12:25 AM Eastern
That’s what Scott Richmond was tonight, and I don’t think anyone saw it coming. The walls are closing in, the sky is falling, three pitchers go on the disabled list (including the two best ones on the team) and Richmond was an island of calm in an ocean of chaos.
He destroyed the Phillies, handling the tough lefty bats of Howard, Utley, Ibanez and Rollins with aplomb, allowing them just one single combined and striking them out a total of six times. That would be six of his career-high 11 whiffs, mostly accomplished with a particularly devastating curveball.
That’s two nights in a row that a Jays’ starter has reached a career-high in strikeouts, and all Brad Mills has to do tomorrow to make it three in a row (if the weather co-operates) is to get one.
Mills is here, along with Jeremy Accardo and Brett Cecil, because Casey Janssen, Roy Halladay and Scott Downs went on the 15-day DL this afternoon. Janssen with inflammation in his surgically-repaired right shoulder, Halladay with the groin strain he suffered last Friday at the Dome and Downs with a sprained big toe on his right foot. Halladay could be back to start next Saturday, when the Jays host Philly in their penultimate interleague game of the season. Cecil will start in Doc’s place this Saturday. Accardo is up to be a piece of the bullpen puzzle, but Cito Gaston says Jason Frasor is now his closer, and no one in that bullpen deserves that designation more.
Alex Rios did it again today, forgetting how many outs there were and getting himself doubled up at first on Lyle Overbay’s one-out fly ball in the second inning. I found that amazing, given what should have been his level of embarrassment for last night’s blunder. As much as I’m starting to think that these are things with which we’re going to have to learn to live from Rios, since the good he does far outweighs the bad, I would have yanked him from the game right away tonight. Two days in a row is extra-ridiculous.
That said, Rios has committed two incredibly fundamental mistakes on the basepaths in two games, and the Blue Jays have won those two games by a combined score of 15-4.
Man, did B.J. Ryan look awful tonight.
Here’s tonight’s edition of The JaysTalk, for your listening pleasure - sorry you couldn’t listen online tonight because of the Argo game:
Thursday afternoon, weather permitting, Mills makes his big-league debut against the Phillies and Joe Blanton. Look for a terrific 12-to-6 curveball and plenty of strikes from the young lefty. Of course, first time out, you never know what you’re going to get.
Sorry I couldn’t get to all of last night’s comments, there are about 50 left over and I’ll get to as many of those and the ones that come in from that point as I can during the day game.
Very busy day, with a practice for the Grade 4 and 5’s in the morning in advance of the playoff game that got rained out this afternoon, and the Woodbine Entertainment Group media golf tournament in between. The horsey folk put on a fantastic tournament every year, and this was the first time I have been able to go in a few years, what with the Jays’ schedule and all. My group (Steve Simmons, photog Mike Cassese (sp?) and I) shot even par, saving it with a birdie on the last hole. I think about 20 of the 71 shots we had were mine, but a dozen or so of them were tap-ins for par. I don’t think we were close to winning the thing but hey, I won a barbecue!
Rational, reasonable comments are always welcome!
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Who would have thought that Scott Richmond would have been not only Team Canada’s WBC ace, but also the Jays’?
MW: How could he have been Team Canada’s ace when he never pitched for them?
- steveHey Mike
Why is everyone hell bent on punishing Alex Rios on base running issues when they WON? Yes I understand that these are terrible mistakes, but what long term effect will this have on the team? If this becomes a more occurring thing, then the coaches can deal with it more seriously.
MW: It doesn’t matter whether they won in spite of Rios’ mistakes or not, they’re pretty egregious errors and need to be pointed out.
- Gagan SamraHow about that Brian Burres guy that people couldn’t wait to send back down (including myself). He pitched a complete game shutout tonight giving up just 4 hits.
MW: Yup.
- SamMichael of the Ballyard:
My God, you can shoot par? I never pictured it, especially since you gave a really disinterested answer when I asked you about the best golfers on the team and in the media sometime last year. That’s impressive, though. Re-reading it, I guess you didn’t shoot par personally, but still.
Anyways, I thought you might enjoy this. I thought it was fake at first because the premise of the article is that AJ Burnett was voluntarily in a book store: http://www.bostonherald.com/track/inside_track/view/2009_06_12_A_J__Burnett_gives_kids_an_earful_at_Barnes___Noble/srvc=home&position=2
And supposedly (according to Bastian) the kid who approached Rios for the autograph before he got into it with the fans is regularly seen by team sources approaching players for autographs, flanked by the same group of adults he was with outside the ROM. Are you *certain* that a bunch of dudes who send the same little kid repeatedly to hound for autographs don’t deserve to get told to eff off? I sure think they do.
MW: When did I say those “dudes” didn’t deserve what Rios fired at them? Whether they did or not, though, it was still pretty inappropriate. And no, I didn’t shoot par. I’ve never been close to shooting par.
- Kevin DraperMike,
You said you would have yanked Rios out of the game right away. Would you have waited until between innings, or would you have really embarrassed him by putting in a pinch runner?
Also, you acted really weird and you got flustered when a caller was going to respond to your comment about Rommel. You said, “Don’t say anything about Rommel, just go on with your call.” What was that about? I know you are Jewish, but come on, lighten up. Just an FYI, Rommel was accused of being part of the July 20 plot to kill Hitler, the plot that the movie Valkyrie was about. For his part in the plot, he was given the choice of trial or suicide and he chose suicide. He hated what the Nazis stood for and died because of it. I guess you never took many world history classes at U of T.
Anyway, keep up the good work on the show and please don’t edit my comment. If you are not going to post the bit about Rommel, then don’t post anything at all.
MW: I don’t think Nazi Germany needs to be discussed on a baseball post-game show, maybe it’s me. It would have been impossible to put in a pinch-runner for Rios, since he was retired on the basepaths.
- KuroDo you think David Purcey will get another shot this year? He has a 4.28 ERA, Opponents BA of .256 and a 1.48 WHIP. For a hitter friendly league in the PCL those numbers look pretty good, but he has 30 walks in 54.2 innings. Is it just a matter of him walking less people for him to get another shot? He has had some stellar outings and some bad ones, but overall he seems to be doing fairly well, except for the number of walks.
MW: It’s just a matter of him walking fewer people.
- SamMike, can I have your new bbq?
MW: No.
- Dave BrantfordMW: “I would have yanked him from the game right away tonight. Two days in a row is extra-ridiculous”.
That’s exactly what I’d have done as well. I was embarrassed to see that. Rios didn’t even wait for 24 hours before making another baserunning blunder. Thankfully this Rios circus isn’t costing the Jays.
Mike, for the last few years the debate in New York has been about A-Rod and Jeter and who’s a better overall player between the two. I think it has changed now. Teixeira in my eyes is better than those two at this stage. Some might say A-Rod is still better than Teixeira but there’s noway anybody can convince me that Jeter is better than Teixeira. So is Teixeira the best Yankee?
MW: The thing is, he plays first base, and Jeter and A-Rod both play more key defensive positions (though not nearly as well as Teixeira plays first base). If you want to call him the best Yankee, I won’t argue with you.
- BeburgHey Mike,
MW: Cito Gaston says Jason Frasor is now his closer, and no one in that bullpen deserves that designation more.
I thought B.J. was the closer, he’s the one raking in $12 million this season?
I was really bringing the heat in our wood-bat league tonight, closed out the 5-4 W with the tying run on third. My velocity was about 10 mph below BJ’s, but I threw nothing but strikes. Think B.J. might end up in our league one day soon?
MW: You never know, but I’m going to say no. He’s only making $10 million, by the way - no need to make it worse than it already is.
- Ken PaganHey Mike,
I think Jason Frasor heard that people think he’s too timid looking, so he went out and got a tattoo on his face! It’s not a snake, but I can’t tell what it is - do you know?
MW: It’s shooting flames, because Jason gives opposing hitters Frasor Burn.
- ProvanI have nothing against Richmond but the first caller, what is he thinking. “Richmond could be better than Halladay”. First of all no one is better than Roy Halladay. If baseball is a religion, what the caller said is blasphemy.
I want you to compare Scott Richmond breaking pitch (tonight) to AJ Burnetts’. It seemed like it had alot of late break. It would be near the dirt and hitters still swinged and looked lost.
Its really hard to know what quality of pitchers Richmond and Tallet are. Tallet has looked great alot of times but then he has these really bad starts. Richmond looks awesome at times but other times he struggles to get out of the 2nd inning. I am not sure if i did a good job getting across what i was trying to say.
By the way i also thought Richmond was going to blow up tonight.
MW: Most pitchers do get lit up every once in a while, so the fact that they blow up on occasion (only twice all year for Tallet) shouldn’t make it that difficult to assess them. I thought Richmond’s curve last night was spectacular - deeper than Burnett’s usually is - but Burnett usually throws a better curveball than Richmond. Richmond’s slider, though, is Stiebic.
- VjeyMike,
I did as you said and googled “line-up protection”.
There were some very interesting articles and comments. Most of the articles tried to prove that it did not exist. They all used data centered on players like Bonds and Matt williams or Maris and Mantle and the like. Now the one catcher who commented pointed out that he was always looking at the on deck circle and this affected what pitch he would call. It was amazing that none of these researchers interviewed pitchers and catchers. The general consensus after all these statistics was that most players, managers and fans believed it was important, especially in certain critical situations e.g. one run lead, runners on second and third with two out and 3-1 count: do you walk Ortiz and try your luck with Manny?
It was suggested that although the protected may not see more fast balls, he will see more fast balls in fast ball counts; or he will see the pitchers “out pitch” when the pitcher is worried about the guy on deck.
I must congratulate you on being quoted in one of the blogs as follows:
“Listen to sabremetrics and it will tell you that John McDonald on the Jays saves more runs than Jeter
creates and therefore is a better SS. Mike Wilner who does the Jays games arrogantly said as much. The game is too complicated to break it down to straight statistics.”
Sounds like an argument you and I had last season about McDonald and Scutaro!
BTW 27 1/3 innings and 8 saves does not make anyone a reliable closer. Boston has a reliable closer. The Yankees have a reliable closer. The Mets have a reliable closer. Scott Downs is closing for the Jays because we do not have a reliable closer.
MW: Scott Downs was a more reliable closer than Mariano Rivera and Francisco Rodriguez have been this year.
- Cito ManWhat are your thoughts as far as David Purcey? Is this a power lefty in the rough similar to a guy like Randy Johnson, that you are very nervous to watch do a Hall of Fame job with some other team? Or do you take your lumps with this guy (possibly in the Majors)?
MW: Does it have to be one or the other? Why can’t he work it out in the minors again?
- bootyI guess jays fans can’t laugh at David Ortiz too much now. His stats are almost on par with Vernon Wells.
Do you get the idea that both Alex Rios and Brandon League are so similar. In the sense that they both have alot of potential but they never displayed that potential for a whole year.
I am glad Cecil was called up. in his last start he went 8 innings so i wasn’t going buy the idea that jays are controling his innings anymore.
I love your show and i was heart broken that when i went online i couldn’t listen to it. Keep up the good work.
MW: Amazingly, Ortiz now has a higher OPS than Wells. Wow.
- VjeyMike, you should explain what format you played in golf.. Even par aint bad so it must have been Texas Scramble material. Anyway Mike, I blogged you before about Scotty rich, saying that he had poise on the mound and did not get rattled.. One game of this dominance does not make him the deal.. He made one mistake tonight by throwing a fastball in a 0 and 2 count and Wertz took him yard.. That is Rods fault for not wasteing 2 curve balls that had great depth tonight.. Scotty wont shake Rods selections.. Anyway Mike..I was wondering what your take is on Cito making a point about , that our pitchers are in risk, because they are not use to running and they dont bat in the AL.. All this is sorry grapes.. Thank god Cito is a AL MANAGER because if it came down to him being in the NL.. I personally would think he would be lost.. He is already a zerox manager.. For the life of me I do not understand why he moves Vernon into the 3 spot.. Scooter is getting on base and then Hill follows and then you got Vernon.. Am I Wrong here.. I say switch up Lyle and Vernon in the order.. Then you got Scooter leading off as a righty, then you got Hill as a righty, not to mention thier production, then you got Overbay A lefty who is rakeing it and we should put Vernon 5 or 6 till he comes around .. Whats your take Mike.. After all the smoke clears Vernon will end up with a 291 average..
MW: I’d be very, very pleased if Overbay was in the three-hole tomorrow. I don’t think Cito’s comments are sour grapes, he’d been saying it prior to the road trip, too. I don’t think there’s much merit to the idea that AL pitchers can’t run the bases, though.
- FLIPPERHey Mike,
Tonight in the Orioles-Mets game, Melvin Mora, with Gary Sheffield batting and Ryan Church on first, let a pop-up fall in front of him! Then he threw out Church at second. I thought that was pretty cool! But that’s not why I’m typing.
Mike, do you think that there is any chance that Brian Burres will get another shot with the Jays this year? He’s actually pitched pretty reasonably down in Vegas (4.10 ERA, a 1.24 WHIP, only walking 2.25 per 9 IP, and only allowing 5 homers in 68 IP). He’s probably pitched better than both Mills (4.48 ERA and 1.51 WHIP) and Cecil (5.69 and 1.47). I know he was just awful in his two starts with Toronto earlier this year, but I was just wondering what you thought the Jays might have planned for him.
Thanks!
MW: I don’t think the Jays have anything planned for Burres, other than for him to be a filler starter in Vegas. I didn’t see that dropped pop-up, but that’s awesome. Good thing Sheffield ran out the pop-up.
- Justin from ArdtreaDo you see the present day Jays finding a player that is stuck behind someone in their team’s depth chart? Ala Carlos Quentin, Edwin Jackson? Who would be your present day (fringe) player that you would attempt to steal from a team that just doesn’t have the room to put him into a starting position? So far Marco Scutaro has been filling this position admirably, but he might have had his locker a little close to AJ’s last year. What about a Chase Headley?
MW: Wow - good question. I don’t think Headley would be as available as Quentin and Jackson. I think the Jays REALLY missed the boat on Quentin, but so did everyone else.
- bootyRegarding your last caller, the Jays had the 11th best record in baseball last year, in a three-way tie with the Astros and Cardinals. So his recollection of 12th or 13th (considering the tie) is pretty decent. I was surprised too, I would have guess 8th or 9th.
MW: As would I have.
- MattI’ve said it before and I’ll say it again - has anyone with the jays had Rios assessed for potential ADD?
I am NOT joking and NOT being a “dogpiler” here, I’ve suspected there might be a “there” there since at least as early as when we heard about how treatment had helped David Purcey.
Surely it has occurred to someone in a position to act on the suspicion…surely?
I know I know, “Don’t call me Shirley”
;)
MW: Someone in a position of authority should act on your suspicion? You have to tell them! Seriously, I don’t know if the Jays would investigate that or not, it’s kind of a touchy thing.
- WillRainI Had re-listen to Jays talk again just to confirm what I though I heard. Duran Duran is one of the best bands of all time???? That sir is crazier than the guy that thought Richmond could be better than Halladay. I really hope you were both kidding otherwise your judgment can no longer be trusted.
I Can’t believe some people would like to see Pedro or Glavine here. What would there ERA be in the AL East? My guess 6.5
Chris
MW: Duran Duran, without question, one of the greatest bands ever.
- Chris ThompsonHi Mike,
great game. Good defense and pitching, three homers. I have lost track a bit because of the injuries, but I think the Jays’ rotation (not taking into account order) is
- Romero
- Richmond
- Tallet
- Mills
- Cecil
That makes four lefties! Has that happened very often for the Jays? Just for fun, they should send Richmond to the pen and bring up Purcey.
No, that’s a bad idea.
Thanks Mike!
MW: I can’t remember them ever having four lefties in the rotation before. I’d call up Castro over Purcey, though.
- RoryCongrats on the bbq!
MW: Thanks!
- AlHi Mike; I noticed this year Jerry and Alan talk through pitching changes rather thank go to commercial break. I enjoy this change but am curious as to why?
MW: It’s thanks to our fabulous engineer Tom Young!
- ZackWhy was Fabio Castro not called up? His 2.83 ERA in AAA is fairly impressive.
MW: They liked Mills and Cecil more.
- RichardFunny ’security word’ today. At least on my computer. Where I had to type the word ‘rant’.
I wonder if Rios’s mistakes could be down to some organic cause. I snarked about ADD in my post yesterday, but after last night’s mess-up I wonder if that or something else like it is the reason for the mistakes. Rios on the basepaths is extremely focussed most of the time. He’s got 11 SB and he’s been caught only twice. He’s on track for around 30 steals in the season which is quite high. He got 32 last year with a similar percentage of CS. Stealing requires concentration. That doesn’t suggest someone who gets on base and just kind of stands around with his mouth open dreaming about his Corvette or whatever. So why does he occasionally pull this really dumb stuff? Every position player will make an occasional crazy mistake, but he he seems to do it more often than most. I think the Jays should have him evaluated. If something does show up, there may be ways to manage it.
- isabella reyesHello Mike
A note on Jansen. I am not surprised he went to the disable. I recalled him stuggling in his rookie year and we found out he was hurt.
A suggestion on how we get Rios out of this basepath funk ;-)
We should substitute the collar he is wearing now with one of those pain collar, you know, similar to the ones for dogs. He is so clueless if you do it when he is sleeping, he probably wouldn’t notice that you have made the switch.
If he wonders off to never neverland in the basepath, push the pain button - that would jolt Rios back to reality.
Francis
- francis xHey Mike,
I’m currently being blasted on a Jays fan forum because I disagree with firing the entire training staff in the wake of all these injuries. Halladay’s groin, Downs’ toe, and Romero’s sneeze aside, Is there any merit at all to this notion of firing trainers because they haven’t done their job preventing and minimizing injuries? Do you know of any teams off the top of your head that have been hit as hard with injuries since 07? The Pirates, Dodgers, Rangers, Mets, Rays, Padres could be examples, but if you have any specifics that would be great. Thanks a lot,
-Pat
MW: We had a couple of commenters recently link to webpages that listed all teams’ injuries. The Jays’ case isn’t as unusual as we’d like to think.
- PatThe way the Jay pitching staff is “non-progressing”, the next call may be to Brian Burres, who last night pitched a nine-inning CG shut-out, with 5 K’s and 0 BB. This lowered his PCL ERA to 4.10, pretty decent in this “hitter’s league”.
Mike, what do you know about Randy Ruiz? He hit 2 HR for LV last night, giving him 13 on the year. His numbers are .308/.377/545/.922, and LY he was .320/.366/.536/.902 with Rochester. So it appears he can hit (at least in the minors) — but there must be some reason he has been in no less than 11 different organizations since signing originally in 1999. Does he have a “bad rep”?
MW: Nope, he just doesn’t have a glove and has the AAAA label.
- NormTHANK YOU for saying you would have pulled Rios. I was starting to think that I was the only person left on the planet who still believes in accountability.
All my anger over this guy has been transferred over to Cito Gaston. It’s not his job to be best friends with these guys… it’s to MANAGE a baseball game. I’m so tired of his buddy buddy relationship with these ’superstars.’
MW: I don’t think Cito thinks he’s buddy buddy with any of his players.
- JakeMike,
Is it Pedro time now with all the injuries. We are still in the race and he wouldnt cost us any talent just a bit of cash that Beeston said was there. We need a veteran to shore up the rotation even when Halladay is back and he could replace a guy like Janssen once the whole rotation is healthy
Thoughts?
MW: See above. About a hundred times.
- DarrenMike,
- a.j.I think these blue jays pitchers are having sympathy pains, either that or there’s something in their water
First the good - Richmond. Great effort but can he do it again? Let’s hope so since it seems that he will be a key cog given how the pitching staff is decimated.
The bad - Wells. Enough said
The ridiculous - Rios. I have been slagging his brain dead plays on your blog for a couple of years and you have always been quick to defend. You are really reaching this time by saying that they won the games. When you consider the typically average defense he provides, the lack of power and rbi production, and the bag of sand on top of his shoulders I can’t see how the positives outweigh the negatives.
MW: That’s because you think he provides average defense, has no power and isn’t a good hitter, and you’re wrong on all counts. Wells - 6 for his last 15.
- K-MikeHi Mike,
Whoa! You know, I think I have a pretty good thing going. All I have to do is predict disaster for Scott Richmond and he will pitch a phenomenal game. Holy cow, 11 Ks??? This guy steps up when the team needs him. Two in a row against a NL team?? This is a rarity indeed. Scott Rolen absolutely wears out the Phils and has ever since he left there.
Ok, Mike. In his next start, Richmond will get lit up like the sky on Canada Day!
MW: If you know you’re doing it as reverse psychology, it won’t work.
- Ian from WhitbyI say it’s time to start appreciating Alex Rios’ baserunning on a comedic level. Alex being Manny?
MW: Why not? At least Rios is a way better outfielder.
- AndrewHi Mike,
What else can you say about Scott Richmond? I’m really, really impressed with the attitude he has displayed and his reported work ethic. The guy just keeps trying to improve, improve, and improve, and boy has he ever improved.
He had a great April and then followed that up by a bit of a rough patch in May (which was likely to be expected given the tough American League and his limited overall experience). Then his turn in the rotation starts to get skipped whenever possible. Rather than hang his head and be the dejected/defeated type of guy, he, seemingly through hard work and preparation, just makes himself better. I think we are witnessing the emergence of a true professional here.
The guy is blessed with a very good arm too. He’s no junkballer out there. Nobody seems to want to talk about his consistent low 90’s heat. He’s also blessed with pretty good command. His solid walk to K ratio and pretty low WHIP are definitely indicative of much future success IMO.
But for me though, more than his raw talents on the mound, it is his determination that has impressed me the most. Very, very nice to see that hard work paying off for him (and the Jays). I’m sure that Mr. Richmond is one very proud Dad.
- JamieThe ODE to Richmond is coming soon…
MW: Wasn’t that it?
- JamieMike,
I’m curious as to your somewhat limited knowledge of the prospects in the minor league system.
Would it not benefit you somewhat to read the minor league daily recaps at battersbox.ca
Just looking the player up on milb.com or the baseball cube when a caller calls is something anyone can do.
MW: Yes, it is. I wouldn’t say that my knowledge of the prospects is limited, though my knowledge of the day-to-day goings-on in the minors certainly is, which I why I look up that sort of stuff. I know who they are, what they can do, what’s expected from them and what the organization’s plans for most of them are, and I’ve seen a lot of them play. I just don’t know what they hit in the last week.
- ChrisMike,
A couple of questions:
1. When was the last time the Jays won an interleague series. Seems like it has been a while.
2. I’ve always been a fan of Scott Rolen, dating back to his Philly and Cardinal days. His defense is outstanding, and there is no questioning his intensity. His .300 average is great, but the run production and HR totals are sub-par from a power position. Will his shoulder woes preclude him from getting anywhere close to where he was?
MW:: 1 - The Jays won their last two interleague series last season, taking two of three from the Reds and the Braves, so they’ve won three of their last five interleague series, including this one with the Phils. 2 - Power-wise, I think so.
- Steve-O from Waterdownhey mike, just wondering how close ben sheets is to playing this year and if the jays would be interested
MW: He has just started doing range-of-motion drills, so that doesn’t augur well for this season.
- daveHey Mike,
Was it just me, or did it seem like Cito was making a point with Richmond at the plate? He literally just stood there in his first 2 ABs… It looked to me like they were mocking the NL… also, watching pitchers bat in either league is BORING! I cna second guess a manager without pitching strategy…
- Scotty DThat is all.
Hey Mike,
Do you think it’s possible that part of the decision to skip Richmond’s start may have been for him to working on his pitches?
We have to remember he is kind of new to professional baseball, and doesn’t get a chance to try new stuff in game to the same extent he might in single A.
MW: Nope.
- Stevie H.I called you last year on Jays talk and for the whole time I was waiting on the line (15 min, maybe longer)i was saying to myself, “don’t ask Mike how he is”, “don’t ask Mike how he is”. The first thing i said was “hey Mike how are you”. It’s actually really hard not to ask how you are.
Al
MW: Heh heh.
- AlDid you notice that Cito Gaston seemed really angry when he came out to pull BJ in the ninth?
He came out pointing at Ryan (or the infielders) and he looked like he was going to get into it with Ryan… almost like he was calling him off the mound.
I thought I was the only one who noticed it but a couple of guys at work mentioned it as well.
MW: I didn’t notice but then, I wasn’t looking.
- JakeMike….for the love of all things baseball…Would you please insta-hang-up on the next five callers that refer to Halladay as Holliday!
Thanks in advance
Trevor
- TrevorI have another theory as to why pitchers arms are getting injured, especially elbow injuries.
Cell phone elbow
http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2009/06/03/cellphone-elbow.html
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=5058670n
MW: Cubital tunnel syndrome, eh?
- Joey StevensWowsers, ….. that Richmond sure did surprise me. He was an Oasis in a desert of chaos … sure hope he can keep doing that well while the MASH unit scrambles into action. Are the J’s now leading the league in IR now ? the Rays were leading with 9 last week.
One more thing, MW ….. what’s with this Delucci move ? Even though they are getting him for free, this is an insane brutal decision. Ask any Indian fan what they have endured for the past few years and they were paying him big bucks. He is the KING of rally killers ….. you’ll see.
MW: IR?
- Randall CousinsMy group (me, Steve Simmons and photog Mike Cassese (sp?) ) shot even par, saving it with a birdie on the last hole.
Hard to imagine this, coming from the “grammar man” himself. Must have been a really tough day.
Our group (Steve Simmons, photog Mike Casesse, and I) would sound…….oh so much better.
MW: Yeah, that’s pretty embarrassing.
- Alexmichael,
please tell me if i might be on the right path with this assessment of this blue jay organization.
the blue jays currently (it seems) have the absolute best dl starting rotation in all of mlb with halladay, marcum, mcgown, litsch, janssen all on the mend.
that’s very impressive no doubt but here’s where the problem lies i think with this organization.
what other starting pitchers on the dl does this team have that’s major league ready i ask you?
do you see the problem michael? not nearly enough dl pitching depth in this organization whatsoever…
very frustrating…..’
MW: You’re exactly right. What happens when one of those pitchers on the DL gets healthy? Who is going to replace him?
- darrell bishopHi Mike,
The Rios stuff is truly perplexing. I don’t know what it is. Sometimes it just looks like he is going through the motions out there, not really caring one way or the other.
Or is it simply lack of focus? I find this answer frustrating when you consider the money he is making. We, the Jays, will give you however many million a year, and one of the things we are asking you to do is focus solely on your job for 3-4 hours a day, 162 days a year. Other professions, when someone loses focus for just a second, lives can be lost (and they are getting paid way less).
Or does he just lack basic intelligence?
Having said all of this, I am still willing to take the good with the bad. Amazingly the Jays are still a better team with him in the lineup.
Thanks as always.
- Rob H.Mike,
Just a quick comment on how consistent the Blue Jays have been this year. When the Jays’ season is broken down into 10 game segments there record is as follows.
Gm 1-10 7 wins, 3 loses
gm 11-20 7 wins, 3 loses
gm 21-30 6 wins, 4 loses
gm 31-40 6 wins, 4 loses
gm 41-50 1 win, 9 loses
gm 51-60 6 wins, 4 loses
gm 61-67 3 wins, 4 loses
my point is they have only had one bad streak. anytime you can win six out of every 10 games you will be in a playoff race.
so please jay fans KEEP THE FAITH.
MW: It’s losses, but OK.
- Rob RalphYou said on the show you give the Marlins anything they want for Hanley Ramirez.
Would you trade Cecil and Snider for Hanley?
What about Cecil, Snider and Romero?
MW: OK, maybe not ANYTHING they want.
- Colemike, don’t you think rios should thank his lucky stars he plays in toronto. can you imagine what he would get from yankee or red sox fans if he played there. he gets off way too easy in toronto. can’t believe gaston doesn’t do anything. billy martin would have killed him by now.
MW: Well, he would have at least punched him in the face..
- howard shannonDid you see what I saw between Cito and BJ last night? It looked like Cito had to motion him off the hill more than once. It wasn’t quite the Cito-Boomer incident in ‘91 - but watch this space. If BJ isn’t even the backup closer, and lefty specialist Carlson is showing his ‘98 form again, I think BJ is the odd man out. That’s quite a contract to pay for nothing.
- halladayfanHey Mike,
Couple things for you
1) Is Alex Rios drinking on the bench between innings? I mean come on! How hard is it to count to 3? Especially when your coaches are reminding you EVERY pitch how many are out. He was safe on a fielders choice last week at home, but got up and walked off the bag, now these two idiotic plays in a row. Seriously, what is wrong with him? I think Milton Bradley and him are friends.
2) I am sure in the history of baseball, someone has hit into 3 infield flys in a game, but has it ever happened in 3 consecutive at bats? If you combined Barajas’ 3 hits, total distance, you get one fly out to centre field.
3) Has any shorstop had three straight balls go off his glove to load the bases, then make the infield fly catch (4 in a row)? What a weird game the other night.
MW: 1 - I doubt Rios is into the in-game sauce. The fielder’s choice thing happened in Baltimore, over three weeks ago. 2 and 3 - Dunno.
- ChrisI have a feeling that Rios (and maybe Ryan) are dealing with some off-field issues as well. Why else would they be looking so lost all of a sudden? If this is truly the case, maybe they should take a leave from the team because having them screw up on the field (and taking flak from fans and the media) is not helping them get better.
Have the Jays tried hypnosis therapy to try get in their heads?
MW: No, they haven’t.
- LeoI’m actually sick of my friends and others around the world thinking that it’s the trainer’s fault that the Jays have pitching injuries. (One of them thinking since spring 07 with BJ Ryan)
And hey Padres are even having 4/5 rotation going down:
http://www.betinf.com/mlb_injured.htm
I say:
1. Different body part injuries
2. You don’t have a trainer on the mound for 9 innings or even in the batter’s box in interleague games
3. Trainers don’t teach pitching mechanics
4. Even Dr. Andrews or other #1 doctors around the world don’t recommend surgeries immediately until later
5. How many injuries are honestly based on terrible conditioning and training? (Must be conditioning that Roy Halladay pulled his groin in the middle of June out of nowhere and Downs sprained his toe)
6. Get out of the Jays cubicle and visit 29 others.
and maybe there’s more. I uttered these points yet some people continue to blame the trainers (and when mentioned about them going to the allstar game, they think it’s a rotational thing among trainer peers in MLB).
What else can I possibly say Mike? I’m boiling over this more than BJ Ryan being passive with location.
Also, it was great to see Richmond going “Halladay-esque” in front of the ESPN after they decided to carry this game because of Halladay. It’s good to see them finally admitting that Halladay is the best pitcher in MLB (they had this feature where they picked Halladay, Santana, Sabathia, Beckett, Oswalt as the top 5 Aces in the last 2-3 years. I would replace Beckett with Peavy) after praising Grienke countlessly for 2.5 months.
- BKHey Mike,
I’m going to agree with General Zod’s comment yesterday about not having sympathy for an AL pitcher getting injured while swinging the bat. It is unfortunate what happened to Downs and I am nervous watching Halladay bat but these are proffessional athletes and they should be able to swing the bat & run to 1st. Interleague play has been around for over 10 years now so it’s not like this concept of hitting & running has snuck up on AL pitchers. Wouldn’t it make sense for AL Pitchers to hop in the cage for an hour or two per week throughout the regular season and not just a week before an interleage series? Maybe do some baserunning drills on a consistent basis? I’m not a doctor but I do think some regular consistent work by AL pitchers would reduce the risk of injury by a little bit.
MW: Didn’t I read this in Bob Elliott’s column this morning?
- Brendan LMea culpa. On your call-in show last night, I indicated, going from memory, that the Jays had the 13th highest payroll last year and the 13th best record. Actually, they had the 12th highest payroll and were tied for 12th in winning percentage.
MW: A guy above says they were 11th.
- tim grafCito’s best move of the year so far is moving Rolen to the fourth spot.
- EdwinWell Mike,Rios did it again.It really is hard to say whether his assets outweigh his bonehead displays.Maybe they do but it is frustrating.On another subject do you think BJ Ryan will have a place on this team next year?He sure is nothing like the pitcher he used to be.
MW: Nothing like it at all. Maybe he can find some of what he used to be over the course of the next few months.
- PaulHey Mike
I dont really understand how the DL works. If you are placed on the 15 day DL does that mean you have to stay out for 15 days from the time you are injured or the time you are placed on the DL.
MW: If you’re placed on the 15-day DL, you’re off the roster for 15 days beginning the day after the last day you played.
- JamesIf Rios had Marco Scutaro’s base path smarts, oh my god would Rios be a great baserunner. I really enjoy Scutaro, he is a gamer.
- paoloHey Mike,
Is Gaston the type of manager to “bench” players for poor play (e.g. Rios’ baserunning blunders)? Has he ever benched star players in the past?
MW: Nope.
- MarkHey Mike, this isn’t the typical type of question that you normally get on your blog, but I hope you could respond to it anyway. I am a 2nd year student of TV Broadcasting, my goal is to be a sports reporter. I was watching the game on Sportsnet today and one of the commentators made, what I thought, was a very unprofessional comment. The 2 commentators were talking about their experiences with Philly’s legendary “Philly Cheese Steak” sandwiches. One of the gentleman then commented that he had a very bad one the previous evening, he then proceeded to name the restaurant AND the street it was on. Is this not an incredible abuse of “the power of television”?
MW: I don’t think so. If he had railed against a place for not treating him properly or some such, then absolutely. If he lets people know that he went somewhere and got sick from it, I don’t have a huge problem with that.
- Kyle S.“things with which we’re going to have to learn to live from Rios”.
Dude! Sometimes being grammatically right is grammatically wrong. See http://www.wsu.edu/~brians/errors/churchill.html
I agree that Rios seems hell-bent on making life hard for his defenders though. He’s becoming “Manny north”.
MW: The link didn’t show that what I wrote was wrong.
- Ben AssyntHi Mike:
What infuriates me more that Wells (until the last two games) lack of production has to be the learning curve of Alex Rios. Yes, he has been productive in most recent series, and yes, the occasional gaffe is forgivable. But he just seems to repeat the same type of mistakes over and over (my favorite being the “stuck” ball in the wall padding last year). What is the likelihood he’ll have a “day off” for repeating these base-path blunders?
On a positive note, wow did Richmond ever impress last night!
Brendon
MW: Zero. And the “stuck” ball in the wall padding thing was the umpire’s mistake.
- BrendonMike, I fail to see what is so special about Mills. He’s just another soft tosser with a curveball and a change, just like 50% of our other pitchers. And the break on his curve is so big its dead obvious to hitters when he throws it.
- Paul in b-townHi Mike
I had a chance to listen to the radio today with Mills pitching.
With no fastball to speak off and lack of control of his off speed stuff, Mills makes me nervous. He reminds me of Towers. Not even 4 innings and his pitch count was in the mid nineties. I think Cecil is much better than Mills, plus Cecil has a bit of a nasty side to him
What do you think?
Francis
MW: I, too, think Cecil is much better than Mills.
- francis xHi Mike,
I was very disappointed in Cito’s trust with BJ Ryan. How are the Jays going to get the most out of BJ if they don’t let him work out of his own trouble. They were up by 6 runs at the time! If you want the most out of BJ, you have to let him get out of jams. I think he should be the replacement closer until he loses the job for himself. Do you agree with me Mike?
MW: Not even a little.
- WarrenMarco Scutaro just had one of the coolest stolen bases I’ve ever seen. Sneaking over to 2nd base while the Phillies were napping. That stuff is great, and I hope the All-Star manager (Joe Madden?) sees it. Maybe it’ll help get Scutaro to St. Louis.
I just did a check of his numbers with Derek Jeter’s. (Jason Bartlett is having a good year, but has played 21 games less than Scutaro. So, he should be out.)
Jeter: .306/.376/.457, 39 Runs, 9 HR, 12 2B, 118 TB,30 RBI, 13 SB
Scutaro: .298/.396/.434, 50 Runs, 5 HR, 19 2B, 115 TB, 29 RBI, 7 SB
I’m almost positive that Scutaro is the better defender than Jeter. I hope he gets chosen, he deserves it.
————
Btw, I may never want the Red Sox to win anything but, they have a lot of fun in Boston. Bobby Orr hiding in the Green Monster, to surprise Jason Bay was awesome.
MW: It was. Scutaro won’t make the all-star game ahead of Jeter, sadly, and it’s not really up to the manager anymore.
- RomeThis ode was written in the top of the 8th inning last night, just before Richmond came to the plate for his 4th plate appearance:
ODE TO RICHMOND
A tall and proud Canadian, a rookie at the age of 29.
By definition a “late bloomer” just entering your prime.
On the job you are still learning, The AL School of Hard Knocks.
But the big leagues sure seem better than those Vancouver docks.
Undrafted after high school, undrafted again after the age of 25.
You became a longshoreman, and worked hard to stay alive.
Did you dream, as JP says, of the MLB or Olympic Gold?
Or did you dream simply, as I do now, of Vernon not stone cold?
First denied the Olympics and then your chance in the WBC.
I lament and so wish now that Ernie had started you against Italy.
Not unlike the late Rodney Dangerfield, you seem to get no respect.
If any bloggers dare condemn you, your Dad sure gives us heck.
Your stuff’s been poison to righty hitters, your slider toxic, fatal.
But it had been those lefty hitters that were making you unstable.
But now you’ve improved against the lefties, what more can you do?
You might now have the ability to put away that Shin-Soo Choo.
Oh Scott, you’ve now come such a long, long way.
That open tryout must have been quite the pitching display.
And where would we be now without your fantastic April?
Your strong performances have sure made us fans thankful.
Having not so long ago impressed the scouts as a Cracker-Cat,
- Jamieyour opportunity now comes with a rotation so injury-wracked.
So please continue to take advantage, Scott, continue to improve.
And please oh please don’t swing the bat, even if the ball is grooved.
Chavez hit a homerun today so I won’t complain too much but this guy has ZERO PATIENCE at the bat. 1-pitch swing on Kyle ‘No-Control’ Farnsworth and 5 balls in a row swing into a groundout.
- HalyconMike…I know he’s signed up for years, but I wonder if Rios becomes the Derek Bell of 2009?…A bunch of braincramps in the 1993 Grapefruit League and he was gone. And he was a fairly productive player in his post-Toronto career if I remember.
MW: Rios is already much better than Derek Bell ever was.
- chris m.Hi Mike,
Been a while since I’ve posted, but I have been lurking. Keep up the good work!
Few things I have been thinking about:
1) Do you see any resemblance between Marco Scutaro and JP. I would bet that JP sees a lot of himself in Scutaro and he was probably that kind of scrappy type of player when he use to play. BTW, JP was a minor league player, correct? Do you know how high he made it ie AAA, AA?
2) There were a couple of players that recently ran into the stands at the Dome. Rocco B from Tampa Bay and I believe a player from the Marlins. It made me wonder, regarding the warning track at the dome; are the players able to feel a different surface while running on that track (as they would between grass and dirt)? Or is it the same fake turf just painted a different colour?
MW: 1 - Scutaro is a much, much better hitter than J.P. ever was. I don’t believe he played above A-ball. 2 - They ran into the wall, not the stands (Baldelli is with Boston now, by the way). There’s crushed lava on the warning track, which makes it discernable from the “grass”.
- Gary WEven when the Jays do well, they are still disapointing because you expect much more. Is there a rule that states they must strand the bases loaded at least once a game. I can not remember a team that hits so poorly with runners in scoring position during crucial situations.
- BobbyHey Mike,
Just in response to the couple of emails about Cito and B.J. (crap Dobbs just closed the lead to one)…
Anyway, I think the issue was that Bruce Walton didn’t know what right-handed reliever Cito wanted. Finally he turned around to Arnsberg and said phone them and tell them League.
My take on the situation.
MW: Huh?
- Cameronwhat is it with these mid-week getaway afternoon games for the Jays losing games late.
Off the top of my head I remember few years ago BJ blowing a game in Oakland (after Matt Stairs hitting one out to give the Jays the lead, when down to his last strike). I think Frank Thomas won that game for the A’s. I also remember Ruben Sierra hitting one out in NY to break a 0-0 game (that would of been a few years ago).
Then there was the Giambi home run in NY. Then of course the Baltimore debacle this year. Today, with BJ warming up to come in the bottom of the 9th it looks like deja-vu all over again.
I sure hope not, but let’s see..
I know all teams lose games late, but the common thread with these are again, midweek getaway days - afternoon games.
MW: Have the Jays lost this game?
- Gary Wmichael,
- darrell bishophilarious!
you’re right my friend..
but perhaps we could stretch out dl’d downs & make him a starter but i think we’d be reaching there. lol.
btw, that previous “lack of starting pitching dl depth” observation of mine might be my last sarcastic quip for the blog. that’s as good as i got i’m pretty sure.
i rather enjoyed that one i won’t lie.
what a great ball game this afternoon eh? this team is scrappy. love em’…….
oops…i think johnny bench just hit us one out. gotta go michael.
RE: post 76
that is exactly right. I saw it too, Cito was having difficulty getting the guy from the pen that he wanted (Camp or League). There was nothing between him and BJ from what I saw on television.
re: my previous post 77 - glad I was wrong and they didn’t lose. My point was that there seems to be some pretty wild games on these getaway days.
and yes, sorry, forgot Rocco B is with the Red Sox now (he was the one that ran into the “wall”, correct?). That was an amazing effort.
- Gary WMike, what are Shin-Soo Choo’s career numbers against Richmond anyway? I know that guy just wears him out.
MW: Choo is 3-for-5 lifetime against Richmond with three doubles.
- JamieI thought BJ was upset with the umpire, not about being taken out by Cito.
MW: I hope so.
- BrettNow that’s an ugly sweep.
Rios’ base running has made him a “running” joke on all the internet baseball discussion groups, and all those who consider Cito to be a “strategic lightweight” now have some juicy new ammunition.
The team goes 0/14 with the bases loaded, makes mental errors galore, and still scores 23 runs. Clearly, the Phillies have some real solid pitching.
Vernon, who, understandably, was overly excited to be on base so much, makes a mad suicidal dash from third with the bases loaded and only one out to hand the Phillies a totally unexpected double play. Chavez crossed first base on a close play practically running backwards so he could see what was going on behind him.
Well the Jays and the Phillies, each tried their best to lose this game, with the Phillies finally getting it done.
MW: You’re blaming Vernon?
- KitThe guy above is wrong. Although the Jays, Cards and Astros all won the same number of games, Houston had one less loss.
- tim grafRichmond may have been Halladay-esque tonight, but we all know that he will be BETTER than Halladay soon.
- RMMW: If you’re placed on the 15-day DL, you’re off the roster for 15 days beginning the day after the last day you played.
This contradicts your earlier post in which you said that Halladay could pitch in the Jays’ penultimate inter-league game on the 27th of June.
Jamie Campbell said Doc would pitch on the 28th of June. Are you now saying that he is correct.
MW: Yep, I have a minor counting issue. Halladay will be eligible to pitch Sunday, which is the 28th.
- KitI believe that Castro has not been called up is that he is not on the 40 man roster, although Litsch could get transferred to the 60 day to make room. On the other hand it may be that they have no faith in 5′7″ LHP
MW: Nope, it’s easy to make room on the 40 (I think they actually have two or three spots open as it is). Any of Marcum, McGowan and Litsch could go on the 60 if they needed a spot.
- KJI didn’t get to hear the post-game show yet and I assume it’s been touched on but..does Cito even know what a double-switch is? What was he thinking, was there any logic to not doing it? Coulda screwed the team pretty bad if Accardo gave up a run and extra innings were needed.
- BrendanMike…I like the way you and Jerry and Alan thank each other when one leads the other into their segment of the broadcast…Something very small, but something these ears always notice…It always comes across as professional as manners usually do….Great work and you guys certainly are a close-knit team.
- chris m.Mike,
For some time now, I’ve believed that one of the things that prevents the Jays from being more of a sports entertainment presence in Canada is the team’s lousy TV package. The commentary, with Jaimie Campbell and whomever, is decidedly ho hum, nowhere near as cordial and welcoming as back when Dan Shulman and Buck Martinez were holding down the mics. But it’s the production values that are strictly AAA ball. Today, the afternoon after Cito and Ryan had an uneasy, dramatic moment on the mound when Cito demanded the ball after Ryan created another late inning mess, Cito came out again to give BJ the hook in the ninth. Uh-oh, what’s going to happen now? we wondered. But never found out. Turns out the camera cut to Accardo trotting in from the pen. We never saw the drama of Cito taking the ball from his expensive, gallingly ineffective reliever. Other complaints: the producers don’t provide enough highlights, and Sportsnet always cuts away from the game to the sportscast seconds after the final out. Even if it’s a walk-off win or loss there is no wrap up to make you feel you’ve just witnessed a major league event.
Where have you gone Tony Kubek? etc, etc.
MW: This is a comment that would be better served being sent to Sportsnet, not to me.
- steveWhat are the chances that the Jays would go after somebody like Jermaine Dye for the DH spot?
MW: Not too high.
- JaimeMike,
Did any member of the media ever ask Cito if he told Downs not to swing? Also, did anyone ask Downs what he was told, if anything?
MW: I haven’t seen it.
- KenAt this point in Rios’ career, we are just going to have to accept that he is a very talented goofball that doesn’t always have his head in the game.
I am now going to officially coin a phrase and if it catches on, I want full credit for it.
Those stupid plays on the bases are just “Alex being Alex”
MW: I don’t think that really counts as you coining a phrase.
- AndrewMike,
Who wins a race to third on a ball in the right-centerfield gap between Alex Rios now and Devon White in his prime?
Disregarding Rios stops at first or something.
MW: Good question. I think Rios has to get the edge because he’s 6′6″.
- DylanMr. Wilner,
What player that is currently elligible for the HOF, that is not already in, do you think deserves to be in the most?
Also, do you think Edgar Martinez makes it into the HOF, or will the writers hold it against him that he was a DH?
MW: I don’t think Edgar will get in partly because he was primarily a DH. Bert Blyleven and Mark McGwire are the guys who aren’t in, but should be.
- MelMike,
Is it just me or are The Captain and Scott Rolen Phillies killers???
MW: It’s not just you.
- Bernard Singhthe Tigers are “indefinitely” benching magglio ordonez - i don’t see that ending well. if he’s released, do you see the jays making a play for him?
MW: Sure, why not?
- BrendanMW: Someone in a position of authority should act on your suspicion? You have to tell them!
I’m trying here! I lost JP’s number, can you hook a brotha up?
;)
MW: Seriously, I don’t know if the Jays would investigate that or not, it’s kind of a touchy thing.
In normal circumstances I would agree, but it seems like moments like this when he gives them such an open invitation would be the ideal time. Or, at least, evidence you put in your folder so that when you do bring it up you can illustrate it’s not simply an arbitrary suggestion.
It seems to me that if there’s any possibility, Rios would want to know just as much (more) as the team would.
MW: I’m not as sure as you.
- WillRainRe:comment 76
I agree, in the second game, Cito had 2 rightites ready in the pen, and he was trying to gesture to the bullpen to show them which one he wanted. I think he was trying to indicate the one who was using the mound closest to the field. I don’t think his beckoning was intended for BJ at all.
Also, 3rd game, when you are Cito, sitting on the bench, contemplating a move that will cost you Jason Frasor for the 9th, isn’t your bench coach supposed to mention something about the double switch before you go tell the umpire?
- Greg WHere’s hoping the Jays go into Washington and sweep the Nationals despite Dunn homering in every AB just to shove it in JP’s ignorant face.
And I’m sure you know what I’m referring to.
MW: What exactly is ignorant about J.P.’s face?
- Wyatt BaileyAlex Anthopolous was on Prime Time today and said Casey Janssen will go back in the bullpen when he is healthy again.
Your thoughts?
MW: Read the post, maybe the one before this.
- Jamie Tgreatest band ever is the jonas brothers.
MW: You’ve just told us all we need to know about you.
- guiermowas it just me or was mills pitching too quickly today. barely stopping between pitches. Did you expert eye catch that? Other than that he looks to have a great curve and change. what do you think Mikey?
MW: I think he was nervous, so he was rushing.
- dave_12On the extendo Jays talk you you said the Jays are no less unlucky than other teams but that it just seems the Jays are more unlucky because we’re living in Toronto. How many other teams have five starters and their stopper on the DL?
MW: See below.
- MarcHey Mike,
Another great win for the Jays. A sweep of the defending champs! This was a very lucky sweep, seeing our production was down, but maybe the baseball Gods aren’t all that bad!(Excluding all the other things they did)
Mike, I’ve got one question for you. Once again about BJ Ryan. How come Cito takes out BJ, as I mentioned in my previous comment, and doesn’t allow him to finish the game. BJ had good stuff and Cito should have let him get that save… and not only that, he brings in Accardo who had just flew in from Las Vegas!! Accardo was lucky that we have a gold glove in center or Feliz’s hit could have sent the game to extras.
When BJ left the field, was he mad about being pulled, or the calls by Chuck Marryweather (sorry if i spelt that wrong) to the first batter? And would you have taken out BJ, after striking out a 19 HR guy with some nice sliders?
Always enjoy the blog and your show Mike! Keep up the good work!
MW: Read the next post.
- WarrenMike, what exactly happened with Scott Richmond’s dad on the blog? Was it really his dad? I don’t remember reading anything about that and I almost always read the blog.
Plus, what the heck is a cracker-cat anyway?
MW: I don’t know. Scott’s Dad left a few comments, and I wound up meeting him at the ballpark a couple of weeks ago. Nice guy!
- McLovinHi Mike,
What a great performance by Scott Richmond. What I admired most about him that night was when he was sitting at the bench after being done for the night and Cito Gaston came over to congratulate him. He quickly stood up to accept Cito’s handshake. I know it is common courtesy to stand up when your boss comes over to shake your hand, but it showed how respectful and humble a person Scott was and how that adds to his character as a person. I found it very refreshing.
- AnthonyVernon Wells has 137 at-bats without a HR and has only 41 in 1,266 at-bats since signing his $126 million contract.
- broomHey Mike,
MW: Huh?
If you noticed when Cito came to get B.J. in game 2 he was motioning to the pen for League but with two righties up the bullpen didn’t know who he wanted. Finally Cito turned back to the dugout and said phone them and tell them League.
He pointed and did different arm motions to summon League and I think some posters were thinking he was pointing at Ryan.
Just wanted to clarify.
Thanks as always.
MW: Ahhhhh, OK. I had no idea what you were talking about.
- CameronFor God’s sake, Mike, refer to what I’m talking about instead of nitpicking something stupid about the grammar.
Are you OK with the Dunn comments? I wanted Dunn like nothing else, I know, I’m a dreamer, but what hen said was not defendable. Hopefully you aren’t afraid of saying what you think because he is the GM.
MW: Sorry, I don’t respond well to commands.
- Wyatt Bailey1 run on 7 hits in 11 innings against this pitching staff??
Embarrassing is not the word.
I am not sure the English language contains a word that accurately describes what this is.
MW: One more run than the Yankees got off them last night.
- ReebHi Mike,
I just wanted to check in with you on the blogaroo to say goodbye.
I am officially giving up on this season. I have much better things to do than watch this team score one one against Washington. You said they were the worst team in baseball. You should have said they are the worst team BY FAR. They are embarrassingly bad. For the Jays to lose like this is a disgrace.
In a way, I want to thank Washington because they have freed up my summer. I am going to do some fishing andenjoy the outdoors, not waste time watching this bumbling manager fail to make double switches.
See you next season, Mike.
MW: Are you giving up on the Yankees, too? The Nationals shut them out last night, and they’re only two games better than the Jays, after all.
- WillI don’t get how it is commands, I’m just asking a question…
MW: “For God’s sake, Mike, refer to what I’m talking about instead of nitpicking something stupid about the grammar.” Did you not notice that part of your comment?
- Wyatt BaileySure I noticed Mike. And did you notice how I was asking a real question and you ignored it?
MW: Yup, I sure did.
- Wyatt BaileyHi Mike,
who has the call to bring up a player from minors?
Is it J.P.? or Cito?
MW: It’s J.P., but Cito definitely has input.
- JayHi Mike. Wow. The sheer hatred coming out on the ever shrinking BJ Ryan is mind boggling. Don’t you wish now that he could be someone else’s problem? Time to put your angst in the right direction. No hindsight here, there were 47 million reasons not to sign him in the first place. I’ve heard you say Mike that you aren’t a JP apologist. Prove it. Out of the multitude of blunders our beloved gm has made during his tenure, let me hear you state your top 5 mistakes JP has made over the 8 years he’s been here. I get tired of reading you defend him at all costs, when you have no issue with throwing Cito, a 2 time World Series champion, under the bus for his admitted mistake on the double switch. Me thinks you are afraid of JP.
MW: I didn’t throw Cito under the bus for his admitted mistake on the double switch. Cito threw himself under the bus. There’s no question the B.J. Ryan contract has turned out to be ugly, as did the Frank Thomas contract, but I don’t think anyone had a crystal ball and could have seen how things were going to work out. Ryan and A.J. Burnett were the two most sought-after pitchers on the free agent market that off-season, and it was quite a coup for the Jays to have wound up with them. J.P.’s five worst moves? Hmmmm, waiving Scott Eyre, dealing Felipe Lopez for John-Ford Griffin, trading Josh Phelps for nothing (Eric Crozier), offering Reed Johnson and Jose Bautista arbitration. How’s that?
- dave