Normally I hate using terms like ‘grow up’ or ‘maturity’ because they’re pretty silly measures that are based on collectively determined definitions and individuals shouldn’t necessarily be condemned for not fitting into that definition. But, why you don’t respect people, and why you even let them ruin experiences for you through no malicious intent of their own I doubt I’ll ever understand.

Oh, and please if you will, could you show me some evidence as to why those people’s claims are wrong? I mean, you know, actual conclusive stuff rather than one example that shows absolutely nothing in the grand scheme of things.

MW: There are plenty of examples of managers who have gone from genius to idiot and back (and forth and back). Shawn was right in that it’s the players that determine what happens on the field. The worst manager can win with the right players, and the smartest, best manager can’t do a thing without the right players. But Shawn could have been a little more tactful. That’s certainly not something that’s unique to him in these comments sections, though.

The very fact that you tried to argue that Toronto cares about the Jays by throwing out absolute attendance numbers is laughable. I don’t necessarily agree with Ari, but why you would throw that meaningless statement out I have no idea.

Also, you know as well as anyone that if this team sits at 58-72 and 17 games out of the playoffs(current pace) near the end of August, this team won’t outdraw many others in September.

MW: I didn’t think it needed to be said that the Jays outdraw the Argos and FC on a per-game basis, they do, and by a bunch. I don’t believe for a second that this team will be 58-72 at that point in the season, but if they are, yes, they will be outdrawn by everyone.

I assume you’re utterly disgusted by the first run tonight since Gregg Zaun bunted to advance 2 runners into scoring position and basically gave an out away in doing so. Your position is always that when things are not going well that you need all your outs and so that must have made your blood boil there in the 10th inning. I mean why didn’t he go up there and swing for a homerun?

Secondly, knowing your position about people shouldn’t lose their jobs for no good reason could you possibly explain your response the other day regarding Ernie Whitt. I assume someone asked about him becoming the manager and you responded that he couldn’t even handle being the bench coach. If a manager has no effect on a team, exactly how much influence/ effect can a bench coach have on a team to warrant losing his position? It may not be true but he came out and said that he wasn’t the person (moron) that submitted the wrong line-up twice last year. Do you think he didn’t put cream in Gibby’s coffee on a few occasions?

If anyone, get rid of Marty Pevey as the third base coach … he looks like a deer caught in the headlights there. I’m thinking of submitting my resume because I’ll actually watch the game as it’s going on. He should be sent down to make room for someone from the AAA squad in my opinion.

MW: Marty has been having his troubles, it’s true. I didn’t mind the bunt so much last night because it falls into the “acceptable zone” – first and second, none out, extra innings. Whether or not Whitt was responsible for submitting the incorrect line-ups on those two occasions last year isn’t at issue. Part of the bench coach’s job is to make sure things run smoothly during the game, and that includes checking the line-up to make sure it’s being followed properly. Checking the nine guys on the field at the start of the game to make sure they’re the same nine listed on the official line-up, that sort of thing.

Anyway, I just wanted to get your reaction the the article on mlb.com where Gary Denbo is quoted as saying (when asked about the Jays prolonged hitting slump):

“If I hadn’t been through this before many times throughout the years,” Denbo said, “it would probably be more frustrating for me.”

Kinda begs the question…just how MANY times has this happened to him?

The article later calls his style as having the hitters “pass the baton” as in taking walks and leaving it up to the next hitter. Might this explain why there offence is so lackluster? No aggressiveness? Thanks

MW: I like the “pass the baton” style. Trust the guys behind you so that you don’t have to expand your strike zone and swing at a pitch you don’t like.

So I’m guessing that with tonight’s massive 3 run performance, coming off a 31 inning scoreless streak we can assume that bats are heatig up and coming around and it’s all good from here on in. Is Yonge St. or University Ave. a better route for the parade?

Everyone … it’s time to stop thinking that either JP or Gibbons or both should be fired because neither is going to happen. Godfrey is soooo enchanted with JP that he’ll never get rid of him and JP feels the same way about his good friend Gibbons so get used to it. This is the management team that will either get something done or not. No point in even discussing it … just like adding Barry Bonds.

MW: I think University Ave. is the way to go.

release Frank Thomas as you don’t have time to wait for him to start hitting
Call up Adam Lind give him 6 games, send him down as you dont have time for him to start hitting
Put Stewart in full time, he aint doing much
Go Get Wilkerson…hasnt done much in years.

This doesn’t look pretty. Man I would prefer JP to go with somebody who has some upside in LF. IF he doesn’t want Lind or Botts….is there anyone out there in AAA who is being blocked that you see as someone who might be able to give hope.

I know JP has said he’s done with transactions, im just wondering if there is a name out there that you like?

MW: Barry Lamar Bonds

Jerry & Alan were discussing the value of hitting coaches during the first game today: the difficulty of changing approaches, etc. I gathered that Denbo & Brantley have different areas that they tend to focus on. Also referred to a relatively young and apparently intelligent player (Hill) only deciding to listen to the HC (Brantley) last year as a last resort in a very bad slump.

Given this, I am really not certain what value the HC brings, especially with “established, proven, veteran” players. However – HC’s are fairly cheap & easy to get compared to players & GM’s.

Wikipedia implies Brantley is unemployed. I don’t see last year’s results as being his fault. So, if it might help some players to ignore a different HC than the official one, why not bring back the old one that they were already comfortable with ignoring? Call him a consultant or 3rd vice-assistant HC or whatever.

Seriously, are any limits on the number of “coaches” a team can have, and do you think it might help?

MW: There’s a limit on uniformed coaches, but not on overall coaches, I don’t think, and no, I don’t think it would help.

MW: They’ve already had that, thanks.

MW: The simple answer is six, but I’ll be nice and answer the question that you likely meant to ask, but didn’t. They got Carlos Gonzalez, a terrific outfield prospect, as well as lefties Greg Smith and Dana Eveland, who are already up and helping. Lefty Brett Anderson was Arizona’s 3rd-ranked prospect, for what that’s worth, outfielder Aaron Cunningham (who has drawm comparisons to Aaron Rowand), and power-hitting first baseman Chris Carter. That’s a nice haul there.

MW: Furcal’s hurt now, so he’s out, but Teixeira may be available later in the season. You’re right, though, adding just one big bat doesn’t make up for what you lose.