MW: You’re more than welcome to forward any complaints to anyone you like at the Fan or Rogers or anywhere. This is the last comment of yours that will be posted on this blog.

MW: Why don’t you read over your original comment and then come back and talk to me about being kind and respectful?

MW: Cool.

Herby, here are the answers to your “questions”, point by point:

1. Difficult to answer, since you are not too clear on what it is you are trying to say, but as I recall at the time of Thomas’ release, Mike said it had to be done, because he was not willing to accept a diminished role on the club, BUT he (Mike) also said he expected Thomas to have improved numbers over the balance of the year, as had been his pattern. All of this proved TRUE, as (prior to his injury) his numbers in Oakland were much better, and on pace to have one of his better years (Oakland pre ASG .319/.417.516 vs Tor .167/.306/333).

The fact he was injured for two months obviously means his totals will not match last year, but who could have foreseen that?

2. For a final summary of the Johnson/Stewart controversy, see Mike’s latest blog (Aug. 11, re Marcum). (Incidentally, I also thought the move was wrong at the time, because I liked Reed’s defense, but Mike explains the Jays’ reasoning, and it makes sense, so it really boils down to a difference of opinion as to the direction they should take).

3. Not sure what you mean by saying “even with them both having injuries” — Glaus has played in 117 of the Cards’ 121 games this year, so obviously if he has been “injured” it has not caused him to miss much time. OTH, Rolen (not ROLAND) is now on the DL for the second time, and played hurt for at least the last three or four weeks.

Sure, using hindsight you might say that the Jays should not have made that trade, but given the fact that Glaus wanted out, what would YOU have done? The Jays got good value back for Troy — a Gold Glove 3rd sacker, who (when healthy) will come close to matching Glaus in all hitting areas except (probably) HR’s.

4. Overbay — Mike has answered this one many times; suffice to summarize with one of Mike’s favorite lines — “Overbay gets out LESS than any Jay player”. In my opinion, if all the Jay hitters were doing as well as Lyle, they would be leading the division — even with the lack of power!

5. Wells and Rios, and their contracts — ridiculous point!
Wells has been injured for all of last year and 2 months of this year, and Rios (except for HR’s) is having a “decent” year — not up to last year’s numbers, and certainly not in line with most fans’ expectations, but not that bad — .281/.329/.420. Now that Wells is back in the lineup, look for both Rios and Wells to start cranking up their totals!!!

6. “The house that is waiting for them” — ??? What does this mean???

MW: No, it’s because I only have so much time to do this, and your comments aren’t worth my time. You have just regurgitated the same old arguments that I’ve been answering all summer.

MW: There’s no one who doesn’t know that I can be wrong, and am wrong a lot. Bravery has nothing to do with it.

MW: The courage? That’s a great way to get your question answered.

MW: You’re welcome. Excellent use of hindsight, by the way.

Sweep??? Where did I mention a sweep there. I only assesed the current situation the Indians were in. If you read my post I said that Lee and Byrd would be good and they were both outstanding. Lee threw only 104 pitches today, with 83 of those being strikes. Byrd threw 94 pitches with 69 being strikes and zero bases on balls in his complete game effort. I felt the Jay’s pitchers held the Indians offense in check but I never dreamed the Jay’s offense would stink that bad against Cleveland pitching, as the rest of the AL has been hammering them.

After the game, Cleveland’s radio broadcast team of Tom Hamilton and Mike Hegan both agreed that anyone in the Jay’s organization who thinks this club is a playoff contender is dreaming as they described the Jay’s offense as “awful”. If you don’t agree with that comment, don’t tell me, take it up with them. They’re the one’s who said it.

MW: You said “nice, long winning streak”, which to me infers more than six games, so that would mean a sweep of the Indians. And they’re the ONES who said it!!

MW: The whole debate considers defense – that’s the only reason people think that McDonald should be playing every day.