12:18 AM Eastern
Just when you thought they had settled into a nice, tense little pitchers’ duel, the Twins’ bullpen comes in and wrecks everything.
One thing for which people don’t seem to give the Jays enough credit is their exceptional ‘pen. The terrific relief staff is very good at slamming the door shut, which is of paramount importance, but it also prevents horror shows like tonight’s seventh inning from happening, innings that destroy a team’s chances to come back late in a close game.
The Jays took advantage of Matt Guerrier and R.A. Dickey in that fateful 7th, turning a 2-1 game into a 9-1 laugher - Marco Scutaro hit a two-run homer and Kevin Millar had a Grand Slam, and that was that. Millar looked like he’d really learned a lot from playing with Tim Wakefield for so many years in Boston; Dickey’s flat knuckler didn’t have a chance.
Roy Halladay was as Roy Halladay is - simply the best. He gave up one line drive tonight, a single to centre by Michael Cuddyer to lead off the second inning. He didn’t like it, and got ground balls from the next four hitters he faced that inning, three of which could have been turned into double plays. Once again he stepped it up when he had to, as he did in the 2nd inning in Cleveland on the weekend. This time it was the 5th, when the Twins put runners on first and second with nobody out and the 2-3-4 hitters up in a game the Jays only led by one. Halladay screwed his courage to the sticking place and struck them all out. He actually had four strikeouts in a row that inning, because it was readily apparent to everyone but the home plate and third-base umpires that Denard Span went around on the 0-2 pitch that hit him.
Cito Gaston came out to argue the call, and I have to say again how much I love his style of argument. He basically comes out with an “I’m disappointed in you, son” look on his face. He doesn’t get hot, he doesn’t turn the air blue, he just looks at the ump and pretty much says, “Look, you know you’re wrong there, how are you going to make this right?” He rarely leaves satisfied.
Alex Rios is 0-for-his-last-10 over the last two games. The Blue Jays have scored 21 runs over those two games. He is clearly killing them.
It couldn’t possibly be a good thing that the offense is clicking so well with no contribution at all from one of the best hitters, could it? Nah.
I’m looking forward to seeing the kids on their third trip through, as David Purcey will pitch tomorrow and Ricky Romero Sunday against the A’s. Purcey needs to get it into the 6th inning on a regular basis if he’s going to stick around for a long time, and I think he can. As for Romero, he hasn’t done a thing wrong yet, and it’s been plenty exciting.
This whole thing has been plenty exciting, and I certainly hope the fans respond and come out this weekend, because the atmosphere is so much better down at the Dome when there are more than 12,000 people in the place. 75,000 for the weekend series? That’d be fantastic to see. Heck, we might even get the roof opened for one or both of the day games - they were testing it today.
Here’s tonight’s edition of The JaysTalk - not nearly as bad as it was last night.
Rational, reasonable comments are always welcome!
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mike i am getting VERY excited about this team.
- tomisMike,
Are you attending the Jays bbq this Wednesday?
Great to see such an exciting start to the year, but I would love to see Snider play every day even when he doesn’t matchup to the starting pitcher. Eventually his role will not be a platoon player so you might as well let him get used to it!
My one criticism is that you let some hapless callers waste way too much time on the JaysTalk!
MW: Sorry about that. I get a lot of criticism for not giving people enough rope…er…time. As far as I know, I won’t be at the meet-the-players thing-deal.
- EliHey Mike,
You’ve got to be in amazement why some people continue to be negative when things are going well - really well actually. I assume if they happen to beat all the odds and make the playoffs then none of the credit should go to J.P. for putting this team together - I simply shake my head at some of these people.
Anyway, what are your thoughts on Tallet’s Saturday start - pitch count and expectations? Also, is this just going to be a one-off or it’s his spot until further notice? I suspect some of it will depend on the kids in LV.
Keep up the good work!
MW: I would think they’d hope for about 4-5 innings, no more than 70 pitches. I don’t think it’s a one-off, but nor do I think it’s his spot for a long time.
- CameronHey Mike!
- Eric BLets enjoy this excitement - you are right.
If you are not excited because you see an 8-3 baseball team, be excited because this team is the only team since mid-march that has been over .500 in a meaningful part of the schedule (The Jays 10 game winning streak pushed us over last year). Leafs - never 5 games over…Raptors - never. TFC - never. Bills - never. Argos - never.
This is a city of not-so-good sports teams and to at least see a competitive, young, exciting first place team is awesome.
Even if they don’t make the playoffs or make a playoff push…watching these young pitchers and Lind and Snider is exciting as it is. 2010!
Eric
Mike, watching Travis Snider, he reminds me a lot of Halladay. They both seem totally committed to business, intense, and the ability to be in the zone. I believe that snider and halladay are cut from the same cloth, in terms of the above mentioned. For this reason, I can see Snider being a clutch hitter in this league. We know that he can hit the heck out of the ball, but many players in this league can. Its the players that can come through when it counts that are worth the big bucks. I see Snider as that type of guy. Anyhow, isn’t it sad that Halladay has not pitched in a single playoff game as of yet? Gives me a sick feeling to my stomach because I know for a fact that we haven’t seen Halladay at his best yet. The type of guy Halladay is, hard working, determined, work ethic, mental toughness, is what Halladay would be all about come playoff time.
Thanks Mike
- SteveHey Mike,
Just as a follow up to yesterdays question, you then see Rios leading off for this team potentially down the road? This line-up, provided everyone stays healthy really will be one that will be feared for years, and should be a lot of fun to watch.
Is it unreasonable to think Halladay may finish the season undefeated? :P
MW: I do see Rios eventually leading off, though I don’t think he’s especially well-suited for that role, because I think that Snider, Wells, Lind and Rolen have to eventually be the 3-6 hitters, assuming Rolen can stay healthy (a big assumption, I know).
- Matthew FabbricinoI’m not quite sure if somebody pointed this out during the post-game (I had trouble listening to the latter half), but I found it so ironic that Millar hit that grand slam. I hope you found this situation as interesting as I did: When he came up to the plate, I thought to myself, “hey I hope this doesn’t bite us in the butt like it did two nights ago”. I sure wasn’t as impulsive as last time seeing as how Cito made it clear that he won’t pinch hit for either Millar or Bautista. So obviously the first thing I thought of after that ball cleared the wall was… “I guess that was one of those ‘games down the raod’ Cito was talking about.” I mean Millar hit a grand slam against a right hander. Was it the confidence that Cito had in him? and, boy, did it ever come so quickly! Is it a coincidence that the very next game that that situation arised, Cito was proved right? I imagine that if Millar failed and we ended up losing the game….. I would’ve definitely heard a few outraged fans point it out, but I didn’t hear anyone mention it at all today! Anyway, in no way am I really suggesting that Cito certainly was the reason behind that hit, but it sure made me wonder at how effective his method really was. I think it was ironic that it happened just two games later when it was fresh in everybody’s mind. On the other hand, maybe it’s all in my head, it was just Millar’s lucky night! Pure coincidence!
MW: It’s a huge stretch to believe that Cito not pinch-hitting for Millar on Tuesday led to the slam tonight. I really hope you’re kidding.
- DeanMW: Why do so many people put an apostrophe in “Rios”? Seriously, I need to know.
To get your goat.
Rio’s’s bat will come around eventually.
- KenHello Mike,
Does it have to be double capitalized when one writes the words of “Grand Slam”? Is it your own special style or illegal to do so otherwise?
But great game again today we could see and to which we listen. Why though do people call onto your show and say that you say everything is a “coïncidence” or something like one person did say? It is sometime a funny thing for other people to listen to these strange callers but also annoying when they cannot hang the phone.
- Pierre from Blois
MW: Grand Slam doesn’t have to be capitalized. I wish I had the answer for the second part.
- Pierreanyway to set up a podcast through itunes so i can listen to jaystalk at work in Lincoln NE. Thanks Mike.
MW: Not as far as I know, but you can listen to it through the blog, no?
- kyleMike I’m glad you mentioned Millar and his familiarity with the knuckleball because the first thing I thought of when I saw him hit it out was - Wakefield. I love watching the Jays play in Fenway and it really bugs me every time Wakefield beats the Jays. I would love to see Millar stick it to the Red Sox a few times this year. (of course I don;t know how much sticking he has done to them while in Baltimore). At the very least I would think that some the hitters are going to benefit from Millar’s experience with the knuckler.
Oh ya the other phenominal result today…the Yankees get crushed in their opener. Wasn’t that sweet ?
MW: It was. I was kind of being tongue-in-cheek in referring to Wakefield, though. I don’t know how much help it is in hitting the knuckler to watch a guy throw it from first base.
- RezMichael of the Ballyard:
MW: First off, a Yankees message board isn’t the best place to get information, I don’t think. As to the points: 1 - I thought Murphy would finish it up, too. 2 - The point I made, and continue to make, is that he’s put together the best pitching and defense in the game over the last two years, and I would think that fact would earn the guy laurels, not darts. Some are better evaluators of pitching than hitting, but I don’t think that’s the case with Ricciardi. 3 - I think Snider eventually develops into a 3-hole hitter, more important than the clean-up guy. Rolen could hit fourth, that was the plan last year, what makes you think it’s impossible for him.
—
Seriously, I know you’re a journalist and stuff, but why isn’t the honest opinion of several Yankees’ fans good enough evidence that the Rays had taken mercy on them? I think, given reality (ie how good the Rays’ offense was and how bad the Yanks’ pitching was) it’s a very, very reasonable conclusion.
re: 3) I don’t think it’s impossible, it just doesn’t seem to be anyone’s conventional wisdom, and I couldn’t figure out why that was.
Anyways… to expand on your caller who went on about your thing with ‘coincidences’ (because I think he poorly articulated a good point), basically, by saying that the reason the Jays all suddenly performed dramatically better as soon as Gaston took over is because they just happened to start playing well, you’re dismissing ANYTHING to do with the coaching change as irrelevant — in effect, you’re saying it’s coincidencal.
And, basically, you’d need to agree that they would have all broken out at once exactly the same way they did under Cito had Gibbons & Co. hung around. I don’t think a reasonable person should honestly believe there is no connection between the timing of the coaching change and the breakout(s). How do you account for it? Coincidence?
MW: Not coincidence, but regression to the mean. Sure the coaching change had something to with it, these guys aren’t robots (except maybe Halladay), but as I said after that caller finished, I don’t believe that the change had nearly as much to do with it as so many others seem to, including that guy. The fact of the matter is that this is a good group of hitters and the responsibility for their performance lies with the players themselves. And the honest opinion of several Yankees fans is completely invalid when they’re speculating on the players’ states of mind. None of them could possibly know.
- JCLHey Mike
I’m sorry, but it drives me absolutely bananas when uneducated fans claim that JP has done a solid job at the draft table, it just isn’t true.
How many pitchers has JP drafted that have won 15 games ?
How many hitters has he selected that had a batting average over .300 ? (with more than 150 atbats please)
How many hitters has he drafted who put up an OBP over .400 ?
How many hitters has he selected that went on to become good power hitters, or even hit over 20 bombs ?
How many guys did he draft that ever stole 30 bases ?
How many players has he drafted that won an MVP, Cy Young or Rookie of the Year award? Actually, how many players has he drafted that ever made an allstar team?
The answer to all these questions my friends is ZERO.
Please stop celebrating the fact that he has drafted a few guys that fill out the back of the rotation or just make the team. Some point out that he missed out on Tulowitski but that could happen to anyone. Here is a list of STAR players that have been selected in the draft since 2002 :
BJ Upton, Zack Grienke, Prince Fielder, Jeff Francis, Joe Saunders, Nick Markakis, Cole Hamels, Curtis Granderson, Scott Kazmir, Nick Swisher, Jeremy Guthrie, Jeff Francouer, Joe Blanton, Matt Cain, Brian McCann, Jon Lester, Jonathan Broxton, Conor jackson, Carlos Quentin, Chad Billingsley, Andre Ethier, Jonathan Papelbon, Matt Kemp, Justin Verlander, Dustin Pedroia, Hunter Pence, Yovanni Gallardo, Jay Bruce, Jacoby Ellsbury, Ryan Braun, Yunel Escobar, Evan Longoria, Joba Chamberlain and Tim Lincecum.
Plenty of 15-20 games winners, .300+ batting averages, even Cy Young/Rookie of the Year and MVP winners. And how many of these guys did he have an opportunity to draft ? 80%.
The minor league system has consistently ranked in the bottom third in all of baseball year after year by all publications that track the prospects. Hopefully Snider, Lind, Cecil and Arrencibia will help change this trend but when he examine the facts only the uneducated could possibly claim JP has been good at selecting players.
MW: Your last statement is patently false. There are some very, very good players in the system and in the major leagues drafted by J.P., and he has also turned several of his draft picks into good major leaguers. You mention the Cy Young/MVP winners and rookies of the year, and you’re talking about Fielder, Pedroia, Braun, Verlander, Lincecum and Longoria. How many of them did Ricciardi have the opportunity to draft? One. Pedroia. And every other big-league team passed on him, too, most of them twice.
- rickAnd to say that Ricciardi had an opportunity to draft 80% of these guys is just a flat-out lie. The first 14 on your list went in the first round of 2002 (his first draft, but why give a guy a bit of leeway in his first draft, right?). Upton, Grienke, Fielder, Francis and Saunders were all taken before the Jays’ first pick, and Markakis, Hamels, Kazmir, Swisher, Guthrie, Franceour, Blanton and Cain were all taken before the Jays’ second pick. So the Jays could have had NONE of the first five, and ONE of the next eight. Your disingenuousness is not well-taken.
I certainly thought it was a coincidence, but a pleasant one for Cito! Of course I don’t really believe it, I still would rather see Snider or even Overbay pinch hitting in that situation any day of the week as well, but it can be argued, I guess by people that blindly back up Cito, that that’s the proof right there and that it backs-up Cito’s methods! I also thought it was interesting that no one mentioned it, while as I said before, everybody would’ve been all over Cito again for that move if we ended up losing somehow. You must admit that you might’ve even pointed it out if they lost and suggested that he should’ve pinch hit for Millar against a righty AGAIN! Wouldn’t you?
MW: Maybe, but it’s different with a knuckleballer and it was already a four-run lead. Very different situation than Tuesday’s.
- DeanSo in reply to your comment, Yes! I was kidding.
- DeanMW: it was at least three years before Werth actually got good.
This is simply wrong. He played in Toronto in 2004 and put up an .824 OPS for the Dodgers in 326 plate appearances in 2005. And then he posted .863 and .861 OPS seasons with the Phillies.
MW - You’re also dealing in rumour with the Lilly/Wright.
You should tell Peter Gammons that, his interview with JP was published on ESPN’s web site in 2004. And JP would have been the first to squawk if he hadn’t actually made those comments.
MW - Also, Ricciardi doesn’t have a negative image in front offices around baseball, I don’t know why everyone thinks that.
I didn’t say anything about front offices. And how would know what other front offices thought of JP. If they thought he was a jerk, they certainly wouldn’t be coming to Toronto and telling you that. Beeston’s comments on Prime Time regarding JP’s future in Toronto were rather telling.
MW: What, that the new president will get to pick his own guy? Yes, telling indeed. Of nothing. Werth’s numbers that you cite were as a part-time player.
- KenMW - and the Jays’ current OFs are better than Werth.
That’s nice to know. But last season Stewart (628 OPS), Mench (678 OPS, and Wilkerson (634 OPS) played the outfield for the Blue Jays and Werth (861 OPS) didn’t.
MW: But you wouldn’t have been happy if J.P. had signed an injury-prone Werth to a long-term deal before he hit free agency so that he’d have been a Blue Jay last year, would you?
- KenI thought out of all people you’d be the first to pick up on the subtle sarcasm!
MW: I was hoping, but you never know.
- DeanMike i just wanted to say you do a great job on the post/pregame, Jays this week and especially this blog.
Also wanted to let you know Mike that we all really appreciate you replying to all these comments.
I can tell that you put a lot of work into this especially since you do the pre/post game, a few radio segments then come home and post a new blog at 12:00 AM to go along with answering even more questions.
MW: Thanks.
- MikeMike, what happened to my post about the Clemens book? I’m only joking about the golf clubs. I’m serious when I say that the comments in the book about Toronto’s baseball appeal upset me.
MW: You couldn’t have seriously expected me to answer that comment, though.
- MBBMichael of the Ballyard:
MW: Not coincidence, but regression to the mean. Sure the coaching change had something to with it, these guys aren’t robots (except maybe Halladay), but as I said after that caller finished, I don’t believe that the change had nearly as much to do with it as so many others seem to, including that guy. The fact of the matter is that this is a good group of hitters and the responsibility for their performance lies with the players themselves.
—-
Your differenciation between regression to the mean and coincidence is meaningless. You can call it anything you’d like — regression to the mean, dramatic improvement, sudden outburst, the point is that in order for you to contend that the manager has a minimal to non existent impact on the team’s performance, the *timing* of what happened (the dramatic improvement) must be complete coincidence.
You’ve already agreed that this is not true and the managerial change had at least something to do with the colossal turn around. Seeing as you believe that a manager’s role is limited, yet in this case a managerial change had an impact of some size that dramatically altered the team’s success, I think it has to be clear that making the coaching change was the right move, and it should have been done earlier. And just because I know you’d do this to someone you disagreed with, I have to point out that there were *lots* of people last summer who believed early on that a managerial change would dramatically improve things.
MW: There certainly were, but I don’t see when it could have come earlier. A week, maybe? Everyone who was calling for John Gibbons’ head for the last three years seems to forget that the Jays were 20-10 in May last year. Do you fire the manager when you’re in the middle of a 20-10 run? That’s ridiculous. Could you have expected the Jays to have a better May if Gibbons had been fired at the end of April? Of course not. So they start June 4-7, is that when you pull the trigger? If you do, Cito’s here a week earlier. And I’ll submit, too, that there’s a difference between a managerial change shaking up the atmosphere around a team, either putting pressure on or taking pressure off somehow, and that’s why so many teams have a bump in performance when such a change is made. It’s not as much who takes over as the fact that the change is made.
- JCLHello Mike,
I have often disagreed with you in the past and have voiced that here. Having said that, I find you an incredibly compelling radio performer and I find the blog irresistible. And I will continue to feel this way, I’m sure, no matter how you respond to this.
So now comes the ‘however’ part. As I read your thoughts, I simply can’t understand why you are so unsympathetic to fans who hate Ricciardi. It’s obviously silly to suggest firing him now, and what the Jays are currently doing is very very exciting. And I accept that you like and respect him for a variety of reasons, not the least being that you know him as a person to some degree, certainly better than the average fan.
We could spend hours upon hours debating his record as a General Manager without convincing each other of anything. There is no black and white issue here. However, there are two things about him that are undeniable:
1. The Jays have not been a contender in the 8 years he has been here. You’ve often provided a perfectly logical and reasonable explanation (defence?) for that, but the fact remains he hasn’t accomplished much yet. It’s not unreasonable to see fans be frustrated with him for those reasons, even if this year may turn all that around eventually. The Jays had an incredibly successful 10-year period between 1983 and 1993. Maybe we were all spoiled by that, but I bet you most of the Ricciardi-haters here have a good memory of that and have set the bar very high for him.
2. When you combine 1. with his media style, it’s obvious that his arrogance has been his own worst enemy. You’ve defended the more positive aspects of that style — his forthrightness, his access, his self-confidence. Fair enough. But most people are put off by arrogance on the job when it’s not accompanied with much that justifies it.
One last thing. Fair or not, I would bet the entire net worth of MLSE that a gentleman who reminds me very much of Ricciardi, Brian Burke (is it their New England roots???), will be crucified by the media and the fans here, if the Leafs’ “accomplishments” over HIS first seven year will be similar to those of J.P. I’m a Jays’ fan and hope that their early season success continues thereby changing the minds of all the Ricciardi-haters. But until then, to paraphrase Yogi Berra, if the people coming to the ballbark don’t want to like J.P., you can’t — nor should you — stop them!
Alex
P.S. Is it true that J.P. stands for Juan Pedro?
MW: No, it’s not. You have put forth two very good arguments as to why so many fans want Ricciardi gone. The problem is, those things shouldn’t be reasons why Ricciardi’s bosses want him gone. The people above Ricciardi understand the circumstances behind the Blue Jays not being in the playoffs the last eight years and understand how far out of Ricciardi’s control that is. They also don’t care enough about his arrogance in order to make it a fireable offence. I don’t understand why the fact that Ricciardi is perceived as arrogant is connected so much with his ability to build a team. I’m completely with you on Brian Burke, and that reaction would be far more justifiable. Let’s not forget that TWICE as many teams make the playoffs in the NHL as do in baseball. If the Jays only had to finish in the top 8 of the American League to qualify for the post-season, J.P. would be revered here.
- Alexwhat’s up Mike??
Great win but I expected it with halladay on the mound…I’m pleasently surprised at Marco Scuttero at lead off this year…I know you like Overbay at leadoff but you think Scuttero can pull it off the whole year by any chance??
P.S…& you know the reason not to get to hyped is because the higher the hype/expectations, the bigger the disapointment it is if it doesn’t happen…That is why fan don’t want to get too hyped by the way.
MW: I know, but there’s nothing wrong with enjoying it while it’s happening, which so many people seem not to get. I don’t think Scutaro can pull this off all year long, he’s never given any indication that it’s within his capabilities.
- Dominic NHello Mike, I luv this Jays talk, everybody was positive. Lets not Cito bash anymore even if they loose a game ’cause of his ‘i-f’ decisions..Anyways, just want to say that I don’t know if it’s just me but this season is shaping up like a Cinderella year for the Jays…haha…You look at how many times they are coming back from behind & everybody is healthy for once. I know you don’t believe in stuff that is not related to stats but I am a firm believer at the baseball gods & they owe us for the last 2 seasons for the horrible luck…So I think they have to give us at least a Tampa Bay like season of last year…What do you think about that??
MW: You already know what I think about that.
- David fuHi Mike.. I am a 20 per-cent guy.. I evaluate every imaginable stat after 32.4 games and work off of that. Right now though, the JAYS are pounding it, and you know this will be a hit and miss deal over the long haul but it shows everybody that it is in there bank if they slide a bit.. And speaking about the bank.. Look at the roster for 2010.. Thats 74 per- cent J.P’s work.. I am a BLUE-JAY junkie and the only deals I did not like was the money they paid Frank, NOT THE SIGNING.. They could have got him for half the price on a one year.. Even if he matches his numbers which I think was 39 homers and getting walked and cloggin’ the bases.. It was not a good deal from the begining.. The other one was he nickle and dimed Reed Johnson on Shannon Stewarts ability.. It worked out to be a 1.5 million difference..Mike ,that being said, I feel that the club is big-time upside thanks to J.P. and I was wondering why you dont fire out stats about other GM’s that have been around awhile, and they are not in the play-offs, and they got similiar pay-rolls .. The next time a caller starts talkin’ about J.P’s record , Start fillin’ them in with other G.Ms over the years… Can you try that one ? THANKS..
MW: I don’t think there are any other GMs in their 8th year who haven’t been in the playoffs. It’s a lot easier to make the playoffs in the other five divisons. And there’s no such thing as clogging the bases.
- FLIPPERI think its extra awesome that the Jays are playing so well on the road, that was not a strong point of the team even under Cito last year.
- J.RWhen do should I start believing that this offence is for real? Their offence is
much like the stock market, I’m not sure if I’m all in yet.
MW: They’re not going to score seven runs a game all year.
- lukeTesting the roof?
- slobberfaceniiiice!
Its going to be cool to see Holliday this weekend.
Zigler is fun too.
Its also enjoyable to call juisan Ziambi a juicer.
Mike, you stubborn SOB.
How can you not say coaches don’t make a difference!? This is one the most craziest things I heard form any adult.
Almost any school student will list a teacher that made a difference in their life, some a life changing difference.
MLB managers(and staff) are like teachers of a class(of course to a lesser degree a this level). They’re responsible for team performance and team unity. If a batter or pitcher falls away from his talent (or attitude), it’s their job to correct that, that’s really what they are there for, not line up cards and pinch hitters. Some teams that will be critical other teams will not as much.
There are a 100 reasons that make a good team. Managers are just one whose importance can vary depending on the team.
And Mike, talk to the GM’s of “championship” teams in MLB (and NBA, NHL ) the last 20 years, I’ll give you 5$ for every one who claims the manager/coaches didn’t make any difference.
Absolutely ridiculous.
Plus it’s common knowledge that coaches get tuned out after a certain term(which seems to be one of your blind arguments, ”why then are coaches/managers fired?”). Only a skilled few are an exception the that rule.
MW: There has been a movement afoot for decades to deify coaches and managers as though they have this great control over whether their teams win or lose. The truth is, they don’t, and anyone who is honest will admit as much. If you don’t have the horses, it doesn’t matter how good a coach/manager you are, you’re not going to win. Tommy Lasorda won the World Series with a 1988 Dodgers group that had no business being there, which makes him a great manager with tremendous influence and ability and all that, right? Then why did his Dodgers win 73 games in each of the two seasons prior and 77 games the season after? Had they tuned him out before AND after? Of course there are teachers and coaches who make a grand difference in the lives of their young charges, but they don’t all do it, and the same ones don’t do it for all the kids. Regardless, dealing with professional athletes is a LOT different than dealing with any other group that one would teach or coach.
To quote one-time WKRP star Sparky Anderson: “I don’t believe a manager ever won a pennant. Casey Stengel won all those pennants with the Yankees. How many did he win with the Boston Braves and Mets?” Or, also from Sparky: “The players make the manager, it’s never the other way.”
- eddyI had a lot of fun last night listening to Jerry and Ashby. I was going to Acton and if you’ve been on highway 25, it’s pitch black at night. Got a flat in the middle of nowhere. CAA took 35 minutes to arrive and that’s when Jays scored all those runs in one innings. It just can’t get any better. A girlfriend on the passenger seat would have made things a bit more exciting, but hey I am not complaining. It was a good night.
MW: Glad we could keep you company.
- BeburgDon’t look now, but Marco Scutaro is tied for the team lead in home runs with 3…
MW: Or 4………
- DanielNice use of the Quote from MacBeth well done good sir. Is it just me or Does Rios look like he is trying to crush the ball every time he’s at the plate? I can see what your saying about him not fitting the leadoff role.
MW: I don’t see that from Rios.
- SmittyMike,
A quick story about JP. He lived in Oakville his first couple of years as GM. From time to time I would bump into him while he was walking his kids; we lived in the same neighborhood. He always had time to chat about baseball.
Let’s give the guy a break. One he is a real good guy and two he has stocked the system with quality arms and is building depth in the “bats” now. He has done a GREAT job.
I would like to meet this GM writers and callers allude to that has never missed on a draft pick?
Lastly, please people just enjoy this start!
- Tony from OakvilleI actually think it’s great that the Jays do have room for improvement and aren’t playing this well as a result of every single player performing way above their capabilities. Rios is bound to start hitting, Hill isn’t going to bobble away two potential double plays routinely, Scutaro went 0-10 at one point, and Lind seems to have forgotten what an RBI is. Nevertheless, when those who are hitting go through their lumps these guys and others will hopefully balance the whole thing out and the team will keep on playing well as a unit.
The other thing that stands out is the Jays’ hitting with 2 outs this year. I haven’t looked at the stats (hint hint), but it sure seems like they score the majority of their runs when they are up with only one out to play with.
MW: Going into Friday’s game, the Jays are hitting a ridiculous .365/.492/.673 with two out and runners in scoring position.
- VavaOh yeah, my whole family will be there for Sunday’s game and I hope the roof IS open and the place is packed!
- VavaMike,
To second a comment above, you need your IT guys to set the Jaystalk up as a podcast or a downloadable file so we can listen to it on the move. If they can do it for Prime Time Sports they can do it for you.
Keep up the good work.
- MurphyHi Mike,
Great win.It is the players who do most of the lifting you are right.Last year I think that if the players we all hitting and the team was winning then the pitching coach would not have had an effect onthem.But things went bad and by instilling his philosphy or trying to he made a bad year get worse because when A player thinks to much at the plate he is already out.
MW: Huh?
- marioCito Gaston has had a great managerial career to this point. I’m not going to critique anything he does anymore even if it boggles my mind. I really liked John Gibbons. I thought he was a good manager but it has to be more then a complete coincidence that the team became more successful the very moment Cito took over. I’m going to try not to get frustrated when teams pitch around Snider and Scutaro is his protection. I’ll try to not complain when Overbay weakly flails away at strike 3 in one run games against lefty specialists like Howell, Shouse, Okajima, Javier Lopez, and Damaso Marte. The fact is the team is 59-40 under Cito and that projects to a 96 win season. I’m going to enjoy this while it lasts. I predicted a 75 win season and while an 8 game barometer should not be enough to change my mind, it has, and my prediction is now more along the line of yours, an 81-85 win season. We don’t have a crystal ball, but if Rolen plays 140 games, Snider hits 30 bombs, and Rios has a 30HR, 25SB season, then there is reason for optimism. Snider is far more advanced then I though. I was predicting a 15HR 65RBI .240 AVG .300 OBA and 150 strikeouts from him. I think he climbed up the organization way too fast and was expecting some growing pains. While we still may see some growing pains, because everybody slumps, he is far better then I thought he was at this point in his career. In fact I think he will have a better rookie season then Ken Griffey Jr. had and perhaps a season along the same lines as Griffeys 3rd season when he was same age as Snider.
- DomenickMike,
Can’t question the playing time so far, it has worked. I’m wondering when it comes to Snider and him not playing against lefties right now, how long has his longest season been games wise? I think Cito is letting him get acclamated to the big league life and not wanting to pile a bunch of games on the kid.
I love our ‘pen. If the starters can go at least 6 every night, and throw in the occasional 8 innings or complete game, then this would far exceed expectations going into the year. It will also lead to a whole lot of W’s.
Jays have only given up 7 runs the last 3 games. I know we are leading the league in offence, but many people tend to forget that the Jays are also one of the best defensive teams out there. Exciting team to watch. I, like you, hope people show up to the games this week. The mid week attendance will show alot of how interested fans are.
Let’s just hope this keeps rolling. Yanks and Sox could be in trouble with their pitching.
- Aaron KerA 6′3″ person cannot hit a baseball when crouching down to 5′2″. Sit him and let him grow up.
MW: Huh?
- Richard FinkHi Mike,
Its fuinny, the other night, I leave my house for a little while to run an errand for my wife with the Twins leading 2-0 and when I get back, its 12-2 Jays. Last night, I left my house with the Jays leading 2-1 also to go run an errand for my wife and when I return, its 9-1! Hilarious and boy am I loving it. That is 19 runs my wife has made me miss (its OK, she comes first). This offence is relentless and seemingly can score at will and in bunches. It kind of reminds me of the 1993 team.
last night, I heard that a NY newspaper was reporting that the Mets will try to acquire Roy Halladay is the Jays are in a position to deal. You know, I really think Doc’s value goes even further beyond is obvious status as the most efficient, dominant picther in baseball. His value also comes from the example he sets for the young pitchers and even the vets (case in point: AJ Burnett). His work ethic is well documented and his intensity is so obvious when he is on the mound. I think Doc is clearly the leader of this team and the heart of the team. He may not be overly vocal, but he leads by example. it seems every young pitcher always mentions him in glowing terms. I really hope he signs, but I tell you, if he goes to another team, there is not a better acquisition and he would not only improve the pitching staff immensely, he may even have a huge effect on some of the teams underachieving vets or young pitchers. I love Roy Halladay, plain and simple. I love him deeply (in a baseball fan, that is)
- IanJust wondering about next years rotation. Right now I’m guessing it’ll be 5 of Halladay, McGowan, Marcum, Purcey, Romero and Cecil (not to mention Litsch)
Which has the potential to be awesome.
But I was wondering, Any 5 of these 7 would make a rotation of pitchers all initially drafted by the Jays… Has this happened before for a rotation.. no free agents, no players gained by trade. Can’t be that common.
Also says a hell of a lot about the Jays recent success in drafting pitchers.
MW: Don’t forget about Janssen and Mills. I’m sure it’s happened often before, but honestly, I don’t have the time to research it.
- JamesFurther to your conversation with Dean and the whole thing with pinch hitting… I thought it was a very rare player that could come in cold off the bench and hit as well as he would if he was starting. In fact I thought on average pinch hitters had a much lower average than starters. For this reason pinch hitting always seemed to me to be a sign of desperation unless you had a Tony Fernandez on the bench. Is there no truth to this?
MW: Pinch-hitters probably have a lower average (and other numbers taht mean much more) than starters, because the starters are better, and that’s why they’re starters.
- Jay D AHi Mike
I am really enjoying this ride. It certainly looks like the offence production of 2006 is back.
I also think there is going to be an interesting battle in the AL this year and that is between Doc and AJ for the AL Cy Young. Doc is 3-0 and I bet AJ goes 3-0 in his next start. I am predicting it will go to one of those two
MW: It’s awfully early. Burnett has never been close to a Cy Young candidate in his career.
- Richard from ARI’m just wondering, but do you think using Dickey for the third time in four days was maybe asking for trouble? I always thought half of the problem hitting knuckleballs was that they were something you didn’t see very often.
MW: I think that even if you see them plenty, you still can’t hit good ones. Maybe Dickey was tired and that caused his knuckler to flatten, but it’s not a pitch that puts a lot of strain on a pitcher’s arm, so knuckleballers usually don’t require much rest.
- Greg WI don’t understand the negative vibe coming from some of the comments here. The Jays have exceeded my expectations for the club so far this year. I have never been a fan of JP but it has nothing to do with his draft record or the players he brought here. The teams he has assembled have been exciting. The thing that gets to me and I think most others who are not happy with JP is his apparent attitude towards the city and its fans. I don’t know if it is a reality but he seems standoffish more often than not when talking to the media (and thus the fans through the media). Perhaps he has reason to(or it is a misconception) but I think that is the core of the fans frustration with JP. Go Jays GO and keep up the good work Mike.
MW: I agree that that’s the reason most fans don’t like J.P., but it doesn’t have anything to do with his ability to do the job. No one thought anything of Pat Gillick living in Toronto while he was G.M. of the Mariners, or Pat Quinn living in Vancouver when he was G.M. of the Maple Leafs.
- D.A Mitchellmichael,
i can’t lie, this is becoming somewhat embarrassing how far off the mark i was when i had the blue jays for a 109 wins with my prediction on your blog on the morning of opening day.
what are they on pace for now anyway?
my biggest mistake it seems was not figuring on scutaro becoming the best lead off hitter/ss in mlb.
but seriously michael what in god’s name is going on right now? didn’t we all decide last yr. that the gm of this fantastic franchise was somewhat decent at evaluating pitching talent but seemed to have no clue whatsoever on judging good major league hitters.
wasn’t that the general consensus of the baseball fans in this city on our man j.p. ? that’s how i remember it…
MW: You also no doubt remember me being called a shill and an apologist for insisting that these guys could hit.
- darrell bishopHi Mike,
No more WWJP? No more Saturday tent?
I’m sad.
Thanks,
Jeff in London
MW: Sorry.
- JeffPhillip from Toronto at the 12 minute mark is the call of the year.
- slobberfaceawesome call.
the 2 of you were awesome on that one.
Chemistry.
Mike, can you put a download feature on the jaystalk podcast so fans can listen to it on their ipods. Thanks.
- KyleWow - how nice is this to have a winning team in Toronto for a change. Living with the Leafs and the Raptors this past season was no fun at all. Thanks to the Jays for turning things around as to that “good feeling” sports can bring us.
Regardless of whether this continues all season long or is just an early season burst, it is sure nice to have this “winning feeling”!
It doesn’t matter what the Jays do for some who call into your show. Some, just don’t get it and likely never will - having MLB in your city is a privlige - ENJOY the game people.
I was so ticked off the other night hearing that pessimistic guy call in and tell everyone to wake up - this is a last place team blah, blah, blah - so glad you cut him off Mike! What a waste of good air time that was. Take care.
Thank you.
- Bob from BurlingtonM-Dub,
- slobberfaceyou need to start calling Phillip once in awhile to return the favour.
When Kevin Millar came up to bat with the bases loaded, and facing a knuckle baller - I said “grand slam” all the way - no kidding! This guy is a fantastic knuckle ball hitter.
Mike, you mentioned Millar learning from Wakefield - no kidding, he has a .474 average with two home runs in 19 career at bats against him. He once had something like an 18 pitch at bat against Wakefield! Millar believes in the old theory, if it’s high, let it fly, if it’s low, let it go.
Hitting against knuckle ballers myself many years ago - I learned to treat it like slow pitch, look for the arc and go for the home run everytime.
I was sorry to see Millar leave Boston for Baltimore 3 years ago! However I was very excited to see him sign with the Blue Jays. One of my favs during his time in “Bean Town” and I believe he will become a home town favorite in Toronto this season!
As sports fans (baseball)It sure is nice to be able to voice our opinions once in a while with regard to sports, and even a bigger bonus to have a response once in a while from the author of the blog. I hope all who comment, be it negative or positive appreciate it!
Thanks again for the opportunity to do so Mike.
- Bob from BurlingtonHey Mike,
Any chance we will see a podcast of this show soon?
MW: No idea.
- Andrew LennoxHey Mike, heres a question for you…..When was the last time you MISSED a Jays game?
MW: Last September. I don’t work the High Holidays, so I’m guaranteed to miss three or four games a year.
- RandyM.W. ” A long, long way away before WE really know what type of team WE have here.”
Is there something your callers and bloggers don’t know? You have ownership of this team but we don’t?
MW: No, we all do. We’re just not members of the team.
- Dan from ElmvaleWhy Tallet and not the kids in LV?
Where is Jannsen, in the minors or extended spring training?
(I apologize if these were already addressed, I missed a lot of the comments over Passover.)
MW: You can always go back and read ‘em! They’ve been addressed several times.
- Steve from NJLove the show, keep it up!
- BertI have a question for Ken - who would you like to see as the GM of the ball club? I’m sure they’d be perfect in every way and I am curious where you find those types.
By the way who cares about Jason Werth - what’s done is done. At his best he’s only ever driven in 67 runs yet you make him out to be the second coming of Hammerin’ Hank. Oh and the last time I checked Jason Frasor is a pretty important guy in the bullpen.
Get over it son.
- CameronDon’t worry Mike, in my opinion you’re 11-0 this season! (maybe 10-1 because of that one sick day)
- ProvanDid Cliff Lee murder your children?
That is the only reason I can think of why you would keep bashing the crap out of him day after day.
Cliff won the Cy Young last year, Roy didn’t. Get over it. I don’t know why you are so concerned if a multi-millionaire athlete (who makes more money per start than you do in 5 years) has another trophy to put on his mantle. You seem to be losing more sleep over this than Roy.
You said something the other day that would have been funny, if it weren’t so pathetically ridiculous. You said, “Roy Halladay is the best in the business and has been for a long time, although Cliff Lee supporters would have you believe otherwise.” Are you kidding me, Mike? Do you seriously think there are people out there that actually think Cliff is better than Roy? Even the biggest Indians fans and Cliff’s mom would have to concede Roy is better than Cliff.
The baseball writers thought that Cliff had a better year LAST YEAR and only last year.
Stop with the Cliff bashing already. It is enough. At this point, you just sound stupid.
MW: No, you sound stupid.
- MikeNot to look too far ahead, but it the Jays might finally catch a bit of a break with Texas next week. Jays should miss both Millwood (arguably the Rangers “Ace”) and especially Padilla. Even though Padilla just sucks against the rest of the AL, he’s often been nails against the Jays the last few years. I think he even beat Doc in a home game last year early in the season.
Anyway, feasting on the dregs of the Texas rotation should provide a good chance to finally beat these bums at home - they always seem to the Jays trouble. Jays will still have to pitch their hitters tough though.
MW: We shall see.
- JamieMike…totally not a baseball comment here, but…could you ask your commenters to please stop pluralizing ‘Anyways’! Look it up in the dictionary, it’s not there. Sorry, it just drives me nust!
Anyway, I hope the Jays keep this up, sure is fun to watch!
MW: They don’t like when I correct their grammar and spelling.
- MarlsMike,
Can you please stop begging people to go to the ballpark? It is just embarrassing when I read your blog or hear you on the radio saying, “It would be great to see more than 11,000 down at the Dome.” Baseball is dead in this city. In fact it was never really alive. The only reason the Jays broke all of those attendance records and drew over 4 million 3 years in a row (and almost 4) is because SkyDome (I will NEVER call it the new name) was new and the team was great. Then the team became awful and the novelty of the Dome wore off and PRESTO…. 11,000 a night.
People were just going to Jays games back then because it was the place to be. The vast majority of those people knew nothing about baseball anyway. I listen to your show all the time. For crying out loud, how many times has one of your callers said “back catcher” and you had to politely tell them that there is no such position? Even your own radio station’s website had the headline “Cito Gaston hired as new Jays COACH”. Let me repeat, that was on the homepage of the FAN590’s website. Of course, it was changed after a few hours with no reference to the mistake. If the people who run your website (who are presumably very knowledgeable about sports) don’t know the difference between a coach and a manager, then how can the rest of the Canadian fans be expected to understand the game.
This team will never draw until it wins. There are only 2 ways for a team to get huge crowds on a consistent basis. That is to win a lot or to open a new ballpark. (That is, unless you are the Cubs). The Jays ain’t opening a new park, so that leaves only one option. Even if the Jays make the playoffs this year, I still don’t think the crowds will come because people want the Jays to show them first. The crowds will come the year AFTER they win.
Just accept that there will be small crowds down there for a long time to come.
MW: There’s certainly something to what you’re saying, though not to the extent that baseball is “dead” in this city. I’d like to draw your attention to the fact that attendance has risen each of the last six seasons, and the Jays averaged over 26,000 per game last year. More people attend Jays games than any other Toronto sports franchise.
- RandyHey Mike,
80% is not accurate on my part (#13), however i still ask, has JP ever drafted a player that has hit .300, OR put up a .400 OBP, OR 20 homers, OR stolen 30 bags, OR won 15 games OR made an allstar team ?
No, he has not. Which is a clear illustration that he has missed the mark in many drafts.
I’m not saying he is the worst GM in baseball, because he is not. But he is not one of the better ones either, and when you consider the disadvantages the Jays deal with (the big spending Yanks and BoSox, combined with the canadian dollar), i think you need an exception GM to compensate. There is nothing exceptionable about JP. If he was as good as people claim this team would have been in contention for a playoff spot at least once or twice over the last 8 years.
MW: Awesome, you make a big huge point with a colossal lie, get called on it, and just come back with “I wasn’t accurate”. Awesome.
- rickMW:”Very different situation than Tuesday’s.”
Mike, when you use the adjective ‘different’ in an unmodified way, it is never followed by the comparative adverb ‘than’. You need to use ‘from’ because ‘different’ is not comparative but descriptive, like ‘blue’ or ‘fast’. You wouldn’t say ‘Aaron Hill is fast than Frank Thomas’.
I hope the Jays keep up the great work and kick butt so as to dampen those extremely irritating comments about Ricciardi’s perfomance. In your opinion, would Pat Gillick have done any better a job if he found himself in the same financial and competitive circumstances? If I remeber correctly, Gillick, who I believe did a phenomenal job by the way, was general manager during a period in which both the Yankees and Red Sox were pretty stinky teams, and what’s more is his budget was not nearly as limited as J.P.’s has been.
MW: I’ll take the grammatical info under advisement, I’d never heard that before. It’s impossible to know how Pat Gillick would have done in the same circumstances, but he could be the best there’s ever been.
- FabioHi Mike,
Last year you could not comprehend why Cito was so “obsessed” with Marco Scutaro and playing this “average” player every day. Do you comprehend it now? Are you surprised by his play at leadoff and his ability to defend the SS position? I think Cito is a very good judge of talent and he knew what he had in Scoot. Have we found our leadoff man?
MW: Last year Marco Scutaro didn’t play like this, he never had in his entire career, and he’s 33. Of course I’m surprised, and so is anyone who has been watching baseball the past 10 years. Don’t kid yourself.
- MateoMike,
Re “Trader” J.P.’s handiwork:
MW: Nope, not one. Certainly not Marco Scutaro, Jason Frasor, Brian Tallet, John McDonald, Justin Speier or Eric Hinske, just to name a couple. (sic)
C’mon, Mike, every one of these names is a fringe player (unless Scutaro continues to hit like Honus Wagner);it is an unimpressive and peripheral group when considering the Big Picture.
Also, if Overbay is indeed going to be reduced to a platoon player (none too soon - if he MUST play at all) does this not show a lack of judgement on J.P.’s part? Surely he was not signed to that lucrative contract (which makes him untradeable) with a future platoon role in mind?
MW: Overbay isn’t signed to an incredibly lucrative contract - he makes $8 million a year. I realize the ridiculosity of that statement, but it’s all relative. As for you quoting me about the trades, why not quote the question that I answered, too.
- KenMike.
I hope the Jays hot bats will continue against Oakland’s 3 starters who, to be honest, I’ve never heard of, Josh Outman, Trevor Cahill, and Dallas Braden. Not exactly Catfish Hunter, Vida Blue, Dave Stewart, Barry Zito, or Mark Mulder. They’re batting order is soild so hope the Jays pitchers are on their game this weekend.
I hope you’ll get Kelly Gruber on the broadcast tonight. Thanks Mike.
Peter, St.Catharines
MW: At one point, you hadn’t heard of any of those guys, either. And I will get Gruber on tonight!
- PeterOne guy who has really caught my attention has been Ricky Romero. I know its only been two starts but I’m really looking forward to seeing him pitch against Oakland on Sunday. Good composure when working out of a jam. With a developing young arm, what areas does he need to improve upon?
MW: He just needs to stay in control and keep throwing strikes.
- ScottI sometimes wonder what your opinion of J.P. would be if you didn’t work for the same company that owns the Jays.
By the way I find it humourous when you play Mr.Manager and point out how things should be done? I guess since you have zero rings your way in managing players is alot better than Citos
MW: So only those who have won a World Series are allowed to comment on the decisions of one who has?
- CoreyMike, I think a good analogy to use for how early it is would be an NBA basketball game. Essentially the Jays have an 8-3 lead with 3:30 seconds elapsed in the first quarter. Sure its a nice start, but anyone who has watched an NBA basketball game knows it sure doesn’t mean a heck of a lot.
As for the upcoming series, the A’s are starting two lefties (friday and sunday). Do you see Cito sitting Travis for those two games (at least not starting him). That means he would have only started 4 out of the last six games. I dont think thats good for a young player who needs to be in there alot, especially early in the year. Wouldn’t Cito’s “lose one now to win two later” moto more aptly apply to letting Travis perhaps struggle some against lefties early, leading to more success later?
MW: You’d think so. I don’t like your NBA analogy, though, it’s too easy to stop the clock late to catch up.
- General ZodMike:
Are you at the Rogers Centre when you cover the Jays games? Or, are you back at Fan building viewing the actual broadcast while listening to Jerry and Alan call the game? I am sorry for this question…it is below my standards.
MW: I’m at the ballpark for home games, in the studio for road games.
- JoelCould doc win 30 games?
MW: It’s highly unlikely. He’s human, don’t forget.
- Brett VTough teams next two series. Scott Richmond starting against a murderous Rangers lineup. Do you think he can be successful?
MW: He’s never allowed more than three runs in any game in his career, so maybe.
- ChrisOf course we don’t want to put Snider under too much pressure, nothing like building confidence slowly, but wouldn’t this be a good time to start giving him some ABs against left-handers?
With the offense clicking so well, he’s got some backup if it’s needed. It’s certainly a better situation for getting that kind of experience than if the team was struggling to score and he felt more pressure to contribute.
I was thrilled with his pinch hit last night. Game’s over, first time off the bench, maybe a little loss of focus…and he smacks the ball hard. It sure impressed Alan Ashby, who commented, “How do you spell stud? S-n-i-d-e-r!”
- Steve in HHmike will the 10 questions with roy halliday be posted on fan590.com anytime soon?
thanks
MW: It should have been posted by now.
- nickIn Yank-Clev game, Clev pitcher Lee left with score tied after 6 ins .. Why did he get win ?
MW: Because the Indians took the lead before Lee’s replacement entered the game. Lee didn’t actually leave until after the top of the 7th.
- Chas CalzAlex Rios has picked a good time to be in a slump.We don’t need him much right now since the rest of the team is so hot.I do think though that if he doesn’t come around in another month it would be time to consider a trade.We have waited a long time for Alex to achieve his potential and have a good full season.Time is running out for him to mature into the complete player we all hoped he would be.
MW: So instead the incomplete player who is still one of the best on the team isn’t good enough for you?
- PaulThis is off topic but any news on Dustin McGowan? Will he be back by the All Star break or are they gonna sit him for the year like Marcum?
MW: There’s nothing new with McGowan.
- RoyceWhat do you think about Derek Bell selling his 1992 WS ring on ebay?
He should be brought back for Flashback Friday!
MW: Yes, he should. I guess he needs some cash.
- BrendanJUST FOR YOUR AMUSEMENT, SINCE I KNOW YOU ARE ALWAYS USUALLY WELL: i LIVE 1 HR. WEST OF TO. BUT GET THE FAN 660 NY CLRAR AS A BELL AT 2AM. THE POINT WAS THE “TRADE OF WIESS? (3RD BASE) AND DAVID WRIGHT STAIGHT-UP FOR DOC, AND THEIR ONLY CONCERN, WAS WHO WOULD PLAY 3RD BASE! NO ONE LIKED THE DEAL MY SIDE. LOL.
LOVE THE BLOG
MW: Jonathan Niese and David Wright? Niese is a young lefty. The Mets would be well-served to do that, but I’m sure it’s not on the table.
- mizeHi Mike,
I noticed that Joba Chamberlain’s velocity was way down today (i.e., per MLB Gameday). He was only throwing 88-92 for the most part. Isn’t he usually 96-98? Do you think he’s hurt? Or do you think that maybe he’s taking advice from AJ to not throw so hard all the time?
MW: I have no idea. Chamberlain complained about his mechanics after the game.
- JamieHow long can the Jays keep this up? 7 players in the lineup are hitting over .300 (8 if you want to count McDonald but 1 in 3 doesn’t really count, does it?) 4 players have an OPS over 1. An additional 5 have an OPS over 0.8. The team’s at 7.7 runs a game. How close has any historical team come to FINISHING a season with those kind of numbers?
The Jays won’t, of course, but I look down the road and have a hard time seeing where they slow down.
MW: You do?
- Jon RHi Mike,
What exactly will the Jays get in draft-pick compensation for the Yankees having signed Burnett? I’m pretty sure they lost the Yanks first round pick to somebody else, but they’ll get at least a sandwich pick and what else?
MW: The Jays get the Yankees’ third-round pick plus a sandwich pick.
- JamieMike,
With Rolen hitting so well, would you think he’d be moved higher in the line-up? Maybe switch him with Rios?
MW: Nope.
- ol' brucieDo you know if the Jays aren’t going to be wearing their Black uniforms as much this season?
Haven’t seen them much at all so far.
MW: I don’t know.
- CamMike, any reason why Adam Lind doesn’t play the field, not sure its a good thing to have such a young guy play DH this early in his career, do you think it will affect his ability to eventually play the outfield?
MW: He doesn’t play the field because the Jays believe that he’s the 5th-best defensive outfielder available.
- NaderHey Mike,
Loved the exchange in the case of Gaston v. Coincidence! (There’s a bit of nuance to your argument that I think the caller missed.)
On a different note, it seems the Twins’ start in general (and this series in particular) really points just how mediocre they are without Mauer behind the plate. Is there any doubt anymore that he, and not Morneau, is the club’s real MVP?
MW: Based on nine games? Really?
- MichaelMike…I know there’s no # 2 pinstripe jersey in your closet, but you and Jeter at least think alike…He stated last year after Doc mowed the Yanks over one night that Roy was the best..Period…In either league. You’re probably the better fielder over Jeter, Mike.
P.S..Don’t know if you’re a Frank Zappa fan or not Mike, but he had a great album called “Apostrophe”..May help you to ease those grammatical woes with Rios that have you scratching your head..Got to run..Brampton/Belleville Game 2 at Powerade Centre, but got the old Walkman to tune you guys in vs. the A’s
- chris m.and to add,
if Gibbons and company, aka management, decide, “ok team, this year we will be a patient team, taking pitches, driving up pitchers counts”
and result: worst offense to talent ratio in MBL.
Then Cito and company comes in,”ok our mind set will be the opposite, no waiting, you see your, pitch, swing!”
and result: the opposite. great offense.
Mike, I can’t see it being any clearer than that on the point, managers often(not always) make a difference.
MW: John Gibbons’ philosophy: “wait for your pitch”. Cito Gaston’s philosophy: “hit your pitch”.
- eddyLooking at the line-up, it appears Snider isn’t in it yet again.
Why is he here? Why wasn’t he just put in the minors for a while to delay his free agency?
I don’t understand how having a 21 year old riding the bench half the season is positive for his development. I also don’t understand why Snider isn’t being allowed to learn to hit lefties in what is supposed to be a year of learning. Finally, and above all, I don’t understand how NOW isn’t the perfect time to let Snider face lefties when the rest of the line-up is crushing the ball. Cito is waiting until they all slow down to let Snider apparently come in and struggle against lefties (which I don’t even think he will do)?
On another note, BABIP is a stat I’m completely new to. What would you say the league average is for that stat?
MW: I agree with you completely, except for the being sent to the minors part. I don’t know what the league average is for BABIP - .300? .310?
- BrendanHey Mike, have you noticed many more calls for pitches coming from the Jays dugout this year? Are they coming from Cito or Butterfield? I don’t remember seeing this many dugout pitch calls in prior years.
MW: I haven’t noticed any. The pitchers call their own games.
- Matt "@#$!&%" Bushsorry about that last post.However, could you imagine a trade of wright and (weis?) Mets 3rd baseman staight up for Doc and thinking we are not getting enough. True story. wed. nite after yankee colapse.
MW: Huh?
- brucejoust wondering, if the team’s BP goes below ,say .303 and say new pitchers, say can’t last 5 innings or so, could it possibly be said maybe J.P. did a bad job? maybe someone got a break on good young talent.
MW: The team’s BP?
- bruceHi Mike. Great start,fun to watch and listen. My question is not x’s and o’s but more curious about the character of the vets. Do you know if guys like Wells and Halladay attended Mr. Rogers funeral. Did most of the Jays? Any of the Jays? I will have no less respect for them either way but just curious. Thanks, Scott.
MW: I have no idea who attended Mr. Rogers’ funeral or didn’t, it was a private funeral, though. I didn’t hear that any Jays were there, but that doesn’t mean no one was.
- ScottHey mike
I’m wondering if you see Rios heating up soon because it’s kinda getting pathetic right now. Something like 0-13 with a reached on E mixed in there
MW: Scutaro had an 0-for-14 run earlier this week.
- JamesMW: Based on nine games? Really?
Actually, I’d argue based on the 2006, 2007, and 2008 seasons. (Factoring in position and defense, Mauer was a better player each year.)
But the Twins slow start (causation or correlation, coincidence or not) should make it ever more apparent.
MW: Nah, it shouldn’t. What if Mauer was healthy and Morneau was hurt and the Twins were 5-7? The last three years argument works a lot better.
- MichaelMike. Do you remember when Vida Blue, Glenn Abbott, Paul Lindblad, and Rollie Fingers combining on a no-hitter vs. the Angels in 1975? Also hard to believe Dave Stewart has the only no-hitter ever thrown in Toronto, at SkyDome in 1990. (Major-league no-hitter I might add, there might have a few at Maple Leaf Stadium when the AAA Toronto Maple Leafs were around.)
MW: No, I don’t.
- PeterThis offense is crazy, but I had a premonition of an inning where Rios is the source of all 3 outs in an inning while the Jays bat around.
MW: We get it. Alex Rios is terrible. Seriously - what’s wrong with you people?
- J.RMW: John Gibbons’ philosophy: “wait for your pitch”. Cito Gaston’s philosophy: “hit your pitch”.
passive(wait) vs agressive(hit/attack): still the opposite Mike! showing opposite results.
(And I hope you really don’t believe it is simple as that!)
For the split second you have to decide, correct mind set is critical.
again, dear you ask the GMs of championship teams if they believe if their management made no difference to the wins.
MW: No one will say that, they can’t. And maybe I should have said that Gibbons’ philosophy was “wait for your pitch, then hit it when you get it”.
- eddy“I am a firm believer at the baseball gods & they owe us for the last 2 seasons for the horrible luck…So I think they have to give us at least a Tampa Bay like season of last year…”
There’s only one baseball god and she’s a Rays’ fan. Too bad.
MW: I don’t think there are any other GMs in their 8th year who haven’t been in the playoffs.
You are correct sir.
This is the sort of thing that gets managers fired. Fairly or unfairly.
“I also think there is going to be an interesting battle in the AL this year and that is between Doc and AJ for the AL Cy Young. Doc is 3-0 and I bet AJ goes 3-0 in his next start. I am predicting it will go to one of those two.”
I expect that Halladay’s main competitor will be Zack Grienke. He looks unbelievably good.
MW: It’s so very, very early.
- KenMW: . I’d like to draw your attention to the fact that attendance has risen each of the last six seasons, and the Jays averaged over 26,000 per game last year. More people attend Jays games than any other Toronto sports franchise.
Untrue, Mike. The Toronto Argonauts have been outdrawing the Jays on average since 2004. Take a look:
Toronto Blue Jays Attendence: http://www.baseball-almanac.com/teams/toroatte.shtml
Toronto Argonauts: http://www.geocities.com/cfl_historical/CFL-Attendance.htm
Yes, I know the Argonauts play considerably less home dates per year, but when you factor in the fact that the Jays often draw small, sub-20,000 crowds vs. the Argonauts who consistantly draw between 27,000-30,000 over their 9 home dates, it balances out.
Either way, to say that no other Toronto sports team draws as many fans as the Blue Jays is irresponsible and inacurrate when you consider that Toronto FC play at BMO Field (seating capacity around 20,000) and the Leafs/Raptors play at the Air Canada Centre (capacity around 19,000).
Keep up with the informative “facts”, Mike!
MW: Anytime! It’s neither irresponsible or inaccurate to say that more people watch the Blue Jays play live than watch any other pro sports team in Toronto. In fact, it’s unequivocally true.
- RobertCMW: Last year Marco Scutaro didn’t play like this, he never had in his entire career, and he’s 33. Of course I’m surprised, and so is anyone who has been watching baseball the past 10 years. Don’t kid yourself.
Cito knows…….Cito always knows. Miller rewarded his faith in him with a grand slam (no capitals). Cito knows.
Rays be very wary…..Cito know.
On another note, BABIP is a stat I’m completely new to. What would you say the league average is for that stat?
It has been between .295 and .305 since 1992 (for both leagues). And I don’t know about before that. I don’t think it would have different.
MW: Hey, good guess by me, then!
- Kenwats a ’sandwich’ pick?
MW: A pick between the first and second rounds of the draft.
- TheSunkenZealot