9:25 PM Eastern
I’m going to spend Thursday winging my way back down to Spring Training and getting set up for two weeks of hardcore Jays coverage that starts with the game against the Rays on Friday the 13th.
While I’m setting up, I figured I’d ask you all for help putting together the critically acclaimed “10 questions” segment of the ever-popular Blue Jays This Week programme, which I believe will be coming back for its sixth or seventh season this year.
I want to update the questions, as I managed to do a bit last year, but I’d like your input. I want to know what YOU want to know about these guys. Generally, the questions are more personal in nature than baseballic, and I’d like to keep it that way.
In the past, I’ve asked questions like “favourite meal”, “best band”, “favourite thing to do in Toronto on an off-day”, “worst minor-league bus trip”, “best friend in baseball”, that sort of thing.
I want to shake it up, and I want to get a lot of the 10 questions done while I’m down there in Dunedin.
So, help me out! Give me some questions that you want answered as part of the 10 questions segment. Just make sure they’re questions that I can actually ask on the radio, and questions that won’t get a yes or no answer.
Yes, I want you to do my work for me.
Drop those questions in the comments section!
76 Responses to “Your Mission, Should You Choose To Accept It”
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favourite tv show as a kid or know
- lemongello fan,, favourite canadian band,,favourite canadian food,,could be interesting answer,,,if you were a tree, what would you pick,,,favourite baseball keepsake from your career ball etc,,,what do you remember RE your first pro game ( not MLB),,craziest minor league promotion you saw,,,,i can go on
Where do you live (house, hotel, apartment – obviously not the address) while you are playing home games in Toronto? NOT YOU MIKE – The player.
- Andrew*Worst city to stay in on the road
- WDM*Best logo in baseball
*Favourite sport (other then baseball)
As an aspiring broadcaster myself, it’s always cool to find out the backgrounds of my favorites. So Mike, just wondering where you went to school? How you got started in radio? Whatever you feel like answering. Thanks!
MW: It’s a long story, but it’s probably all there if you go back in the archives to the first-ever post I put up here.
- TristanWhat is one thing that you’re absolutely TERRIBLE at?
Hey Mike, forgot to give you props for the heading of your last post, “Shark Sandwich”. That one went to 11! Made my day, dude.
MW: You’re the first one who has said anything! Thanks for re-affirming my faith in my readers.
- Scott BMichael of the Ballyard:
MW: This is true, and it’s also true that if there wasn’t the confidence to use Koskie in an important situation, he probably shouldn’t have been on the team.
The ‘this’ you were referring to was my indictment of Whitt’s complete inability to kick-start the offense or do ANYTHING to get it going.
My point about putting Koskie in the game had nothing to do with confidence in Koskie, either — he wasn’t put in the game due to a lack of competence by Whitt, not a lack of Whitt’s confidence in Koskie. At least, that’s what we have to assume, because if Whitt had less confidence in Koskie than Barnwell and Orr by the 6th or so of Monday’s game, especially after Koskie tore it up against the Jays in that Tuesday exhibition game, then we can safely assume his cognitive capacity is pre-Neolithic.
Even if Koskie was, say, a semi-pro baseball player with a day job (which we know he is much better than) he STILL should have been put into the game at some point Monday, because Canada wasn’t doing as well as a bunch of semi-pro players with day jobs!
So, in summary: Whitt failed to do ANYTHING to start the offense. He did not send a runner once; he put on no contact plays. He did nothing to put pressure on an inexperienced Italian staff, that might have served up meatballs (inasfar as the pitches they were serving up without pressure weren’t already meatballs) if they thought Canada was going to run on them; he did nothing to force the hitters to make contact by knowing they were responsible for protecting the runner. He failed to put Koskie in the game when it was ABSOLUTELY IMPOSSIBLE for Koskie to do a single bit worse than a good number of guys that were already in the line-up.
In short, Whitt’s performance was just as dreadful as any of the hitters, and had he done things a bit better, the outcome could have been vastly different. Seeing as his impact is broader than a single player (say, if one of the guys who went hitless had actually managed several hits, it still would have required someone else to drive them in, whereas Whitt could have performed competently (kick-starting the offense, putting Koskie in) regardless of anyone else’s performance) his failure is therefore more meaningful, and he deserves a much greater share of the blame.
Agree? You DID say ‘that’s true’ to my analysis of his failure to do anything to kick-start the offense. Do you still find his performance to have been something other than incompetent?
MW: I continue to think that you’re putting far too much emphasis on what a manager can accomplish. I don’t think his impact is broader than a single player’s.
- JCLI should clarify:
[Koskie]wasn’t put in the game due to a lack of competence by Whitt, not a lack of Whitt’s confidence in Koskie.
I meant:
The reason Koskie was not put in the game had nothing to do with Whitt not having confidence in Koskie. It was a matter of a lack of competence by Whitt, not a lack of confidence in Koskie, that prevented Whitt from putting Koskie in. Even if Whitt had no confidence on Koskie, he couldn’t have possibly had more confidence in the likes of Barnwell, Orr and the other offensive no-shows, so we can safely assume it had nothing to do with a lack of confidence in Koskie.
MW: I got that. Again, though, it’s two games. ANyone can go 0-for-8 in two games.
- JCL“What, if any, newspapers (not the sports section) or magazines do you read?
- gHello O Lucid One,
How about: What do you do to prepare for a (team/series/game)?
Thanks!
- Chas- What is the first store you look for when you go into a mall?
- What was your favorite hat growing up as a kid?
- If you had to cook for the Team President, what would you prepare?
- What time do you get out of bed in the off season?
- Pop, Soda, or Soft Drink?
- Where were you the first time you saw snow?
- What is the most amount of money you have ever found?
- Do you shave before, after, or in the shower?
- If you could only use one piece of exercise equipment in the off season what would it be?
- What was your worst ever haircut?
- SpiderSilvaWhat is your favorite sport other than baseball?
What would you be doing if you weren’t a pro baseball player?
Best thing about playing in Toronto?
Favorite anabolic steroid?(haha)
- Brett VI DONT know if you answer follow-up questiions: But what makes you think that halladay is coming back? and is it better for the younger arms to develop in minors and why not alternate between them until mcgowan comes back?
MW: I think Halladay is coming back in 2010 because he’s under contract to do so. McGowan is likely to be out a while, and I don’t think alternating guys between the majors and AAA is the most effective for their development. If they earn their way to the bigs and earn the right to stay, they should stay.
- nick1. What was the last hockey game you attended? What did you enjoy the most about the game?
2. How do you rate the SkyDome/Rogers Centre amongst Major League ballparks?
3. How many times a year does your family follow you on road trips? Is this encouraged or discouraged by management? (they probably can’t answer the second part of that one)
4. Where is your favorite spot on the road to unwind after a game?
5. Do you think MLB will ever expand outside of North America?
6. Are you in favour of a different World Series / WBC format whereby the MLB champs would face off against Japanese / Korean / Cuban etc league champs?
7. After having achieved the Majors, what contribution back to your home community have you made that you are the most proud of?
- ToddMike.
My question is.
What would you be doing,if not in baseball?
One more thought about the WBC.
Paul said that Dempster had 52 million reasons not to play.
My take is that he had 52 million reasons to play.
Correct me if Im wrong.If a player suffers a career ending injury in the WBC,they would still get paid?
I find it hard to knock Dempster,as I am glad Halladay declined.
Thanks
Safe travels
MW: My take is that regardless of how much money Depmpster just signed for, he should have played. Players are insured during the WBC, so if they get hurt, they still get paid.
- DavidHow about this: baseball players are alleged to be a superstitious bunch. I’d ask them if they have any superstitious rituals, and/or what is the most interesting, funny, or bizarre example of superstition they’ve seen in a fellow player.
- LJFavourite memory from their youth playing baseball?
What they did/where they were when they were drafted?
What they did with their first large big league paycheque?
Favourite baseball team growing up and how the ‘fan’ experience changes or goes away when you are in the league yourself?
Favourite memory from career with Blue Jays?
- Coleask if they listen to you post game show?
- Paul MIs there any citys in particular you like going to play in for a specific meal/restaurant? If so, which meal/restaurant?
- Ron FoxIf this isn’t too basebally, something along the lines of:
When, if ever, did you start to get a regular good night’s sleep after your first trip to the majors, and why do you think that was?
- Kelly Blidook10 Questions suggestions
Best practical joke ?
- KimDumbest question asked by the media ?
Best/worst feature of Rogers Center ?
Most genuine teammate/opponent ?
I love it! You may be the first in Toronto sports media to actually ask your readers to participate in programming. Brilliant yet simple!
Anyways, here’s one question I would love to ask a baseball player (or anyone for that matter):
What’s one book that you’ve read that you would want all your friends to read and why?
thanks!
kk
- karim kanji“If I wasn’t playing playing baseball, I would be ….. ”
MW: Teaching phys. ed or coaching. That’s the stock answer about 90% of them give.
- Win Boydhi Mike,
Here are my questions:
1. What was the first live MLB game you ever saw a fan?
2. What is your favourite uniform in baseball other than your own team?
3. What was the first car you ever owned?
- IanMike, thanks for letting us contribute this way towards your show. Should be lots of fun reading the comments.
Great idea you have here!
I realize your not looking for 10 questions from each contributor, however, here goes.
1. Was your wife or gf a baseball fan before you met?
2. If you could choose a “cool” baseball name for yourself – what would it be?
3. Who in BB has ticked you off the most – but made you a better player or person?
4.Other than BB, what do you consider to be your best strength?
5. What one or two things in life so far, have made you a better person?
6. What are your potential choices if BB was no longer in the picture?
7. What is the most important thing you need to get done today?
8. If you knew that the world was going to end before this season ends – what would you be doing?
9. Have you ever heard of, or do you know who Don Cherry is?
10. Does a one legged duck, swim in a circle?
Yikes, 10 questions, that was tougher than you’d think!
Ok, that’s it for me – unless I think of a great one!
Thanks again Mike for the opportunity to contribute.
Take care.
- Bob from BurlingtonHave you embraced websites such Facebook and Twitter? Why or why not?
- Chrishey mike,
how about “when did you first know you were good enough to be a big league ball player?”.
- JoshHey Mike,
I have a question for one of the coaches and it is regarding young pitches. I have coached kids (10 – 12 yrs of age) and am curious what they feel is an appropriate age to have a pitcher start throwing breaking balls. I’ve heard it can cause a lot of stress on the shoulder and elbow to have them throwing breakers at an early age.
Thanks
MW: The golden rule is no breaking stuff before 14.
- CameronBest visitor’s clubhouse & why
- BGVernon Wells once said that John McDonald is the team nerd (or something to that effect), because he is always reading in the clubhouse. I want to know what he is reading all the time.
- DarrenMike
- Richard from ARHow about this for Doc
“what are the ages of your children and what is your favourite activity with them”
I have two questions for Gene Tenace.
When you were a player, you had one of the best on base percentages in all of baseball. You didn’t swing at pitcher’s pitches and had the power to crush mistakes in the upper deck. Now that many baseball fans and most writers know that OPS is the most important stat in baseball, it is clear that you are one of the best offensive catchers of all time.
Do you think you belong in the HOF?
And given your approach as a player, why do you have a reputation as a hitting coach as a guy who tells his players to go up and swing?
- Jim Blooking forward to the season as well as your blog and jays talk. a daily must do. great work at WBC. always great to hear you on air. questions…for your consideration…
when did you realize that you would “”make it” in the show? was there a particular moment or event, you can describe? (could be high school, minors or even once you got to the bigs)
favorite team ? any sport. modern or past.
if you could play any other position in the bigs other than your own… which n why?
with my first pro cheque i purchased…
ash or maple?
- NathanielPotential Questions
1. Favourite place to go for food in Toronto
2. Best teammate prank?
I’d really love to hear some of the answers to #2.
- Sam McLeanHow about “Best Major League City” and “Worst Major League City”.
Those might net you some interesting responses.
For the hitters, you could possibly ask “Toughest pitcher in the bigs?”.
For the pitchers, you could ask “toughest out in the majors?”.
Just a couple thoughts.
- CamWho was your childhood idol?
- Justin from ArdtreaWhat was your most embarrassing moment on the diamond/in life?
Best story ever
- PaulI personally love the question about favourite thing to do in TO on an off-day, even if unoriginal – please keep it!
Otherwise, I’d love to hear their funniest incident when travelling with/out with/lockerroom with minor league teammates more than the worst bus trip – though they may overlap sometimes!
- Derek MaisonvilleIf you were to describe yourself in a single word or phrase, what would it be?
If you weren’t playing the position you now play, what position would you like to play?
Thirty years from now what do you hope fans will remember about you?
- jerry lawtonJust had to get this off my chest. Why do fans on almost on all blogs and elsewhere blame JP!
- tony43To all fans who think they know things! JP does not and will not control team payroll!!! Blame the ownership not JP, the guy would love more money to go after FA’s!
All things considering this team will not stink this year give them a chance! You will be surprised!!!!!!!!!!
As for a question.
How about, since we don’t get ESPN up here (unless u have a pirate dish), do you get frustrated about A.) not getting Baseball tonight, B.)not being on Sunday Night baseball EVER. and C). not getting the new MLB channel!?
Thanks!
- tony43Who will the Raptors pick this year in the lottery?
- Joe N.How about these questions: “Who is your favorite hockey player” and “What’s the last CD you bought?”
- StanHave you ever wanted to be a pitcher (for position players and vice versa for pitchers)?
- ZackWere you popular in high school? Why not?
Have you ever considered moving to Toronto year round?
Worst stolen base attempt?
Who is your rival?
Are athletes overpaid as a group?
Mike….How about this question for possible entry into “10 Questions.”
What name first pops into your head when a sport other than baseball is mentioned?…It may show his roots and his interest level of other professional leagues outside the realm of baseball. e.g. A guy from Pennsylvania might say Mario or Sidney Crosby when asked about hockey or a guy from Wisconsin might say Brett Favre or even Vince Lombardi when asked about football…Could have some fun with it
- chris m.10 Questions (well, only 2):
1. If for 1 night you could throw a dinner party and invite 3 other people (ANYONE you want), past or present, who would they be and why?
2. Which actor would you want to play you in an Action Movie? Chick Flik?
- JasonHow about:
“Did you go to college/university? Where? Program? Favourite course?
This might be a cool answer for students to hear about!
- RandyHey Mike,
I just wanted to say that I have been one of those people that thought JP was a terrible GM. However, know that I think about it he was done an above average job as a GM after getting a few years of experience. If Marcum and McGowan were not injured this year, the Jays would have the best starting staff in baseball, the best bullpen in baseball (I think it is ridiculous that League has to audition for a job after what he did in 2006 nad at the end of last year), as well as a wealth of young pitching and positional prospects. They have one of the best defenses in the league, and we all know that pitching and defense wins games. They have been extremely unlucky for the past couple of years, and hopefully they can put it all together in 2010.
- AbdullahWere you a Hulkamaniac when you were younger?
MW: Seriously?
- Hulk HoganWho was your hero when growing up and why Baseball or otherwise?
What great unanswered mystery would you most like to see solved and why?
If not playing Baseball what do you think you would be doing with your life right now? Or what else (if anything) would you have liked to have done?
Cheers
- ukJayQuestion:
“Can you describe the moment, whether it was seventh grade, high school, or your first start in Advanced Single-A, when you realized that you had the ability to play in the big leagues?”
Mike, I can remember vivedly the moment that I realized I did NOT have said ability… at age nine.
- Cleveland Mark1. If France and Germany went to war, who would you go for?
- ol brucie2. Would you rather spend eternity in a shopping mall or amusement park?
3. What are the most cheeseburgers you’ve ever eaten in a single sitting?
4. If you could punch one person without fear of any negative consequences, who would it be?
5. Have you ever cheated on your wife/girlfriend?
6. If God is so great, why does evil still exist?
7. Do you own any Madonna recordings and if so, which ones?
8. Wilma or Betty?
9. Who is the Prime Minister of Canada?
10. Fred or Barney?
11. When with the stock market hit bottom?
12. Can you tell the difference between organic and non-organic vegetables?
13. Do you put your pants on one leg at a time?
14. What’s the meanest thing you’ve ever done/said to anyone?
15. Do you think you will be forgiven?
1. Would you rather hit a homerun to win a World Series or be a career .300 hitter?
- DJJAY2. What will you do after your career is finished?
3. Best memory of playing in Little League?
4. Best place for breakfast during Spring Training?
5. Best Spring Training facility to play at in the Grapefruit League?
6. Best BEER GUY/GIRL?
7. Strangest superstition?
8. Funniest on-deck routine?
9. Funniest guy?
10. Kindest thing anyone in the game has ever done?
question suggestion; what is your favourite baseball movie
- dan nowlanMike…What’s with Papelbon throwing Manny under the bus? I realize Ramirez will never win Teammate of the Year, but it’s amazing how mouthy people can become when separated by 2000 miles. I also think Papelbon has selective amnesia because I’ll go out on a limb and suggest that a few of those leads that Terry Francona asked him to save ( and usually successfully- he is a great closer no doubt) were leads given to him by Manny’s bat. And in closing, I’d love to ask what teammate Jon Lester thinks of the “cancer” reference to Manny…Very insensitive remark.
- chris m.What part of any baseball field is your favorite? (Ivy at Wrigley, Green Monster at Fenway)
- brent in Korea1. Most nonsensical thing a coach ever told them to do
- Eli2. Canadian or American beer
3. Favorite baseball movie
4. What they really think of Alex Rodriguez
What tv show can’t you miss?
- Justin from ArdtreaYou don’t have to post any of these. They tend to clog up the blog.
- Justin from ArdtreaWhat is the best practical joke you’ve been a part of or heard of?
Mike – any ball park idea of what it would cost just for hotel/motel/condo/whatever – to lodge myself in Dunedin for the 6 weeks of spring training?
I’m getting close to convincing “she who must be obeyed” to agree to go there next spring – FINALLY – she’s had enough of Canadian winters.
MW: Ballpark? Somewhere between $2800 – $3500, I’d say.
- MylegacyHi Mike
A couple of questions for thought you could ask:
What would you be doing for a living if baseball hadn’t worked out?
A million dollars falls out of the sky. What do you spend it on? (since these are in some cases multi-million dollar athletes, I would like to know if their dreams, desires are the same as we lowly working class folk)
- LaurieQuestion: What Simpsons character are you most like?
Mike I think you have a touch of the Krusty about you – quick witted Jewish guy! I just want to know when I can get my hands on a “Wilner Burger”
- BarrySome questions for you Mike:
1)If you could sign one player who would it be?
2)What turns you away from signing an autograph?
3)Favourite alcoholic beverage
4)Best concert you ever went to
5)Favourite movie
6)Ever cheated on a test in school
7)Been fired from a job?
8)Your first car? Current car?
9)Do you watch Sportsnet, TSN or the Score for highlights
Hope this helps!
- Jamie/WindsorHi Mike
Here are 9 of them . Can’t do all the work for you :)
1. Favourite ball park to play in and why?
- Anne2. Least favourite ball park to play in and why?
3. Quirkiest habit, before a game.
4. Most embarrassing moment in baseball
5. What is your favourite leisure activity?
6. What kind of exotic pet would you like to have and why?
7. What sport do you enjoy watching other than baseball and why?
8. If you were not in baseball, what would you be doing?
9. When you finish as a player, what would you like to do ?
I’d actually like baseball questions like the ones below. But I guess you could use the questions but not limit it to baseball. I’d pay to listen to Doc discuss what he thinks it would be like for him playing in the 60′s.
1. If you could go back in history, which baseball player would you like to meet and have a discussion with about the game?
2. If you could go back in history, what era of baseball would you like to play in and why?
- T from NYQuestions:
1. One week vacation, anywhere in the world where do you go? (can’t say home)
2. If you could go back in history to any period of time, when would it be?
3. In what other sport would you have most likely have made it to the pros?
4. If you were invited to cameo in a television series (past or present) ala Keith Hernandez…which show would it be?
5. Outside of baseball accomplishments, what are you most proud of?
6. What is your most treasured possession and why?
7. If you had one month to live, what one thing would you ensure you experienced?
8. If you had a normal job/profession, what would you do for a living?
These two have a certain level of baseballism…
9. Who do think is the greatest Canadian baseball player ever? <-you can only accept Fergie as the correct answer, don’t bring your Larry junk this way…ok LW’s not junk, but he sure isn’t FAJ.
10. DH or no DH?
- kingofcabbagetownHey Mike:
Maybe it should be 30 or 40 questions instead of 10 that you put to your interviewees. A great idea to ask the fans. There are some excellent questions suggested above, guaranteed to elicit intriguing answers, which of course is what it’s all about.
- jerry lawtonmike sorry i didnt clarify but what i meant: is halladay a blue jay come april 1st 2011 when he’s a free agent?
sorry to give you a headache about this!
MW: Personally, yes, I believe he will be.
- nickThis question should get the same response from every player!
- dan harrisonWhen was the last time you signed a autograph or even took the time to interact with any of the fans down the right or leftfield fou lines? (not everbody sits behind the dugout)
I can give you the answer!
NONE! (only exception Scott Richmond)
How about “What’s your idea of the perfect non-baseball day?”
- Rob (NS)Favorite video game?
Democrat or Republican (for American players)?
Simpsons or Family Guy?
Sunflower seeds, Tabacco or Bubble gum?
MMA or Boxing? (or maybe WWE if they answer ‘yes’ to the Hulkamaniac question :)
Have they ever gone hunting / fishing in Ontario?
Last fast food meal they ate and when?
What’s the first section of the newspaper they read?
- sandyWould you say that you more or less take an off-day when Halladay is on the mound or it just a coincidence?
- HowardHey Mike,
In regards to tony43′s comment (#39), yes, JP does not control payroll. But he has been given more than enough resources in previous years to get the job done, which he didn’t. I wonder if part of the reason for the lack of spending is a lack of confidence from management in JP. Dealing for the Rolen contract and signing Thomas are two glaring examples of poor decision making on JP’s part.
In regards to the critcism from some directed towards Ernie Whitt, i’m a little confused. Team Canada played only 3 games in the WBC, A manager has very little impact on offensive production over 162 games, and pretty much zero over a 3 game span. Nice job on your part re: the WBC, i imagine that is a tough gig when your experience is limited, but you performed like a 10 year vet. Nicely done.
MW: Thanks! Canada only played two games, though.
- rick EllisDo you prefer grass?
- HowardMike I must be quite candid with you. I respect your baseball knowledge but have on many occaisions found you arrogant particularly with they way you have handle
a lot of your call in respondents on your radio show. Never for one moment did I think you were capable of calling a good and interesting game live. I have heard snippets in the past and it did not win me over. I am completely blown away by the way you handled your latest call by call assignment and can only congratulate you. Good work and maybe I am changing my opinion of your abilities.
Sincerely
Frank Swain
MW: Wow, very impressive. Thanks.
- Frank SwainWhats the biggest prank you have ever seen from a fellow teammate?
- Matt in BCBest minor league city?
- Darrell in The CreekWorst minor league city?