11:55 PM Eastern
Oh, right. He’s the guy who can’t hit for power anymore (and never really could), a diminishing asset on the downside of his career at the age of 31. A guy on whom it would be best to cut bait at the end of April because, seriously, there’s no way he can help this club. Fine, he gets on base, but come on, right?
That’s a fair representation of most of the comments from the first month of the season, isn’t it?
So what does Overbay do but hit the game-breaking home run in each of the Jays’ last two wins – both of them mammoth shots to right field. Overbay (who one of the JaysTalk callers referred to tonight as “Lyle OverFence”) has hit eight doubles and two home runs so far in the month of May. Extrapolated over a full season, that’s a 64 double, 16 homer pace, which clearly shows that all the Chicken Littles should just calm down. Not enough homers for most of them, though.
Overbay came up with the big hit at the right time tonight, a two-strike blast into the second deck to untie the game that the Angels had just knotted up the sixth inning, and he added a two-bagger over the head of Torii Hunter in the 8th, aiming to provide an insurance run. It didn’t work out because Shannon Stewart struck out to end the inning (damn Overbay’s inability to score runs!).
A.J. Burnett looked as though he had no-hit stuff through the first four innings, allowing only a little nubber infield single up the first-base line by Garret Anderson that Burnett hinself, and then Aaron Hill, whiffed on, but he hit a wall in the 5th, allowing back-to-back two-out RBI doubles to Sean Rodriguez (0-for-the-series and looking completely overmatched to that point) and Maicer Izturis to get the Angels to within one. It was Rodriguez’ first career extra-base hit and RBI. A.J. got out of the inning by inducing a weak comebacker off the bat of Gary Matthews, Jr.
In the 6th, a two-out four-pitch walk to Torii Hunter was Burnett’s undoing. After making Hunter look silly his first two times up, he just plain didn’t throw him a strike after striking out the first two hitters of the inning. Burnett then fell back into his old habit of completely ignoring a baserunner, allowing Hunter to get more than halfway to second while he was still in a set position on the rubber – then delivering anyway! Casey Kotchman hit that pitch to right for a single, and Jeff Mathis followed with a liner up the middle to tie the game, and set the stage for Overbay’s heroics.
Those first four innings set against the next two illustrate exactly why so many people get so frustrated so often with Burnett. He’s expected to pitch the way he did at the beginning all the time. If he was more consistent within his outings, maybe – a hit here, a walk there, another hit somewhere else – instead of packing them all together, people might give him more of a break. As it is, for those to whom it matters, he’s now tied with Jesse Litsch for the team lead with five wins.
How about that offense, huh? 4-for-8 with runners in scoring position, and a run-scoring inning set-up by two VERY weakly hit flares to shallow right. In the 4th, after a hard single by Alex Rios (and a steal of second base!), Scott Rolen struck out and Overbay walked. Stewart was next, and he just threw his bat at a two-strike pitch and doinked it over second baseman Rodriguez for a single. Rod Barajas followed and did exactly the same thing, for an RBI hit. It was something that I don’t know if I’ve seen from the Jays yet this season, and it was nice for them to pick up a couple of lucky hits in a row. And hey, no double plays tonight!
Matt Stairs missed this game because of a sore neck, and there’s no further word on the severity of the injury or how much time he might miss. Joe Inglett filled in at the bottom of the order and delivered an RBI triple to deep centre as part of the two-run third. If Stairs is going to be out a while then it’s once again time to Free Adam Lind! We’ll have to see how things progress.
Brad Wilkerson went 1-for-4, striking out three times. His hit was big, an RBI single to cash the Inglett triple, but he was thrown out trying to ambitiously stretch the hit into a double. It was a solid line drive to right-centre, and Hunter had to come a long way from left-centre to get it, but come on – he’s Torii Freakin’ Hunter. I saw Wilkerson kick it into high gear just before he got to first and thought to myself “please don’t”. It was close, but there was no reasonable expectation that he’d be able to get to second on that play. Unlike Rolen’s second inning shot off the wall in left – Garret Anderson had to play the carom perfectly and make a terrific throw in order to get Rolen, and he did.
I’m not sure I get the whole Wilkerson thing. I mean, I know he used to be a very good hitter, walked a lot, hit home runs and stuff, but he hasn’t been that since 2004. I was all for giving him a shot, to see if there was a resurgence coming, but in the two weeks he’s been a Blue Jay he has hit .174/.255/.239. There’s no sugar-coating that, it’s awful. Worse than awful, actually; I guess I did sugar-coat it a bit. And except for his first game, when he hit second, he’s been leading off every start. Anyone in the line-up is a better lead-off hitter than Brad Wilkerson is right now.
Before I go, I just want to mention the vast Ernie Whitt Fan Club there appears to be on The JaysTalk, which you can hear right here:
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
There was more than one call for Whitt to take over as manager, and another caller – in all seriousness – suggested that Ernie replace J.P. Ricciardi as the general manager. Honestly, I’m dumbfounded. How anyone can think that Ernie Whitt is qualified to run a Major-League organization is so far beyond me that I can’t even comprehend it. A manager, fine, I can see that line of thinking. He managed Team Canada at the Olympics and the World Baseball Festival (winning every game except the one the team really needed to). People loved him, he was a good, longtime Blue Jay, but seriously. There were two massive line-up mistakes made last year when he was the bench coach and that rule issue at the Olympics that the last caller brought up. Whitt has told me that he didn’t make out the line-ups, and that the screw-ups last season with John McDonald and Hill/Overbay batting out of turn weren’t his fault, and I’m sure they weren’t – directly – but part of a bench coach’s job is to oversee everything, including stuff like that, to take some heat off the manager. I don’t want to sound like I’m piling on Whitt here, he might make a fine manager, but I’d like to see him have some experience doing it on a regular basis, more than just an interim job here and a tournament there, before handing him the keys to a big-league club.
Comments are encouraged, as always – let’s keep The JaysTalk going 24/7!
Click here to subscribe to Wilner's blog
I have to say that im disappointed in the performance of Hill this season. I thought this guy was destined to be an all star second baseman this season. It certainly appears that is not the case. What is the difference between him and Orlando Hudson? They seem like very similiar players. Both are good with the gloves and poor offensively. In fact, Hudson has a higher OBP this season AND over his career. I just wanted to point this out to you since I remember you saying Hill is a better offensive player. I thought Hill was supposed to be an upgrade over Hudson.
MW: I thought so, too, and it hasn’t worked out that way yet, though Hill was slightly better offensively than Hudson last season. But even if they’re the same guy or Hudson turns out to be slightly better, I’d still rather have Hill and Rolen than Hill, Hudson and Miguel Batista.
- aviHas Vladdy ever had a knee injury? Even if he didn’t I had him convinced he had a bumb knee tonight from the stands.
That Overbay guy is pretty cool, eh?
Mike… Why haven’t we seen Mench hitting/playing much? I would rather have him in the line-up than Wilkerson, can he play RF?
Why is Johnny Mac taking so long to come back, when he was saying the day after the injury he was not going to be down long? Bravado at the press conference? Or a more serious injury than he understood or knew about?
Thanks.
P.S. That foul ball almost got you guys tonight. Who’s booth got nailed there?
MW: Guerrero has had hamstring and back problems in the past, but I think his knees are fine. Mench is here to play against lefties, and he hurt his knee on the weekend in Philly, so he hasn’t been able to go for a while. Mac was hurt worse than he thought, and the foul ball landed in the GM’s suite.
- andrew - KWI certainly seems that the slump that Overbay started with is over. I wonder though whether we can class it as a slump anyway since he was contributing by getting on base and it now seems that he might be a bit of a slow starter (see his 2006 campaign).
I was at the game tonight and was really impressed with the Angels in the Outfield…
MW: I said a month ago that Overbay wasn’t done and wasn’t slumping and was raked over the coals for it.
- AaronMike, I was very impressed with you on the show tonight and would like to commend you for your obvious efforts to be courteous to your callers. Others may disagree, but it makes it a lot more enjoyable for me and I hope you keep it up.
And as a sidenote, how often do you get someone dropping the F bomb like that?
MW: That got through, did it? It hasn’t happened often. I’m not trying to be more courteous, just allowing people a greater chance to bury themselves rather than me doing it for them, but I don’t know how much longer I can keep it up.
- Dan W1. With a nickname like Mighty Joe, it’s hard to not like Inglett. Any chance he stays up in the big leagues through September?
2. Does Ernie Whitt have a chance to be a big league manager at some point? I think that he manages to do so well with Canada considering the relative shortage of Canadian talent (our population is 30 million, and many more play hockey as opposed to baseball, Japan, US, Cuba, Korea have much larger populations and are more baseball mad than we are)
I think much of the adulation for Ernie Whitt is that it seems like he’s been here forever, and it doesn’t hurt that he does manage Canada’s baseball team. Then again, I thought he was Canadian until a few weeks ago.
3. I know that Doc’s received absolutely 0 run support, which accounts for each of his losses this year (except for maybe one) but it also seems to me that he’s slowing down a bit, that he’s no longer as lights out as he used to be. I remember when he used to get 13 or 14 straight wins before his first loss, not including no-decisions. Has he lost something besides run support?
4. Mike this may be a bit of a personal question, but if you could have walk up music for the BB League, what would it be?
MW: There’s a chance Inglett hangs around, but not a good one. Whitt has a chance to eventually be a big-league manager, but he’d be well-served to get some time in managing in the minors. Roy Halladay has never started a season with 13 or 14 straight wins. The walk-up music would be “The Spirit Of Radio” by Rush.
- Sam McLeanOh, and the explaination to why sliding is faster then running into a base – they were testing this on running first to second, so no over-running a base. The people in the show were running the 90 feet in about 4 seconds, and sliding cut .1 – .3 seconds off their times.
The difference was that they had to slow down at the very last second when going into the base standing up, while when they slid they accelerated right until the last second.
.1-.3 seconds is not a huge amount of time, but it might make a little difference.
Something that might amuse you – they had baseball legend Roger Clemens on the episode – broadcast in August of 2007 – how far the mighty have fallen. He was part of an interesting segment on the physics behind different pitches. I didn’t realize till now that Curveballs don’t curve side, they just dive.
MW: Ah-ha! OK, that makes sense now. When you have to stop, sliding would be faster way to slow yourself down into a base. But never slide into first, kids!
- Sam McLeanYour 2004 Toronto Blue Jays:
1. Reed Johnson CF
2. Frank Menechino 2b
3. Eric Hinske 3b
4. Josh Phelps DH
5. Chris Woodward SS
6. Dave Berg LF
7. Chris Gomez 1b
8. Howie Clark RF
9. Kevin Cash C
SP Sean Douglass
MW: Maybe for one game, but everybody was hurt that year.
- Jay Money2007 Stats:
Orlando Hudson .294/.376/.441/10 HR/63 RBIs/70 BB/83 SO
Aaron Hill: .291/.333/.459/17 HR/78 RBIs/41 BB/102 SO
Hudson was better offensively.
MW: Aaron Hill’s OPS+ was better than Hudson’s, 107 to 106, I think. That’s why I said slightly.
- AlexMike, As I said When I called I truly believe that you cantradicted yourself, All year long you have been trying to take the heat off the coach and deflect it all to the players, which I think Is riduculaous especially because this is a business, not only consisting of players, but coaches and Management which you never seem to have a problem with. A gentlemen calls in suggesting that maybe Ernie Whitt would be a qualified canidate to replace Gibbons, Judging by the way you’ve responded to this suggestion both tonight and in the past, you seem to all of a sudden have this elaborate criteria for a coach, in contrast to when the fire Gibby calls come In, I hear a the managers only Job is to put players in the best position to optimize performance. My question is then why is Whitt who has been around the game so long as a coach and a player not Qualified. What is the basis of your opinion.
Was J.P Qualified to G.M befor he got here, I thought Dave Stewart had more Qualifications.
MW: Maybe I have overreacted a bit to the suggestion that Whitt should be the next manager, but it’s because the suggestion seems to come from the fact that he’s managed Team Canada successfully in a few tournaments and everybody loved him when he played here. Then again, he’s never managed a full season at any level of any baseball – to me, that’s a prerequisite for the job. He got demoted from bench coach to first base coach after last season, which should be an indication that, at the very least, he’s not thought of as the next manager. Dave Stewart was an assistant to Gord Ash for three years, which he thought meant that he should be next in line for a G.M. job. You can thank Stewart for the acquisition of Joey Hamilton, and maybe even for the trade of Michael Young. Ricciardi worked in the A’s front office as a scout, a crosschecker and an assistant G.M. for 15 years before he got his shot in Toronto.
- NeilHey Mike,
I enjoy the blog, keep them coming! I have two questions that I hope you can answer for me?
One:
Why is it that the owner of the Blue Jays can’t seem to air the games for the past few days? I find it simply amazing that they can’t show the games on TV in this day and age. I had to listen to the progress of the game on the radio which I really don’t mind doing because “the Fan” does an excellent job. At times I wish they could do the television broadcast as well. Having said that I know that hockey playoff’s are in full swing as well as basketball but this happens every year and it seems to me they should start planning ahead. This brings me to my second question.
Do you think the popularity of the Blue Jays attendance would increase if they were broadcasted on more typical channels such as the CBC or City TV? This would increase the exposure to the common fan and this might lead to increase in attendance at the actual games. I remember as a child watching Jays on those channels which are technically public channels, unlike Sportsnet or TSN which are still considered speciality channels. Do you think this would drum up more interest?
Thanks
MW: You remember as a child watching the Jays on over-the-air stations (as opposed to cable), but only on Wednesdays and Sundays. I think that the vast majority of people have cable, and get Sportsnet and TSN, so I don’t think moving the broadcasts would have a big impact. The games aren’t on TV this week because they’re not part of the 120-game package that Sportsnet put together. They anticipated the Mem Cup and decided not to carry the games this week. It’s not something that snuck up on them, we knew about it when they released their broadcast schedule this past winter. It’s too bad that not all 162 games are televised, but an overwhelming majority of them is, at least.
- ChristopherOn the broadcast you said Overbay hit all of his three home runs in May… one of them was in April. Kansas City if I remember correctly.
MW: You are correct, my mistake. Note that in the blog I corrected that.
- ErikHey Mike- how ya doin?
MW: Meh
- SteveA team win tonight. I have always agreed with you on the Overbay thing. That dude can swing a bat and hits will surely come and now it looks like they’re starting to. The hits as a team are coming in a lot more now as well, even though they’re struggling with scoring runs still, thats bound to change. Rolen looks to be slowing down though. Would you still consider him “the best blue jay ever”? I’d have to go with Manny Lee. LOL
MW: Manny Lee? Over Lou Thornton?
- DaveI just want to offer up what might be an explanation (Note: NOT an excuse) for all people in the ‘Deal A.J.’ camp.
Toronto is a hockey town, and hockey is a sport that is currently transitioning to a new era of capped salary spending. Some teams (guess who?) are having trouble coping with the new system, and are now in the process of trying to unload salaries, especially ones at/near the end of their term. Moreover, these salaries are much more enticing to other squads for a myriad of reasons that are unimportant to this comment. Perhaps this is just a sentiment that is now being transposed onto the (for all intents and purposes) salary cap-less league. Perhaps. Just an idea.
That being said—
Dealing Burnett does make a certain degree of sense to me. The question that one has to ask themselves is: Are the Blue Jays going to compete for the world series this year?
I think we can agree that while the playoffs may be a possibility, a world series is out of reach for this squad for a number of reasons. Why then, not try and get what you can for an expiring asset in Burnett at the expense of this year’s squad, while adding a piece to this team that will help next year and the years to come?
This conversation, however, is not one for right now. This is a conversation for closer to the deadline when the jays can more accurately see where they stand, and when possible suitors are in more desperate need for an arm when gearing up for a playoff run. Hey- what the hell- maybe the Jays’ll be gearing up for their own.
Ernie Whitt for Mayor, GM, Manager, Pinch-runner, and new Raptors play-by-play guy.
MW: If it’s possible that the Jays can make the playoffs, why is the World Series out of reach? Heck, if the Pittsburgh Pirates somehow could sneak their way into the playoffs (I’m envisioning some sort of four-month hostage-crisis situation in the other five NL Central cities), then they could very easily win the World Series. No one is going to want to play the Blue Jays in the playoffs. If they make it in, they might well be the favourite.
- SteveMike,
I think Jerry Howarth should be the manager, he’s got more time in than Ernie doesnt he?
I also think that you would do well as a G.M. You do all the score updates so naturally are very familiar with all the players in MLB and what they do. I’m pulling for you when J.P. goes down.
MW: Ernie goes back farther than Jerry – he was here in 1977.
- Chris BYou have become really insufferable on the Overbay front. Your attraction is to him is quite strange. He is an average MLB 1st baseman who happens to hit 30 points (.253) lower with RISP for his career. It seems you also have a real penchant for creating straw men to grapple with(not just with Overbay). Few people have said Overbay is not a legit MLBer. They said he was struggling, which he was. You on the other hand kept insisting that getting on base 37%(though you pathologically exaggerate his stats) is fine even if he slugs .350 which no one else in the baseball world seems to accept. Even JP said Overbay was “scuffling” earlier. You were almost all alone in your views that he was doing fine. You are far from alone in thinking Overbay can do better. I’m as pleased as you, probably even more so, to see him hit. Anyway, I do appreciate your work for the most part.
I’m sure your job gets frustrating but I still think you could use a little more class. It probably is not important to you, but, I think you could learn some grace and class from guys like Howarth and Tom Larscheid. Hey, I like sarcasm as much as the next guy but you don’t need to rely on it so much. Then again, if being a nice guy isn’t you schtik you shouldn’t force it. Jim Rome does well for himself and compared to him, you are a saint.
All the best.
MW: I don’t know who Tim Larscheid is, but I can’t put on some sort of fake persona and pretend to be something I’m not. Yes, JP said Overbay was “scuffling” earlier, but he’s also very pleased with the contributions of Brad Wilkerson right now.
- gdude, you killed me on the jayscast with that drunk ‘that is incredible insight into the blue jays’
predictions for the KC series?
MW: They could take three of four, but they could drop three of four, too. The Royals aren’t hitting at all right now – with the exception of their eight-run loss to the Red Sox yesterday. They can pitch a bit, though – we should see a lot of 3-1 games.
- Paul Oone of the earlier commenters hit the nail on the head about Overbay: even when he’s not hitting, he’s contributing via walks. he’s one of the few Jays that does this, which is why the team has been having so many issues with the offense this season. it seems like whenever hill, rios, wells or stairs go into a slump, then you can write them off as voids in the lineup for a solid week.
I dunno, I’m like you, Mike. I’m at a loss to explain this offense. but even on opening day, this team had too many holes to be a contender. Stairs/Stewart as a platoon?? Eckstein at shortstop? the Frank Thomas disaster waiting to happen at DH? I include Frank on this list because the playing time/contract scenario was inevitable from the moment Thomas signed with the team, and when it did finally hit, the Jays apparently had no backup plan whatsoever to fill Thomas’ spot in the lineup. I assumed Lind would be that plan, but no, apparently 20 ABs is enough to pass judgement while truly terrible sub-mediocre players like Inglett and Wilkerson get tons of playing time.
on the bright side, at least the Jays aren’t the San Diego Padres.
MW: Yeah, who needs to be a team that’s been in the playoffs two of the last three years.
- Alex PP.S. Overbay has two extra base hits with RISP through the first 49 games of the Jays season. This is pathetic. Of course your defense, saying Overbay isn’t the only one struggling with RISP (you used this “defence” in a previous response) is not actually a defense but rather mutual incrimination. You should quit trotting out the excuse that RBIs are a reflection of who is in front. While this is generally true to a large extent but does not excuse Overbay. He’s had plenty of chances and is batting .121 while getting on base at .279. We are no longer in the early stages. The season is almost a third in. For someone who pays lip service to reason and rationality you would do well to apply some to Overbay. Face it, he is an OK Major leaguer with decent value for his contract. He is not a major building block. And, now you like small sample sizes? You must have been facetious when you stated his pace for “64″ doubles. COmbined with his 10 pace of april he very well might end up with 35 doubles plus.
MW: Of course I was facetious when I said he was on pace for 64 doubles. But I’m trying to illustrate how much things stick out in April for the simple reason that they’re happening in April. Have I ever said that Overbay was a major building block?
- gpps. quit talking about luck. They are 50 games in and have been lucky as well as unlucky. They aren’t unlucky. This “snakebit” crap was all the rage for most of the Canucks’ season out here. Finally people began to see that the Canucks just didn’t have the scoring talent. But for the first half at least fans and media (at least those close to the team) kept talking about how the Canucks were “snakebit.” The jays’ bats just aren’t that good, unfortunately.
MW: They’ve been incredibly unlucky, there’s no way around it. The Jays’ bats aren’t that bad – you can’t be an above-average hitting team until there are runners in scoring position, and then become the worst by miles, without lots of bad luck.
- gI’ve also heard him called “Lyle Over-Rate” but I’m not here to make fun of anybody, I just want him to do well.
Seriously Mike, you can’t blame us for being upset over Lyle’s start. The team has struggled to score runs and his numbers were nothing to write home about. I know you argue he was getting on base, but I think most of us have a mindset that we believe he’s here to drive in runs and that was not happening. The Jays always had men on base, but nobody was driving anybody in, having played better the last week has yet to make amends for his “guest appearences” the first 35 or 40 games. Hopefully his recent upswing is the place he’s going to and not a phase he’s going through. Man, those first 35 games, it was hard not to draw Enzo Hernandez comparisons.
You’re right, Ernie Whitt will not be managing this club anytime soon, or ever. I hope Gibby is around for awhile, but if it came down to it, Bob Brenly would be my choice if there were a change.
The Enzo Hernandez reference is about the former Padres shortstop, who set a major league record for futility when he started 143 games for the 1971 Padres, had 549 at bats, 122 hits and incredibly drove in only 12 runs the entire season. This is the major league record for the lowest RBI total for a player with enough at bats to qualify for the batting crown.
MW: I don’t think anyone is here to “drive in runs” as opposed to just being a good hitter and contributing to the whole. Overbay has been fine all season – getting on base like a madman in April, now starting to slug in May. And Bob Brenly? I suggest you re-watch the 2001 World Series – it could be made into a textbook on “How To Win In Spite Of Your Manager”.
- Jim BranscomeMike, your new-found benevolence was much appreciated, and definitely noticed. It might be hard for you, but tonight’s show was “clean” (except for this apparent F-bomb that I didn’t hear, maybe you edited it out on the blog) and was a pleasure to listen to.
In light of all the Ernie Whitt nonsense, I was just wondering – before Gibbons came up to Toronto as the bullpen catcher, did he have minor league managerial experience? His wiki brings up nothing.
One of the callers pointed out how well prepared the Angels announcers seemed to be, and I totally agree. I know this isn’t the place to rip the various Jays’ TV tandems, but in thinking about it, one thing surprises me. After all the talk on the blog and on your show, you haven’t ONCE been inclined to sample a Jays game on the TV to see what all the fuss was about?
Anyways, those Angels announcers were convinced in the fifth and sixth that AJ kept shaking off Barajas’ calls, and one of them (presumably an ex-pitcher) said for the most part he trusted his catcher because they had a better feel on how to expose a hitter’s holes, I guess just by being so close to them and observing their “language” in the box. Did you notice any of this shakeageoffage?
While I’m sure you are well aware that Gary Weinrib is a big baseball fan, I was surprised with how much he actually knows. The Astros crew noticed him at a game a few weeks back and sent a cameraman down to talk to him, and he was firing off his NL-only team, and the names he was pulling out of the hat were impressive. I know you’re not a fantasy player, but single-league leagues tend to include the Emmanuel Burrisses of the world. Speaking of Weinrebs, (and since you’re quite fond of the English language) I always thought Bernie Weinreb would be one helluva pallendromic name.
Sorry for the novella.
MW: I actually don’t know who Gary Weinrib is. I’m assuming it was Mark Gubicza who was talking about shaking the catcher so much, and A.J. did do that in the 4th, when he wanted to throw a cutter for some strange reason. It didn’t work. Even if I was inclined to check out the TV crew, when can I do that? I’m part of the radio crew – even for road games, I have to know what Jerry and Alan are talking about and monitor the broadcast in case we lose the feed. As for Gibbons, he managed seven years in the minors, winning two championships.
- AriOutside perspective of the team and organization. Sad but true.
http://shysterball.blogspot.com/2008/05/and-that-happened_23.html
- GregJPMike, great idea to link Jays Talk to the site. It’s nice to get my comedy fix for the day from some of the callers when im not home to listen. Case in point for last night was the caller who stated that it was his opinion that Godfrey mandated the Jays sign the Big Hurt.
MW: The best part of that was when he said that Godfrey intentionally overpaid for Thomas because “the bigger the contract, the better” in order to make a P.R. splash.
- paul sDan Shulman was on Bobcat’s show yesterday and he said something we all know but some of us probably don’t think too hard about it. He said the two best hitters on the team are Stairs and Rolen and both are past their prime. One is 40 and the other is 33. He didn’t put Wells into the equation as he’s out for a while. Even if Wells come back, Jays are just a mediocre hitting team. The reason they are not hitting is just becuase they CAN’T hit, they are not good enough. The top five hitters for Jays are(in no particular order)Wells(an overrated hitter), Stairs(too old), Rolen(old), Rios(good but will never be great) and Overbay(slightly better than an average joe). The rest are average to below average to horrible(Johnny Mac) hitters. Time for JP to pick up the phone and do something. I am willing to sacrifice some young arms for some hot bats. We can’t be scoring 1 or 2 runs throughout the season. something has got to give.
MW: Except that they all can hit when there aren’t runners in scoring position.
- BeburgHello Mike, hope you’re well. Gee, who will we pick on if Overbay’s hitting? I absolutely LOVE it that he’s coming on strong, because I just love Overbay. I probably shold have stuck up for him before, but truthfully, you were already doing a better job of it, and I didn’t want to take that kind of heat. Plus, some of the reasons I like him can be classified as ‘intangibles’; his work ethic, his willingness to track down a foul ball anywhere, and not so intangibly, his great ability to man first base. I know it’s a much maligned position, but he saves runs by digging balls out of the dirt and getting baserunners. Now that his bat is coming around again, he’ll be exactly what the team needs, even more of what he’s already been this season, a consistently on base guy. He’ll just start from second more now than he did walking earlier in the season. He’s more than welcome to wear my beloved number 17. (and yes, my love of 17 does come from my little school girl adoration for Kelly Gruber.)
And a question, Burnett is a key exanmple of something that happens to a lot, I’d even say all, pitchers, and that’s the bad inning. The thing about the bad inning is it’s not easy to pin down it’s causes. Sometimes they happen early, so you can’t always lay it to fatigue. Sometimes they happen on the first run through of the lineup, so it can’t always be blamed on the hitters adjusting. Like you, I don’t really believe that the players just aren’t trying, though I suppose mental distraction is a possibility since in those big innings there are generally baserunners. At any rate, runs generally come in clumps, and big innings happen. My question to you is why? What do you think the main reasons are for bad innings from pitchers in otherwise solid outings, or conversely, big innings from the offence? Thanks, Mike.
MW: I have no idea. Sometimes things snowball, sometimes pitchers lose focus, but big innings happen all the time to pitchers who either had been cruising, or who settle down afterwards.
- kitaHi Mike,
I hope last night’s win is the star of a new winning streak! With the Royals in town and the sweetness of revenge, it’s time for our third sweep of the season!
Also, I can’t wait for Saturday to watch my first Jays game on TV since May 17 (Due to Sunday’s rain delay, the game was not on RSN Ontario)! Although I understand by your comments that 20 years ago Blue Jays fans had the luxury of only 1 game/week; I find no excuse due to the technology and everything has changed so much. It is a shame that in the year 2008 Jays funs outside GTA are deprived from their favorite team!
One question for you: Hockey is without question #1 sport in Canada, where would you rank baseball?
I enjoy both the show and the blog!
MW: I don’t know where to rank baseball – as a participation sport, it’s behind hockey and soccer and probably basketball and lacrosse, at least. As a spectator sport, it ranks behind hockey, football and curling.
- AxelHi Mike
with the way this team is going what do you think the odds of lyle Overbay being the best hitting player on the team this year are.
and I Forgot there is no way that ernie witt should be the manger of any team or genral manger.
MW: I don’t think the odds are that great that Overbay will wind up the best hitter on the team when all is said and done.
- JackIs Jesse Carlson considered a ‘rookie’ this season, or has he wracked up service time in other seasons to discredit that?
If he is in fact a rookie do you think he would be considered for rookie of the year if he continues at this pace?
MW: He had never pitched in the majors before this season, so he’s as rookie as they come. He won’t get any consideration for rookie of the year, though, because he won’t get many wins or saves, and that’s what the voters look at.
- ColeExcellent Show and blog Mike, i’ve been a listener for 2 yrs.
Get rid if JP and make Whitt the new GM????? Wow, letting the callers bury themselves is a good idea. This is a good lesson that shows why sentimentalism can be a nasty thing in sports. I liked your idea of giving Goerge Bell a shot in the GM chair. Anyway, on a separate topic, somewhere Kelly Gruber is raising his eye brow with all this “Scott Rolen the greatest Jay ever talk”. And how much do you put into JP saying that he is done with trades and these are the guys he’s going with?
MW: He’s done with moves because there are no moves to be made at the moment. Once the trade market gets going, in a month or so, he’ll dive in with both feet to see if he can get something done.
- AaronWho do you think is the odd man out when Vernon Wells returns. Do you think they release Brad Wikerson because he hasn’t done anything since he’s come here?
MW: They really seem to love Wilkerson, but if he doesn’t heat up, he has to be the guy who goes.
- andrewFor those of you who might have missed it, Travis Snider went 3 for 4 with two Home Runs, one K, and 3 RBI’s last night for New Hampshire.
In his last 10 games, he has gone 13 for 38, with 2 doubles, 4 HR and 4 BB (.342/.405/.710). He is still striking out quite a bit (13 times in the last 10), but after a very slow start in AA it looks like he is heading for the kind of numbers everyone projected for him. On the season, he is now up to .228/.350/.465.
MW: I told you we have commenters here who give minor-league updates.
- NormNot a bad game!
Unfortunately I don’t think we’ll ever get Bonds because I doubt Mr Godfrey wants to tick off MLB too much. After all, at some point he’s going to have to go to them (again) and respectfully ask them to take Canadian holidays into account in their schedule and allow the Jays to play at home on Canada Day for once. Or if they can’t do that, send them to Seattle where the BC fans can see them. I have a small feeling that JP would love to have Bonds if only for the satisfaction of seeing the ball sail over the fence more often. And given what’s gone on, Toronto is really the only place that can play him. Since we’re not American and have no real axe to grind about lawsuits etc south of the border.
Sigh.
As for Whitt managing, my comment yesterday stands. He was paying no more attention to the play than Rios was when Hill stole 3rd and Rios stood around on 1st. So I don’t think he is nearly ready for prime time yet. If this manager is replaced it should be by a seasoned guy with a lot of playoff experience, not yet another rookie.
MW: It’s not about lawsuits for Bonds, it’s about federal criminal charges. And as for Canada Day – the Jays are in Seattle this year.
- reyesMike, I’m curious about the Jays’ plans (or lack thereof) for outfielder Aaron Matthews.
He is currently hitting .296/.355/.379, and last year in a full season in AA hit .293/.334/.433.
I realize his power numbers are not great, but since he hits mostly leadoff, is listed as a CF, and did have 4 triples last year, I’m assuming he has decent speed.
Is he in the picture for the Jays at all, or is he strictly minor leagues?
MW: He’s repeating AA at 26, which usually isn’t the best sign.
- NormERNIE WHITT FOR PRESIDENT!!!
- TomMike, Ernie Whitt is nowhere near qualified to b a manager. He was essentially demoted to first this year because of his bonehead mistakes last year. Imagine what he could do with the top job!!! Do you think Rios is out of it? Lastly, I really like that you put JaysTalk link on the blog…any chance you can also add the download link simialar to Wednesdays with JP link. It would be great to listen to on the drive in to work.
MW: I don’t think they’ll go for the hot audio download. And Rios is coming out of it – 4 for his last 12 with two walks.
- SandyBeing a White Sox fan, life is pretty good for me right now. Will it last? Who knows? But after 2005, I made a vow to just enjoy the rest of my so-called life for what it is, win or lose.
Anyway, any thoughts on Carlos Quentin, Mike? Is this purely a flash in the pan, or rather the story of a one-time prospect just needing a change of scenery to jumpstart his career?
MW: I’m a HUGE fan of Carlos Quentin, always have been ever since I saw those eye-popping minor-league numbers he was putting up in the D-Backs’ organization. I can’t believe they sold so low on him. In fact, just last year, I traded Delmon Young for him (and Ervin Santana, dig me!) in one of my sim leagues. Quentin is no flash-in-the-pan, he’s a monster.
- mike aMike, great points on Wilkerson.
I cannot understand why Lind was only given 19 at-bats yet Wilkerson continues to “Scuffle” (J.P.’s favourite word) and stays in the line-up. Why the fascination with a guy was a good player… 4 years ago!
Have the Jays given up on Lind? Did Gibbons have something to do with his demotion? He surely could hit better than .174! Free Adamn Lind Part Deux!
MW: The Jays still see Lind as their everyday LF next season and beyond, but the rope does seem pretty long on Wilkerson.
- SherryC’mon Mike. You’re joking, right? Extrapolating the numbers – and numbers based on performance in May? You’re better than that. If extrapolated performance is what you’re opting to go with to support Overbay’s production, you don’t have much of a right to get all “I told you so” to those who have compained about him. 64 doubles would be 11 more than his career high, and more than twice as many as he got last year. Oh, and it would also be the most in the majors since Earl Webb in 1931.
And excuse us if we don’t get light-headed with glee at the prospect of a 1st baseman with 16 HRs (more likely 10). That does not = a power hitter.
If one wanted to defend Overbay (who is a good player), one could point out that his .376 OBP is 102 points higher than his batting average, and 47 points higher than the league average OBP. His OPS is 50 points higher than league average, and his OPS+ is 115.
There’s no need to get all indignant. What are you, roommates with the guy? There’s nothing wrong with conceding that he’s not exactly the Mighty Thor at the plate, but people do need to realize that he is a productive hitter who is contributing to the team in many more ways than just HRs. Perhaps you have pointed out these sorts of stats to callers already, and that’s cool and the gang. But this ‘extrapolate the numbers’ stuff is only marginally better than using the ‘hustle and scrapiness’ argument.
MW: The extrapolation argument was extremely tongue-in-cheek, as I mentioned above. Just a way to show that April numbers aren’t the be-all and end-all.
- Kipps ThompsonA bit of a strange question mike.
If we still had O-Dog at second and Johnny Mac was the everyday shortstop, does that mean the Jays would have the best defensive middle infield in baseball in a long, long time?
MW: As good as the Indians of the late 90s and early aughts with Alomar and Vizquel (and McDonald!).
- BrandonHey Mike,
I’m a (relatively speaking) long time reader, and a first time poster. I try to be optimistic with this club, but at times, I become very frustrated with their lack of luck or effort. Do you think that the bad breaks of late are a result of just plain bad luck? If so, is this team cursed or something?
Is it possible that some of the “bad luck” is due to brain cramps (i.e. two guys going for extra bases and getting gunned down at second)? I was only able to hear the awesome audio description of those plays, so I am not sure if either base runner had a decent shot at making it safely. If they didn’t have a snowball’s chance of making it, then it’s more or less the same as grounding into two double plays.
I have wondered if the Jays’ lack of production with RISP is because the hitters are trying to hit the 3-run homerun? Honestly, I’d be happy with a single to right field with runners on the corners as opposed to a ten pitch at bat resulting in a pop-up to short. I had my wisdom teeth taken out yesterday. If it were up to me, I’d rather have the surgery again rather than watch the Jays batting with the bases loaded in the late innings.
It is good to finally see “Nine Mile Lyle” getting his stroke back. Hopefully this is a sign of things to come with brighter days ahead.
Keep up the great work. Your efforts and incite are much appreciated.
MW: I’m not sure if “incite” is a spelling mistake or a Freudian slip, but it works either way, I guess. Even if the lack of production with RISP was because everyone is trying to hit a six-run homer, they’d still get their share of bloops and bleeders, which we hadn’t seen until last night. There are brain cramps and bad decisions (Rolen’s wasn’t, Wilkerson’s was – though I don’t mind seeing errors of aggressiveness) and then there’s bad luck – they’re separate things, in my mind anyway.
- KyleI completely agree about Wilkerson. Why in the hell is a guy with a .309 OBP batting leadoff? Like you said Mike, anyone is a better leadoff hitter than Brad Wilkerson. It’s moves like that where I really start to question JP’s thought process. Did he really expect this guy to come in here and hit? I mean come on, Seattle dumped this guy, and Seattle is terrible! Its quite obvious this season isn’t going to be anything ‘special,’ so why not let Lind get more than his feet wet up with the big club, who knows what might happen.
MW: I don’t think it’s obvious at all that this season isn’t going to be anything special, but that doesn’t mean that Lind wouldn’t help more than Wilkerson.
- BryanMichael,
I’ve come up with a solution to all the fans that complain about Reed Johnson being let go. The Jays should stick Joe Inglett in left field, with the high socks which of course translates into an grit, people will just assume thats Reed Johnson out there with his high socks gritting his way into the fans hearts. In all seriousness tho, why don’t the Jays stick Inglett in RF for Wilkerson, I actually think Inglett would be a solid lead off hitter for us as thus far he is getting on base and he has a little speed. I really don’t understand having our worst hitter leading off, it is just ridiculous.
MW: I’d throw Inglett up there right now, he couldn’t do any worse. And with those high socks, people will love him, you’re right. If only he’d gotten that suicide squeeze down against Texas, he’d be a folk hero by now.
- Brian VHey Mike,
Great game last night at the dome. It’s always beautiful when Oooooverbay is hitting like a champ.
A few questions in general here:
- What about Mighty Joe Inglett leading off. His averages are decent and his defence seems to be pretty solid???
- Do the blue Jays have accomadation provided for them when they’re at home in Toronto or do they buy or rent homes?. I have always wondered how they manage living away from their families during the season. Do alot of them have their families with them??? Just curious…
MW: See above for the first one. As for living situations, they buy or rent or live in a hotel when they’re here. The ones with school-age kids generally have their families in town in the summer, and the ones with younger ones have their family around most of the time.
- Warren OwenMike,
I must say I was amused with that caller last night [the one who you had to put on hold during the 10:30 sports update] who came on accusing you of contradicting yourself about managers (i.e. Ernie Whitt being able to do Gibby’s job etc). He started off by attacking you etc, but when you diplomatically addressed his comments, he changed his tune and started saying how accurate your gauge of the team is in comparison to the US broadcasters. I think he had no other choice but to change face and end up agreeing with you. As dumb as he sounded, the f-bomb guy still took the cake!!! Word to the wise:
(1) get your arguments/comments straight before trying to make a point.
(2) don’t call in unless you’re fully sober!!
P.S. I’ll be mailing your pics. with Cito on Monday.
- BernardHas first base always been a positon that power hitters occupied? It just seems like everyone expets the 1st baseman to be the 30+ HR guy. The Sox though have Youkilis who is a quick guy that hits for contact and drives runs in, Votto in Cincy and Jackson in Arizona seem to be the same type, solid hitter with some pop and decent wheels. Overbay is that type of guy, one this team needs. That being said though, if Tex down in Atlanta becomes a free agent do you think the Jays go after him and if so…can Overbay play outfield at all?
MW: Votto doesn’t belong in that group, he’s got a ton of power, but your point is well-made about Youkilis and Conor Jackson. They didn’t stop their teams from having the best records in their respective leagues last season by being first basemen who got on base a lot and didn’t hit 20+ homers. The Jays would be well-advised to go after a Mark Teixeira – Overbay used to pitch in college, how about adding a lefty to the rotation?
- NickIn response to your comments towards Wilkerson’s performance thus far, I agree. His performance is sub-par at best. I find it very intersting that John Gibbons has been quoted as saying ‘ I like everything about Wilkerson’. That article is on bluejays.com under ‘Jays glad to have Wilkerson on board’.
Gibbons has to go! And you may as well send J.P. packing as well! His 5 year plan is 2 years overdue!
MW: Again with the five-year plan? It’s amazing. If you say something enough, people will believe it’s true.
- Adam HornostajMike:
I am not a Juan Pierre fan, but I just wanted to point out that he has a career OPS of .721. He is not getting regular playing time this year, and he is at a .677 clip. That is better than these other Blue Jay options in the outfield right now:
Stewart — .651
Wilkerson — .582
Mench — .378
Unlike these other options, Pierre’s speed and stolen bases would keep the Jays out of the double plays in this new “deadball” Blue Jay era.
Just pointing this out because I don’t think the callers who mention Pierre are as crazy as some bloggers like to say it is.
MW: The Blue Jays are paying Stewart, Wilkerson and Mench less than a third of what Pierre makes in a season.
- Jim BGreat game, if Overbay gets hot, look out, Lyle is a great hitter, Jays need him big time. Nice to see Drunken/High Guy call you last night, fact that he dropped an F-Bomb was pretty stupid. Keep up the great work, Mike. I listen on line in Rhode Island each night. GO JAYS GO
- Tom StewartHey Mike, huge fan!
I’ve got to admit, I got a huge laugh last night out of the callers who suggested Ernie for GM, implied you had a “man crush” on JP, and rambled about nothing until dropping an “f-bomb” on air. You are a saint my man!
You mentioned Adam Dunn as a player you’d target later in the season (if avaialable) and suggested that young pitching would probably be enough to get the deal done. My question is, how does the rest of MLB feel about Adam Lind? I just don’t see the point in hanging on to him if JP is willing to trade for another corner outfielder. With Wells and Rios locked up long term and Travis Snider on the horizon in the next couple of years, I really see Lind getting lost in the shuffle (not to mention, Dunn would likely get an extended contract). Would a package of Purcey, Lind, and maybe Thigpen be enought to get Dunn?
Thanks and by the way, “How are ya?”
MW: That package might be enough, but I think you’d have to change Thigpen into another pitcher. The Reds want arms.
- Will DaviesI caught some 20 minutes of your show last night. As usual, not a single good question. Ernie Whitt for GM/manager, one guy giving the economics lesson on ticket prices at the 500 level, and should Russ Adams play outfield or not. I request all these people not to call you again so that people with decent baseball questions could get through.
- BeburgMike, just a question on Wednesday’s game. Rios screwed up not getting to second on the passed ball, true. But with Stairs up, couldn’t Gibby have had him running at least once or twice to try to stay out of the double play. I know the theory that you want to keep the hole bigger on the right side, but at least have him run on a couple of pitches. Your thoughts?
MW: I would have loved to have seen Rios try to steal that base.
- MarvinThe call on JaysTalk on Ernie Whitt being the next genernal manager is downright laughable. Where does this call rank on your all time bad calls you can remember?
MW: It’s definitely on the all-time list. I’m not going to forget about that one for a while.
- andrewHi Mike
Another nerve racking win but I will take it.I also agree it’s time for Adam Lind to get his shot.The only reason I can see for sticking with Wilkerson is because of the Wells injury.I don’t think they want Stairs in right field.Your thoughts.I also agree with you on Burnett,he has such great stuff that people expect a no-hitter everytime out,we see the same thing with ‘Doc’.
mario
Go Jays!!!
MW: I’d rather have Wilkerson’s glove than Stairs’, but Matt can play the outfield. I don’t think that’s it.
- marioHey Mike,
Thanks for the reply. Further to my question, do you think Lind has much value outside of the Toronto market? I know it’s common around here to over-value our own talent (just ask those who thought it was rediculous to include Gabe Gross in the Overbay deal), but how is Lind generally viewed? Would he be able to fetch anything of value anywhere?
As for revising my Dunn proposal, how about a longer term pitcher like Kyle Ginley? Or are we talking about having to add a Brett Cecil?
MW: Cecil and Purcey would be enough, Ginley and Purcey might be.
- Will DaviesFrank Thomas had a multi-homer game a week back. Jeff Francoeur walked in a Braves game I watched.
To all those who say Thomas is washed up, or that Francoeur has never seen a pitch at which he couldn’t hack, I offer to you definitive small sample-sized proof (via the Wilner school of extrapolations) that you are wrong.
And based on his April, Hinske a sure-thing for .300/30HR/100RBI, am I right or am I right?
MW: You’re right. Thing is, people should never use words like “never” or “always”. People always do that.
- Jacob Brumfield's HatMike it’s been two weeks since Wells got hert, they said it would be 4 to 6 weeks so could we possibly see Vernon back in two weeks
MW: They said six to eight weeks, so no.
- Mike1. Snyder’s pickin’ it up big time in double A (2 more dingers last night and .360 over his past ten games with 4 homers.) He’s already got 11 homers on the year which is quite a lot for a 20 year old. (He also has 60 k’s, but who’s counting.) Do you think we’ll see him in September?
2. Arencibia is now hitting over .300 at Dunedin.(And all the pundits said we took him too early.)
3. How much longer do you think they keep sending out Whifferson before they bring back Lind?
MW: I’ll be stunned if we see Snider in September, there’s no need to put him on the 40-man for another two years. I think Wilkerson gets at least another week, respect for the veteran and all that, but if Stairs has to go on the DL, he’s the RF as long as Matt’s out.
- peteWho should be responsible for the Jays falling in love with Wilkerson and Carlson. It has to be Gibbons. Isn’t the decision to play Wilkerson while he is struggling offensively costing them games in the long run. Gibbons is losing games the for team, by his stupid infatuatation with Wilkerson. BTW, if you look at the bottom third of the Jays lineup yesterday that was perhaps the worst in the majors this year. They just don’t have much depth at all.
MW: That bottom third wasn’t even close to the worst in the majors, and the 8-9 guys got some pretty big hits in there. If you’re blaming Gibbons for Wilkerson (I think it’s a combination of everybody), then you have to give him some serious credit for Carlson, he’s been awesome.
- aviMike –
A question about the Best Manager in Toronto Baseball Ever – Cito Gaston.
Why has he never had another job in the Big Leagues as a Manager? Did something *hush hush* happen that has him on the outs?
And, was he as good as I think or was he just a guy lucky enough to have a talented team?
KK
MW: You can’t win without talent, but you don’t always win with the best talent. I think Cito gets a bad rap because of the teams he had, but he won with them. He wasn’t a great x’s and o’s guy, for sure, but he was a fantastic communicator. Nothing hush hush happened – he was offered a job or two and turned them down, and he was a finalist for the White Sox’ job but lost out to Ozzie Guillen. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if he was the next manager of the Mets. Next week.
- karim kanjiMichael of the Ballyard:
Do you think that mental errors (such as the miscommunication over Anderson’s infield hit) should be scored as actual E’s in the boxscore?
MW: No, it’s almost impossible to evaluate that kind of stuff accurately every time.
- JCLHi Mike
What are the jays doing paying Brad wilkerson 3 million. Thats how boston pays kevin Youkilis.
There must be better hitters out there for 3 mill. Not that it would be all that hard to hit better than wikerson right now. He’s not even a very good outfielder.
MW: The Jays aren’t paying Brad Wilkerson $3M, they’re not even paying him $300,000.
- JackKita,
Big innings happen to pitchers because if you took a coin that landed tails (an out) 75% of the time overall there would be streaks where it landed heads 3 times in a row or 5 times out of 7.
- GregJPIt’s for the same reason that 0.500 teams don’t go W,L,W,L,W…etc. It’s elementary statistics.
Of course there are other factors in play, but they are really minor in comparison to the fact that if a pitcher allows a 0.250 BA against it doesn’t mean it’s 3 outs out of every four consistently.
Just to add to what I said above….the main reason is LUCK.
Pitchers retiring 12 in a row (with few K’s) is good luck (on BABIP) and allowing 3 runs in an inning is normally bad luck. (unless the pitcher implodes and walks 5 guys in a row)
It’s human nature to want a rational explanation for everything, but sometimes there isn’t any. (just like the Jays with RISP) It’s just a statistical anomaly. Period.
- GregJPI TALK FROM MOLDOVIA I HIT/PITCH 96 MILES YOU CALL ME I MAKE $.$$$
MW: You can hit a pitch 96 miles? Cool!
- Juheevy TrevikusalkyHey Mike…when you wax musical again (eg Buffalo Springfield)…could you do it with a Clay Aiken song?
MW: Don’t hold your breath.
- RobHey Mike!
I agree with you that Adam Dunn would be great fit in Toronto’s lineup. I like Jason Bay, and I would take him any day of the week, though I still would prefer Adam Dunn.
Dunn is one of the most elite power hitters in the game today. I know he strikeouts a lot, though he’s always a safe bet for 40 HR and 100 RBI’s with a .380 on-base percentage. Plus he’s a left handed bat.
Speaking of players with high on-base percentages, what about Jack Cust from Oakland? I’m curious in seeing the type of stats he puts up at the end of the year. The guy walks like crazy (.426 on-base percentage), though he also strikeouts at an alarming rate. It also looks like Cust is starting to find his power stroke right now. I know the Jays won’t go after him, but I’m curious to see what his final stats will be at the end of 2008.
Also, it looks like the Padres might be trading away all their veterans and starting to rebuild. I would love to see 1B Adrian Gonzalez in a Blue Jay’s uniform, though the Padres will unlikely trade away their best hitter. I was reading a Jeff Blair article, and he mentioned SS Khalil Greene possibly might be on Toronto’s radar. He did hit 27 HR’s last season, playing half his games at PETCO which makes him an intriguing option to target perhaps in the offseason or at the deadline.
MW: Anybody could have had Cust when he was on waivers last year, good for Billy Beane for taking the chance. Khalil Greene is indeed an interesting target. Of course, if the Jays go after him, it’ll be an 18th shortstop during Ricciardi’s tenure which shows that there’s obviously no plan in place.
- SilvioYeah but Mike, who saw it? Rogers doesn’t put his games on TV anymore it seems. Only 2 of the last 8 games have been telivised including tonight’s washout. There’s something wrong with this picture, Mike. It’s a Friday night in the spring and no game. Same as last Friday. I know he’s your boss and owns the team, but I vehemently dislike Ted Rogers. There I said it.
MW: Have you ever met him? I’ve run into him a couple of times, but don’t know him well enough to have formed an opinion about how much I do or don’t like him.
- Vito From HamiltonGary Weinrib = Geddy Lee.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geddy_Lee
How can a nice Jewish boy from Willowdale that walks to the plate with Rush blaring not know that? :-)
MW: No kidding. I never knew that.
- MichaelHey Mike
I dont know how you do it everyday- fielding comments after comments of fans analysing each move of the Blue Jays. However, as a former ball player and big fan, I appreciate your knowledge and insight. Keep up the hard work.
Question: Do you think hitters today guess way to much instead of just sitting on the fast ball? I do feel that the Jays big bats have a tendancy to guess (i.e. Stairs in the 7th on Wed night, Overbay in the 8th), thus missing out on some great pitches to the heart of the plate. How much does coaching play into that?
Thoughts?
MW: I don’t think coaching plays into that at all, it’s just what the hitters are comfortable with – they’re trying to think along with the pitcher. The best course of action, though, is to “sit on the express and adjust to the rest.”
- GarryI heard a bit of Jays Talk last night in trying to get the final score. You made a statement that with 438% certainty that AJ Burnett will opt out of his contract at the end of this year.
I feel that if the Jays are close come the trade deadline, that they should hold onto him because if he goes on the run he went on last year in the middle of the season, that should be enough to get us over the top and put us in the playoffs. Who cares whether the Jays win the division or not.
I want to throw out a potential trade scenario with you, which would only be done if the Yankees are in the race and the Jays feel they are effectively out. Trading Burnett to the hated Yanks for either Phil Hughes or Ian Kennedy straight up?
I like what Gord Stellick said on the morning show a couple of days ago when looking at the Jays. Keep the pitching together, like the Braves, and build through your system and hope your scouts found you decent enough hitters to get the job done.
Jays are 7 – 3 since the Cleveland triple play!! Let’s keep it going and get firmly over .500 heading into June.
MW: I’d do that trade with the Yankees, but only if the Jays are effectively out of the race. I don’t know if the Yankees would, though.
- Aaron KerCheck it out,check it out…
LIND .100/.053/.053
WILKERSON .174/.255/.239
With these numbers I think MW should recruit them for his softball team, and get hitting tips from him aswell…for example – Tips how not to strikeout in underhand softball? and implement them with the big club.
MW for hitting coach for 2009 Jays!!!!!
MW: Lind didn’t hit .100
- The RatWhy not put Inglett in RF (and deal with his crappy defense over Wilkerson’s average D and poor hitting)? Stewart is hitting a lot better in May and the past week has looked even better. Taking him out instead of Wilkerson is a mistake. Then go with this against RHP until Wells gets back.
1. Inglett (L)
2. Rios
3. Overbay (L)
4. Rolen
5. Stairs (L)
6. Hill
7. Stewart
8. Zaun (S)
9. Eckstein/Scutaro
MW: I don’t have a major issue with that line-up, though Inglett’s outfield defense isn’t crappy – he played centre in college. Scutaro, though, does have the best OBP on the team. Also, Hill has been just fine the last week and a bit, way better than Rios. I might flip-flop Hill and Rios in there, maybe Stairs and Overbay, too, but maybe not.
- Matt STo Sandy, who asked about a download link for JaysTalk. If you’re using Firefox, there is small add-on you can download called Download Helper (just Google it). It allows you to download the source file of any stream (audio or video). It works great for getting JaysTalk onto your iPod.(I’m sure there are other programs for this, too.)
- StoetenHi Mike,
It seems like every week, these Jays fans take a particularly ridiculous idea and run with it. This week, it’s the “Whitt for Manger” thing. In previous weeks it’s been “Trade Burnett, call up Purcey” and we all remember the bunting obsession early in the season. I’m starting to think that someone purposely throws these ideas out there, just waiting for fans to bite.
MW: If someone does, it’s working.
- Ian“Even if I was inclined to check out the TV crew, when can I do that?”
I don’t know, all winter? I wasn’t insinuating you aren’t a busy man…I’m just surprised that despite all the strong opinions across Toronto on the TV crew, you have never been inclined to check it out.
Gary Weinrib is Getty Lee, and sorry about that. Figured you would get it.
MW: All winter? They don’t do games in the winter. But also, if I did check them out and didn’t like them, I wouldn’t criticize them publicly, it’s not my place to do so. I knew Geddy Lee’s real first name was Gary, but I didn’t know about the Weinrib.
- AriThere was a 5 year plan Mike. Still unsure of why you don’t think so.
http://www.thestar.com/printArticle/242056
Griffin explains in his response to the first question posted.
You and JP keep up the excuse making! You 2 do it best. Love how you guys deal in what if and not what is.
MW: Your link didn’t work (for me, anyway), but in checking Griff’s mailbag this week he didn’t say a thing about a five-year plan in his first answer.
- RaymondMike, try posting like this to help the slow pupils:
He’s the guy who can’t hit for power anymore (and never really could), a diminishing asset on the downside of his career at the age of 31. A guy on whom it would be best to cut bait at the end of April because, seriously, there’s no way he can help this club.
Maybe that will help.
MW: Huh? Isn’t that exactly what I wrote?
- Rob_NSOK that didn’t work… My sarcasm metatags disappeared!
MW: Ahhhhhhhhh, gotcha. But I wasn’t being sarcastic when I wrote that, I was summing up the sincere thoughts of many posters from two weeks ago.
- Rob_NSJays win, blah blah blah.
Could you give us more details about Rios’ helicopter?
MW: It’s super-freakin’-cool.
- Flaming Moehey mike…..glad to hear you speak so positively about Overbay….no doubt he is coming around. My main comment is more “off the beaten path”….I applaud you for not being one of those sportscasters who try to make baseball “cool” with stupid catchphrases and the like. Listen – I used to chuckle myself when I heard Chris Berman use some of his nicknames…..but when I hear stuff like “Slobberknocker alert! A-Rod pimps one out of the ballpark” it absolutely makes my blood boil. I’m all for showing personality, but come on……your take?
MW: I have never been a big fan of the catch phrase, I think it makes some broadcasters work too hard to fit it in all the time, and some others too predictable. I think each game is its own living, breathing entity and, for me anyway, a broadcaster should be free to be spontaneous. Tom Cheek didn’t have a catch phrase, which is more than good enough for me.
- SamCan we just have a 2 hour show of you and Richard Griffin talking/debating/arguing about the Jays? I’d pay to hear it. You two are never on at the same time.
MW: I’ve actually had Griff on a couple of RRTs (writer’s round table) – we don’t actually hate each other or anything.
- AlexRegarding Post #53:
Is that the name of his new hit single? Anyway…I think that that title would be a great header for a blog…perhaps not tomorrow’s…but it’s a keeper for some day.
I guess this comment should have a little bit about baseball in it…so I’ll say this:
Any GM who makes himself available (and thus) accountable to the fans the way JP does gets a lot of credit in my humble opinion. I guess his Bostonian accent doesn’t help his street credit here in Toronto…perhaps he should say “eh” more.
The Jays are built to win…they have the pitchers (who are close to the best in the majors)…and the hitters (who should be close to the best in the majors).
Their struggles aren’t a stratagem thing…they are an execution thing…which (one hopes) will correct itself (albeit sooner rather than later).
I think the GM, Gibber the skipper, and all the coaches are doing exactly what they should be doing…and firing one or some or all of them will put us back to 1994.
MW: Post 53? Hit single?
- RobMike, what other calls stick in your head on JaysTalk other then the Ernie Whitt for GM call? Also can you tell what the bATTING LINEUP WOULD LOOK LIKE IF YOU HAD IT YOUR WAY?
MW: Vernon Wells for Tike Redman, and the great battles with callers in the past about Joe Carter’s clutchitude. My line-up? Against a righty – right now – it’d be Stewart-Hill-Stairs-Rolen-Overbay-Rios-Zaun-Scutaro-Inglett. Maybe. Though I wouldn’t mind having Scutaro up top, or Inglett, or Overbay third, or Rios, the way he’s been hitting. Lots of options, no wonder there have been so many line-ups!
- andrewMike!
The Mets job!?! For OUR Cito Gaston? Now are you being serious-Mike or sarcastic-Mike? That would be great! I’m sure alot of Cito fans would be happy. Who knows, maybe The Franchise will learn to love him…
Have a great weekend!!
KK
MW: Totally serious.
- karim kanjiWell all is well for Overbay when hes not swinging like a slow slap hitter. I never thought he was done, but he was down right terrible for a while. I am glad he decided to wake up. Now lets hope the rest of this lineup does as well.
MW: He was never downright terrible, he just wasn’t hitting for power.
- JonHey Mike thought I would help you out with post #77. The link refers to a Richard Griffin post from Aug. 1, 2007. Not something written this week or even this year. Heres the web address. http://www.thestar.com/printArticle/242056
Take care.
MW: Thanks. So it turns out that just like Griff said, J.P. never said he had a “five-year plan”.
- TroyIan, (post 75)
I think you’re bang on. What will next week be? I’m proposing next week’s topic should be: JP should have kept Johnson & Stewart since they are both hitting better than Wilkerson. Though I really hope it is not the topic.
- ColinWould you really give up Purcey and Cecil for Dunn? There’d have to be some kind of long term deal in place beforehand or else I think it would be pretty mental. I’d really like us to compete in September this year also, but I think we look really good for 2009 with Lind, Purcey, a mid-season Cecil, Snider and all of that Frank Thomas/AJ money. Hopefully Texeira is a Yankee hater, because otherwise we should have the dosh….
MW: I wouldn’t expect Snider for 2009 quite yet, and yeah, if the Jays are in the right spot I think I’d do Purcey and Cecil. Hopefully you replace one of them with the draft picks you wind up with, and you get the big bat that could really help out without touching your great big-league staff.
- peteI am halfway through listening to last night’s JaysTalk and am already giggling uncontrollably. (LOVE the audio link by the way – great idea!)
“You’ve gotta repeat that so everybody can hear” (to the gentleman advocating Ernie as GM).
As Scott Downs’ biggest fan (only fan? I hope not) I would like to point out that that is 11 straight scoreless outings – 4 saves in there – since the Boston debacle… and it was the 3-4-5 hitters as I recall.
Please try to stay patient. Hee hee just got to Neil from T.O.
- JamesMike, What is Boston hitting with runners in scoring position compared to their overall average? Boston is a talented offensive team but right now, they are unreal. This leads me to believe that things have to equal out and Boston will have to come back to Earth. Do you think that Boston is just plain lucky(although they are good)?
MW: The Red Sox (going into Friday night) are actually hitting worse with RISP then they are overall. Overall, they’re at .295 with an .827 OPS and with RISP they’re hitting .282 with a .786 OPS.
- RossMike, why were you so down on Scutaro at SS? He was a great JP acquisition, wasn’t he? We’d be screwed w/out him. I will take him as an everyday player.
Is he on a one-year deal? Next year or a 2-year with the Jays at least, I hope.
I also think Stewart could really come out of his slump, and if he does, along with Overbang and Rios/Hill, we could really do some damage with our great pitching backing up an average of, say, 4 runs/game.
Do you think that we could win a wildcard spot with that kind of strategy (singles, doubles, good pitching all around) with 88-92 wins?
MW: Scutaro has never been this good before, and it’s hard to believe that he’ll be able to sustain it, but it’s certainly fun to watch while it’s going on. He’s on a two-year deal. Stewart is 12 for his last 35, so I think “could” is the wrong word. He has. I think the Jays could take the wild card with 88-92 wins, for sure.
- Andrew-KWI have an idea Mike. Anyone who wants to fire JP should have to name someone who may be qualified to replace him who is not a current or past coach or broadcaster with the Jays. I’m pretty convinced that most of these people couldn’t think of a single person that fits that criteria.
As a bonus question, ask them what they would have done instead of all the supposed mistakes they think JP made.
MW: I like that idea, but it’s OK to be dissatisfied with someone’s work without having an idea in mind who should be the replacement.
- darrenMike,
Three questions:
I have a question about the Jays front office structure. Who is JP’s go to “stat person”? Since Law, it seems like JP has slid further away from the analytical approach and more toward his traditional scouting bent. While I’m a JP fan on the most part (although, I’m terribly upset that Godfrey didn’t get who he really wanted DePosdesta – who is a GM who is better than about half the GMs currently employed), it seems like this a pretty major hole in the organization – so Bill James is to the Red Sox as _blank_ is to the Jays. Or is there even anyone who even fills that role?
Second, who do the Jays take in the up coming draft? Does JP continue the trend of taking more HS players?
Lastly, a two parter (so really 4 questions I guess) if the Jays are where they are at now in July, do they trade Burnett or do they keep the draft picks when he walks? Even without AJ this team has a competitive staff and need a SS (Furcal?), LF (Dunn?) in 2009.does the team spend money in the 2009 off-season even if they’re a seller at the deadline or does this team get blown up as some (*cough* Griffin *cough* McCown *cough* Elliott) want?
MW: I don’t know that there is a Bill James-type stats guy in the front office. I’d think maybe Alex Anthopoulos, but he does a ton of other things, really bright guy. I don’t know who the Jays are going to take in the draft, that’s not my area of expertise.
- Christopher TaylorLastly, if the Jays are four games out of a playoff spot in July (which is where they are now) there’s no way they trade Burnett unless they get a big bat AND an arm back. This team isn’t getting blown up.
Mike,
Raymond was referring to a mailbag from August 1st, 2007… where Griffin takes a shot at you because the Jays and the fan are owned by the same parent company.
Here’s another question – that has nothing to do with what I wrote above, nothing at all, no relation at all – do you have any theories why the coverage of the Jays in Toronto is so biased and uniformly bad (with the exception of Blair, of course)?
MW: I don’t believe the coverage in Toronto is biased or uniformly bad.
- Christopher TaylorMike,
Have you asked AJ about his choice of Hangin’ Tough yet? I really hope he likes that music. Seriously. It’d explain things. Not sure what things, but it’d explain them.
MW: I’m afraid to ask.
- Christopher TaylorMike I’m with ya on the Jays making a move nearer the deadline for a big bopper kinda guy if they can find the pieces in their system (perhaps packaged with AJ if required) to get it done.
However, I cannot understand why you’re such a fan of the prospect of Adam Dunn coming to TO. As the Jays struggle w/ RISP, do you not worry about Dunn’s numbers in the same circumstances? the .222 avg w/ RISP and the .210 avg w/ RISP and 2 outs doesn’t seem like the clutch type of guy the Jays really need, what do ya think Mike? Love the show, keep up the great work cheers
MW: I don’t think there’s such a thing as a “clutch guy”. I’ll take two-run homers with a man on first, though.
- Pat in AjaxHey Mike,
Just wondering, with all the talk of what a great defensive 1st baseman Overbay is, how was Delgado in the the field? I remember that I thought he was really good, but what do I know. Every year, as the gold glove announcements approached, I always hoped for Delgado, because, (it seemed to me) that if a ball was thrown within catching distance of Carlos, whether it was in the dirt, or a full, lay out on the ground stretch away from him, that ball would not get by him. Am I inaccurate on this?
Thanks Mike.
MW: I don’t remember ever seeing Delgado make a full, lay out on the ground stretch. Delgado was an average fielding first baseman, but he was the best in the game (when he was a Jay) at making the toss to the pitcher for the 3-1 play.
- MattWhat do you think about Joe Ingiett? does he have a future with this team?
MW: As an everyday player? I don’t believe so, but as a big-league guy, it seems that way.
- andrewHey Mike,
Next time someone – like Silvo up-thread, tells you JP “has no plan” because 18 players have started at shortstop in his tenure, point out th them that NINETEEN players have started at least one game for the Red Sox in the same period.
So Epstien obviously has no plan.
The next time someone invokes the proverbial “five year plan” remind them that even if what they say is true, it’s a five year plan to CONTEND, not to win it all. We were arguably capable of contending last year, before the injuries (which JP can’t control) and arguably contenders this year. So why are they cryin?
Finally, regarding your opinion about the value of Dunn, if we can keep Dusty and Marcum and Snider, and at least one of Cecil or Purcey, then I’m good.
If Purcey and Ginley and, for instance, Tallet or Thigpen or even another minor league pitcher like Kennny Rodruigez would get him I’d HAVE to pull the trigger. That’s a no-brainer.
MW: I think you just told them.
- WillRainWould you fire Willie Randeloph if you were the mets and why would you fire him or not?
MW: I haven’t seen enough Mets’ games to know whether Randolph deserves to lose his job or not, but I have heard that there are serious complaints about how he uses his bullpen (Aaron Heilman, specifically). Other than that, though, I haven’t heard a good reason why he should be fired other than the fact that the Mets are underperforming. I expect him to be fired soon, but as I have said many times, it’s on the players.
- andrewTell me which team in the majors is the baseball version of the Toronto Maple Laffs?
MW: There isn’t one.
- andrewWhy is it that almost every year the Red Sox go on a run early in the season to separate themselves from the rest of the division. Why can’t the Jays ever do this instead of hanging around .500. They are one of four teams I believe, who have not managed to be in first place so far this season. I honestly don’t think they can go on a long winning streak b/c of their weak offense. The offense lacks power and consistency and that needs to be addressed if they intend to make the postseason. Also, Hill and Rios must step and and be more consistent.
MW: No .300 hitter gets on three times in every 10 at-bats over the course of a season. Most people go through streaks over a year and wind up where they wind up. It’s up to their teammates to step up when they’re struggling, like the Jays did when Rios was going through it and they still won six of seven. I get the constant comparisons to the Red Sox, but they’ve won two of the last four World Series – they’re really good.
- aviPersonally, I love Overbay, and I for one do not believe that 30 HR power at first base is necessary. I would just as soon go for a .280 hitter with 20 or so HR and 40 doubles. I love gap hitters like Overbay, and I hope they keep him in Toronto for some time.
MW: He’s locked up through 2010.
- Ryan1. I’m going to shut up about Doc losing anything this season, obviously I’m an idiot. I put it badly when I said that he went 13 or 14 straight wins – I thought I remembered him being 13-0. 14-0 before having his first loss
2.It seems kinda funny that RSN, TSN and CBC all had .. pretty much nothing on between 7 and 10 tonight, yet they didn’t have baseball on. I went to my friendly neighbourhood pub to watch the game with a few friends, luckily they have Rogers digital so we could listen to Jerry and Alan’s (and your) work
3.What exactly would we have to give up for Mark Teixeira, and would his bat make up for the defence we would lose with Overbay being moved to DH or the back end of the starting rotation ?
MW: Back of the rotation – I like it! If the Braves keep playing the way they are, Teixeira won’t be made available.
- Sam McLeanI was surprised by what you said that Travis Snider is the best hitting prospect with Jay Bruce. I’m not disputing with you but i’m just wondering what you base it on?
MW: What people who are really supposed to know about this sort of stuff tell me.
- andrewHi, Mike:
Just to chip in my two cents’ worth on the Zaun/Barajas “argument” — In my opinion, the main reason Zaun ranks higher than RB is NOT his offense, but his defense! And throwing out runners is only a small part of it — his receiving, blocking balls in the dirt, hustle down the line to back up first, etc., etc. — in all these areas he comes in ahead of Barajas.
And when all is said and done, his offensive numbers — even including power numbers — are going to be close to Barajas, if not ahead.
MW: The homers per AB won’t be, but the obp will be a lot higher, at least. But you’re right, Zaun is amazing at all the things you mention – and you didn’t even talk about blocking the plate.
- NormSince the new blog isn’t up yet and I want to ask you these questions before I forget
1) what do you think of the powder blues? Personally I’d love to see the Jays go back to Powder Blues for home games, and some other classic look for road games as their default uniforms.
2) I read somewhere (I think it was si.com – but it may have been wikipedia) about a month ago (I think) that under MLB rules, team logos are not allowed to have anything recognizable as a baseball or baseball diamond in the logo’s. The article went on to say that Bud Selig’s Brewer’s team amongst others (Jays weren’t on the list) had broken this rule for many years, Is this a real rule? It seems kind of silly considering these are baseball teams.
3. Who has been your favourite underdog/underappreciated Blue Jay since in the time you have been following the Jays?
MW: I LOVE the powder blues, I have never heard of that rule, and my favourite underdog/underappreciated Jay? Hmmmmm, that’s a tough one. I love John McDonald, but I don’t think he’s underappreciated. Frank Catalanotto was one of my favourite people, but same for him. I always had a soft spot for Wayne Nordhagen and Mickey Klutts, back in the day.
- Sam McLeanI don’t know why you (and Norm) remain so high on Zaun, despite watching so much Jays baseball. Tonight was just another horrid effort at the plate by Zaun, in KEY spots. Yes, there’s NO question his defense and baserunning are superior to Rod’s, but this team very obviously needs the SLG. I’m extremely skeptical of Zaun’s ability to provide that for a couple of reasons. He’s had one year with a higher SLG than .411 since 2001, and he ain’t gettin any younger. There’s also the Mitchell Report to consider, which again doesn’t bode well for his 37 year old body. Albeit in a smaller sample size, Barajas had the higher OBP last year, and is more than holding his own this year. It’s very clear to me that Barajas deserves the better end of the 60/40 split, and there’s no way Zaun should ever start against a lefty. Long as I can see the light.
MW: Barajas had a high obp last year because he was in the NL hitting eighth and getting walked in front of pitchers – also, it was a TINY sample size. Check out Zaun’s numbers against lefties the last few years.
- AriWill the Yankees and Red Sox ever be bad. I mean, this year is supposed to be a rebuilding season for NYY and they are still probably going to compete for the playoffs. Both organizations have excellent scouting unlike the Blue Jays and always bring in top notch prospects to replace older veterans when the time comes. The Blue Jays window for success is much smaller. In fact, I’m not sure how good the Jays will be next year if Burnett leaves. They also need to bring in a 30-40 hr threat. How is it possible to be optimistic about the present and future when in the same division when you are in the same division as BOS and NYY. In order for the Blue Jays to make the playoffs everyone has to perform at or above expectations and that is not happening right now and may not in the future.
MW: It’s not happening AT ALL right now, and they still have a better record than the Yankees.
- aviIf Toronto’s pitching can continue to do well and their offense improves a little bit in the next 4 months they could be contenders. Just look at these winning percentages Toronto has done so far this season:
Toronto Scores 5 or more runs
16 & 2 percentage .889
Toronto Scores 4 or more runs
19 & 6 percentage .760
Toronto Scores 3 or more runs
23 & 13 percentage .639
Toronto Scores 2 or more runs
24 & 16 percentage .600
1 & 9 when they Score 1 run or less is what has been killing there record or they are not a .500 team.
Just some interesting numbers I thought you might be interested in. I heard you on the fan the other morning talking about the GM in Oakland, who says 2 months to figure what you have, 2 months to make changes and 2 months to make a run.
Bottom line do not change the pitching staff to get a bat mid season. But if a group of 3 or 4 prospects are required to get a good bat that should get Toronto into the playoffs and I like there chances.
Sincerely,
Dave from Guelph
MW: All they need to do is hit like an average baseball team. It is AMAZING to me that they’re 24-15 when they score at least two runs. I double-checked, and you’re right. That’s ridiculous, good work.
- Dave“Check out Zaun’s numbers against lefties the last few years.”
I did, and they prove my point. One anomaly high SLG in 06, perhaps benefiting from the LESSER half of a platoon. All the other years back to 01 and his SLG is .400 or less. And you may have meant they were pitching Barajas exceedingly gingerly for his first 2 ABs per game, because he only had 3 IBBs.
MW: I didn’t mean they were intentionally walking him, I mean he got pitched around a lot because the pitcher was hitting behind him, and with a guy with The Captain’s career walk rate, why not try to let him strike himself out? Zaun isn’t the slugger that Barajas is, and I didn’t ask you to look at slugging percentage. Their OPSs against lefties the last few years are pretty close.
- AriHi Mike,
I just want to say I noticed a “kindler gentler” Mike Wilner on the post game show lately and wanted to let you know how much better that sounds. Oh of course I understand some dissonance is necessary with 59.889% of the callers (I’ve kept records) lacking knowledge of baseball or common sense. A week ago I wrote to you while “loaded”, I was curious of your response tonight but I couldn’t find it. I want to apologize. Well it ain’t even June yet and thanks to our pitching it will be an exciting summer for the Jays. Jays fans are more intellectual and make noice when noice is called for or I should say spontanious, like bringing in the tying run form second in the middle of the game. The wave is silly or childish. Just a nuisance. Baseball is more like golf. The Toronto fans make noice at basketball games because of the non-stop action. I can’t speak for the Leafs because I never liked hockey.
Again JP has learned a lot from his mistakes in seven years, this is why we need to KEEP him!! I guess you can say he has a lot of UPSIDE potential. Be sure to tell Godfrey this, I heard that Godfrey always listens to you. We may or may not make it to the world series in the decade of the “otts”, but if JP is still here, we will likely be in the play offs during most of the “TENS”
Otherwise with a new GM, Columbus may have the Blue Jackets in the winter and the Blue Jays in the summer.
MW: Noice? And no, baseball isn’t like golf. I appreciate the apology – don’t drink and blog.
- Larry MurrSorry about the confusion, Mike.: this post is referring to post 83 which in turn was supposed to be referring to post 66 and not post 53 as I had stated in post 83.
MW: Too many numbers!
- RobHi Mike NOICE is from a lack of proof reading.(and alcohol, at least I can’t spell it) Moreover re-writing makes for excellent writing. It’s strange I only had 3 when I wrote that, last week I was into the twenties.
“DON’T DRINK AND BLOG” IS A GOOD answer AND ADVICE!!! thank you for your excepting my apology. I TOLD A WHITE LIE last week I TOOK A PAGE OUT OF MY OWN EXPERIENCE when playing H S Baseball. For 2 weeks without knowing it, My toes were only one inch from the plate. I kept getting called out on inside balls (“I thought”) Then at a home game on a strike three, I hit the dust as I thought the pitcher was moving me off the plate, the umpire yelled out “STRIKE THREE”!!! I GAVE HIM very mean body language, he knew me since little league and yelled out “Larry you are standing on the plate!!!” The next time I came up to bat, I realized that I was. Hitters get into these strange bad hitting habits without knowing it. Last summer (2007) I didn’t have cable. I accidently found the Jays on CBC in JuLY or so with Vernon Wells at bat; his feet was 3 feet apart in his batting stance, honest to GOD, I’m not exaggerating, so I naturally thought, now I know what WELLS problem is. Thats what Mickey was for last year. But he “SEEMED” TO SAY NOTHING AS i SAW WELLS in the same stance the next day, a stance you normally end up with AFTER you have taken a hard swing, NOT BEFORE. I concocted your standing back in the batters box to make a point, but if it is not the truth it not only makes you look stupid, but it makes me look even more stupid. I go back to 1959 when I was nine, some baseball buffs love to hear my stories, some hate it as if I’m bragging for being a old man??? I lived in Windsor in the 1970′s and loved to hear the older men talk about Hank Greenbergs 58 home runs in 1938 and how George Kell could never hit in the clutch. But different strokes for different folks. Geez, that is a 1970′s saying, I hope the other readers won’t hate me for that. BTW, can you SPEED READ, you must, how else can you find 48 hours in a 24 hour day. If not in your BIZ, you should learn how, but you probably do. The baseball strike is over on TV, we are back on this PM!!!!!!!!! Last
week and last year I found out what it was like to be a fan before TV in the early 50′s. Now you know why the SUN edits my letters to them. You know what Yogi Berra used to do with those high and outside pitches don’t you. He was famous for swinging at pitches way out of the strike zone, and putting them well into the stands. Yes Mike, anytime a outfielder goes back for a long fly ball and it bounces off his glave and over the fence it IS a Home Run. Women have strange rules in their game. It’s not fair for the 18 year old male to begin playing softball, the Girls or Women (Better capitalize those words)have a big head start. You should print out some stuff and use it for a hardcover book later, imagine all the material you could get in the next ten years or less, or just from me alone, just kidding about myself. GO JAYS!
MW: I……just…..there are no words.
- Larry MurrWhy would I want to meet Ted Rogers, Mike? He jacks up my cable rates at the drop of a feather, supresses baseball telecasts, even though the guy is a cable mogul and supposed to bring things of interest to your livingroom. Why would I want to meet with such arrogance? He owns the station they’re broadcast on and every single game should be on it. End of story. The only reason I’d have to meet him is to punch him in the nose.
- Vito From HamiltonEh, I hope I wasn’t too outta line with that punch in the nose comment, Chief!
Signed,
- Vito From HamiltonMaxwell Smart
This is typical Wilner BS. He loves throwing statistics at us to defend his points (and make us feel inferior). But he is very selective and biased in what he presents. Case in point is this Lyle Over-rated debate. I have no issues with Lyle. He is an average to above average player. But Wilner defends Lyle only because he defends everything Riccardi. The facts are, Lyle is on pace for a 10 HR season. And last year he hit 10 HRs (although he missed time). True he does hit a few doubles. But statistically he ranks in the middle of the pack compared to 1st basemen (offensively). It is true he has a good average and a good on base percentage. But his slugging percentage and power numbers are extremely low. That is what makes him less than a prime player. And I don’t see how you cannot argue, at this point, that Lyle’s power numbers are not decling. Look at the HR stats!!!
Nothing agaisnt Lyle. I just dislike Wilner so much. He strikes me as a smug and know-it-all sycophant. His disrespectful and condescending attitude towards callers is unnaceptable.
Fire Wilner please!!!
MW: Thanks for listening!
- Rene