12:20 AM Eastern
As far as the run of 15 (now 14, thanks to Mother Nature) games against only the Red Sox, Yankees and Rays go, that is.
The Jays made the first step a strong one, or you could say that Roy Halladay did. Except that Halladay gave up as many earned runs, one, as he did in his last start, which was a loss. This time, the bats showed up as well, specifically those of Alex Rios, who homered and tripled, and Adam Lind, who hit an opposite-field job into the monster seats that impressed the heck out of at least one listener to The JaysTalk.
Vernon Wells chipped in with an RBI single and a nice sliding catch of a J.D. Drew liner with two on to end the first inning. Marco Scutaro and Brad Wilkerson also threw their hats in the defensive ring in support of the Jays’ ace, who pulled back to within one win of A.J. Burnett for the team lead.
The Blue Jays have now won 21 of their last 34, and if they can repeat that over the next 34 games, they’ll have 84 wins with five games to play, so they’re going to have to pick up the pace a bit if they want the miracle to happen.
First things first, though, and that’s a shot at a sweep with Shaun Marcum on the mound. The Jays have been getting terrific work from their starters lately, with Dustin Pedroia’s ninth-inning solo shot off Halladay snapping a steak of 21 consecutive scoreless innings by Toronto starters over the last three games.
It was pretty impressive to watch Rios tonight – first with the first-inning two-run jack that should have put the Jays up 3-0 (Joe Inglett got caught leaning and Paul Byrd picked him off first ahead of a Marco Scutaro single pre-jack), then legging out the triple off the centre-field wall in the 8th. I admit that when I saw the flight of that triple, I hoped that Rios wouldn’t have already broken into his home run trot and have had to stop at second, but he ran hard out of the box and really turned on the jets rounding second to make it into third pretty easily.
I can’t imagine that it could have, but maybe coming to the ballpark Friday night and not seeing his name in the line-up sent Rios a message. Brad Wilkerson had been scheduled to start the eventual rain-out in right field, and Lind was going to hit third. Instead, tonight Rios was back in his regular spot and Matt Stairs was the one who found himself on the bench for Wilkerson and his 0-for-4 (though Drew made a really nice running catch to take a double away from him in the 7th). Is it possible that sending the message was enough? That a player can be affected by being benched even though he never actually wound up getting benched? Maybe, but I doubt it. It’ll be interesting to keep tabs on Rios for the next little while, though, to see how long it takes for him to next lose his focus.
Before I go, one thing about the Scott Richmond situation, now that he’s been sent back down to AAA with Cito Gaston being evasive as to whether he’s a candidate for a September call-up. This may bring up the whole Olympic kerfuffle once again, since he’s been farmed out while the games are still going on, but I firmly believe that this may have been Richmond’s only opportunity to be in the big leagues. To say that the Jays could have waited and called him up after he got back from Beijing is assuming facts clearly not in evidence. Who knows if they would even have thought of him at the end of August? If he’d have continued to pitch well in Syracuse? Often players only get one shot, and it’s up to them to do what they can with it, and Richmond showed the Jays that he can pitch in the bigs. I’m not sure Richmond would ever have gotten his one shot outside of being called up when he was. Every baseball player grows up wanting to play in the major leagues. Every swimmer, gymnast and track athlete grows up wanting to go to the Olympics.
Here’s tonight’s edition of The JaysTalk, for your listening pleasure:
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And as an extra added bonus, here’s Friday night’s Rain Delay Programme:
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Make sure you tune into The Blue Jays This Week Sunday at 7:05 PM Eastern on the FAN590 and this very website – I doubt I’ll be posting a blog between now and then because after tomorrow’s game (and the subsequent putting together of TBJTW) I’m heading out for my brother Norman’s 40th birthday dinner, and then a softball playoff elimination game. I don’t know what’s going to lead off the show quite yet, but you’ll hear Shaun Marcum being interviewed by the A’s Brad Ziegler, and Nick Leyva will answer 10 questions.
I’ll get to the comments during the Jay game, though, rational and reasonable ones of which are always welcome.
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Come on Mike, you’re such an apologist for Ricciardi. Even after they send Richmond down to AAA, you continue to make excuses for the very rude and unimpressive Ricciardi. He has little to no respect for Canada or Blue Jay fans and ‘Wednesday nights with JP’ is so sell serving it makes me wanna puke. Keep it up with the blog though, it’s solid!
MW: I love stuff like this.
- Marc LosierMike, I’ll be travelling to Ottawa this week, during a baseball game. Do you know which frequencies I can catch the Fan Radio Network between say Kingston and Ottawa.
MW: Unfortunately, no. You’re going to have to try to keep the FAN590 on as far as you can, and then try to pick up the Ottawa station, which is at 1200 AM. Most of our network in Ontario is to the west of Toronto.
- Shmuel YitzchokMike,
The other day, the reason why I brought up Huff was because he is only signed for next season. If we sign an FA DH, chances are, the DH would demand a multi-year contract, potentially blocking Snider’s (or Cooper’s) path. I know this is being very optimistic, but if they both remain on course, by 2010, we can see Lind-Wells-Rios-Snider sharing OF/DH spot with Overbay at first. By 2011, we will have Cooper at first.
I understand that the Jays can possibly use Snider or Cooper (after next year) as trade baits (especially if they go for excellent hitters like Manny Ramirez) but should they stick with the young players, it would be better to have a guy on hook for just one more year. Though they did not claim him initially, since he’s cleared waivers, maybe they might think twice about him? It’s more of wishful thinking on my part I guess…
By the way, on a bit of different note, what do you think of Milton Bradley? I think there’s a chance that teams may be scared of his temper and injury history and back off from giving him a lengthy contract. I think he can be a good fit here for a 2-year-contract or so. (22~28M?) He walks much, which JP would like. Not sure if the Rangers are going to resign him.
MW: I’m scared of his temper and injury history.
- JaybirdHey Mike,
I heard you mention that if JP is still here, that they would go hard after Ben Sheets in the offseason. Is this just a hunch, or have you heard something?
MW: Sometimes I know stuff.
- TerryHey Mike,
I decided to finally pick up the phone and give ya a call during the rain delay show on Friday. First try I got through, and after being on hold for about 15 mins my call got “dropped”. What a bummer! And I’m with The Company with those clever little ads about dropped calls. And I’m RGC! I’ll definitely call again soon when I’m not manning the video counter. I had a quick question to ask and a comment that I would love your thoughts on.
The question has probably been answered on your show and blog but I can’t seem to find the answer. Why is the first pitch 7 mins after the hour. I’ve heard a lot of different theories from the extra anthem to Roger’s wanting a longer pre-show. Even though they don’t do a post-game, which segues, perfectly, if I may add, to my comment. I feel the Jays “drop the ball” every time they go directly to Sportsnet Connected after the game. It’s extremely mind numbing to have Evanka Osmak play the whole “could the Jays pull it out tonight?” game 90 seconds after the last pitch. I need some closure after a game. I check the clock, it’s 9:07 for crying out loud, Halladay has just pitched a complete game* and we don’t get an interview? No pie? They’re just sending off to Sportsnet Connected. I’m sure you don’t mind the extra traffic coming your way. I have conversed with a lot of random Jays fans this year and every single one of them listens to your show. I think you should be considered for some sort of post-game role next year. Perhaps a Primetime Sports style of show. I mean, I love your show and blog to death, but I’m dreading the day when the blog is just too damn big for you to reply to anyone. You’ve proven to be successful and have plenty of fans, but most importantly, you have a lot of haters and that is a true sign of crossing over. Whatever that means. So lets push for a TV slot next year. Realistically the Jays and Rogers will be reactive and wait until the year after they make the playoffs to truly market this team. Keep up the good work, and never ever quit blogging.
*exaggerated, slightly
MW: The :07 start is probably for a little pre-game for radio and TV, or maybe they just moved it out of resignation – they never started on time when first pitch was supposed to be at 7:05. As for the other stuff, I appreciate it a lot. The day is more than likely coming when the blog gets too big – if you want to get me a TV show, sign me up.
- SpiderSilvaDoc vs. Cliff Lee
Doc has the lower opp. BA, more IP, better K-rate, a .03 lower WHIP, and EIGHT COMPLETE GAMES, 5 more than Lee
Lee has a slightly lower opp. OPS, a lower ERA by about .2, and a higher BABIP which means Doc has been slightly luckier.
So they’re pretty identical up to this point…
BUT…what about run support?
Doc gets 3.83 runs per 27 outs, only 1 game with more than 7 runs
Lee gets 5.02 runs per 27 outs, including games with 12 and 15 runs of support.
And that’s difference between 14-9 and 17-2. Of course voters only care about W-L and ERA so Lee will win Cy and Doc won’t even though he has been better.
MW: Yes, he will.
- SPBastian says that Snider and likely APA and Campbell will go to Arizona (which surprised me because I did not think yu could repeat the AFL) and also three pitchers.
I was looking through the system, and trying to figure out who the logical candidates were.
Taking into account the “rule of thumb” about how much it’s safe to increase a young pitcher’s IP over his previous high (which, I believe, has been the source of the extreme caution with Cecil, rather than in-game endurance) rules out some guys who would otherwise seem likely candidates – including Cecil.
The one obvious candidate is Rickey Romero. Beyond him there’s no one that just seems real obvious SO that leads me to this conclusion:
That Scott Richmond may well be on his way to Arizona which is would be why he would not be back in Toronto in September.
MW: I don’t know who APA is, but I’m thinking you maybe mean JP Arencibia. I would think that Cecil will go to Arizona, but probably to pitch out of the bullpen, maybe a dozen innings or so. Ricky Romero is a good bet, and so might be Davis Romero. Richmond’s not a bad idea, either, as part of the ongoing quest to see what they’ve got.
- WillRainHey Mike,
I was just listening to the rain out show and you mentioned the time Barajas was greeted first at the dugout by Halladay, Burnett and Marcum. I forgot to post this after that game, but I was watching the game on TV and they showed a shot of those three pitchers not sitting on the bench, but out on what it seemed was the Gatorade coolers. I don’t remember whether this was nearer the end of the game or not, but this may be a factor in that they were first to get to Barajas. Just thought I’d mention that.
MW: It may be, you never know.
- WesHey Mike,
Love the program, unfortunately i do not always get the chance to listen live so I really appreciate the audio on the site. I would love to be able to listen to it during my morning commute. Any chance for the jaystalk to be turned into a podcast, as the 590 does for some of its other shows?
MW: I don’t know, but I doubt it.
- mattWhat will Roy Halladay need to do to get in the hall of fame?
Another Cy Young award or two? His greatest asset, efficiency, probably won’t be sexy to HOF voters.
Will HOF voters use a different barometer for this era of baseball with wins harder to come by, or will they simply let less in?
MW: I think that the standards for wins will change in the very near future, and I think that if Halladay keeps going the way he is into his late 30s, he’ll get in.
- JasonHi Mike. Just taking a look towards 2010 when i believe Halladays contract expires. I have heard you say that you would listen to any kind of trade that would make the team better. I think that Halladay would be the one exception to this rule. The guy is TOO good and TOO dominant 90% of the time. I think for the Jays to even consider trading him the bidding would have to start with an offensive talent like an a-rod and another top tier pitcher. I am just dreading the day if we ever have to let this guy go. Happy to see Adam Lind kicking a** too…Keep up the good work Mike
MW: There’s no exception to the rule. You trade anyone if it makes you better. The problem is that it has to be a HELL of a return to get better by trading Halladay.
- Trevor BJ.P. deserves credit for his signing of Scutaro and Inglett. These two guys fill in so well (defensively and offensively) that Jays can win without their season starting 2nd and 3rd basemen. What is the contractual arrangements with these two? I know that Eckstein was probably signed with the expectations of being above both of these guys.
MW: Inglett hardly has any major-league service time, so he’s controllable for another four years or so, Scutaro is under contract through the end of next year.
- Lex MackenzieFirst of all Mike, I have to say I’m disappointed that someone decided to put the horse racing blog ahead of yours….what’s up with that?
Second, I know the Jay’s brass has come out and said that Snider will not be a September call up, but i mean the guy is hitting darn near .500 since getting the call to Syracuse. Small sample size aside, this guy is smashing on the door. And while I’m not naive enough to think that he could single handedly propel the Jays to the post season this year, wouldn’t it be nice to see him get a little taste of the bigs this season? Travis looks like he might eventually be a Delgado-type threat with the stick as far as power goes and I think he’s got a real shot at making this team as a 21 year old next year. He should, as he would probably be first or second in homers on the team if he were given a full year.
That being said, do you think that having him play some games in Sept. would aid his progression at this stage, or help him for next season?
Thanks, I’m a huge fan of the Jays talk, keep up the excellent work.
MW: I don’t think having Snider come up this September would aid his progression at this stage, but it would certainly help de-mystify the major leagues for him, and I’d love to see him come up.
- R JonesHi Mike
It may be great to see the ‘finisher’ Doc Halliday complete games like the one against Boston but in the long run I’m not sure the wear and tear on the Jays’ ace is worth it. Does he not potentially run the risk of overuse. Sure he’s a dogged competitor and wants to be on the mound for the last out but the Jays’ pen is a good one and we want Halliday around for years to come. What say you?
marc
MW: The beauty of Halladay is his remarkable efficiency. He threw 111 pitches in last night’s game, which is the same number of pitches that Jesse Litsch threw in his seven innings in Detroit on Thursday.
- marcIt’s too bad, the Cy voting is based so much on games won – rather than overall performance. Doc, with his 8th complete game, and his ability to keep the Jays in the game, despite, the lack of hitting support, is simply astounding.
Richmond gone back to AAA, you know, Mike, this is going to start the wheels turning, in the conspiracy minded people out there as to him not going to Beijing!Especially since JP was part of the selection committee for the US Baseball Olympic team.
I, however believe it was still the best move for Richmond to get the call for MLB. He, has been given the opportunity to show the Jays, and other teams scouts he can pitch in the bigs! Just the timing,as to his call-up was tough luck for him. You can bet, Richmond still knows, this was what was best for him also!
Wasn’t it nice, to see, Rios turning on the jets around 2nd to 3rd on that triple he hit – man he has wheels. That show of speed and his periodic lost focus, must be frustrating for the Jays managing/coaching staff. Just knowing what he has and not applying it everyday.
Hey, how about my “blind or cock-eyed optimism” as you rightly called it their Mike – he ha.
My gut said, and I wrote in the comments here, the Jays would go 6-1 on the trip through Tiger and Bean Town with their one loss, being in extra innings in game 4 in Detroit. Ok, so the one loss was not extra innings, but it was game 4. Of course, with the Friday rain out, they can only go 5-1 on this trip and they will.
As for the remaining 14 of 15 against the Yankees, Red Sox and Rays – hmm – I’d say 11-3 sounds about right for them. Oh ya – we’re still in this thing – big time! Ya gotta have faith, ya gotta believe, positive vibes only!
Thanks.
MW: Hey, if they go 11-3, they’re absolutely right in the thick of it.
- Bob -The Rios ‘day off’:
I don’t think you give one of your most talented players a day off on the first day of an important series at Fenway Park.
But on the other hand, Halladay is a known ground-ball pitcher, so maybe you give a starting outfielder a break on a day when he’s pitching.
In my opinion, the first of those two alternatives is the most likely. A manager wouldn’t sit one of his key players down in such a must-win situation. Give the Red Sox a one-game lead at Fenway and they will likely win the series. So I think Rios’s ‘day off’ was a benching. And Cito didn’t think it necessary to be totally honest with the media. (And I think he was right about that.) Rios must have had a shock when he found out he wasn’t playing, and maybe it focussed his game yesterday. But, like you, I’ll be interested to see how long this lasts.
MW: So it’s OK for Cito to lie?
- reyesNot that I’m a particular fan of Russ Adams, nor am I “stumping” for him to be called up in September, but since I’ve noticed his recent performances, it’s been kinda fun to follow.
Here are his up-to-date August numbers — 14 games (hits in all of them) 25 for 55, 4 doubles, 4 HR, 12 RBI — .455/.500/.745 — for a cool 1.245 OPS!!!
Overall average now up to .253, up from .218 through the end of July.
The guy is RAKING!
And by the way, it appears he is again playing 2nd Base — the box score shows him making his 8th error of the season last night, so it appears his defense has also improved.
MW: Well, he did spend a lot of time in the outfield, so I don’t know that the defense has, in fact, improved.
- NormLast night my friends and I were having a great time talking about the Jays. The topic was “What if they were not baseball players”. So we had to choose an occupation for each players. Had a good laugh one some. So here are they.
Halladay – Scientist… Overbay – insurance agent… Stairs – Security Guard… League – Forklift operator… J Mac – Tim Horton’s manager… Barajas – Bouncer… B.J Ryan – World’s strongest man competitor… Wells – Grade 4 Science teacher… Scutaro – Used Car salesman… Marcum – shipping/receiving guy.. Eckstein – bank teller… Frasor – gas station worker… Carlson – night shift factory worker… Zaun – bus driver.
LOL
MW: I have no idea what to do with this.
- Beburg aka The 88mph manA quick question, Mike — looking at Brian Dopirak’s stats with NH, he is listed with a BA of .306, but an OBP of only .297.
What is counted in OBP that is not counted in BA, that would result in OBP being lower than BA?
MW: Sacrifice flies.
- NormMichael Phelps and Usain Bolt. Thoughts?
MW: It’s extraordinarily difficult for me to believe that any human being can accomplish what those two have done clean.
- BeburgYou’ve probably discussed this
before but why does Joe Inglett hold his batting gloves when he is running the
bases? Why doesn’t he just
put them in his back pocket?
It seems odd, doesn’t it?
MW: To make sure that he doesn’t break a finger sliding head-first.
- Bryan SmallWhat is with MW and the “wins” thing? We all have been duly educated on the meaninglessness of pitcher’s win totals, though somebody ought to alert the Cooperstown folks. The Hall seems to be full of guys who won a whole lot more than they lost.
Now, Mr. Wilner was very quick to correct a caller last night who identified the Tim Johnson/ Gord Ash team as the best since the glory years. “Most wins” corrected Mr. Wilner. How else to measure the best? Hard to admit , I suppose, that the Ricciardi era has yet to eclipse the Ash era.
J.C.
MW: Lots of other ways to measure the best besides wins, especially if you’re referring to pitchers. As for the ’98 team that won 88 games, was that team clearly the best over the 86-win team in ’03 or 2006′s 87-win team?
- jchenryHi Mike, This is Dan from Guelph. Mike I am taking the time to send you this e-mail as I would like to apologize for my comedic efforts on the Jay’s talk. Just trying to add a bit of humour to what has been a very disappointing season. I am very grateful for the number of opportunities I have had to be a contributor to your show. At this time I am telling you I have ditched the comedy routine and hope that you will be kind enough to have me on the Jay’s talk again in the near future? Maybe I will be lucky enough to get on later this afternoon, possibly after a BIG Jay’s win?? I hope you recieve this e-mail? Again thanks for doing such a good job at the fan, I really do enjoy the broadcasts. Dan in Guelph
MW: Thanks, Dan.
- dan harrisonDo you think Scott Richmond is in the Jays’ plans for 09? If not, why handle him like they have? A mediocre team going nowhere calls him up just long enough to ruin his Olympic hopes, then sends him down.
I don’t buy the conspiracy theory that JP did this to help the US team. I just think it was thoughtless, for the player, the fans and the Olympic team. He could have been called up in September.
J.C.
MW: They did it because the Blue Jays hate Canada.
- jchenryWhile I am at it, when JP is selling Toronto to free agents , how does he answer the question “Why don’t you live there, then?”
Keep up the good work, Mike.
J.C.
MW: By saying, “I’ll be there just as much as you will, if not more.” I guess. Or maybe he gives the same answer that Pat Gillick does when Gillick is selling Philly to his players while living in Seattle.
- jchenryI think Halladay is the only Jay in “playoff” form..Imagine what this guy could do if he did pitch in the playoffs..It would be a real tragedy to watch him pitch in the playoffs for another team..
Boy Jason Bay looks good..He would look pretty good in the Jays lineup this year eh?
Alex Rios is leading the team in: hits,RBI’s,stolen bases,runs and doubles..Do you think this is right?..This is why too many people put so much pressure on him..He shouldn’t be counted on to be the number one hitter on the team..
MW: I’m not sure I understand the last question.
- gumpThigpen and Houston Street interviewed each other on TBJTW last year. I thought that was cool. Did you have any of that this year where two players interviewed each other? I am looking forward to one of those.
MW: Tonight, Brad Ziegler interviews Shaun Marcum.
- BeburgHappy Birthday to Norman Wilner. Where can I read his movie reviews? Does he have his own website or something?
MW: He has a blog – http://www.wilnervision.com -and his reviews appear in NOW magazine. I’m assuming you can read them on their website.
- BeburgIs bringing Carlos Delgado back next year completely unreasonable? From both the Jays and Delgado’s point of view? I was young when he left Toronto, I don’t know what he thought of playing here.
MW: He seemed to like it quite a bit. I doubt he’ll be available.
- Brendan“Overbay and Rios are tremendously underachieving this year”.
If you look at this this year’s stats, both players have avgs, obp, slugging % numbers close to their career normals. In my view, neither is having a tremendously disappointing season. The problem is unrealistic expectations.
MW: Rios went to the all-star game the last two years and wound up those seasons with OPS+s of 120 and 122. He’s at 101 this year. Overbay’s slugging percentage is 50 points below his career average this year, and that includes the lost season last year with the broken hand. I don’t think expectations were unrealistic at all.
- MMHey mike,
I was watching the angels game on fox yesterday and they talked about finding a replacement for the injured izturis, and both david eckstein and john McDonald were mentioned. Do you think it would be smart to give up one of them for a prospect to help them later.
MW: I would trade them Eckstein in a heartbeat, the Jays have no use for him.
- John Terry@Will Rain,
re: your comment in the previous blog section.
The Jays Talk needs your sensible, rational approach. If you call 1-888-666-0590 (please confirm Mike), and you are not the first caller, while you wait in the queue on hold, you get to listen to the Jays Talk on the phone, so you can revise your subject matter if it gets covered. If you are the first caller, you get to set the agenda for the Jays Talk that day, which I’m sure Mike would appreciate. Either way, Win-Win-Win for you, Mike and the quality of the show.
MW: Sounds good to me.
- Tom the InternJP – “We’re prepared, either way. If he wants to stay, he’s more than welcome to stay. If he doesn’t stay, we think we have enough guys internally that we can plug the gap.”
This was in regards to Burnett opting out of his contract.
1) We all know he is going to opt out.
2)IS JP SERIOUS? filling Burnett’s gap from our minor leaguers? That frankly is wrong decision in my opinion (unless ofcourse we gave up on the next season). There are many marquee pitchers that are going to be in FA, even if we can sign one of them that would be better. Filling Burnett’s spot with the likes of Cecil and Purcey isn’t the right thing to do …. no matter how talented they might be.
What do you think?
I could understand the argument that with bringing up a minor leaguer, we could spend all our money on offense but then I feel we would be right back where we were in 2006.
MW: I think what he means is that Marcum and McGowan can slide up from the 3-4 into the 2-3, Purcey has a chance to be a solid 4th starter and they can fill in the 5th spot from one of Litsch, Cecil and Richmond. But I still think that they’ll sign a free agent starter.
- HarryMike,
re: Bomback game
I unfortunately vividly recall that game, even though I only watched it on TV. I was hanging out with my next door neighbour (it was “Good” Friday), who had some kind of illness or injury and noticed the game was coming on. He wasn’t a baseball fan, but we watched it anyway (“Good” Friday programming being what it is). I wish we hadn’t. I remembered it incorrectly as 15-2 Brewers, but it was actually 15-4. Oh well, at least it was against a team that came within one win of a World Championship that year. I’m sure Bobby Cox didn’t think it was a “Good” Friday, as it was his Blue Jays’ managerial debut…Nice! As for “The Bomber”, he was mercifully pulled after 0.1 IP of 6 H 6 R 6 ER 1 BB 1 K and 1 HR (Ben Oglivie), for a neat, tidy 162.00 ERA (!) to start the year. Interestingly enough “Harvey’s Wallbangers” as they later became known, after Harvey Kuenn took over for Buck Rogers during the season (I had thought George Bamberger had been the mid-season fall guy – ahh Baseball-Reference) would only hit the one HR that day. My question in looking back is: On a team that boasted Stieb, Clancy, Leal and eventually Gott, what the heck was “The Bomber” getting the Opening Day assignment for? Did he have compromising pictures of Bobby Cox? That’s something Baseball-Reference and Retrosheet will never tell us.
MW: Maybe it was because of the weather? Maybe Cox thought they’d get washed?
- Tom the InternMike, what would have J.P done back in 2000 when Ben Sheets was lighting up AAA, and was the staff ace of Team USA, and thh Brewers had decided that they wanted to call Sheets up? I can guarantee you, that there would have been many calls to the Brewers asking them to hold off on the call up. It’s crap what they did to this kid, or guy(Richmond). There was no reason that the Jays had to call him up, he wasn’t going to be their saviour, and could have made a difference in China. I have heard you many times downplay the significance of Richmond going to the Olympics and have suggested much about his desire to play ball in the majors and not the Olympics. Richard Griffin quoted Richmond as saying, if he would have had to make the choice between the two, he didn’t know what one he would have chosen. Why not let him go to China, and play against the Cubans, the USA, good ball teams. While not the pros, it is on a world stage and the pressure is huge. What did Godfrey think about this? It would be nice to have a perspective of a Canadian then that of an American.
MW: Godfrey was 100% behind the decision to call Richmond up, as were Bart Given and Alex Anthopoulos, the Jays’ two Canadian assistant GMs. As I said, there’s no reason to believe that Richmond would ever have gotten the chance to play in the majors had the Jays not called him up when they did.
- Jason DeneaulMike, do you think that more relievers are getting more respect by the Baseball hall of fame with the recent inductions of Goose Gossage and Bruce Sutter and soon to be hall of famers Marino Rivera and Trevor Hoffman? Also are you surprised that Lee Smith isn’t in the hall of fame since he has 478 saves and do you think Lee Smith will/should be in the hall of fame and why?
MW: I’m not sure about Smith. He was great, but never super-duper-dominant (never had a WHIP under 1.00). Sutter is in because of the splitter, Gossage because he was super-duper-dominant. Smith may get in, but Hoffman and Rivera are ahead of him in my assessment.
- andrewWould you trade roy halladay and eckstein for prince filder and jj hardy? i dont know if i will, just inquiring.
MW: No, I wouldn’t. That is to say, I wouldn’t trade Roy Halladay for Prince Fielder and J.J. Hardy.
- JaysFanHi Mike – On a recent Jays talk JP quite rightly bemoaned the fact that current players are only motivated by money. Pride, honour, and latent competitiveness should be factors as well. However it goes both ways. Management should also respect the pride, honour and dignity of their charges. Warren Sakiw, former Blue Jay commentator, pointed out during the Olympic broadcasts that although all the players aim to be in the MLB the pride, honour, and responsibility of playing for your nation can’t be matched. Canadian baseball legend Stubby Clapp had “no f–king comment” regarding JP’s use of Scott Richmond and Canadian manager Terry Puhl considered Scott Richmond to be the Jays’ chattel – “They own him, they can do whatever they want with him”. If JP wants players to be motivated by more than money he should respect the Olympic spirit. If, as you write, Richmond would never have gotten a shot in the bigs any other time – consider he gave up his one and only chance at the Olympics. I’m sure Richmond will always wonder what might have been in Beijing. JP’s timing was terrible. If the Jay’s were clinging to a playoff spot and in desperate need of a pitcher it would be one thing but to use Richmond as a stop gap and seriously hurt Canada’s Olympic chances was not appropriate.
MW: We’ll have to agree to disagree. But what makes you think that this was Richmond’s one and only chance at the Olympics? Baseball should be back in 2016.
- DanielMike:
Given the impressive play of Joe Inglett this year (particularly at the plate, esp. in the role of lead off hitter), is there a chance that he takes the starting job at 2B next year and Hill (if healthy) shifts to SS? I know Inglett surely hasn’t played a full year in the bigs before, so there are probably questions about his durability. Still, I think his play nevertheless merits some consideration of this idea. If this doesn’t pan out, what do the Jays do for SS next year?
- BrandonAsh’s Corner for Aug 16th and 17th. Both of today’s games come to us from 1975, the year Frank Robinson broke the managerial colour barrier, as player/manager for Ash’s Cleveland Indians.
August 16th, RH Eric Raich (6-7, 4.84) took the hill for the Indians against RH Jim Hughes (10-10, 4.21) for the Minnesota Twins at Metropolitan Stadium (or the Met) in Minnesota. If you’ve never heard of either of them, I doubt you’re alone. Raich pitched all but about 3 of his career innings in 1975, while Hughes pitched more than half of the career innings in his 4 year career in 1975.
The game was a bit of a yawner, as the hometowners thumped the visiting Indians 9-1, despite the Indians drawing first blood. So, why did I pick it? Well an extremely rare event in the career of Alan Ashby happened that day in the 2nd inning. He reached on a one out single to CF, and then stole 2nd off Hughes and catcher Phil Roof. Ashby stole 7 and was caught 10 times in his 17 year career and here we have one of them. Not a very memorable game for his team though. Ash would go 1 for 2 with 2 walks, a strikeout and the stolen base on this day.
August 17th was much more fun for Ash and his ‘mates. That day LH Fritz Peterson (7-7, 4.75) took the mound for the Indians against LH Bill Butler (1-3, 6.84) for the Twinkies. Should be an easy day for the Indians right? Unfortunately, Jays’ fans know better than to predict how their team will perform against “inferior” starting pitching, don’t we?
The Indians went to work quickly on Butler, and then RHs Tom Johnson and Mark Wiley, rolling a 3 in the 1st, an 8 in the 2nd and a 2 in the 3rd for a 13-0 lead after 3. After 5 it was 14-1, on the way to a 14-5 blowout, revenge for the previous day’s 9-1 debacle. Butler, Johnson and Wiley combined for 4 IP during which they allowed 14 H 13 R 13 ER 4 BB 3 K and 1 HR (George Hendrick). As Wilner loves to say of unfortunate baserunners, that triumvirate was “Meatcake” for the awesome Indian bats that day. Despite going 11 for 18 with RISP (A wet dream for 2008 Jays’ fans), the Clevelands still managed to strand 10 baserunners. Rick Manning had the coolest hitting line of the day: 0 for 0, 2 BB, 1 HBP, and 3 runs scored. Ash was 2 for 5 on the day with 2 singles, a run, an RBI, and a GDP. He spent the first 6 innings catching and then moved to 1B to give Boog Powell a rest and allow Rick Cerone to come on and catch. With Phil Roof catching for the Twinkies, that meant that 3 members of the not yet hatched Blue Jays catching corps of 1977 were in the game at the same time. Fritz Peterson went all the way on a 16 hitter for the Tribe. I’m sure it was a fun plane ride back to the Land of Cleve to face the Texas Rangers in one of them olde fashioned twi-night doubleheaders the next day. But, that’s for another day,
- Tom the InternAt 63-60, the Jays have to go 29-10 including this afternoon’s game to win 92 games (22 over .500) which is a reasonable win target to play in October.
Although I was skeptical when Cito was hired (I thought we should have gone after Pinella when he was available a couple of years ago), he’s clearly done something right. How would you explain winning with the following lineup?
- A backup catcher (ask yourself this: what contender would replace what they have now with Barajas)
- the second coming of Mike Hargrove at first (the Indians of the 80′s gave up and hit him leadoff given his high on base % but lack of power and ability to hit what it counts); Lyle just doesn’t have the power numbers to a first basemen on a contender
- a minor leaguer/utility player at second (Inglett’s defense is not what you would get out of a top flight 2nd basemen like Aaron Hill)
- Mario Mendoza (albeit a better clutch hitter)
- Scutaro (a solid but still utility player)
- Brad Wilkerson (no one else wants him; .150 since he’s been here)
- Rios (great talent, low on instincts and baseball iq)
If we are able to get back into this thing to play some meaningful games in late Aug and Sept, we’ll really get to see how good Overbay, Rios, Burnett among others are; anyway for what it’s worth here are the holes in our lineup to consider for ’09
catcher (Barajas is a backup on a contender; Zaun isn’t even a backup on a good team)
first (see Mike Hargrove comment)
short (although Johnny Mac is better than ok but you could still upgrade here)
third (Rolen is damaged goods)
left (can we make Lind into a first basemen ?)
Enjoy your show when I can.
…Mark from Ottawa
P.S. First live Jays game ever was #4 in ’77 when the wind blew the Tigers’ Dave Rozema off the mound on an Easter Monday afternoon at the Ex (do you remember)
MW: The one thing you didn’t mention in your assessment of the ballclub that they happen to have the best pitching staff in the major leagues. I don’t remember the Rozema game, but I was only seven.
- Mark from Ottawa“MW: So it’s OK for Cito to lie?”
He didn’t lie. He said he was giving Rios a day off. He didn’t say why if I recall.
However if you’re going to make the point that I treat Cito differently to Ricciardi, I think you’ll find that I didn’t say anything about the BJ Ryan incident–at least I’m pretty sure I didn’t! My problems with JP lie with his big mouth, not his lying mouth!
MW: As long as you’re consistent, that’s cool.
- reyesWOW, McDonald is the worst hitting non-pitcher in MLB history…or at least it seems that way.
MW: Or…..not even close to that.
- TomMike,
Are you as shocked as I am that no team has signed Barry Bonds yet??? I know he has a lot of baggage, but it’s not like the guy was on the decline last year. His numbers were off the charts last year. He was one of the top 3 hitters in baseball and he would have led the majors in OPS if he had had enough at bats to qualify. I don’t care if this guy was the spawn of Satan, if I was a team involved in the playoff race that was struggling to score runs, I would sign him up. The only thing that teams care about is winning, so why they would care so much about Bonds’ image if he could help them win is beyond me.
It’s hard for me to believe that there is collusion, but the fact that Bonds is still without a job in August tells me that Mr. Selig made a call to all the owners and said, “If you sign Bonds, I will make things very difficult for you.” It is the only way to explain why the greatest offensive force in baseball is sitting home right now.
What are your thoughts?
MW: I can’t think of another reason why Bonds doesn’t have a job.
- FrankMike.
I read your blog where you mentioned your “obligatory back rub”. I am the guy who wrote to you 2 months ago and recommended the book “Healing Back Pain” by Dr. John Sarno to you. Based on your blog, I can see you still did not buy the book and you are still a non-believer. You were skeptical when I told you that your back pain was all in your mind. I was the same way, but what you need to understand is that your back pain is other stress in your life manifesting itself as back pain. If you just read this book, it will change your life.
Open your mind and trust me, you will never feel your pain again. I hope to hear from you.
Brent
MW: Right now, I have way too much going on to read a book, to be completely honest with you. I appreciate that you’re trying to help, and it’s something I’ll likely look into over the winter. It was obligatory icing of the back, though – there was no rubbing.
- BrentI know it’s 9-1 in the fifth inning right now, but given all those runs they scored against Texas this week and the fact that we are talking Fenway park here, I’m not going to relax until they get that 27th out.
MW: The Rangers’ bullpen is much, much different from the Blue Jays’ bullpen.
- Jim in OhioMike,
Yes the weather that day was kind of like this summer’s weather, only bone chilling. 41 degrees F (or 5 degrees C) with a 17 MPH wind according to BB-Ref. Really glad to have missed it now. Oh, those wonderful early season games at the Ex…NOT!!! The next time someone goes off on a whining tangent about how boringly concretish the Rogers Centre is could you please tell them about your experiences on Opening Day 1982?
I was there for the Home Opener in 1983 against the Yanks and I doubt it was much warmer and it certainly felt windier. Looked it up: 48 degrees F (less than 10 degrees C) with a 21 MPH wind and I remember how freakin’ cold it felt. Better result though: 7-4 win thanks to a big 5 run 8th capped by Jesse Barfield’s 3 run rocket off the recently inducted Goose Gossage to spoil “Dour” Doyle Alexander’s possible 4-2 win. It has always been fun to beat the Spankees, but does it get any better than that?
That inning also featured a rarity that I would love to have been able to remember. 1 of only 4 sacrifice bunts in the career of one Heathcliff Johnson. On a cold day like that against The Goose? No Thanks. Cheers,
- Tom the InternIs Gaston keeping Eckstein out because he is afraid that the Jays may lose, today. It is 11-1. Johnny M has 3 hits. Inglett and Scutaro (great play on Crisp hot shot, this inning) are doing their ususal competent ‘thing’. Perhaps give Dave a few innings??? (perhaps for Inglett)
MW: Gaston keeps Eckstein out because he thinks that Inglett, McDonald and Scutaro are better options. He hasn’t emptied his bench like Terry Francona.
- Lex Mackenziewhat’s up with jonny mac? geez louise
- Paul OHey Mike,
12-2 in the 7th, would it not be a good time to get Wells out or do you think he’s back to 100%? Put Inglett in the outfield and Eckstein in at 2nd.
MW: See above, I don’t know why Gaston hasn’t emptied his bench, but I don’t have a big problem with it.
- JeffAPA? That’s an odd typo. Yeah, was supposed to be “JPA” i.e. Arencebia.
As for Davis Romero, my thinking on rulling him out is that the AFL article on W\kipedia says that a team can only send one foreign-born player to Arizona and, if true, then Campbell’s ticket knocks out D.R.
MW: Hmmmm, I’ll look into that.
- WillRainMike, who do you think getting into the hall of fame in 2009 and read a comment saying that you think Michael Phelps and Usain Bolt are cheaters. How do you know that?
MW: I don’t know that they’re cheaters. All I said was that it’s difficult to believe that anyone can do what they’ve done and do it clean. As for the 2009 class, Rickey Henderson is a shoo-in unless he comes out of retirement in the next six weeks (and you never know), and I also think that Jim Rice will get in next year, and hopefully Bert Blyleven as well. And Tom Cheek had better gain entry this time!
- andrewHello Mike,
word is out that the Marlins may be looking to cut salary in the off-season, as is their wont.
As spectacular as Hanley Ramirez would look in a Jays’ uniform, I am not silly enough to expect the Jays could get him. Uggla seems also unlikely at best (besides, Hill is a better defensive 2nd baseman). But how about Mike Jacobs for a bit more power? Too poor an average? What is your opinion on the likelihood of such a transaction and perhaps the benefit of acquiring him?
Thanks!
MW: The thing with Jacobs and Uggla is that both will be first-year arbitration eligibles, so they won’t be earning big bucks at all.
- RoryJohn McDonald, ladies and gentlemen!! I really don’t see why we need to look for a short stop. He’s not the greatest hitter in the world, but look what a little confidence in being an everyday player can do for one’s batting average. Play him every day and see what happens for a while. There’s no doubt in my mind that he’s the best defensive s/s in the majors.
And the game was great! I wish the offense performed like that more often…
- reyes# 20. I’ve never been a big swimming fan but everytime someone obliterates his competition like Phelps did, you have no choice but to admire the guy.
But I’ve always kept track of the fastest 100m time. My fav. event in Olympics. Bolt could’ve easily done 9.55-9.60 had he not shut down with 15 metres to go. But until the lab results are out, I’m holding my breath. This guy might touch 9.50 sec one day and it’ll be plain scary.
- BeburgHey Mike,
(Not counting today) Since June 15th Brad Wilkerson is hitting .174 with 0 HR, 6 RBI and has struck out in almost 25% of his at-bats. In two months he has had two multi-hit games. TWO!! Even John McDonald, David Eckstein and Gregg Zaun have more. Conversely, Rios has 19 multi-hit games since June 15th.
BUT, where would the Jays be without Wilkerson’s glove?? Team defence has definitely been the glaring weak spot. There is no way Buck Coats could provide good defence, a baserunning option and a better than .174 avg. I am convinced that Wilkerson is a blood relative of JP, accounting for his employment.
Okay, I’m done ranting.
Thanks Mike,
P.S. good to see BJ hit 92mph.
- JeffLast but not the least, What do you think about the Bigfoot story? I think it’s a hoax and that guy should be jailed for lying. Bigfoot fans like myself got excited for a moment.
MW: Evidently the DNA tests show it’s a hoax. What about the chupacabra, though?
- BeburgHey Mike you may have been asked this before but would you take Bay over Overbay or Overbay over Bay?
MW: I’ve never been asked that before. I’d take Bay over Overbay. Maybe the Jays can trade Overbay and Overbey to the Sox for Bay.
- MarvinMike, do you think the Jays will re-sign Barajas as their number one catcher as he has an option for next year or look outside the organization? Does this mean the end of Zaun and where do you think he will end up?
Thanks
MW: I’m reasonably sure they’ll pick up the option on The Captain. I have no idea where Zaun will end up.
- JayHey Mike
Are Jays fans suppose to be happy because they are pretty much at the same point they were at last year in terms of the record and actally worse in terms of Games behind. I think it’s sad that this years addition of the jays are actually technically worse than last years injury plagued roster. I heard you Dogg a caller for saying the results every year are pretty much the same, yet what you don’t see is that the standing prove it. The Jays under JP have not finished better that 9.0 back of the wild card and have only once finshed better than 10.0 games over five hundred in seven years. we all know what happend to Boston that year.
Fans should not be fooled by this momentum builder @ the end of the season cause we have seen it all befor and know the end result.
MW: What happened to Boston that year?
- NeilA few random comments…
1. I believe you mischaracterized David Bush somewhat, claiming that he “doesn’t strike out anyone”. His career K rate is 6.2/9 IP. Yes, two thirds of his career has been in the NL, where he has faced pitchers instead of DHs, but the lack of Ks have not been his problem. His HR rate has been his achilles heal.
2. Russ Branyan has a career 230/327/485 line. I think that the inexpensive, LH power bat he could provide would be excellent off the bench for the Jays, as you suggested. Add to that he can play 1B, 3B, LF and RF, albeit poorly. He will be 33 next year and while has been terrific in Milwaukee, I can’t say that I share your position that he might not be a bad choice as the Jays’ DH next season. I wouldn’t want to see his as Plan A in the team’s starting nine. That would be a marker of a poor off-season.
3. I don’t understand callers asking how players are doing and what their contract statuses are (unless they are the few people left on this planet without internet access).
An excellent source of stats, both major league and minor league: http://www.baseball-reference.com.
For contract information: mlbcontracts.blogspot.com.
4. On the heels of Rios’ big 4-double day, look for an onslaught of scribes confusing correlation with causation. Just as Gaston is getting an absurd amount of credit for Lind’s success, so too does he figure to get credit for Rios’ seeming turnaround after his would-be benching Friday night.
MW: 1 – I said that he’s not striking anyone out this year (5.8 per 9) but you’re right, that was an overstatement. I did also mention his home run rate, you’ll remember. 2 – I never said that Branyan should be the Jays’ Plan A. We agree there. 3 – A lot of people want me to do their research for them, and that’s fine. 4 – Maybe the non-benching does have something to do with it. Not necessarily the four doubles, but the renewed vigor with which he’s been leaving the batter’s box lately.
- Chuck VHello Mike………Did I here you say you love Russ Branyan and you would like to see him on the Jays……..Wow!! what a change of heart.. when I called you on WEds.with JP a few years ago the both of wanted nothing to do with him… Now you want him….his stats havent changed so why all the love…
MW: Your memory fails you. I have always loved Russ Branyan.
- Mark from ThoroldWho do you think is the better Manager, Cito or Gibbons?
MW: They both have different strengths and weaknesses. Obviously, Cito has the track record.
- CamHi Mike,
Question for you, Rios had a great day, 5-6 with 4 doubles. Are you surprised none of those doubles resulted in home runs? Two of them were right off the top of the Green Monster. Is that a situation where Rios does not have enough power, the Green Monster taking its effect where those would have been home runs in any other ball park. I assume Rios was swinging for the fences for those 2 doubles and someone like Wells would have smacked one if both out.
Thanks
MW: How can you wonder if Rios doesn’t have enough power and then in the same sentence state (correctly) that those two doubles would have been home runs in any other ballpark?
- Frankre: post 2
Shmeul Yitzchok, you can find the Jays game on Tues. night at 7pm on Oldies 1310am in and around Ottawa.
Take care.
- TroyClever comeback there about Gillick though it ignores the special difficulties the Jays have to lure free agents. I guess “you don’t have to live in the place” is a sell to some though.
You have the team spin on Richmond down pat. It still stinks as he may never get back here.
J.C.
MW: Why does the fact that he may never get back here make the situation worse? It should make it even better. He got his shot, and it might be his only one. I don’t see the special difficulties the Jays have in luring free agents. They signed the two most sought-after free agent pitchers in the winter of 05-06, and two winters ago got Frank Thomas.
- jchenryIs bringing Carlos Delgado back next year completely unreasonable? From both the Jays and Delgado’s point of view? I was young when he left Toronto, I don’t know what he thought of playing here.
MW: He seemed to like it quite a bit. I doubt he’ll be available.
—-
are you sure? i may be wrong, but I think his contract is up at the end of this year, unless the Met’s choose to take a $16 million option on him, which is unlikely. So if I’m not wrong, he MIGHT be available? If he ends up being available and the Jays, hypothetically, were to sign him, what would they do with Overbay? Do you even feel that an upgrade like this is necessary?
MW: The Mets (stunningly, no apostrophe) do have a $16 million option on Delgado, but as was pointed out last month in this very comments section, there’s also a mutual option for $12 million with a $4 million buyout, which the two sides will likely pick up. If he does sign, he’s here to be the primary DH, not to take over for Overbay.
- BrendanHighlight of the Rain delay programme – Alan Ashby saying he would try to get Halladay wasted.
Just awesome!
MW: Alan is most assuredly awesome.
- Andrew (Guelph)Mike, Brad Wilkerson is terrible offensively. I was hoping when Vernon came back we could go the rest of the year without seeing him or Mench start (even if it meant Eckstein DHing) but he keeps getting some playing time. Isn’t there anybody better the Jays could have play LF/DH?
MW: Matt Stairs, maybe?
- ZackHi Mike,
What a game today, eh! I guess Rios read my blog a few days ago and he responded in a huge way! Marcum was good and the Jays bats were incredible. ESPN “coolstandings” is a sysem that calculates teams odds of making the playoffs. The Jays have a 4% chance which isn’t bad. If they take 5 of 6 this week, do they have a shot? And what are ur picks for the AL playoffs?
Mine are here:
AL EAST: Tampa Bay
AL CENTRAL: CHICAGO WHITE SOX
AL WEST: LA ANGELS
AL WILDCARD: BOSTON
ALDS: BOSTON VS LA- 2-3
ALDS: TB VS CHICAGO- 1-3
ALCS-LAA VS CHI- 4-2
WS- LAA vs NATIONAL LEAGUE
MW: I can’t make those kinds of predictions, I could be wrong. 4% sounds about right, though that might be a little bit high. That would mean that once every 25 times the Jays get into this situation, they wind up making the playoffs. Sounds high to me. If they go 5-1 on this homestand, they’re definitely right in the thick of it.
- WarrenLet me remind you what happend that year, Boston was ripped with injuries, still the jays finished something like one game ahead of Boston. You can excuse the injury year with Boston simply because Boston bounced back the following year to win the world series, the jays bounced back to have one of their worst offensive starts ever and now are in a situation where they need a miacle and are constatnly flirting wih five hundred just as they were in the injury year.
MW: So Boston is allowed to use injuries as an excuse because they won the World Series the next year? And the Yankees are allowed to use injuries as an excuse because they made the playoffs last year? Doesn’t seem fair.
- NeilHello Mike………Mike you do a great job for the fans…other than the Jays winning you are probily the Jays greatest marketing tool..the real baseball fans should lay off JP …baseball is all about pitching and he as assembled the leagues finest…..his draft selections will show an influx of talent even after Snider,Arencibia,Cecil and Campbell arrive…there are great prospects in “A” ball………. Justin Jackson,Ahrens,Fuenmayor plus Mills just to name a few…JPs only fault is he shows his emotions on his sleeve and whats wrong with that……….he only wants to win………..Great work Mike
MW: Did I just get called a tool?
- Mark from ThoroldAsk Beeston, Gillick or Ricciardi , for that matter, if Toronto has special issues attracting free agents. The 3 examples you mentioned were all obtained at a huge premium to market. Those “competing” offers always come up after the fact. What do you expect agents to say? Nobody else came close to what these clowns paid?
Any bets the Jays strike out on their A-list this year? This is not JP’s fault, of course. Canada just not on America’s radar screen.
J.C.
MW: All evidence to the contrary.
- jchenryChupacabra is a tricky animal but it definitely exists. It’s a hybrid between a Coyote and some other animal which scientists have failed to find out thus far. I am not sure about the chromosome composition, but it could be a hybrid between a coyote and a wild boar.
MW: Are you a scientist?
- BeburgHi Mike, with Brandon League pitching like the Brandon League of old and (assuming) Jeremy Accardo can emerge from the minor leagues would you think maybe in the future that BJ Ryan could be expendable and traded? The Jays Bullpen is outstanding with guys like Carlesson, Camp, Wolfe, Downs and even Frasor/Tallet. Do you think that when you have talent like that getting limited action (and sent down to the minors) that BJ might be overshadowing some of these guys? I personally don’t feel comfortable most of the time with BJ going out there protecting a 1-3 run lead. Additionally, it does free up some cap room for the Jays. They also might be able to fill a void through trading BJ aswell, just a thought.
Thanks Mike
MW: I think that Ryan could very well be expendable in the off-season.
- BikramIm just wondering what it means to be a captain of a major league baseball team?
MW: Officially? Nothing.
- James CockburnHey Mike, maybe you can use these two Halladay starts against the next “Burnett is a .500 pitcher” caller.
Over two starts Halladady was 1-1, giving up one run in each. Now over this sample size Halladay is a .500 pitcher. Does this mean he is a waste of a roster position or someone who pitched better than his record shows?
MW: One earned run in each, but point taken. Strangely, I haven’t heard much from the “Burnett is a .500 pitcher” crowd lately.
- alexDo you think Scott Richmond is in the Jays’ plans for 09? If not, why handle him like they have? A mediocre team going nowhere calls him up just long enough to ruin his Olympic hopes, then sends him down.
I don’t buy the conspiracy theory that JP did this to help the US team. I just think it was thoughtless, for the player, the fans and the Olympic team. He could have been called up in September.
J.C.
MW: They did it because the Blue Jays hate Canada.
Brilliant response. If YOU (meaning the originial poster) were is the minors would you take a call up to the big show or a trip to China? Think about it, if you said a trip to China (meaning Olympics) you’re lying.
- KDHey Mike,
Heard you on DJF and I though you had lots of intelligent and insightful comments. Living in north, I don’t have access to the FAN. It would be very easy to podcast Jays Talk. Just saying.
jamie
MW: Thanks for the compliments. You can still hear The JaysTalk right here on the blerg.
- JamieMike -
You compared JPs living arrangements (GM of Toronto based team but lives elsewhere) with Pat Gillick’s current situation of managing Philly but still living in Seattle. Thats comparing apples to oranges (I had a chance to live in Philly once and turned it down too). Why don’t you compare apples to apples? You neglect to mention that when Gillick managed the Jays he LIVED in Toronto. What a concept. This is just another example of JP’s ridiculous attitude (don’t get me going on the Richmond situation). Rene
MW: I’m sorry, I can’t agree. Gillick is the Phillies’ GM and he lives in Seattle. When Gillick was the Mariners’ GM he lived in Toronto. You don’t have to live in the city in which your team plays to be an effective GM.
- rene#74. Hell No. lol. The bigfoots and the chupacabras of the world sometimes create a scientist out of everyone. Now I am convinced that bigfoot don’t exist. Will visit Yukon territories one day and maybe I step on a sleeping bigfoot while hiking up there and make a name for myself.
MW: Good luck to you. And before I correct your grammar, I’m assuming you’re pluralizing bigfoot as “bigfoot” as opposed to “bigfoots” or “bigfeet”.
- Beburg