) and ultimately AJ’s inability to inspire his teammates to play with grit and hussle. Personally I think that AJ should have use his teleknetic powers to change the flight of the Lyle Overbay double to make it a home run. (I know it can be done..I saw Carlton Fisk do it!)
The Jays lost a close one. Fans get over it. There are still a lot of games left, The Jays will win some, lose some but from what Ive seen this year they will try to win every one. But they won’t ’cause that’s baseball.
MW: I’d better be careful - this guy may take my job.
- PRBDid you see the hose of an arm that Rick Ankiel displayed last night for St.Louis, on 2 separate occasions? Wow, what a cannon of an arm!
If the injury to Eckstein will keep him out for more than a few days, are their any shortstops the Jays might go after?
MW: Didn’t see it, but Ankiel threw in the high 90s when he was a pitcher, so I’d expect nothing less. It looks as though McDonald and Eckstien both may be back within a week.
- CamIn my opinion, between Burnett winning the Chili race last year and this new music, he’s worth all of Uncle Ted’s money.
Also, the Mac injury is due to the smug cloud you cast over him. Well done Mike.
- BeauDid you get a chance to ask Jerry about that fictional series?
- Sam McLeanNKOTB? You’re not serious?! No wonder AJ lost. This guy has the stuff to have quality starts game in and game out but (without looking at stats) my perception is one good game one bad game, one crappy game one okay game…..
AJ does, however, have awesome stuff in the first inning. Your pearls of wisdom on a future switch to….closer?
KK
MW: Look at what he’s done over his career as a starter, he could be a dominant closer (but most people would say he’s not suited for it mentally, from what I’ve been reading here), but he’s a very good starting pitcher when he’s healthy. Your perception is incorrect.
- karim kanjiArrrrggghhhh. More injuries! The baseball Gods are against the Blue Jays!
So the Jays are 5-1 in the last six and haven’t gained any ground on the Wild Card or Division Leaders. Still think it’s no problem in catch up in this division? You really can’t fall behind.
MW: I still think it’s no problem. There are 128 games left.
- Michael KrimmerFollowing up from my comment yesterday. Overbay keeps it going and Hill breaks out of his slump, the lineup last night will start to do some damage. When pitchers throw side sessions to stay sharp, is this scheduled for after a game so they are still available that night if needed?
MW: Relievers, yes, but not starters.
- Aaron KerMike, I agree with the caller Victor from milton, I don’t think there is any move that J.P has made, that would make me think that he is a Genius, as oppose to Pat Gillick who blew me awya with some of his moves. Pat had a very good connection with players in the domincan republic who when brought into the big leauges turned out to be great players for the blue jays
Gillick aquired guys like Rickey Henderson, Dave Stewart, Paul Molitor, Candy Moldanoto, Devon White. and drafted hitters such as fred Mcgriff, John Olerud, Ed Sprauge, Lloyd Mosbey.
MW: Pat Gillick may be one of the greatest GMs in history. He also drafted guys like Augie Schmidt, Garry Harris, Earl Sanders and Eddie Zosky in the first round, and acquired guys like Bryan Clark, Jorge Orta, Craig McMurtry, Mark Bomback and Cory Snyder.
- MicheleDH - Carlos Delgado???? What do you think about that?
MW: Asked and answered.
- JohnHey Mike,
I’m a first time poster here but I have been a big fan of your blog for a while now. I’ve noticed alot of your posters seem to ask repetivive questions but I don’t think this one has been asked (or not that I have noticed). After watching the jays so far this season are there any trades you would like to see happen that you feel would fill the jays weaknesses and which players would be involved? Thanks!
MW: Very rarely do you see major trades being made this early in the season. Obviously, they need offense, but not too many teams are willing to deal a big bat at this point. Eventually, guys like Adam Dunn, Jason Bay and Ken Griffey, Jr. will hit the market.
- Kyle SheaThis isn’t a knee jerk reaction because i also believe that the offense will come around. That being said i would love to see a major move early in the season to bolster the offense. They have the pitching. There is no doubt in my mind. However this group needs to hit on all cylinders to compete with offenses like boston, NY, Cleveland and Tampa. I don’t trust their consistency i guess is the point. Dunn and Bay come to mind. The player i have always coveted is carl crawford.
Seriously?? eric hinske is killing us as a tampa bay ray?? I assume that hinske heckler is wearing his jersey and “hinske #1 finger” as we type.
MW: Crawford isn’t going anywhere, I don’t think, and neither are those other guys until later in the season.
- jeremymw, AJ must have chosen that music as a sort of joke. im getting sick of he rays beating the jays and im geting sick in specific with Eric Hinske…this cannot continue..it goes against all that is right and good in the world.
rios compact, quick and powerful swing of last year is nowhere to be found. all year he’s been fouling off balls to the right side, reminiscent of his early days. last night he looked like the right handed Adam Lind. please ask JP tonight about the secondbaseman in AA from New Zealand!!!! i would call but the time zone differenc would make it tough for me as i record the games and watch em later.
- sammyI certainly agree with fans, when they call into your show and rip the team or rip J.P.
Pat Gillck and Company Built a high standard of baseball in this city, when he won back to back titles and aquired those callibre players. I don’t believe that the fans should settle for anything less. When the fans call in ranting it’s all because many of us are same fans from the two championships, and we haven’t had a sniff of a playoffs in over a decade. All we’ve been hearing since J.P has come in is complainig about the division or the payroll. Please stop being a homer and defending management, executives and players, when all the fans are asking for is some accountablility, which is certainly our right, given the fact that we purchase tickets.
It doesn’t matter how hard someone hit the ball if they didn’t score and it doesn’t matter how much they scored if they din’t win. All that matters is wins and losses the Blue Jays are 16-18 not good enough.
MW: 16-18 is most assuredly not good enough, that’s true. But the season isn’t 34 games long. What do you mean by accountability? Should Ricciardi have resigned three years ago?
- MicheleWOW! Eck and Mac out in the same game? Has that ever happened where two short stops have gotten injured back to back in the same game?…CRAZY!!! Great to see Lyle O going big last night. Man, that homer would of been sweet but hey, the jays bad luck for the night conitinued.
Mike…whatever happened to Royce Clayton? Not that i want him back but just curious. Is he still with the Red Sox?
WO.
Ps-Agreed, The New Kids???….What the hell!!!!
MW: As far as I know, Clayton didn’t get a job this off-season.
- Warren OwenHi Mike.
I agree with what you’ve been saying over the past while that it’s early in the season and there is still lots of time for the Blue Jays to show that they are a playoff team. Having said that, I think that if the Jays do not make the playoffs this year, or at least be neck-and-neck for a playoff spot through the end of September, perhaps it would be time for JP Ricciardi to move on (and if Paul Godfrey remains determined to keep JP at that point, I think Mr. Godfrey should also step aside). Mr. Ricciardi has been at the helm for 6-7 years now, and this is his team. If the team meets the criteria mentioned above, JP should receive due praise. If not, I think it’s time to give someone else a shot. Blue Jay fans have waited long enough for playoff baseball.
James
MW: I think that will happen if the Jays don’t play a significant number of meaningful games in September.
- James BackmanClearly the new music didn’t help.
I’ve been on the John McDonald band-wagon since before he was “loaned” to the Tigers so last night was very disappointing. What is it about these Rays - four in a row now?!?
By the way, I guess if Overbay still had his power stroke then that ball would have been over the fence, eh?
MW: Yup, it’s too bad about Overbay’s power outage.
- MikeDidn’t we pick up Scutaro for this reason? He’ll be fine as our SS for the next few days. He’s played as much as half of a season for an Oakland A’s team that won 88 games so I don’t see why he can’t play a few games for us as our third SS. His career FPCT at SS is .971 and when you compare it to his .934 FPCT at 3rd, I don’t see how we can trot him out their to play 3rd but not SS. (I know those stats are soft but it does prove that he won’t kill us with errors.)
As for who comes up I guess we could go with Valendia (who I know little about) but I say bring up Inglett. He was hitting when he was with us and he’s continued to hit down in AAA. Since you are pining for Valendia I am assuming he’s good with the glove?
Oh and that live feed on the web site isn’t being turned on after the Jays games end! I can only catch about 5 minutes of Jays talk on mlb.tv but that’s it. Make someone’s head roll, Mike!
MW: Heads will roll!!!!! Fielding percentage means nothing, by the way. Scutaro can’t make an error on a ball he can’t get to.
- Matt SMike,
I have been disapointed with your responces to my comments over the past week. So maybe you can do better now.
It was sad to McDonald get hurt, I had a feeling in my gut that by Sept he was going to be the everyday SS.
Now, on Overbay, it sure was nice to see him go deep (even it bounced the wrong way) but as your apt to do when someone raises a single incident and attempts to project it across the season, it was 1 double man! That brings his grand season total to 3. That projects to 15 doubles and 93 walks for the year. But your right, thats not a problem. Lets hope its sign! Oh, can you please stop mentioning 2006? In 2005 at this point he had 8 doubles and 6 hrs, in 2004 he had 14 doubles and 4 hrs. Seems like 2006 doesn’t indicate a frank thomas pattern for Overbay.
I dont want to pick on the Overbay, i like him as a player. He walks, plays solid D and has had, until he broke his hand, some pop. I think he gets pick on because people are looking for a scape goat for this offense. Right now it isn’t working, it didn’t work last year and the line-up is pretty much the same (injuries aside cause those guys that were injuries aren’t doing much to boost performance). They aren’t hitting for power and they aren’t hitting lefties and they were suppose to. I would contend that the line-up is one pure power bat away from being fine and I think the obvious position would be left or 1st.
Enjoyed you comment about needing someone to platoon with Stairs. I was thinking it was a big risk given his age. But since your reason was hitting against lefties, the numbers over the last 3yrs show that he gets on base more against lefties so I am not sure that holds water given your support for Overbay based on his OBP.
MW: Small sample size alert - over the past three years, Stairs hasn’t had more than 54 at-bats against lefties in any one season. You’re right about the line-up not working, but it’s not one pure power bat away from being healthy, because the fine balance that this line-up is supposed to have isn’t working at all. I mean, if you can get a big-time masher to play first or left, I’m all for it, but I don’t think that’s going to happen.
- JWHi Mike,
There is no reason to boo Eric Hinske. Are these people at the Rogers Centre Blue Jays fans? If they are they know Hinske was traded to of all teams Boston by J.P. over rated Richardi.
MW: Of all the reasons not to boo a guy, that’s got to be the strangest.
- brunoHi Mike,
I think we have to give credit to Jays management for not continuing to run out the same lineup and late inning strategy hoping to somehow get a different result. Since last years disappointing season they’ve upgraded the offense at LF, short, catcher and 3b while keeping the successful pitching staff intact. During this season they have gotten rid of lumbering, maybe finished, Frank Thomas… gotten Stairs defense out of LF while getting his bat in pretty much full time. They have realized that Eckstein is not a good AL top of the order hitter and moved him down. They have also changed to more of a right, left, right, left look to the middle of the lineup which seems to discourage the opposing manager from bringing in his situational lefty to face Stairs or Overbay. And last but not least they decided to begin using MacDonald as the primo late inning defensive replacement that he is.
All this points to Gibbons and Ricciardi as being a lot smarter about baseball than most Jays fans give them credit for. I mean, I have a doctorate degree but it ain’t in baseball. I enjoy second guessing my favourite team as much as the next fan but at the same time we need to recognize that the guys running our team are probably pretty smart.
They may not choose to put Johnny Mac out there as the starting shortstop even though they probably have at least as good an idea how good he is defensively as we do. They may even be aware of a few things we aren’t taking into account. For example, JP on last wednesday nights JaysTalk made the point that MacDonald wouldn’t be able to hold up playing every day. We all jumped down his throat on that one. Yet when you look at what has actually happened since he has been with us… two injuries when starter playing time beckoned. Perhaps JP wasn’t just blowing smoke up our behinds. Johnny is one of those guys that plays right on the edge defensively, there is no ball he won’t make a try on. That along with a physique that isn’t exactly Alex Rodriguezish may make him injury prone. Think Fred Lynn. Score one for JP?….
MW: Sometimes, they know stuff, although I’m sure the McDonald thing is just a coincidence.
- MontyNow, now Mike. What if your engineer decides to start playing “Mmmmm Bop” by “Hansen” everytime you return from a break, or worse yet, anything by Barry Manilow.
I’m not saying anyone is right or wrong here, but I find it ironic that last week on “Wednesday’s with J. P.”, J.P. said one of his hang ups with Johnny Mac was his tendency to get hurt a lot. Do you think there’s any truth to that?
Come to think of it, better entrance music for you would be “Pop goes the world” by “Men without hats”.
MW: I actually kinda like that song.
- Jim BranscomeMike,
I have heard several different theory’s on this, but would love to know your take on it….yesterday you had mentioned that you didn’t expect Lyle Overbay to hit lefties well. My question is, why is a lefty lefty match up any different than a righty right matchup?
It always seems to be a big deal when a team is facing a left handed starter, going as far as to alter the line up, but for a righty, it is status quo? Is this simply based on the fact that there are way more righties then lefties, or is this some huge conspiracy theory like I shot JFK, or better yet, JR!
MW: Lefty hitters face left-handed pitchers far less often than they face righties, and I think that’s why there tends to be a vast difference in their production. Right-handed hitters tend to hit righties worse than lefties, but the difference isn’t as pronounced.
- Andrew NMarty Pevey made another blunder yesterday with Overbay batting and Vernon at 1st. With a mediocre offence, the last thing you want is a bad/missed call from your third base coach. I think there should be a change, Pevey back to 1st and Ernie to 3rd. Blue Jays already have enough problems to deal with, an incompetent 3rd base coach shouldnt be one. What are your thoughts Mike?
MW: I don’t know yet. But I also have no reason to believe that Ernie Whitt would do any better. Has he ever been a third-base coach at any level?
- BeburgRemember when you jokingly suggested the Red Sox won’t make the playoffs b/c they were swept in TB. Well, at least the the Red Sox got revenge and swept the Rays in Boston. The Jays however, let the Rays come in to their own building and beat them. For the last three innings, the Jays offense was non existent as usual.Its not like the Rays are known for their pitching.The Jays have to beat teams that they are better than most of the time like Oakland and TB if they want to make the playoffs. I really don’t know how you can continuously defend this lousy team. Also, remember last week when you said the Red Sox bats are struggling just as much as the Jays bats. Look at the Red Sox offense now compared to the Jays. The Red Sox bats rebounded and we are still waiting on the jays foolishly. Thats what playoffs teams do.I know its still May, but all games matter at the end. I know you work for Rogers, but its time to stop constantly defending Ricciardi and Gibbons. This team is going nowhere this year and the team will end up with the usual 85 wins or so.
MW: One game. It was one game. Yes, the Jays won’t return the sweep, but if they win 2 out of 3, does that mean they’re terrible?
- aviHey Mike,
Jays have looked better lately but the offense is still problematic. There have been rumours about Dunn, just wondering what kind of pitching would be going the other way and what about Lyle? Do you think a trade for someone like Dunn would be just what the doctor ordered or just another attempt to hide a real problem.
Tough night for shortstops in Toronto! This is real bad news. I was so pumped that Johnny Mac was getting an opportunity to play. Well just a little more adversity to face on the way to the top.
MW: Hide what real problem?
- Scotty MacHey Mike
Love the blog.
Injuries aside, I thought that was an ok loss last night. You have to lose sometimes. Hopefully they can win 2/3 and keep the roll going.
It’s amazing how Burnett can dominate so thoroughly and struggle quite a bit in the same game.
I’m really starting to think he’s the 4th best starter on this team. I find I feel more confident knowing McGowan or Marcum is starting. I wouldn’t be surprised if they have more impressive stats by the end of the year. Would you agree with that? It’s really exciting to watch those two develop.
Lastly (off topic), I’m sad to hear Chuck Swirsky is leaving. Please, Fan 590, do not replace him with another all hockey show. There is more than enough hockey talk on Toronto radio. Lets get Wilner in there!
MW: I’ve got enough on my plate, thanks, I don’t need to take over Chuck’s show, too! I don’t think it’s a huge stretch to say that McGowan and Marcum may both outdo Burnett this year. With Burnett’s stuff, it’s a shocker, but a great thing for the Blue Jays.
- JamesI know it’s only 7 starts, but AJ’s numbers so far (5.19 ERA, 1.62 WHIP) are probably about as bad as any stretch this long in his career (I checked, and he doesn’t have any single months where he’s been worse, at least when healthy).
Anyway, I’m not here to dump on him, I’ve never been one of those anti-AJ guys. What I’m curious about is your opinion on how bad his numbers would have to be this year for him to NOT opt out of his contract. To me, he would have to be even worse than he has been so far (or be this bad and miss a huge chunk of the year). It just occurred to me because we all sort of assume he’ll opt out, but we also assume he’ll pitch better than he has.
MW: I think he’d have to be way worse than this not to opt out, and I don’t think he will be.
- darrenwith the injuries to Macdonald, and Eckstein do you think the Jays are going to be shopping for another infielder/utility player?
Or are they confident enough to stick with Valendia as a short time replacement for Eck and eventually as his back up?
MW: Turns out neither of them are going to be out as long as we thought, so the question is moot.
- RandyMan oh man - ouch! That hurts with Johnny Mac out for an extended amount of time! Not nearly as much as it obviously hurt him - I know the feeling having experienced a high ankle sprain over a year ago and still feeling it on and off.
I hope not but considering the position and the type of player Johnny Mac is - 6 weeks may be early for him to return to the line up - if indeed it is a high ankle sprain. Just look at Sid the Kid and his goaltender as to time off from the same type of injury and remeber a hockey skate offers a lot more ankle support than a pair of baseball type shoes.
There just is not any defensive replacement out there for JM!
That’s hillarious as to Burnett’s new entry music - just does not fit at all! That would have been good music for Jimy (one “M”) Williams for “exit music”! You can’t beat “Enter Sandman” and the pounding it and the man it’s for delivers!
- BobHangin tough? That’s awesome. He’s quite the character.
- rbWhere were the Overbay callers last night?
You know they’re right, Mike - no team can win a world series with a first baseman who plays great defence and walks a lot. Nobody!
- TylerJust a quick comment. I notice how you are quick to ridicule fans/callers that begin calling out players based on a small performance sample size. After about six or seven of AJ Burnett’s starts and the accompaniment of AJ bashers, you were quick to point out the season wasn’t even a quarter way through and that the callers were inept for their line of thinking.
Yet, after a 2 for 2 performance by Lyle Overbay, you’re quick to use this as a basis of calling out those that were calling for an Overbay trade. I don’t feel strongly one way or the other and agree that there needs to be more patience exercised.
Frank Thomas might have been batting .180 with a Jay uniform. Statistically, he’d get a 18 hits over every 100 at bats. I could only imagine how you’d react to someone who would call in and use the same sarcastic and at most times, condescending tone that you employ, to use a game in which Thomas goes 2 for 2 as a reason to have held on to him.
It sure as heck wouldn’t be pretty.
MW: Just pointing out that I’ve been saying that he’ll be fine, and now he’s getting back to fine. And hey, he’s doubled on consecutive nights now!
- Ragu A.Mike say that ball was hit right at Mcdonald and he hurt himself stepping to throw would it of been an error.
MW: I don’t think so, it’s up to the official scorer, but I doubt it.
- Dan M.Hey Mike I don’t know if your watching the cubs/reds game but holy cow Joey Votto. 3 homeruns and oh ya Reed Johnson 0 for 3. Now batting .263 and his obp must be under .350 for the season after today. Hopefully Marcum can start another win streak tonight and just maybe the bats have turned the corner. Baby steps Mike baby steps.
- TroyTake care.
Did everyone else think Zaun was clearly out at home plate too???
MW: Not clearly, I didn’t think, but I’d probably have called him out.
- Dan M.Too bad about Macstein.
- GIt was a good night for Overbay indeed. Hopefully he does regain his form. Not many people, including myself, have actually been saying Overbay needs to go. It is a bit of a straw man if you ask me. Most critics have been saying he needs to improve and get closer to his career averages, not that he is a useless player. And, he does deserve credit for his D.
“New Kids?” Well, I guess he’s got a sense of humour, but I’m not sure that this the best time to display it. Although, maybe it throws the hitters off. If I was a batter, I would wonder what the hell kind of pitcher listens to man-banders at least for a few seconds instead of thinking what pitch is coming. It is pretty funny in any case.
And again, too bad for Macstein.
Hey Mike,
I got home after work to tune in to the Jays/Rays game. Conceding the possible consequences on my heart due to watching an AJ Burnett start, I was happy to watch a game that almost pushed a winning streak to 6 (which is unfortunately rare for Jays Fans). Although I’m sure everyone jays fans sighed and grunted after Burnett gave up a few early, the Jays came back and responded offensively. Although the shot by Overbay silenced critics of his ‘lack of production’ that they could measure with video and not statistics, it was the lose and Scutaro’s DP, Johnny Mac’s injury and Hinske’s (or S***ke’s, if you use the term used by Drunk Jays Fans) Wily Mo Pena-like Hulk Smash was what was the gist of the highlights and recaps of the game, from TSN, Sportsnet and the Score. Given the love/hate relationship Jays fans have with former players, you can’t blame the networks for bringing up the juicy details of Hinske’s production this season, particularly against the Jays. For me, the post-game memory was a 14-hour coma might have been the lack of sleep in the last 2 weeks, work stress but I’m going to say Macdonald’s injury replays on the TV that was the straw).
However, I awake from my slumber to read your blog and see the Chris Ray of sunshine from the past week (hopefully Ray recovers well enough so I can reuse that term at a future date with more confidence). My corned beef is with the framing of popular Toronto media sources and how they tend to frame reports of Today’s Game as “What are you going to do for us tomorrow?” which can depress Toronto Sports Fans throughout the season (its effects can be comparable to that of a staph infection). When we are winning, its “David Eckstein has too DAMN much GRIT to not lead off and take us to the World Series like he did in St. L.” But when we are losing, its “change for the sake of change” (aka fire the manager) and “What’s wrong with Doc?” I just feel like venting that Chance is the excuse for the majority of how the beginning of the season plays out (not leadership, character or whatever synonym that gets brought up). We did get some bad luck on the injury fronts of Rolen and The Beej early, the slump of Stewart (which is looking up) and the Frank Thomas situation. Although, Hinske is lighting us up and Reed Johnson made the catch of the year so far….I try to think about our position closer to the all-star break, where the majority of topics we discuss now are long gone because they are the result of small sample sizes.
We’ve got some good luck as of late on the pitching staff as not only has our starting pitching been fantastic but JP has found someone like Carlson. JP and Gibby seem to be up to their tricks again by piecing a good bullpen together with what they can use cheap (see Spieir, Wolfe, Downs). I’m waiting for the glamorized story of Carlson to be put together, like some media sources continue to do for John Hamilton (also waiting on the one for Greinke but I guess a drug addiction is more ‘interesting’ than depression or the lack of excitement of a #1 pick make the story less desirable to write early?)
McGowan has had a tremendous start of the season (of course along with the rest of the Jays staff). Although Johnny Mac has hit the IR, at least the Jays are beginning to show signs of pride-gulping, as the Jays at least used Johnny Mac as a defensive substitute for 2 days, their patience in dealing with The Beej, and eating Thomas’ contract. Although Chance hasn’t been dealt to the Jays much lately this reason, its beginning to look as if reason, the success of their pitching and unthawing pieces of their offence are giving them a chance to compete, which is all one can really expect. I want to win championships again too, but to say why aren’t we sweeping the Rays every time we face them is disrespecting an exciting and talented organization (which I feel the Canadian media does too often).
I just hope the initial optimism about Johnny Mac’s return isn’t another one of JP’s media release under false pretences.
Sorry for the long rant (result of holding back responses to your blogs recently). Do you put this under you Rational or Irrational messages of the day?
MW: Sorry, my eyes started to bleed in the middle of the second paragraph.
- Ryan SI would like to apologize to all Jays fans. This loss was my fault. Prior to the fateful pitch being thrown I offered Hinske a beer if he could hit a home run. He hit that homerun, but I refuse to give him that beer.
MW: You owe him a beer.
- BrendanHi Mike,
With your influence on the Toronto sports scene, your excellent insights, and your overall sports knowledge, would you consider a Head Coaching position with the Toronto Maple Leafs?
Cliff.
MW: Sure. Pays better than this gig, and I promise to win at least as many cups as the guys who have been doing it the last 41 years, combined!
- Cliff FHey Mike - any word on whether Paul Maurice can play shortstop ?
MW: He looks like he’s in good shape.
- Ian CHey Mike. I’m back from Hiatus. Attended the games on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday and am heading back tonight. I just wanted to comment on my satisfaction, and in some dissatisfaction.
It was nice to see the bats come alive (to a certain extent) for Doc who was very deserved of that support on Sunday. Have to say that again you were bang on with respect to starting Mac on days Doc pitches. Had Mac been the SS the game would not nearly have been that close. He makes that ground ball play that Eck incurred the error on. Gibby managed the game well. We really do have the worst third base coach as well!! Oh yeah, and I’m also taking the blame for that fourth inning. I turned to my friend and provided the ultimate jinx…..I said, “hey man, imagine Doc pitches a No-No. Interestingly enough, that was the only inning he gave up a hit on. Sorry Toronto.
Monday, another fantastic performance by our starting pitching staff. I have to say that the most impressive thing about dusty this year, and he did this on a couple of occasions in the opening series in NY is that he seems to be mentally tougher. Everyone knows he’s got amazing stuff and this year he has really showed that he believes in that stuff enough to work out of jams. It was great to see.
And no, with respect to Tuesday’s game, I am not going to lay this one on AJ. That was just a tough one. Although not for certain, Johnny Mac would have probably made that play on the blooper. Nonetheless, I don’t want to split hairs here. I know for sure we are not going to win every game in May and that one was just “one of those games”. Another 2 inches on Overbay’s double and that game is tied. The important thing is that we bounce back. I still have 20 bucks riding on the Blue Jays having the best month of May in baseball.
Just want to know what you think about any of these comments and what you think of my batting order. Let’s assume Eck or Mac are available.
Stewart/Hill/Rios/Wells/Stairs/Rolen/Overbay/Zaun/Eckstein
Yes, I think Stew should be in there. If a player goes 3 for 4 and raises his batting avg. by 50 points it obviously signifies that he has not had enough at bats to warrant a strong hypothesis on his performance. Stewart is not going to have an MVP season but I believe he will live up to the potential we thought he had when we brought him here. Maybe I’d juggle Stairs and Wells depending on whether you’re facing a righty or lefty.
Thanks Mike
MW: I don’t want to start off on a sour note, but you really need to be careful about using big words if you’re not 100% sure what they mean. I think Stewart eventually does lead off, but I want Rolen and Stairs both higher than you have them.
- Christopher MarinoniIs it just me, or do you think Alex Rios lacks focus and concentration when he plays baseball. He’s made numerous baserunning errors and yesterday, on a medium popup, he couldn’t even throw straight to the plate, which may have made it close at the plate, and the run was the difference in the game. When is he going to stop making these “rookie” mistakes?
MW: A bad throw isn’t a rookie mistake. You can’t be perfect all the time, and he made up for it tonight.
- JeremyI am wondering if any consideration is being given to calling up Pedro Lopez to play short.He is a pretty good hitter and I have read that he has good range.He has played both short and second.I would guess he may have more up side than Valendia but less experience in the bigs.
MW: Pedro Lopez is not a pretty good hitter. Of course, neither is Jorge Velandia, but at least he has been recently.
- Paul McCreathMike I just wanted to put a smile on your face by saying
Reed Johnson went 0-for-5 with three strikeouts Wednesday versus the Reds. Johnson is down to .257/.336/.297 for the season. When Richard Griffin was presented with this information he said “My first born was conceived at the 1983 winter meetings”
MW: It doesn’t put a smile on my face to see Reed struggling. He’s a really good guy.
- Dan M.Reed Johnson - 0 for 5 today, and about to get benched.
0.257/0.336/0.297
- GregJPMy wife thought she heard “Hangin’ Tough” playing before the gane started but I laughed at her…. I said I would quit being a Jays fan forever if they were actually playing that song! What am I supposed to do now?!
MW: Sorry, dude.
- mike in brossard PQNow that Stewart is in the lineup, I think Gibby might as well put him at leadoff. He has good on-base and BA numbers against both LHP and RHP and has a low K-rate (around 11%). Rios leading off is a bit of a waste considering his way too high K-rate for a guy who’s supposed to be a great mix of contact and power (18%!). Plus, we need Rios for the RBI more than we need him on base. Hitting behind Valendia and Zaun doesn’t exactly create the RBI opps.
I’m thinking Stewart, Overbay, Rios, Rolen, Wells, Stairs, Hill, Zaun, Valendia (ugh) would be a good lineup for the near future. It would hopefully spark Overbay and give Rios more RBI opps.
MW: I don’t want Stairs hitting 6th.
- ShawnHey Mike,
I was wondering if Russ Adams gets another shot with the Jays or will he be moved to another team. And is lead off really the best spot to put Rios.
MW: I doubt Adams ever gets a real shot in Toronto again, he’s had enough, and I’ve commented several times on not liking Rios in the leadoff spot.
- ZacharyWhat Happened to our other closer Armando Benitez. Is he coming to Toronto soon.
Could you tell me as soon as possible.
Is this the year that we would squek into the Wild Card race.
Thank you,
Michael Lat
Go Jays Go. I have faith in them. Good Luck.
MW: Benitez was never in the closer mix, but he’s finally back healthy and pitching again, and will be in Syracuse soon. I think the Jays will be in the playoff race this year.
- Michael LatWhat about Joe Inglett? If I recall correctly, he’s played some short in the past, and he’s at least hit some at the major league level.
MW: Nah, I think it’ll be Velandia.
- jwjaysI can’t help myself Mike. 0 for 5 with 3 strike-outs. Reed is now batting .257 with an obp of I believe .336 and guess what those numbers are virtually identical to wait for it Shannon Stewards. But wait what about his grittiness. I mean he was soooo gritty today at the plate. So gritty in fact that it seemed like his 0 for 5 was somehow affective today. Wait they (the Cubs) lost 9-0. You know what though I’m sure the Jays would be 3 or 4 games better if we switched Reed for Steward. Like I’m thinking the Jays would be oh 20 and 14 instead of 16 and 18. Again because of the grittiness and the intangibles. He’s oozing so much grittiness I can’t stand it. I mean from my comfy chair watching my 32 inch LCD I think its reasonable on my part to draw conclusions about Reeds body language and his eyes. Look at the intensity of those eyes Mike. If only Jays upper management could have somehow harnessed the power of the Reed. I mean bottle it somehow before letting Reed go and than give it to players like Vernon and A.J. and Lyle and whoever else gets routinely scrutinized through t.v. screens by these incredibly perceptive fans. In case those of you who are soooo good at reading players intentions, attitudes and whatever else you think you see during a game or post-game this post is dripping with sarcasm.
Take care.
MW: Why does everyone seem so happy that Reed is struggling? Really, not nice, people.
- TroyWouldnt it be a better idea to bring up the better hitter Inglett over Velandia. You’re the one that said you need the best 9 hitters in the lineup in the AL East. (Stewart and Eckstein over Johnson and McDonald)
MW: I don’t think being in the AL East has anything to do with anything. You need good hitters period, especially the way this team is going. Velandia is more of a shortstop than Inglett, and with Scutaro playing there, you’re going to need the defensive help.
- Brett VHey Mike,
I was just wondering which team you would enjoy watching more; 2008’s edition of anemic hitting, and lights out pitching or the mashers of 2001 coupled with this (I can’t believe this was a rotation) group of pitchers (pre-Cy Young) Chris Carpenter, ($17,000,000.00 the Jays will never get back) Joey Hamilton, (Michael Young won’t be that good) Eseban Loaiza, (I can’t make the ‘03 Devil Rays) Steve Parris, and (If I didn’t pick a guy off or get called on a balk every outing no one would know who I am) Chris Michalek?
MW: This one, please.
- DesmondMike: How are the various Jays’ dh’s doing as a whole, excluding Frank Thomas?
Thanks.
MW: They’re hitting .254 with 3 doubles, 1 HR, 8 runs scored and 5 RBIs.
- SkipKHow bad, if at all, is Scutaro at short?
Everyone is camped outside Johnny Mac’s hospital room.
MW: He’s not good.
- andrew - KWHey Mike,
How are you? (kidding) :)
Explain to me why Scutaro isn’t better than Valendia at shortstop? Doesn’t he have a better all around track record defensively and offensively? Or did you mean something else by “not the answer at shortstop”?
MW: I mean that Scutaro, historically, has been a very poor defensive shortstop.
- Scott BNew Kids, well its better than walking out to the mound under a Michael Bolton tune. Get well Johnny Mac, we love ya..
MW: I’m not sure it is.
- tom stewartOk I know this is the third post today but I have to say it. The pitching is stupid good. This is getting ridonkulous. Pleaseeeee guys pleaseeeee just hit alittle.
- TroyYet another blunder by Marty Pevey today. On Scutaro’s RBI in the 7th, Barajas was caught between the 2nd and 3rd base. What is Pevey doing, Mike? Blue Jays offence is already terrible and Pevey is killing it further with some terrible calls. Enough on Marty Pevey, something has to be done.
MW: I don’t think that one was on Pevey.
- BeburgMike:
I know you’ve been all over anyone that has anything negative to say about Lyle Overbay telling them that they don’t know anything and that he gets on base 45% of the time so I just wanted to point something out. In today’s Toronto Star, Cathal Kelly who I’m sure you know of wrote “SLUMPING first baseman Lyle Overbay was a notable bright spot going 2 for 2 with a pair of RBI’s” so it’s not just your crazy listeners/ readers that have thought that.
Also, your statement about him getting on base 45% of the time … he’s showing a .373 OBP (prior to tonight’s game) so unless there is some new math that I’m not aware of that doesn’t seem correct. Is that another stat from the Mike Wilner “make-up-a-stat-that- makes-the-Blue-Jays-look- better-than-they-are” collection similar to the one you made up for John MacDonald last year?
MW: Hey, I liked that stat I made up last year. Overbay had a .450 obp against right-handed pitchers when I wrote that.
- Peter B.I hate jumping on Gibbons throat for every little move, but wow was sending Marcum back out for the 9th a terrible decision. If a 6-0 game is not the right time to go to Jason Frasor I have no idea what he is even doing on the roster. The fact is that Marcum showed last year he often gets off to blazing starts and has a tendency to break down late in the game as his pitch count rises. With a 6-0 lead and a “kid” on the mound it is a poor managing decision, in my opinion, to put Marcum back out there at 98 pitches. Let the kid revel in his 8 inning success and keep up his arm strength so he doesn’t break down late in August and September like he did last year.
MW: The guy was throwing a one-hitter.
- AriJust thought I’d point out that with Overbay hitting doubles last night and again tonight, he is now on pace to hit 127 (4 todate, plus 1 a game for each of the remaining 123 games the rest of the year).
On the perceived difficulty of the lefty hitter vs lefty pitcher, one thing I’ve noticed is that there seem to be a lot more left-handed “wide-breaking sliders” — perhaps related to the fact that more lefthanded pitchers seem to throw 3/4 or even sidearm. This makes it tougher for the lefthanded batter to “hang in there”.
- Norm“MW: The guy was throwing a one-hitter.”
If you don’t wish to engage in dialogue, don’t. But please don’t post a response like that that does nothing to address ANY of the points I made. Yes, I realized when I posted that he was throwing a one hitter, so thanks for pointing that out. It doesn’t change the fact that everything I said is true and that he had been sitting on the bench for at least 20 minutes after being told he was done for the evening. Keep throwing your young guys out for the 9th inning in a 6-0 game at 100 pitches and they will be run-down machines by the end of the season. It was a senseless move that had absolutely zero benefit.
MW: Excuse me, but this is my blog. You choose to post on it, which is lovely, and I choose to reply, which most people don’t do. If you don’t like the reply, you’re welcome to change the station. There is plenty of utility in allowing a pitcher to complete a one-hit shutout, they’re not robots.
- AriThe only right handed hitting masher I’d like be OK with the Jays trading a pitcher for is Micah Owings. He can DH against lefties, pinch hit….oh yeah, and pitch.
I know you’re aware of him and everything, I just love him. Tonight:
7 IP, 3ER, 4H, 2BB, 7K
and….
1 for 3 with a double
Having said that, my heart would be broken if JP let Marcum or McGowan go just to take a wild shot at winning this year.
MW: I’m not ashamed to say that I love Micah Owings.
- darrenDr. Mike,
- RyanI’ve been trying to wake up from this “Marcum dream” I’ve been having the last 11 months. Every time I’m in this dream I hear a voice telling me that the more I believe the more hurt I’ll be in the end. I went to the game tonight to hopefully snap me out of it. But Dr., I’m falling deeper and deeper into the rabbit hole. I saw the most masterful game ever that I’ve been in attendance for, and I think I’m now officially in Wonderland. When does the journey end? Does it? Who is this guy? Do I take the red pill or the blue pill? I mean, MAN, he was awesome.
“MW: Excuse me, but this is my blog. You choose to post on it, which is lovely, and I choose to reply, which most people don’t do.”
Correct. And that precisely is the reason that I am an active poster here. But when you go with a snide, one-phrase answer you seem to just be trying to get in the last word and don’t want to engage in an actual discussion. Your second response, however, certainly provides fodder to attack.
“There is plenty of utility in allowing a pitcher to complete a one-hit shutout, they’re not robots.”
What exactly is this “utility”? Giving him confidence for his next start?! All of a sudden you are into intangibles, interesting. I’d like to hear exactly what you think the “utility” is. I see literally no value in allowing him to pitch that 9th, so I’m curious to hear your perspective on that, and that was the point of my original post.
Stating that he had a one-hitter addresses nothing, and if you didn’t want to get into it you could just as easily have not written a response, as you often do.
MW: Again, these are human beings, and there is utility in allowing a human being a shot at being in the record books. A complete-game one-hitter is a tremendous accomplishment. It’s not like he has 110 pitches going into the 9th inning.
- AriMike: Thanks for the DH info. Just through looking at the ESPN ’splits’, I have Stairs 15 for 52, Diaz 0 for 4, Stewart 2 for 8 and Barajas 0 for 4. I’m missing a 1 for 3 which would give the .254 average you stated the DH’’s have post ‘FT’. The 8th run scored I’m guessing is from someone other than Matt Stairs who has all the other 7. If this kind of info is easily accessible from a better source than I found, I am interested in the source if its for the public. Thanks.
MW: I got it from the notes they hand us here at the ballpark, supplied by MLB.
- SkipKIn regard to post #22:
The Blue Jays did not draft Fred McGriff. He was acquired from the Yankees along with Dave Collins and Mike Morgan for Dale Murray and Tom Dodd. Awesome deal!
MW: It sure was. One of the greatest throw-ins ever. Sorry I missed that.
- Jim BranscomeSorry Mike I wasn’t trying to be mean. When I wrote that it showed that know one else had made a post let alone one about Reed Johnson. I was merely trying to get a point across to many of your callers and posters on this web site that have continued to ridicule J.P. for seemingly letting go an “all star” and replacing him with an apparently washed up Shannon Steward who is consequently only 2yrs older than Reed. I wish Reed nothing but the best and expect he will have a relatively successful season with the Cubs and most likely post his career avg. in ba and obp and play a tremendous outfield. Unfortunately because of seemingly constant comments by not only fans and certain radio hosts at the fan590 Reed has unfairly become a lightning rod not unlike Shannon Steward, Lyle Overbay, et al. for some of us who share your feelings on the decision to go ahead with Steward over Johnson. I asure you my intentions were not to be callous in any way. Its just that Reeds performance has now become so very apparant and at the forefront of some of our minds. My attempt at humour (Ref. earlier post65) with dealing with the “grittiness” aspect of said player was directed at all those fans who make such a big deal about how certain players on this team lack this quality of (almost mythical) intangibleness. Again it has developed into being located around Reed Johnson. Admittedly unfairly, but not surprisingly given the circumstances. Its facinating how discussions such as this one develope on/in a forum such as this. I will leave this alone and hope that both players have a successful season.
Take care.
- TroyHey Mike,
- PatCan you do me a favour?
Next time Brian O’Nora is umpiring the plate…sneak down and place a folded up coaster under his left foot!
Thanks
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- Ned Villarrealyogaf xzbpve
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