10:42 PM Eastern
This is the thing about knuckleballers – sometimes, you’re not going to be able to touch them (unless you’re Kevin Millar, of course). Tonight was one of those times.
There’s really not that much to say about this game. When you run up against a guy with a trick pitch and you can’t do a thing against him, chances are it’s because he’s throwing that trick pitch really, really well. Tim Wakefield also mixed in a few 75 mile-an-hour “fastballs” to great effect early.
Brian Tallet was terrific again. The way he’s pitched since joining the rotation, you almost have to shake your head at the fact that the Jays had this kind of asset sitting at the back of their bullpen for years and didn’t have a clue how best to use it. Regardless, they seem to have found themselves a gem. Tallet had one shaky inning in which a walk got him in trouble (they almost always do – for him, at least), but finished off his outing by retiring 13 of the last 14 Boston hitters he faced.
B.J. Ryan came out to pitch the 8th and was OK, if unspectacular. He gave up a lead-off double to Jacoby Ellsbury that was really just a soft liner over first, and after Raul Chavez threw out Ellsbury trying to steal third, Dustin Pedroia snuck a ground ball with eyes up the middle before Ryan got the next two hitters. It was another solid step in the recovery of the ex-closer.
This was one of the games that the Jays just plain have to forget about, and set about to getting ready for tomorrow.
Here’s tonight’s edition of The JaysTalk, for your listening pleasure:
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The series continues Wednesday night with Brett Cecil making his first Fenway flings – hopefully the young Jimmy Key kinda-clone finds it to his liking. Brad Penny (he keeps turning up!) of the 6.69 ERA and 1.68 WHIP – the one so many people were upset that the Blue Jays couldn’t land – replies for the home side. I’m thinking that the Jays are very likely to at least match their hit total of the past two games combined.
Rational, reasonable comments are always welcome!
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Tallet again was great… too bad Wakefield was just that much better.
If you would have told me that the Jays were going to hold the RSox to 2 runs, I would have said that’s a win for sure!
If we look over the next 4 series, the Jays play the RSox in Boston, the Braves in Atlanta, the Orioles in Baltimore and then come home for three against the RSox.
My suspicion still holds true.. they lose 2-1 in Boston, win atleast 2-1 and 2-1 in Atlanta and Baltimore and then beat the RSox at home 2-1.
That puts them at 7-5 for the 12 games and 34-19 going into June where guys like Janssen, Litsch and Romero start coming back.
Not a bad position to be in.
Ya, I know, they have to play the games. But this is a conservative at best outlook on the next 11. The Braves and Orioles have been just awful, and I think 4-2 against them combined would be ho-hum average.
- AngeloDo you think the hitters will start to figure out Cecil more and more, do to the fact that he displays the grip on the ball during his windup?
MW: This is becoming a big deal to a lot of fans, but it hasn’t helped any hitters yet.
- DiBoHitting the good knuckleball is like parallel parking…. Its not very often necessary, very few people do it well, and its not worth getting upset about if you fail in the attempt. I wonder if Kevin Millar is good at parallel parking too?
The only time I wonder if pinch hitting is a better option (most players watch their BA sink about 30 points off the bench) is when the closer comes in. If hitting is about timing, wouldn’t the timing of the guys on the bench be better than the 9 guys who’ve been trying to slow it down for the last 9 innings? And yes, I know no manager would try it.
MW: Parallel parking isn’t that hard, is it?
- Greg WMike
- EarlAhhhhh, that frustrating Wakefield Knuckler ,not the first time we’ve seen that as jays fans , stats for us hitting that are gory, U Know I agree about Tallet.
Why does Fenway seem like such a different park, visually it looks like everything should hit that left field wall and it seem to play different.Go Jays GO
Mike, what ever happened to Carlos Tosca, Dave Bush, and Shea Hillenbrand?
MW: Tosca is the bench coach in Florida, Bush is pitching in Milwaukee, Hillenbrand is out of affiliated baseball. You’re already on the internet, it would have taken you less than a minute to find this out.
- OzConsistently swinging at pitches out of the strike zone. Getting out at key moments of a ballgame. I might expect this to be characteristic of a 9 hitter on a mediocre, if not decent team. Unfortunately, these describe the number 4 and one of the most highly paid players on the Jays. I’m honestly sick and tired of listening to people defend this choke – that’s what he is, Mike: a choke. Of the 9 batters in the lineup, Vernon Wells is the last person I want up in a clutch situation – a sentiment shared by many a fan in this town. Give me Bautista, Barajas and Millar in that spot over Wells. Heck, give me Scutaro. Wells doesn’t exude confidence, he has terrible plate presence and he almost always finds a way to pop out to the infield, strike out on a pitch way outside of the zone or ground into an inning ending double play when we need him most. Vernon Wells loves to pile up stats in 0-0 games or help pile on in the middle of a Jays blowout, but if the Jays are down a couple runs the guy is a ghost. Maybe my favourite Vernon Wellsism is when he acts surprised or agitated when he pops one to the infield with 2 out and 2 guys on…like it’s a rarity and not something I count on him for twice a game. He’s the classic example of why you don’t sign a player to a big contract when he’s coming off of a career year that happens to be his contract year. He’s handcuffed the organization. Can the Jays afford anything better? Probably not…but that doesn’t mean his poor play is excusable. It’s time to call a spade a spade. With Rios hitting a bit better as of late, Wells is the weakest link in the lineup. He’s easily the worst bargain in the league and dollar for dollar the worst player on the team. I can imagine how nuts he must drive Cito Gaston.
MW: Sigh.
- CoreyMichael,
Love the blog. Just wanted to hear your thoughts, if any, on the NESN broadcast tonight. I’m the first to admit I have an anti-Sox bias, but I found the commentary to be incredibly unprofessional. I understand fans like to hear the game called from a “homer” standpoint, but Eckersley was just brutal.
There were at least 5 occasions during the game where he displayed the lack of homework he did coming into this game. When Frasor’s season numbers graphic popped up, D.E. gasped and went “Wow, he’s having a pretty good year” like he had no idea – you’d never hear any of our guys pull that.
He kept repeating how it was incredible to see “pretty good cheese coming from such a little guy [Frasor]“, meanwhile Jason is throwing 94+ mph smoke. He was condescending towards a solid reliever and it got on my nerves.
The camera was focused on Snakeface in the dugout, and Eckersley said “I think that’s Carlson beside him” – it was Camp. Does he not have someone in the booth who can look into this stuff for him prior to making these comments? I’m fairly certain the Fan/Sportsnet crews would be lambasted for similar laziness (regardless of how low of a league-wide profile a player may have).
These may be minor details that were only aggravated by my frustration at watching the Blue Jays whiff on 65 mph beachballs, but I couldn’t stand the commentary. I guess we get spoiled by having the quality on-air talent we do here in T.O. Curious to hear your feedback.
MW: I have none. Obviously, I listen to the radio broadcast. But I don’t think Eckersley was insulting Frasor by saying he was surprised to see someone of his size throw so hard. That doesn’t seem like an insult to me.
- TomHi Mike,
The Yankees are coming….they do this every year it seems. Slow start and then the juggernaut begins to roll. I am starting to hate being in the AL East.
I’m a baseball purist, but there must be a way to get into the AL Central somehow. Detroit beat us by a 2 hour drive.
We need an expansion franchise between us and the east coast…like Montreal!
MW: I think Montreal might rather stay teamless. Why not just get rid of the divisions altogether?
- Oz RobMike,
I get Tom completely, it was like listening to someone who just kept ripping on the Jays, and supporting the Sox effort nonstop. Saying stuff like, “how do you get ready for a game when you’re the best team in the league and you’re so pumped and then you find out your playing Wakefield”. It sounded like nonstop verbal nonsense. Makes you certainty appreciate Jamie Campbell and Rance Mulliniks, when you hear what the NESN broadcast spews. Absolutely disappointing, I rather listen to the old Rod Black commentated TSN broadcasts.
This guy stated that a young stud named Travis Snider has been mostly playing DH for the Jays, and Adam Lind this year has been a permanent fixture in Left. Sorry for the venting but it was disappointing.
Mike, don’t you feel that the Sox today had the perfect combo of slow and unhittable in “Wakefield”, and fast and unhittable in “Papelbon”, it’s impossible to adjust for the one inning you face a regular style of pitcher. We will light up the next two sox starts, I only hope Cecil and Ray can get a quality start and I see a 2-1 Jay’s victory in the series.
MW: It’s not impossible, it’s been done – and often – but it’s very difficult. When did this blog become a place to vent about visiting TV broadcasts?
- paolohi mike…..thanks for all the time you spent on this blog, makes for some interesting reading.
I am a little concerned about how the Vernon Wells situation is going to play itself out. He is owed $112 million, to be paid over the next five seasons. He has posted mighty OPSs of .706 & .839 in the past two seasons and is sailing along at a .719 rate this season.
The Fielding Bible ranks him as 32nd in major leagues among major league centre fielders last season. Now it should be noted, he was above average for the four seasons before that and is +5 for the 09 season so far, so maybe 2008 is simply a blip, caused by injury. But even so, he is not the defensive stud, even at his best, reputation notwithstanding, that many portray him as.
The good news is that he has an opt out clause that can be exercised after the 2011 season, with three years and 60 odd million left on the deal. Any chance he will exercise it? Any chance of the Jays being able to unload his contract onto a high payroll team. What’s Roy Halliday gonna ask for with Vernon making $23 million per season, for his very mediocre contribution? Are the Jays gonna pay what Roy wants? That would likely mean $50 million per season allocated to two players (one of whom is decidedly mediocre). Even A-Rod and Jeter don’t combine to make that much.
I don’t see this ending well for the Jays. I suspect that they are going to have to honour the deal, and keep trotting him out to centre field until 2015, and hope the local fans continue to view him as the superstar they were so pleased to lock-up in 2006. This will be one tough contract to unload.
MW: Vernon’s deal will only be tough to unload if you believe that the Wells we’ve seen so far in 2009 is the real deal. It continues to amaze me how many people want to cut bait on this guy a quarter of the way through this season. Every year before this one, Wells has been a very productive hitter when he’s been healthy. And Roy HallAday’s negotiations won’t have anything to do with Wells’ contract.
- the stat ladyHey Mike,
Did you listen to the segment on Prime Time with Alex -forgive me if i misspell his name – Anthopolous? If you have or have time to give it a listen, let me know what you think? Do you agree or not with his main point? I would think that you don’t believe in that knowing what you generally think about that kind of stuff, which is why I’m even more interested in your thoughts. It’s even more fun to hear you disagree with Alex! The whole overtime hours sounds crazy!
p.s. anything new with the whole 1st base conversations?
MW: I didn’t hear Alex Anthopoulos on Prime Time, so it would have been nice of you to tell me what his main point was. I don’t have a clue, nor do I know what you mean with the overtime hours thing. Nothing yet on the first base conversations, but I can tell you that it has definitely been on my mind the last few times I’ve been down on the field.
- DeanEckersley is not their regular colour guy – he’s filling in for Jerry Remy. So people might cut him some slack. And he’s right – not many guys Frasor’s size throw that hard.
MW: Yeah, I didn’t think that was an insult, either.
- MagpieThe commentary was so frustrating all night, they were clueless about the team and showed no signs of respect for our club at all, especially for leading the division. They made me want this game/series that much more!
MW: Again, why here?
- mbkMike I have to echo Tom’s comments in post #7 about the glaring lack of preparation on the NESN broadcast. I’ve watched NESN on a few occasions when vactioning in Vermont so I knew they are a huge “homer” network but I was very surprised how little they knew about the Jays players.
On the Jays Talk you nailed the question about Eckersley’s “insights” on Halliday’s desire to leave Toronto for a winning team. Even though you didn’t have the benefit of hearing the other crap he said about the Jays players, you correctly surmised he was speaking from his lower orifice.
Even as “Home-Eck” was praising Doc as “the best in the game” he prefaced the comment with “I hate to say this about an opposing player….”. Sheesh.
It makes me grateful for the balance we get from our broadcast teams – maybe it’s a Canadian thing. It also makes me hate the delay even more so I can’t listen to the FAN590 call and watch these games at the same time.
(you can’t watch baseball without the suspense).
I’ll just keep thinking about Robbie Alomar’s 1992 Thanksgivng blast in Oakland off Eck, after his fist pump at the Jays dugout. That should take my mind off what he’s saying.
- RezWhen was the last time the Jays hit Knuckle balls? They looked hypnotized tonight.
Mike, do teams ever call in practice knuckle ball pitchers to warm up with the day of the game to get a fresh feel for the timing and movement of the ball? If not it might be a good idea.
MW: We discussed this on The JaysTalk last night!
- Leemike, you are giving wakefield way too much credit. his era was 4 going in. in 7 starts he had given up 1 or less runs twice. 5 times other teams scored 2 or more but the league’s best offense couldn’t. he was coming off a 7 run rout. he is 42 years old. only once had he pitched more than 8 innings. he was good but he shouldn’t have been that dominant.
we have seen a pattern lately of the jays not playing well against +500 teams. 1-3 vs kc, 1-2 vs ny, 0-1 vs bos. the jays have to start showing why they are a 1st place team.
MW: What about Texas and Detroit?
- pabloI always wonder why the knuckleball isn’t more of an option for pitchers who are struggling to stay on major league teams. Is the pitch hard to learn or are there just so few experts out there that can help players with it?
The grip and the sort of push that a knuckleball pitcher gives the ball is different than a conventional delivery – is this a possible deterrent to learning it? Could you ruin otherwise decent mechanics by trying to mix that pitch in?
I personally sort of view Phil Niekro as the king of knuckleball pitchers for my generation. There have been others, but they don’t seem to have the knuckleball that Niekro did. It’s even more amazing to look at Niekro’s statistics. At age 40 in 1979 the man started 44 games, completed 23 of them and pitched 342 innings. It shows the durability these pitchers can have.
MW: It’s both – it’s a pitch that’s REALLY hard to perfect (might not be that hard to throw, but you have to be able to throw it well and throw it for strikes) and there are no more than a half-dozen guys who can really teach it.
- Rob MMike,
In the gambling world there is term used to describe how Brian Tallet is pitching; Tallet is running like god!!!!
31/21 K:BB
0.227 BaBip
1.49 HR/9
If Tallet is allowed to continue to start he WILL have an ERA> 5.00. That being said so will Robert Ray.
IMO Toronto should make a move before they are forced to do such.
MW: In the real world, that doesn’t happen.
- JNMike, are there any promising 1B prospects in the Jays minor league system?
Is it possible we might see Lind converted to a 1B sometime in the future?
MW: It’s possible, but Brian Dopirak and David Cooper seem to be pretty good first base prospects.
- Uncle BenI have to agree with comment #6. Wells is very frusturating right now. I hope to hell this dude turns it on in june, july and the rest of the year. Mike, can u honestly say that you feel confident with wells coming up to bat with runners on, trailing by a run in a ballgame? I sure dont and I watch them all.
MW: I think the operative words in your comment are “right now”.
- Dave Brantfordtime wakefield vs AL teams career. he has the second best era and total wins vs toronto, 1st was tbay. has also has the most ip vs toronto by a landslide. he obviously has a history of beating up on toronto, no idea why
- pabloyou know I am wondering how the jays are going to compete in the future if they will have to spend 25 mil on halliday and 20 mil on wells with a 80 mil payroll. and they will be on the hook for these 2 for another 5 years so how will they afford the rest of their players when they come due? it seems the payroll will have to jump to 100 mil plus just to stay competitive. I really blame rogers for the wells contract. any business has to match it’s revenues with expenses. given these contracts are guaranteed, you have to know what your payroll is going to be for the next 7 years. how many times did we hear rogers didn’t set the payroll yet. you can’t just go year to year with a budget and then give out 7 year deals. it’s plain stupid. and you cant just lop off 20 mil from the budget when you’ve committed 140 mil to one player. that’s shows no forsight and no long term plan
MW: No, it really doesn’t. But there’s no question that the payroll will jump to at least 100 million post-2010, if not sooner.
- pabloHey Mike,
I know that during a Blue Jays game, you are at the Rogers Centre “office” of yours, with all the radio equipment and stuff. When there’s a game on, you are able to watch it live, but when how does it work with away games? Do you get the TV feed from whichever network is broadcasting it?
MW: Yep, I watch it on TV the same way the rest of you (who watch it on TV) do, but I listen to the radio broadcast.
- James from Mississaugamike, what you also forgot to mention was how huge the umpire’s strike zone was. anything a foot close was called a strike. this totally helped wakefield
- pablocouldn’t have john mac have gone to third on that dropped popup? obviously he couldn’t have tagged but he should have seen that play unfolding and leading off second. upon seeing that the ball was going to drop in between them he should have gotten a good jump and been off to third
MW: No, he shouldn’t have. He can’t risk getting doubled up if the ball is caught, as it should be, and once it drops, he doesn’t have enough time to get to third.
- pabloMike.. I was wondering when a caller phones in and asks for info on stats and related stuff .. You say, Hang on a sec. and I will get thaT FOR YOU and right away you give that person the info.. Is that baseball ref.com because when I pump that up on my comp. it gives sept 14th 2008 scores , but if you dig a little deeper you get absolutely everything and I am surprised they dont have up-dated scores.. Is thier another sight you are going too to get this quick info. I am a stats freak and would like to access it fast like yourself.. Great job Mike..
MW: It depends what the question is – I use baseball-reference.com, but there are other sites, too, like milb.com and espn.com, for example.
- FLIPPERMike,
I’m not one of the guys that’s going to come on here and over-react, or even worry about how much money Wells is making because it’s irrelevant…but you have to meet us half way.
He can’t be batting 4th for this lineup. He has to be moved down, at least until this subsides, you MUST grant people that, or else you’re being blinded by homerism.
I’m not saying Cito’s going to do it, I’m sure he’s not, but it’s a mistake.
Right now he’s OBP’ing .311, which is terrible, and this month it’s down at .265 which makes him basically unfit to hold a roster spot were he not who he is.
I’m not saying he doesn’t deserve a roster spot, he clearly does, I’m saying if I showed you, in a bubble, a guy hitting .213/.263/.333 and OPS’ing .596, you, as an informed baseball mind would say that person should not be in a lineup. If I said he was batting cleanup for a first place team, you’d vomit.
Wells can move back up, as soon as he shows he’s ready, right now he’s not, even slightly, ready to be batting cleanup with his current production.
Move Lind to cleanup, bat Rolen 5th, and have Wells batting 6th until he gets over this slump he’s having.
The beauty of having a solid lineup one through nine is if one guy isn’t producing for a while now(40 games for Wells now), you can move him down a bit and let other people take the more pressured at bats, and have Wells hopefully work through it in a different spot in the lineup.
MW: You’re going to have to start listening a little closer if you’re going to rip me, because it’s not fair to rip me for an opinion that I don’t hold. You’ll have an awfully hard time finding a time where I have said or written that Vernon Wells should be hitting clean-up. That would be because I never have. I don’t think Wells should be hitting clean-up, never have, and doubt I ever will. I see him as a far better fifth-place hitter (not going the way he is now, obviously). I await the apology.
- KevinMichael,
I just want to reiterate what the previous person said. NESN’s homerism is getting old. I sat there and had to listen to “DE” pontificate about his pitching knowledge. There were several occasions when he made “rude” or “unprofessional” comments about Tallet. He said his stuff was terrible and that it would not be good enough to beat his boys. He said something to the effect of “this guy’s stuff is sub par, we should kill this guy”. I know it’s the team’s broadcaster, but it went over the line. The Fan would never stoop that low. He’s probably still upset about Alomar’s homer in ’92. Get a new hairstyle by the way, Eck. Its not 1987 anymore.
MW: Again – why here?
- BawwBoogieI happen to be a huge Jays’ fan that lives in the Boston area and in response to the guy ripping Eckersley on “not be prepared”. In his defense, he is one of many temporary fill-ins for the regular color-man Jerry Remy, while Remy recovers from cancer!
So instead of wasting breath on killing Eck for a poor job, use it in wishing the RemDawg good health.
And hey, Eck obviously has a man-crush on the greatest pitcher in the game as he so unabashedly shared during the broadcast! So it wasn’t all bad ;)
MW: Substitute or not, there’s no excuse for not knowing your stuff.
- JJHey Mike,
How does Rios get thrown out by about 3 feet stealing second in the first inning. It’s plays like that drive us all insane. This guy has so much talent but there has to be a mental block somewhere.
I thought the NESN feed was fine. However, I can see where some folks think Eckersley was insulting but that’s just vintage Eck. He’s probably still fuming at the Jays for showing him up like they did back in 92. Just seeing Gaston in the dugout is probably giving him worst flashbacks then some vets from Vietnam.
- JeffHey Mike,
I spoke to you on Jays Talk last night, and had one follow up question about the whole defense thing.
Do you thinking Hughes and/or Kennedy would be pitching well in the majors right now if they we’re Blue Jays?
MW: If they were Blue Jays? I don’t know, but one would think that the Jays’ defense would give them a leg up on what they’re dealing with now. But they’d have to throw strikes.
- Stevie H.Hello Mike, hope you’re well. I have no pressing concerns or questions, I’m just loving this season so far. As for last night, it happens. This year’s Jays have proven that they can rally after a defeat, tonight should be better.
I do have a completely frivolous question that should you choose to answer, will settle a debate here in the Kita household. Are batboys/ballboys/the teenagers in team uniforms you see running around giving balls to the ump a paid position that travels with the team, a paid position provided by the home team, thus requiring a team to carry around a small uniform everywhere they go, or something else all together? Since last night’s game wasn’t overly exciting that became the big topic for us, and I’m hoping you can be the man to settle it for us. Thanks Mike.
MW: I know that in Toronto the Jays supply the batboys/ballboys for the visiting teams, so yes, they have to take along a smaller uniform, and I don’t believe the Jays’ batboys/ballboys travel. Maybe they get one trip a year or something, though.
- kitaThe Jays this year tend to bounce back from games where they don’t hit that much and pile them on. Hopefully tonight is one of those nights and we can even the series.
Red Sox have won 11 in a row this season, now the Yanks have won 7, and the Jays still have a 2.5 game lead. Gotta be happy with that.
Man, I wish I had TSN2 so I could actually watch these games. See you May 30 when the Red Sox come to Toronto.
- Aaron KerMike,
I applaud you for taking issue with folks who use the pronoun “we” when discussing the Blue Jays.
Tom
MW: You seem to be one of a distinct minority.
- Ton GMike,
I worked for the Welland Pirates at the Welland Sports Complex as a co-op student in 1994. I helped with the scorekeeping, and announcing the batters during the game. I think Wakefield was there. I just remember a 1st round draft pick who played 3B who was brought in. I am pretty sure that was Wakefield.
What time do you, Jerry and Alan head into the booth before a game? I am bringing my son to his first game, just him and me, and I would love to get a pic of the best radio team in the business.
MW: Wakefield had already been in the majors two years by 1994, he was in Welland in 1988 and ’89. I’d say the three of us are usually all in the booth about an hour to an hour and a half before game time.
- Aaron KerHey Mike,
I found it interesting to see how the Red Sox Fans reacted to David Ortiz last night. Ortiz is batting a hair over .200 has 0 hr’s and 15 rbi’s. They cheered him every time he came to the plate and there were signs up encouraging him to break out of his slump. I didn’t hear any boo’s or anything…it was all support! You then have the Blue Jays fans who last week in the New York series boo BJ Ryan when it is announced that he is on his way back and constantly demand that we Trade Wells, Rios, and Overbay because they all ‘suck’.
Why do you think Jays fans are so negative towards 4 very good players & Red Sox fans be so loyal to someone who is hitting terribly in the 3-hole?
MW: Because Jays fans are Jays fans, I guess. And because David Ortiz helped win the Red Sox a World Series. I don’t think many Jays fans booed Joe Carter when he was busy being awful – way worse than either Wells or Rios is right now – in 1997.
- BrendanHa! I looked up Hillenbrand just the other day. Wonder what he’s writing on his chalkboard now?
- VavaFurther to Reply #7. I also was infuriated listening to the Red Sox broadcast. In addition to the issues Tom mentioned…they also showed Brian Butterfield in the dugout as they begrudgingly gave kudos to the Jays pitching coach “I think his name is Arnsberg”. No prep is right!
They laughed and laughed as we continued to pop out on Wakefield. “Jays can do nothing with him. You don’t even need major league fielders to catch these weak fly balls…all 15 or more of them.” Nice. Can’t wait to face Wakefield again on one of those days where the Jays hitters do get to him and chase him early. (Indoors at Rogers Centre where there is no breeze to help move the ball maybe).
They also mentioned condescendingly…”you can’t expect this group of 4 pitchers behind Halliday to get them through the season. No one even knows any of them. There’s this Tallet who hasn’t started since his Cleveland days (not true) and what’s his name Ce..cil, and Richmond and who am I forgetting…that young guy…Ray.” Let’s hope we prove them wrong! Go Cecil and hitters, let’s get those bats flying against Penny!
- LaurieAnd I’m with Tom and his take on the NESN broadcast. It’s almost as if they were surprised by everything related to this year’s Jays. They’re in the same division, for goodness’ sake! Makes me wonder if they the first clue about where Canada even is.
- VavaI couldn’t agree more with Tom! What a joke tsn 2 is, can we cancel there broadcast for the next two nights and bring back sportsnet!!
Scott
- ScottIt was a frustrating game to watch last night.
Tallet pitched a great game and is proving his spot in the rotation. I think that the competition for spots and the pitching coach is making the starters perform at the top of their game.
I know Wakefield pitched a gem last night, but the Jays have faced him before. Veterans should know how to hit him.
Hopefully the Jays can win tonight!!! We have to remember that even the best teams in baseball lose at least one game out of three.
MW: The best teams usually win two games out of five.
- TimJays pitching has been astounding – allowing just 10 runs in last 5 games.
You think it will continue ?
MW: I don’t see how it can.
- Chas CalzWell it was nice while it lasted! 1 and 1/2 months in 1st, too bad we have guys like Wells that really don’t care where they finish. The young guys and new vets like (Rolen and Millar) tried. But with Wells this is at best a 3rd place team. Wells is a guaranteed out with runners on! You just know they will get swept in Boston, no doubt about it! Thanks to some ofr the Jays for a great 45 days. Hopefully in the offseason with all the pitching we can make a deal for a Wells and Overbay replacement(s)!
MW: Sigh.
- JimmyFSo when are Vernon and Alex going to begin the 09 season ?
They have had an extended spring training leading into mid May now…im ready to see our 3-4 hitters actually contribute something offensively…lol @ our catching having a higher OBP and slugging % than our 3-4 guys….
ridiculous !!
MW: Obviously you haven’t been watching Rios over the last three weeks.
- MikeI agree with Tom on Eckersley. The guy was so annoying with comments like “Here we are, the Toronto Blue Jays, riding high and in first place and then run into Wakefield. Its gotta be a downer” Then they show Cito and Tenace together and he asks his companion “Is there a history with Cito and Tenace? Have they worked together before?
- JimThis was not tongue in cheek as his partner answered the question that they were together in the early 90′s.
Yea like 1992. Eckersley giving the fist pump and the stare into the dugout until the next inning when Robbie raised his arms after tying the game with a bomb into the right field bleachers. I still get goosebumbs thinking about it. Tenace was not the hitting coach at that time though. He was the bench coach and Larry Hisle was the hitting coach.
“I was watching the game online from NESN… what homers they are! They kept saying Tallet has no strikeout pitch, how his breaking ball doesnt break and isnt impressive, and basically cheering for them the WHOLE broadcast. Annoying.”
Something I wish our guys would do. One thing about UK football crowds–they come to cheer! If the RC fans got into the game more, and if the broadcasters weren’t always complimenting the other team I would be a happier camper. I don’t expect trash talk from the commentators and I don’t want them to be uninformed, but I’d love them to be as partisan as the US commentators I’ve heard calling the games.
On another note, Eckersley is not going to be quite as friendly to the Jays as he might be to other teams. One of the other guys in his booth talked about how he really got into the game when he pitched, and whirled and pointed and generally carried on after he struck guys out. And we all know where that got him in 1992 in the ALCS against one Robbie Alomar. He wasn’t doing too much celebrating after that pitch…
MW: I’m sure that pitch still resonates with Jays fans a lot more than it does with Eckersley. It’s interesting, the vast majority of people out there really don’t seem to want announcers to be partisan, or even supportive. You’re one of a rare few.
- reyesHey Mike,
I watched the game on t.v. last night and it was interesting what Eckersley said about Roy Halladay. In his opinion Halladay is the best pitcher in all of baseball. While it’s true that the Boston commentary seemed to know very little about the Jays it was nice to hear those words about Halladay. My question: Have teams or individuals ever tried to take “light” swings or half swings at knuckleball pitching? It seems like the temptation is to try to kill the ball which, I think 15 or 16 times last night, ended up in lazy fly balls.
MW: There are some players who do try to dial it down a notch or three with a knuckleballer going, but it seems the vast majority can’t hold back.
- GrantHi Mike
we keep on hearing that the starting pitching is pitching too good to be changed even though the former starters are coming off the DL. My question is what would constitute bad pitching in the Jays eyes to make this change, like is it 2 bad starts in a row? This is not to say i am rooting for any bad pitching because it has been great so far, i am just curious.
MW: I think it depends on how bad the bad starts are, how the games progress. Take Cecil tonight, do you send him down tomorrow because of the one blow-up? I doubt it, but you never know.
- A.J.Mike great work as always.
Do you think Snider will be sent down after the Boston series? If so, who in the Jays system do you think will get the call?
i.e.) Buck Coates, Russ Adams, or possibly signing of some sort?
MW: I don’t think there will be a signing. I think if Snider gets sent down, I don’t know who they’ll call. Inglett and Adams are hurt, so they’re out (unless they’re ready to come back), maybe a Brett Harper, maybe Buck Coats, maybe even Brian Dopirak. The thing is, what do you do? Do you call a guy up to give Cito more versatility on a bench he doesn’t use?
- Jeff G.Extremely frustrating loss…I know even the best teams you can automatically count on to lose 60 games a season, but the ones that just feel so winnable make you want to pull your hair out.
I’ve always been under the impression that the way to approach a knuckleballer is to shorten up your swing and just slap the ball into the outfield. Single them to death. Just felt like the Jays hitters were swinging for the fences, hence all the pop-ups.
Oh well…here’s hoping a rookie lefty (Cecil) in Fenway Park can buck the perception that’s it’s like taking a lamb to slaughter.
MW: Or not.
- AZI love watching knuckleball pitchers because I love seeing the ball dance.
I’m really impressed with Frasor this year. His control is so much better than it has been in the past (1BB in 15IP). I’d like to see him as the guy in the eighth.
Ryan seemed to be topping out around 86 – I believe he was around 89 on the weekend. Wasn’t like it was a slow gun in Boston – Frasor was clocking 95.
- Jim MaronHow do you feel about Jansen Richmond as middle/long relievers? Litsch back in starting rotation? Romero replacing Robert Ray as starter?
Shawn Camp and Brian Wolfe and Ray to Vegas.
Starting Rotation:
Halladay
Tallet
Cecil
Litsch
Romero
Both Jansen and Richmond could eat up alot of innings if the kids have a poor outing.
Don’t care about the order… just trying to break up lefties.
Another question… has Lind ever played 1st base with the Jays or in the minors?
I was also annoyed by Eckersley dissing Tallet. He obviously hadn’t seen him pitch a game thus far and was spewing comments like “he doesn’t have any pitches” and “he shouldn’t be a starter.”
He thought Butterfield was Arnsberg and was truly the biggest HOMER I have ever heard. The only thing I liked about his commentary was when he displayed his incredible MANCRUSH over Halladay. “I love him, I love him, I love him!” That was pretty funny to hear.
MW: I don’t get the desire to have good pitchers throw long relief so that they can cleanup the messes of the starters who struggle – why not start them to avoid the struggles? I still like Janssen in the rotation, over pretty much everybody but Halladay (of the current group). Lind played first in college, but not in the pros.
- Mike MississaugaHi Mike; I was displeased with an Aaron Hill effort on Monday. In the bottom of the fifth he grounded weakly to the pitcher who fired to Ramirez who fired to first to get Hill. If Hill had been motoring down the line I’m sure it would have at least been a bang-bang play but he was out by at least five feet. I think he should have run harder.
- Zackhey mike,
you’ve mentioned getting Jake Peavy would be great, if he was available. what’s his contract looking like? does he have an out mid-season?
MW: No major-league contracts have outs mid-season. Peavy may be available, but he has a full no-trade.
- DiegoVernon Wells still seems to be trapped in that 2008 hitting fog. Let’s hope he breaks out soon. We need him.
Anxious to see how the kids fare at Fenway. A very easy place to be intimidated. -Tough team, Green Monster, tougher fans and the pressure of an early division race.
I was surprised, but I understood the logic of sending Romero to LV. I’m wondering if the same fate awaits Casey Jansen or would he be given a wider berth giving his previous success with the team.
And what about Jessie Litsch? To be honest, I’m not that enthusiastic about seeing him return right now. He would be third on my list of replacements. Which forces me to ask another question … How far down the pecking order has David Purcey fallen?
This is how I see the list at the present time. This from a fan, not an expert.
1. Halladay
2. Richmond
3. Tallet
4. Cecil
5. Ray
6. Jansen
7. Romero
8. Litsch
9. Purcey
10. Marcum (until rehab)
10a. McGowan (until rehab)
10b. Mills
10c Burris
MW: I think Marcum and McGowan are both 2a (until healthy), and Tallet may have slid ahead of Richmond. Castro is ahead of Burris. As for Wells, 2008 funk? I think you mean 2007.
- Andy ShoneHi Mike,
Can you explain to me what makes a great ‘bullpen only’ pitcher ?
If someone is a great pitcher out of the bullpen … why cant they be a ‘starting pitcher’?
Also, do bullpen relievers aspire to be a closer or a starting pitcher?
Cheers !!
Johnny
MW: I would say most relievers aspire to be a closer or a starter, because that’s where the money is. Often a pitcher who is great out of the ‘pen doesn’t make a good starter because he doesn’t have enough quality pitches.
- JohnnyMike, do you think we could possibly package vernon wells with one of our young pitchers and get another high contract player in return to even out the salary? I think a team in need of pitching would be willing to take a good young starter with a “good” center fielder in return for giving us the better player.
MW: It depends who the high-contract player is coming back – but why trade Wells at one of the lower points of his value?
- DavidHey Mike,
A comment and a question for you.
Despite Tallet’s terrific results (again), I was pretty nervous watching him in the first two innings. Even though he escaped the first inning unharmed, he was struggling to find the strike zone and gave up three hard hit balls. These balls were scorched (just ask Scutaro’s hand!). I felt Tallet was pretty lucky to escape the first two innings with only two runs. Something inside me says that he can’t keep this up much longer. Its a good thing we have Janssen and Romero ready to go.
That being said, he really settled down and shut down the potent Red Sox lineup for the next four innings. Tallet has come a long way since his mop-up duties and allowing every inherited runner to score days.
I have a question about who you think is the bigger threat in the A.L. East. The Red Sox or the Yankees?
The Yankees have a scary lineup with A-Rod returning and Texeira heating up in addition to their already strong offence. I would also argue their starting pitching is the best in the division, especially if Wang can return to form. Their only glaring weakness is their bullpen.
Frankly, I’m really surprised at how well this Red Sox team is doing so far this year given how much their starting pitching has sucked. This success also comes with missing their best hitter for some time in Kevin Youkilis, and a struggling David Ortiz.
Do you think I’m right in fearing the Yankees over the Red Sox?
MW: I think they both have the chance to be pretty good. I don’t know that I’d be as scared of the Yankees because of their aging core, their average defense and their awful bullpen. Nice backhanded compliment for Tallet, too.
- Letalikmichael,
i heard alex anthopoulos on the radio with that, (speaking of knuckles)knucklehead (affectionate moniker) host of the drive home show yesterday. have heard alex a couple times now on the same segment this season but never seen what he looks like yet to this point.
i know his reputation as being a very good baseball man is really getting out there in mlb. that’s been pretty much documented it seems.
i’m sorry but man does he ever sound young. you’d swear by listening to him that he might still a paper route.
how old is our man alex michael?
MW: I’m not sure exactly, but early to mid-30s.
- darrell bishopHey mike
No question just a comment.
This long wait for the “All Mighty” TSN2 and its not in HD
Jay
- JayDon’t you people realize that you actually love Vernon Wells? If he wasn’t here the fans would have nobody to complain about. How boring would things be if everything was going well (or Wells hahaha)? This team is still in first place right? I think that Toronto fans would rather have a team struggling, it gives them more bullets in their whining (not winning) gun. People on this blog have reflected on the ‘greatness’ of Jason Werth, imagine if we had let Wells get away. So, I will do it for the complainers: thank you very much Toronto Blue Jays for signing Vernon Wells, it has allowed us something to constantly complain about while we overlook the countless great moves you have done.
- Otishey mike;
Just wondering your thoughts on the chances of richmond and tallet finishing the year in the rotation? Hopfully they won’t be moved as their pitching has been outrstanding- just a thought if snider needs ab in vegas, why not bring up casey janssen for the extra arm? A team can never have enough pitching- lastly really like bautista and millar, as they complement the team well, and johnny mac is the best, hope they sign him as insurance for next year. Lastly, love vernon wells, but in his prolonged slump he should be pushed down in the order and lind/overbay/millar bumped up, or rolen to cash in some extra runs and win these close knit affir games, mike as usual excellent work and blog, thanks.
MW: A 13-man pitching staff? Scary.
- robert.sHi Mike,
I would to concur with Tom regarding the NESN broadcast. Was easily the most unprofessional, sloppy, “homer” broadcast I have seen. Since Rogers picks up other teams broadcasts for channel 399 I have gotten to hear a lot of other teams broadcasts as a comparison and these guys were definetly the worst. BTW not to be all negative but I thought the Texas tv guys were great.
Trust me, Tom is right that the tone that he used in reference to Frasor was insulting.
I think Eckersley is still bitter about that Alomar home run :)
- MathewHey Mike, found this from Sporting News today:
St. Louis Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols tops Sporting News’ list of the 50 greatest players in baseball today. Followed by:
2. Alex Rodriguez
3B, Yankees
3. Johan Santana
SP, Mets
4. Manny Ramirez
LF, Dodgers
5. Hanley Ramirez
SS, Marlins
6. Chase Utley
2B, Phillies
7. Roy Halladay
SP, Blue Jays
Nice to see the Doc getting recognized as the best RHP in baseball. No other Blue Jays made the list. Maybe, a year from now, Hill and Lind will be on it.
- the stat ladyhey mike, hows it going? the signing of kevin millar was a fantastic move by J.P, its a shame he doesn´t get enough credit for giving the jays sucha deep bench.
on travis snider the conversation on sending him down reminds me of Lind, I remember he was sent up and a bit, in 2007 I beleive he had 8 homers when he was sent down, sometimes its not the worst thing for a hitter, but either way, were winning so let it ride.
MW: Lind did indeed have 8 homers when he was sent down in July ’07, hitting .230/.274/.383.
- kyle sThinking outside the box here Mike. What would you say of dropping the standard 3-game series and start making all series an even 5-games?
That way if I live in Boston, I know I’m going to see Halladay or if I live in Toronto, I’ll be for sure to see Burnett. That way every city gets to see everyone and we don’t have our best pitcher missing key series like Halladay will with both Boston series this month.
MW: Too outside the box for me.
- PaulHow are you doing, Mike?
(It’s like the audience’s schtick for you, and classically Canadian.)
MW: Would that it were so well-planned.
- JoeMike,
Great work. I have 2 points.
1) All this hype for TSN 2 and we don’t even get a home broadcast, only the NESN feed…kind of disappointing.
2) After seeing Kevin Millar at the Jays Photo day on Sunday, he seems like the jokester on the team. Throwing popcorn at his teammates and cracking jokes and stuff while the rest of the players sat there stone face. How important is he to this lockerroom with that sense of humour and who is some of the other jokesters on the team?
MW: 1 – Again, why here? 2 – Funny you should ask! This week’s Blue Jays This Week will feature a long conversation with Millar’s comrade-in-arms on the funny front, Michael Barrett, about that very subject.
- JonHey Mike,
Just wanted to get your opinion on something. Last season, Chien-Ming Wang brought a no-hitter into like the seventh or eightith inning. I heard a radio broadcast shortly after, that invloved Yankee television personality Michael Kay. Apparently Kay made several references to the viewers that Wang did in fact have a no-hitter at the time. Well, on this show (I think it was a show hosted by Michael kay) a fan came on and felt that he should not of made reference to Wang having a no-hitter on several occasions. (its one of those unwritten rules of baseball I guess) The fan said he would understand saying something about the no-hitter if Kay was on the radio but instead he was on T.V., where everyone can see how many hits the opposing team has during the end of the half-innings. Personally, I think that Michael Kay did not affect Wang’s outcome but I just wondered what your take on it is. Im sure you agree with me that he did not affect the outcome of the game, but is it just one of those things you “just dont do” when calling a game. Is it just edicit to keep your mouth shut? Because very few if not any, broadcasters will mention of this potential no-hitter during the ballgame. What would you do if you were Michael Kay??
MW: I don’t know what “edicit” means, but I’ll say this – I have no problem saying the words “no-hitter” on a broadcast. I think that it’s the broadcasters job to let the fans know what’s going on. I don’t believe that anything a broadcaster or a fan says or does can affect the action on the field (so long as they’re behaving, of course).
- AdamMike, first time writer, gotta say I love the show. I do not, however, feel the same love for TSN2. I’ve missed one game due to TSN2 this season and I hate it already. Not that I mind listening to Jerry, but I like to b able to watch as well.
- NickYou think the fans are starting to get hard on Wells now? Imagine if the Jays were 15-25 and in 4th place.
Wells is the Jays Mats Sundn; underappreciated unless it’s his option year. Then we all wring our hands on the possibility of him leaving.
A good 6 weeks and he’ll be on pace for 100. Enjoy the wins and hope he comes around soon.
As far as Wakefield is concerned, he doesn’t win 20 every year (or 15 for that matter) so SOMEBODY must know how to hit him. And he sure seemed to get the outside and low strikes from the “hometown” umpire…
Go Jays.
- GaryI have to agree with Corey on Vernon Wells. Injury was the excuse for the awful performance last year. He is healthy this year, what now???
Snider is on the steady decline since the opening day. I know Cito used to talk to him during the game, and he does not do that anymore afraid of overwhelming Snider with instructions/information. But the kid is not getting any better. Maybe it’s time to send him down to regain his confidence.
MW: Wells was awful last year? Vernon Wells?
- sthMike,
In response to the caller who again mentioned the White Sox broadcast team as being a bunch of homers and not having many nice things to say about the Jays, I have to object somewhat. I have no problem with the caller saying they’re homers because they’re blatant homers to the point where they are almost a parody of themselves and homerism in general (well not John Stirling of the Yankees or Ron Santo of the Cubs and probably others)…
BUT, Ken “The Hawk” Harrelson could not stop gushing about the Blue Jays. To say he and Steve Stone didn’t have many nice things to say about the Jays is ridiculous. He couldn’t stop praising Adam Lind for instance, during at least two separate plate appearances. He said something like: “You could see he was eventually going to become a very good hitter and he has and you know who else on their team looks like he’s gonna be great? Travis Snider.” (paraphrasing)
They went on to gush about the Jays pitching and how great it is now and how much better it’s going to get when all their injured starting pitchers start coming back. They gushed about the terrific job that Cito Gaston and Gene Tenace have done with the hitters, and then there was a shot of J.P. Ricciardi on the phone in his box and they gushed about the incredible job he’s done putting this team together. Then they gushed about Paul Beeston being back in charge here. Ok, so they missed out on the training staff, the clubhouse attendants, the grounds crew and the bat boys, but those guys don’t usually get noticed by the opposing team’s broadcasters, so I’m not going to hold that against them. The point is I don’t know what the heck else the caller is looking for when it comes to talking about the opponent, particularly from such an admittedly homerish broadcast team.
I wonder if this caller ever got a chance to hear Harrelson with his former broadcast partner (brief, one-time Blue Jay) Darrin Jackson, now that was pathetically homeristic. I’m pretty sure Steve Stone’s professionalism kept him from participating in the “You can put it on the board…yyyes” garbage for the Konerko and Dye homeruns, though I could be wrong.
You have to keep in mind that one of the jobs of all broadcast teams is to get the fans interested/invested/engaged in and enthusiastic about the team that they work for, with the hope that this interest and enthusiasm gets people to come to the ballpark, buy merchandise etc. They (yourself included Mike) are in the business of “selling” people on the team. Some do this more professionally than others. Vin Scully is the ultimate pro, but don’t think for a second that he doesn’t bleed Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodger blue.
Let me state right up front that I really like our broadcast crew of Jerry, Alan and yourself. But, Jerry and Alan are often effusive in their praise and more boisterous for Blue Jay homeruns than they are for opponent homeruns. Why? Because it’s their job and they’re terrific at it. Note that they don’t feel the need to resort to silly stunts like virtually ignoring the other team’s homeruns or calling the other team the “bad guys” in order to get the job done, much to their credit. I, as a fan, wouldn’t want it any other way, but I also want them to match my excitement when things are going well for my team, and once again they do.
The point being they are just as enthusiastic about the home team as most other broadcasters are. Where they shine is at doing their homework about the other team and working some stories into the broadcast about those players to help round it out, but don’t think for a second that they are impartial. Perhaps more impartial than others, but isn’t that kind of like that old quote from George Orwell’s “Animal Farm”: “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.” Just make it: all broadcasters strive to be unbiased and some are more unbiased than others. Between the lines: none are perfectly unbiased.
It’s not as easy as Joe Armchair Critic might think. On the one hand they are paid by a team to sell said team and on the other hand their pride in their work makes them want to be as fair as possible. These two forces aren’t always able to comfortably co-exist and sometimes unfortunately one wins out over the other. Cheers,
- Tom the InternI think some fans need to take a step back when it comes to Wakefield pitching against the Jays.
The man throws a knuckleball. Not even the catcher knows where it’s going to end up when it gets to him. He had it dancing last night by the sounds of it (TV is cut off, but listened on The Fan. I always do because Jerry, Allan, and Mike call a great game and know how to mix it up to make it entertaining).
Has anyone tried hitting a knuckler? It’s not very easy. Especially when it’s dancing good.
The Jays just have to shake it off and bring the sticks tonight for Cecil against Penny.
- Chase HaddenHey Mike, great show as always. I was wondering why more teams don’t try to scout quality knuckleballers. You said yourself, only a knuckleballer can simulate the real game pitch for batters during BP. Plus a knuckleballer throws very soft meaning that his arm should be able to last along time. This would be a guy who could eat up innings without being worried that his arm would go. I think that the common thought in young pitchers is that the way to get to the majors is through the power, and that scouts won’t be convinced at a knuckleballer throwing at 60 on his fastball. Maybe this is a money ball type inefficiency.What do you think?
MW: It’s not an inefficiency because the guys just aren’t out there. A scouting inefficiency? A teaching inefficiency? Mayhaps.
- SMHi Mike,
- Cito ManDespite the fact the team is playing well, we need to realize that it is not a very good team. There is little or no team speed, no bona fide clean-up hitter and no real closer (someone said BJ lost the fast ball he never had).
Those who insist that JP has built a good team need to remember the millions he spent on Glaus, Burnett, Ryan and Overbay.
He could redeem himself, however if he would package some of the surplus arms and trade them to the Nationals for Adam Dunn.
Since the Jays are soon playing in Atlanta, I was wondering if NL teams split up their 25 man rosters differently. With all the double switches and no DH, do NL teams have 12 position players and 13 pitchers? If there is a difference, do AL teams ever change their roster specifically for Inter-League play?
MW: Some AL teams change their rosters for inter-league play, but often it’s to cut a pitcher and increase the bench. If I were running an NL team, I’d go with no more than 11 pitchers. You need more bench.
- Tim MYou’ve had a couple of coments about the chicago broadcasters latley. Well they were pretty bad they said on line i will never forget “J.p Richardii played in the minors with billy bean before he relized he didnt have any tallent and went into managment. now we were starting to see he does have some managment tallent”.
What you say about the 5-4 road trip is 100% right, this team doesnt have to win 8 out of every ten thats just insane, but i have countless people telling me they have to do that, and there falling off now. I dont know what you think of this but i thought maybe putting wells infront of rios 3,4 might do him a little better. It just seemed to me that wells always hit better in the three hole and had his best years when he had a big bat behind him: Delgado 02,03, and glaus 06. Rios seems to be able to hit anywhere in the lineup in his past and has some power so i was wondering what you thought of that
MW: It doesn’t matter, Cito’s not changing the line-up but no, I don’t like Wells as a three-hitter at all.
- JackThere is one pitcher who had a longer streak than Roy’s current one. Gaylord Perry with 47 consecutive decisions. But that was ages ago in the early 70s and 37 of those 47 decisions were complete games. If you’re willing to run your pitcher into the ground, you can get quite a long decisions streak going. =)
What is THAT supposed to mean???
Gaylord Perry pitched 22 years in the majors, retiring at age 45. Guess if they hadn’t “run him into the ground” he might have lasted ’til he was 60…
MW: I was wondering about that, too.
- KenMike
Curious why when Vernon goes 3-5 and does well you usually mention it in your blog, but when he does not produce you do not. Is this no different then the people you call out for not calling in when he produces? Love some clarification.
Thanks
MW: I usually mention everyone who does well in the blog. But yes, I have pointed out Wells’ good deeds to shed light on the fact that he’s nowhere near as terrible as most people seem to think. But that was April. In May, there hasn’t been much good to highlight.
- SeanVernon Wells this year:
RISP – 9 for 53, .170
Yeah, because this is what you want out of your 4th hitter. Let’s look at the rest of the team:
Scutaro: 10 for 30, .333
Barajas: 12 for 33, .364
Millar: 9 for 24, .375
Snider: 7 for 21, .333
Bautista: 5 for 20, .250
Hill: 17 for 51, .333
Lind: 19 for 50, .380
Overbay: 7 for 25, .280
Rolen: 12 for 35, .343
Rios: 13 for 49, .265
McDonald: 2 for 7, .286
Chavez: 2 for 7, .286
And Vernon Wells is STILL hitting 4th? I’m getting tired of “he’ll come around”
MW: But you like Cito, right? That’s why Wells is still hitting 4th.
- PaulOff topic, but I noticed that the roof of the Rogers Centre has been closed for most home games so far this season even though the weather outside was fine for a number of the home dates. This is ridiculous.
Baseball is an outdoor game ideally played on natural grass. I get the need for artificial turf in some ballparks, but for heaven’s sakes, don’t keep the lid on the dome on game days when the weather outside, while maybe not perfect, is certainly good enough to play outdoors.
I hear that Beeston and/or Gaston prefer the roof closed (some type of Jays advantage…?), but the roof should only be used if the weather would seriously threaten to delay/postpone the game. The weather elements (cold, wind, etc.) have been a part of the game for many, many decades. Let’s not turn it into an indoor game, only taking it outside when all the elements align to make it a picture perfect day.
If Ruth, Williams, DiMaggio, Banks, and other superstars who played in northern cities could play on cool/overcast days, it’s good enough for Overbay, Rolen, and Tallet.
MW: I don’t think it’s about the players, it’s about the fans. There has only been one day since the roof was fixed that it has been closed on a good-weather day, Monday, and that day the temperature only got up to 16 degrees.
- jimThat 3rd inning at-bat by Wells showed everything that is wrong with him. Not only did he make an out with runners on 2nd and 3rd, but it was a first pitch out.
It seems like those 2 losses to the Yankees were much worse than we first thought. Not only did the Jays lose 2 out of 3, but they succeeded in waking up the Yankees and getting them started on an amazing run.
Way to go, Jays.
MW: Yeah, they’re terrible.
- BlakeVernon Wells, another key at bat, and another out he has made. OveRRated. Yes, Mike, give a “sigh” like you did earlier in the blog. You fall in love with guys and can’t seem to tell it like it is. Mr. Wells is not clutch. You don’t fear him like you would many other number 4 hitters. Vernon is a good player, just not a great one in which you expect him to come through for the team.
MW: Wells may not be clutch, but that’s only because no one is. I find it incredible that people are so willing to skewer a guy over three bad weeks. Does no one remember Joe Carter?
- Jason DeneaultHi Mike,
I was wondering if you could have some of the technical people at the Fan remove the word blog from the address. The reason is my work blocks any sites that say have blog in the web address. I would like to read it more but after 8 hours in front of a computer when I come home i prefer the TV.
MW: Sorry, but I doubt that will be happening. Get your work to allow us in!
- Wayne KhanMike, so I decided to get some stats to hopefully support you in your defense (possibly wrong term)of Vernon Wells. However, what I found was quite the opposite.
Amoung players with a minimum of 25 applicable plate appearences with RISP he ranks 113 of 120 in BA, hitting .170. He also ties for the most in the majors with 4 GDP when there are RISP.
Amoung players with a minimum of 25 applicable plate appearences with RISP, 2 outs he ranks 14 of 15 in BA, hitting .217
Finally, amoung Blue Jays he is 2nd last amoung regulars in OPS ahead of only Travis Snider.
I’m posting this to state the facts to-date this season, realizing that its only May 20.
MW: As I mentioned above, Wells has really fallen off the table in the month of May, hitting just .213/.263/.333. It’s definitely worse than I thought it was, but again, this is something that happens. He’s having a rotten three weeks.
- DarrylHi Mike
I was wondering if you could settle a debate between my friend and I. Did Troy Glaus or any other player ever hit a home run off of the GM home run challenge sign in right center field.
MW: That sign was hit twice by a Blue Jay, I believe, and Glaus definitely was one of the guys who hit it. I think Overbay may have been the other.
- A.J.Ok, let me get this straight.
Cecil gives up not one, but two homers to Varitek, whose career was on life support and the Red Sox only signed as a thank you for his years of service. At this point, I have more bat speed than him.
Then he gives up a homer to Ortiz who was hitting just over .200 and had not homered in the first 7 weeks of the season. This is totally unacceptable. If it was Bay or Lowell, then that is one thing, but to let Varitek and Ortiz beat you at this stage of their career is ridiculous.
MW: Brett Cecil is awful and should never be allowed to pitch in the major leagues again.
- RexGood move not to start Halladay in this series, huh? Because as we all know, a win against Atlanta is just as good as a win against the team that is right on your tail in your own division.
MW: Talk to Cito about that.
- RichardMy target for this 9 game road trip was 4-5 and I don’t really care if Jays get swept in Boston as long as they win 4 out of 9 on this trip. With Doc pitching twice, chances are bright
I couldn’t find the list of the current top 50 ballplayers announced today by SI? or was it ESPN? Doc was ranked at 7th. Could you kindly paste the link please. I badly wanna know where my fav. 5 , Miguel Cabrera, Sizemore, Crawford, Pevey and Teixeira are on that list. I tried to find it on the net, couldn’t. Hope you can help.
MW: It was The Sporting News. Someone put the top 7 up here in the comments section already.
- BeburgSorry about that. I assumed you would eventually listen to it since it was Alex. Anyway, to summarize a long conversation, he was being asked about the change since Cito and Beeston arrived. The whole culture has changed starting from the top. People in the offices really believe now, as a result of the Beeston and to a lesser extent, Cito change. They’re apparently working harder, putting in long hours, etc…
That was the main drift, though you still might want to listen to it the actual quotes, tone, any of the little stuff that may stand out for you.
So based on that summary, am I right to assume that you don’t fully believe that?
MW: Yes.
- DeanMike,
Some guy wrote on the blog that the Jays just can’t play with the big boys and you replied with some snarky comment like, “Didn’t you see where it says rational and reasonable comments”?
Well, let’s look at the facts. The bottom line is that after tonight’s disaster of a game is over, the Jays will have played 5 games against Boston and NY and gone 1-4, their only win coming with their big gun on the mound.
In other words, just to reiterate the gentleman’s point, the Jays just can’t play with the big boys.
MW: Yes, let’s look at the facts. Five games over 43, two of which were one-run losses. Tells you everything you need to know about a team, right? It’s a ridiculous assertion to say the Jays “can’t play with the big boys”.
- HowardWow. 8-0 in the fifth. The only thing that could save this game now would be for George Bell to appear and karate kick Bruce Kison.
MW: I generally don’t like having in-game knee-jerk comments here, but this is funny, so I’ll post it.
- JamieFun with numbers:
versus Jay’s tough opponents – Red Sox, Yankees, Rays, Angels, & Phillies
2-5 (with one of the wins against Ortega, which hardly made them a tough opponent)
versus everybody else 25-11.
Remaining games – 119 divided as follows:
61 against tough opponents
58 against all others.
MW: Obviously, all is lost. Wins against Detroit and Texas, who are in first place, obviously don’t count. Nor do wins against the White Sox, who are over .500 when not facing the Jays.
- the stat ladyIt concerns me that jays have lost every single game against yanks and redsox this year when Halladay wasn’t pitching even though it is just 5 games.
- JayHopefully, we’ll get a win tomorrow!!
I’m assuming that you didn’t end up listening to the audio clip, which I still recommend, but I find it hard to believe that coming from a man working in the front office, who if I remember correctly you respect and have no reason to second guess, that this doesn’t sway your opinion at all? I mean hypothetically speaking, if you had a frank conversation with Alex (personal and off the record), what would you respond to those statements? I mean, no offence, but doesn’t his word hold more weight since he’s actually part of the front office? So in other words, you are basically saying you don’t believe him?
MW: I’m saying that I believe there might be a different air about the club (there should be, they’re in first place), and that people are happier and more excited to come to work, but that people are working harder? More committed to their jobs? That I don’t believe. Maybe they’re working harder because Bart Given got laid off.
- Dean6/8 last games jays have scored 3 or less. before that 8/35 were 3 or less. this was my biggest fear, when lind and hill go cold, the offense will dry up because rios and wells and rolen are not driving in a whole lot. and you are relying on a 9 hitter who isnt driving in any so you are relying on just 8 hitter. and then you have cito who cant fill out a lineup card, you are asking for trouble.
- pabloI know there is some “knee jerkedness” here, but suppose Cecil tipping his pitches is somewhat of a factor, do you think that it might be possible for him to adjust his delivery so that his arm stays closer to his body and is less exposed?
Also I’m more annoyed at the lack of hitting than (of)Cecil’s effort tonight. That was bound to happen.
p.s. ‘of’ or no ‘of’?
MW: No “of”, but an “at”.
- Steve from NJMike,
Is Joe Inglett healthy these days?
Just wondering if we might see him replace Snider in the LF platoon if he is sent down.
MW: He’s not healthy, no.
- Uncle BenI never said you said he should be batting cleanup, and I listen every night to your show…
What I’m saying is your show is very polarizing, sadly most of the people that call up rip TOO far into Wells and force you to do nothing but dismiss them as imbeciles and defend Wells. What I’d LIKE from you Mike, is your true opinion on Wells, specifically this year. Saying he’s a good OF and all the usual lip service is fine and dandy, I agree he’s a solid defender, and has a track record that implies he is going to be able to hit at some point…but I’d also really like to hear your thoughts, he has never had plate discipline and it’s getting progressively worse…his OBP is dismal. I would greatly argue that he’s a good 5 hitter either…if he was in a good lineup I think he’d be a solid 6 hitter. Hell, hopefully in a year(or two maybe), he should be batting 6th in this lineup(Rios 3rd, Lind 4th, Snider 5th).
Ya, what I guess I’m looking for here is, you spend so much time defending Wells on your show from over-anxious head-hunters who think he sucks and are caught up on the money he makes…that I don’t think I’ve ever heard a true, unabashed opinion on Wells, faults and all from you, and I’d like to hear what you really think about him.
So apology denied, but hey, peace offering. Please return my peace offering and then we can be BFF’s!
MW: Here’s what you said: “He has to be moved down, at least until this subsides, you MUST grant people that, or else you’re being blinded by homerism.” To me, this would indicate that you believe that my answer to the Wells bashers is “he’s the clean-up hitter, he deserves to be the clean-up hitter, and he’ll stay the clean-up hitter.” Because, as you said, I’m not granting people that he should be moved down. This, of course, couldn’t be farther from the truth. My opinion of Wells, as I’ve stated many times, is that when healthy he’s a very good hitter, but that he gets out too much to hit in the top four spots in the line-up. I think his combination of average and power, combined with his lower-than-it-should-be OBP meakes him a very good five-hole hitter. Again, this is something I’ve said dozens, if not hundreds of times. You are, however, bang on in your assessment of the by-play with some of the callers.
- Kevin”you can’t expect this group of 4 pitchers behind Halliday to get them through the season. No one even knows any of them. There’s this Tallet who hasn’t started since his Cleveland days (not true) and what’s his name Ce..cil, and Richmond and who am I forgetting…that young guy…Ray.” Let’s hope we prove them wrong!
Problem is, they may actually be right. Then again, maybe not. That’s why they play the games.
There are actually a lot of Jays’ fans wondering who these guys are. Although he won’t admit it, I bet that JP is one surprised GM at this point, seeing what Beeston and Cito have done with “his” guys.
MW: I don’t know what “edicit” means, but I’ll say this – I have no problem saying the words “no-hitter” on a broadcast.
“edicit” is an alternative spelling of etiquette. When you were replacing Alan Ashby during Tallet’s no hit bid the closest you or Jerry came to saying no-hitter was “no runs on no hits” when giving the linescore. Not exactly a news bulletin or news flash. Me thinks you succumbed to the broadcaster’s tradition of keeping the no-hitter a secret from the radio audience. Can’t wait until you’re the #1 broadcaster and you can do everything your way.
MW: Exactly – when I’m sitting in the main chair, I can do things the way I want to. Until that point, I won’t be rocking the boat. And that’s interesting on “edicit”, not what I expected at all. Though it’s not an “alternative” spelling, it’s an “incorrect” spelling.
- KitThat was a frustrating first half of a game…. I’m afraid I’ve lost my panic button, so I will be unable to press it with all of the others commenting above.
Never mind, I just realized I’m not the panicky type. Nice to see Rios and Wells with three hit nights, looked like the ‘knuckleball effect’ had worn off by about the sixth inning for most of the lineup. If the really is a knuckleball effect, that is.
Question, do you think Cecil has the same potential to bounce back as Richmond did? Their poor innings were similar, if you ask me, just the old green monster makes things look like they were hit twice as far.
MW: I think that by the end of this season, Cecil will be the second- or third-best starter on the team.
- Greg WWhy do you insist on being a sarcastic and borderline a**hole to your listeners? I listened to you tonight correct one of your callers 4 times when he was referring to his Blue Jays as “we” and you kept coming back at him with “they”! To his credit, he didn’t challenge you on this. I so wish that was me you did that to… i would have put you in your place so fast! Why can’t he refer to them as “we?” They ARE our team! As in if your a Blue Jays fan, you have the right to refer to them as “we”. Why you ask? Because were the one supporting the team. Were the ones paying everyone’s salaries! Including yours no doubt! So why don’t you take a much needed step back and know your audience! You need to understand something… your position as the voice of the blue jays is a privledge, NOT a right!
Get your act together! I’m sick of hearing your sarcasm every single day. It’s a bloody shame because your knowledge of the Jays and the game is decent. Stop being a sarcastic no it all and start appreciating your listeners. Who knows, maybe one day you’ll be calling into the new host!?
Do what you want with this message. I know you won’t have the guts to post it.
One last thing, I wish I had your role! I would do a much better job. Bring me in for a game, i’ll prove it to you.
MW: I could never bring you in for game, I’m too scared you’ll take my job away forever.
- Shawn NeveuRe Post #85 — I don’t suppose there’s any chance that your workplace blocks the word “blog” because your employer actually expects you to be working, is there?
- Norm(snip)
Those who insist that JP has built a good team need to remember the millions he spent on Glaus, Burnett, Ryan and Overbay.
He could redeem himself, however if he would package some of the surplus arms and trade them to the Nationals for Adam Dunn.
(snip)
Yeah, because JP is such a big Adam Dunn fan.;)
- Terry BradleyMW: Brett Cecil is awful and should never be allowed to pitch in the major leagues again.
No way Mike. He will be ready for the majors by 2012. How can you be so harsh.?
MW: Wins against Detroit and Texas, who are in first place, obviously don’t count. Nor do wins against the White Sox, who are over .500 when not facing the Jays.
Sorry Mike. Somehow, I didn’t quite see the White Sox, Rangers, and Tigers as “tough opponents”. Thanks for straightening me out. And yes the Jays have crushed those teams. Go Jays.
MW: Sarcasm!!!!!!!
- the stat ladyRE: Post 87 – the other one to hit the sign was Eric Hinske. Either him or Glaus hit it on Canada Day in 2006, I can’t remember which.
MW: Are you sure? I thought it was Lyle Overbay. In all seriousness.
- Mike MInterestingly enough, it turns out both Glaus and Hinske homered on Canada Day in 2006. I know they both hit the GM sign, but I can’t remember who did that day.
- Mike MHey Mike,
I should let you know it is because of your Jays Talk show that I started following baseball again a few years ago. I don’t remember which year was your first year, but I was out of the country a lot for a few years, the Ash years really turned me off, Jays losing, steroids, baseball strike, yada, yada.
I actually started listening to Jays Talk before I started listening to the Jays games. I always appreciate your willingness to call people out for spewing untruths and your encyclopedic knowledge of the game really gives me an entertaining listening experience. I disagree with at least 1/3 of your opinions, but I can respect a “wrong” opinion based on some evidence. Thanks for the great shows.
MW: You’re welcome! You should talk to Shaun.
- Tim MMike,
Reading through most of the comments, even during the sweep of the White Sox, I just have to laugh. It’s as if I’m reading the comments of fans of a team that is 10-33, instead of 27-16. It’s becoming crystal clear that a 43-0 record might not even be good enough for some of you people. All the hitters should be batting 1.000 and the pitchers should be throwing perfect games every time out there and that still might not be enough.
Let’s do a little relaxation exercise (exorcise) shall we? Let’s go back to when our favourite team was 0-0 and everyone was predicting a 90+ loss season and a possible last place finish. Let’s add in the fact that we magically gained Nostradamus-like abilities to know that Litsch and Romero were going to go down in April with injuries and David Purcey wasn’t going to be able to hit the broad side of a barn with his pitches and would get sent out after 5 starts, and of course that Janssen, McGowan and Marcum would not have worked their way back to the show yet. That’s more than one full rotation of starting pitchers right there. That would leave us with the great Roy “Doc” Halladay and Scott Richmond plus ? ? ? in the #3, #4 and #5 spots. Oh yeah, don’t forget, let’s factor in that B.J. Ryan would lose his closer job in April due to ineffectiveness, which moves everybody up a spot in the bullpen. It’s looking pretty bleak now isn’t it? Given all those circumstances my best guess for this team’s record after 43 games would be far, far closer to 16-27 than 27-16.
By all means go ahead and keep sweating the small stuff and minutiae, if that’s what floats your boat. Please be my guest and fail to stop and smell the roses of first place in the AL East while they grace us with their presence. It probably won’t last, but that doesn’t mean that all is lost. Look at the pitching coming up through the system if you don’t believe me and behind that there’s a bunch of position players as well.
The only way this team has a hope in heck of competing with the big bad boys in the East in the coming years is primarily through drafting and developing (newsflash: this area of the organization appears to be operating very smoothly right now) supplemented by trades and free agency which exploit market inefficiencies (right now it’s defense another strength of this team, but that particular inefficiency could change at any time). They definitely can’t go toe to toe with the Yanks and Red Sox from a financial standpoint so they have to be smarter.
Just remember there are players on the other team in every game that want to win every bit as badly as our Jays and I’m pretty sure every single AL team would quite willingly trade places with our Jays right now (perhaps in another division, but you get the idea). Do yourself a favour and enjoy the ride…or make yourself sick with worry and anger over something you have no control over and that is known south of the border as “the national pastime”. As in something you enjoy passing the time with during the all-too fleeting Canadian summers. I know I’ll enjoy it because like I said above this season has already gone far better than I imagined it could possibly go.
As for this nonsense about “Oh whoa, we’re 1-4 against the Yankees and Red Sox, it’s the end of the world.” C’mon, get a hold of yourselves. You can’t have it both ways. In previous years everybody would call in and say: “Why can’t they beat the teams they’re supposed to beat?” They’re doing that this year. Emphatically.
As for sample sizes 1500 PA generally is accepted as a reasonable amount from which to make conclusions/projections. So, to those of you posting your “clutch” numbers based on 50 PA in “clutch” situations: relax, it’s nowhere near a reasonable sample size from which to say “Aha! Vernon does suck Mike and here’s the proof.” I’ll grant you that it’s better than those inane: “So and so is 0 for 2 in his career against pitcher such and such.” but not much. Lighten up everybody,
- Tom the Internhey mike,
Shawn Neveu, I challenge you to a duel…No need to be critical of Mike the way you are…Night in and night out he does something that keeps us baseball fans entertained and knowledgeable. Despite the fact that it’s his job, he doesn’t have to be doing this to such an excess if people like you won’t appreciate it. How many crack callers and crack bloggers does Mike get a day that makes him feel like shooting himself because of their lack of sensibility? He does his best, and he is damn entertaining to listen to at home and work.
Keep up the good work Mike, Shawn, I want to see you at the Rogers centre, we can talk about commitment to the jays there if you like.
- paoloI’m positive it was Hinske. After sleeping on it, I think he was the first to hit it (probably on Canada Day) and Glaus hit it some point after Hinske was traded. I remember thinking at the time when Glaus hit it “Well they must be happy because now they never have to show the replay of Hinske hitting it again.” I am so sure it was Hinske, but have no way to confirm it.
MW: You may be right, I can’t remember.
- Mike Mlol classic Mike Wilner…
So lets throw out the entire season on Rios up til now and focus on the last weeks which is a ridiculously small sample size to argue…classic…
Sorry Mike doesnt take away that he is hitting .270 with a lower OBP/slugging than our catcher and has been bad with RISP…sorry mike we need alot more from the middle of our lineup,no amount of spin can save you this time….
MW: Yeah, the catcher who is having just about the best six weeks of his life. What kind of comparison is that? And as for the small sample size argument – Rios was awful for 3 1/2 weeks, and he’s been very good for 3 weeks. Tell me exactly how that’s throwing out the entire season. It is classic Mike Wilner – a solid argument that winds up to be factual.
- MikeYour counter argument to a losing argument is always “he’s playing unbelievable”
barajas has been good,NOT unbelievable..fact is Rios has been and 2 weeks in may and 10 games doesnt change that…classic mike wilner is arguing when his argument is false to begin with….Rios has been bad/inconsistent/lousy this year PERIOD THE END…..good day !
good day
MW: I like the “good day”. It’s like you won the argument. That’s funny.
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