MW: I’ll try to get Wells to send you a pair of his shorts in September, because that’s a bet you’re going to lose.
- steve

Anybody who is really that confident that the Jays will win more than 75 games can make a lot of money by betting on the futures line at most casinos. The Jays are listed between 74 and 75. Even money bets.

CHONES predicted AL Wins:

American
East

Yankees 97
Red Sox 96
Rays 89
Blue Jays 75
Oriles 74

MW: Didn’t you say the CHONE had them at 80 wins or so last week?

I thought “travellers cheques” had a fee. If you got them for free you have a good deal with your bank.

MW: I guess my bank likes me. What’s with the quotation marks?

Usually late in a game when the Jays were down a run with the heart of the order coming up, Tom would typically remind us what we needed was “a bloop, and a blast”. I loved that expression. Maybe it’s because the WAMCO Jays tended to deliver.

Anyway it is something I have not heard in years. So consider it an “homage” to Tom if you are wondering whether to use it. Know at least this die-hard listener would be smiling.

On the Jays tip, I’m wondering if you know of anything that Scott Rolen might have done in the off season to try and minimize his time on the DL? (I mean did he try something new as opposed to doing the same thing and hoping for a different result.)

MW: He dropped his hands in August of last year to take pressure off his shoulder when he hits, and his September was tremendous.

so looking forward to baseball! I was just wondering, I haven’t heard Brian Wolfe’s name come up at all as a potential starter, or for that matter for anything. Is he still with the Jays? What is his status? I know in the past the Jays sent him down to stretch him out.

Go Jays Go!

MW: He’s still here, but not being considered for a rotation spot. He’s one of the righties competing for a spot or two in the bullpen, and isn’t likely to make it because of the numbers game.

MW: Ricciardi didn’t cut the payroll, ownership did. He hasn’t tried to build the team like Beane, but he’s done a lot of similar things. Still, there’s no hard and set fast of “Moneyball” rules, other than exploit inefficiencies in the market.

MW: No, it’s because it’s spring training, and starters can get wins no matter how short their outings. That Super Target is a fine place, it’s true, but it’s too far away from where I’m staying this year.

you sounded great this weekend btw.

MW: Thanks! I was looking for an Esquire, and I found one, as well as the Bill James Handbook.

Better than the Yankees in the late 1990s? Better than the Red Sox in 2004? Better than the White Sox in 2005? Geez, I think most baseball people would even rather have Oakland’s staff in 2003 — Zito, Muldur, Hudson, Lilly, Harden — with Foulke closing and Rincoln-Bradford in set-up roles.

Don’t get me wrong, J.P. did a very good job patching together a staff last year. And, up until this winter, he deserves credit for being able to sign coveted players (Glaus, Ryan, AJ, Thomas). With his temperment, he’d be an excellent college basketball recruiter.

After his first few seasons in the wilderness, he’s also done a better job recruiting in the last couple of years. Witness the emergence of Snider and (here’s hoping)Brett Cecil.

Still,there is no explaining
the Jays inactivity this past winter. Historically, the best architects in team sports (Sam Pollock, Red Auerbach, Buzzie Bavasi) have always tinkered with a winning line-up, ensuring the team remains focussed and hungry.

And those were GMs of teams that won championships. Toronto finished in fourth place last year. And all we’ve done over a fall-winter that saw us lose more than half the starters you were bragging about, is sign up a couple of pitchers (Maroth-Clement) with buzzards circling over their arms.

It’s not smart baseball. Nor is it smart economics. The Jays aren’t the Leafs. Outside the NHL, Toronto sports fans have to be romanced more than a little before they fall in love.

This team ain’t going to get it done, I’m afraid. If they win more than 75 games I’ll eat David Wells’ shorts.

MW: You can’t compare J.P. to those greats, for obvious reasons, but the decision to cut payroll wasn’t his. As far as those other pitching staffs you mention, none of them had an ERA lower than the Jays’ 3.49 this past season. They were also the first team to lead the league in both starters’ and relievers’ ERA since the 1967 White Sox or some such. I’ll try to get Wells to send you a pair of his shorts in September, because that’s a bet you’re going to lose.

Good work on the broadcasts. I listened to both games and there were only a couple times that I noticed any dead air. Did you find you were nervous, or how do you think you did? Did you give any consideration to asking or requesting Tom Valcke join you at the WBC? Have you ever been to the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame?

MW: I wasn’t nervous, just really excited. It’s not up to me to decide who takes part in the broadcasts and no, I have never been to the Canadian Baseball HOF, but I’m looking forward to going sometime – hopefully soon!