1:00 AM Eastern
I don’t really have much to say tonight, I guess the Phillies series wore me out. It’s just too bad that Jason Frasor had to be the one to cough it up, but it really was amazing how poorly the Jays hit tonight. Not unexpected, I guess, coming off a series like they just had and going into Washington to face the worst team in the league.
Brett Cecil threw an eight-inning complete game in his last start in Vegas - let’s hope he’s got that much in him tomorrow night, as well.
Here’s tonight’s edition of The JaysTalk, for your listening pleasure:
Tomorrow, Saturday night’s alright for baseball! We’re on at 6:00 PM Eastern with a pre-pre-game show in which I’ll probably play an interview I did last week with Balor Moore, and then we hook up with the network at 6:30 for a 7:05 first pitch - rookie lefty first-rounders from 2007 do battle!
Rational, reasonable comments are always welcome.
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Michael W.
I’m wondering about something that I thought was the right call in the 11th inning today. I’d like you to tell me why it’s wrong. Not just that it’s not done, but technically why it’s wrong. Context is everything here of course. The Jays only had two pictures left in the bullpen, one of whom, as you yourself mentioned as recently as yesterday, has not been pitching well. League, on the other hand, in the bottom of the 10th seemed to be pitching very well and had only thrown 10 pitches. My thinking is, after Barajas got the first out of the 11th inning, as manager, I make the decision to try and win the game in the 12th or 13th inning, not this one. I have League go stand up there with the bat on his shoulder to take three strikes and come back and sit down in the dug-out. Maybe Scut gets on; maybe gets to third on a balk and Hill has a chance to knock him in. Fine, I’m willing to win in the 11th if it’s possible, but, as manager, I’m not willing to put my pitching so far behind the eight ball when I can keep a better option in the game.
And to be clear, this has nothing to do with Fraser giving up the winning run in the next frame. League might well have done the very same thing. The manager isn’t clairvoyant. But playing the percentages, keeping League in the game, given the bullpen options, seemed like the smarted move to me.
Why is that so crazy?
Thanks, big guy.
Have fun. Play ball.
MW: It’s not crazy at all, in a vacuum. The thing is that League had pitched an inning and two-thirds the day before, having thrown 30 pitches. He also has a history of having a rough time in a second inning and work so keeping him in the game to pitch another inning wasn’t a great option at that point.
- mikieMW: Raines will get in.
I wish I had your confidence. I don’t think he will, but he is clearly deserving.
- alexObviously, in the earlier email where I wrote “pictures” I meant “pitchers.” It’s a good thing that I’m so narcissistic that I reread all my submissions after sending them. But, here’s the creepy thing. Remember last week when I wanted to write you about Guzman and Cone and got the code word of “cones”? Well, guess what the code word was this time? That’s right: “read”!
Have fun. Play ball. (And quit creeping me out with these code words.)
- mikieIn regards to the Jays hitting tonight you said “Not expected coming off a series like they had in Philly”. It is exactly what is expected of this team, world beaters for a series even though they didn’t get it done with the bases loaded they hit against the world champs. Than right on cue they come and lay an egg vs the Nats, granted Zimmerman was good, but once the bullpen came in, come on guys. This team just has no idea on how to keep a good thing going. I am here to tell you they will get swept and be lucky to score 5 more runs in the series. This is how this team goes. 0 for 16 with the bases loaded, best to keep runners on 1st or none on, this is how they hit their homers. Get a guy in scoring position and its like, deers in the headlights. I just can’t figure this team out, lose to the Marlins rebound when everyone thinks they will suck, beat the Phils and now as I said before you know a sweep will happen again this time to the lowly Nats.
Wells next Homer over/under,
Canada Day?
MW: You might want to re-read that blog post.
- tony43If I am not mistaken today(june 20th) is Cito’s first anniversary as the manager of the Jays. Haven’t done the math but it should be close to 162 games and I think Jays are close to 90 wins since Cito has come back which is impressive.
One year is a big enough sample to guage his performance. My verdict is that he’s a poor Xs and Os manager, sometimes he’s too laidback and doesn’t take small steps at certain situations(e.g pinch-hitting, bullpen moves). I like his “if it aint broken, don’t fix it” attitude, where he rarely changes the line-up. I think it’s good for the team chemistry and confidence.
So what’s your take on him? What’s his biggest plus and biggest minus as a manager?
MW: You seriously don’t know the answer to that question by now?
- BeburgThis a `first’ time entry…. but I have been a long time fan of your informative and entertaining coverage of the Jays.
Comment: It was WRONG to take Tallet out after only 5 innings - 76 pitches and only 3 balls ?? (especially when the bullpen has been used allot recently.)
P.S:Jays had a bit of luck in winning all 3 games in Philly. So…their luck ran out against the Nationals
MW: They didn’t need much luck to win the middle game in Philly, but they certainly did win the opener and the finale in spite of themselves. Tallet threw a lot more than three balls last night. I don’t think it was WRONG to take him out, but it’s certainly debatable.
- Jonathan LoveryBarrett definitely replaces Chavez when he is ready, right? I saw he was moved up to Vegas, so I am assuming he is close. Chavez is fine, but it seems they would want the extra offense Barrett could bring.
MW: I would think that Barrett will be back as soon as he’s ready, but the problem is that they’ll likely lose Chavez on waivers.
- BrettMike,
Alex Rios is arguably the most talented baseball player Toronto has ever had (maybe Robbie Alomar had more talent). I suspect he has never had to work at any aspect of the game in his life. For sure, since coming to Toronto, he has never had to work for anything. He was given the right-field job without any competition when everyone said that he was “lazy”, and paid $64M over 6 years without breaking a sweat (he even said “I still can’t believe it. I never thought I was going to be making so much money.”)
He has been an all-star twice without seeming to take the game seriously.
Since I prefer talent over hustle, I am willing to forgive a few mental lapses (didn’t Larry Walker once give the ball to a kid in the stands with only 2 out?) to see Alex Rios play.
BTW I did wonder what Hill was doing at double-play depth with 2 out and a runner on 2nd in the bottom of the 8th in that last game in Philly.
MW: I took out the last line of your comment, due to its ridiculosity. I see you apologized later on, thanks, but I was more offended by the insinuation that I look forward to criticizing Cito. Hill is positioned by Brian Butterfield, I believe.
- Cito ManMike…Thanks for the explanation on the double-switch..greatly appreciated..Also on the subject of learning something new: I always knew the catcher cannot leave the batter’s box area until the pitcher starts his wind-up, ( for an intentional walk) but didn’t realize if he does leave early, it’s called a catcher’s balk. Would the punishment be the same? Advance a base?…It took a young colleague of mine to tell me, the veteran, about that…One more thing Mike…Talking about position players who could really hum the ball…Ellis Valentine of the Expos could throw plus-90mph they say. And of course Jesse Barfield around here.
MW: Yep, and Mark Whiten, too. A catcher’s balk gives the runners a base, just like a pitcher’s. I learned about that when I got called for one about 20 years ago.
- chris m.Mike…In case I don’t write in on Sunday, Happy Father’s Day in advance and get your breakfast in bed menu ready ahead of time…have a great day!
MW: Thanks.
- chris m.Hey Mike. It looked to me like Accardo was throwing a 2-4 seam fastball, a slider at 93 mph!!!, and a circle change so he might be more than just a 2 pitch pitcher. Also do you like Ryans nickname B-52?
MW: I think the circle change you saw is his splitter. I don’t like the B-52. I mean, it’s not bad, but it’s just another one of those CB-4, CP-3, AK-47 nicknames. Too easy.
- Matt from BCHi Mike. Do you gave any idea what the record is for players LOB in a season? Be interested to know, particularly given the Jays’ propensity to leave players on base this year. Starting to wonder if they might not set a new record.
MW: No idea.
- MGHey Mike. Sorry for the double post but I just had a question. How was it possible for Scoot to get credited with a stolen base on a ball 4(if I have the situation right). I thought that even if a runner is going, the moment the pitch is called a “ball”, it erases the chance to be thrown out at 2nd because the “walk” forces him to move over anyway.
MW: Right, that’s the runner who was at first at the time of the walk. Scutaro was at the plate at the time of the walk.
- Matt from BCWow… what’s with those 2 want-to-be umps behind home plate, now there showing up at away games.
Get em out a here !!!
MW: They - and some others - think they’re hilarious.
- moemanHi, Mike:
For I think the first time this year, I have a “question” (or maybe criticsm) of Marco Scutaro’s defense. On the Zimmermann force play, that resulted in the Nats ONLY regulation-time run, I thought Marco maybe “nonchalanted” his throw to first just a bit. Understandable, given that the pitcher was running, and they are not normally known for all-out hustle down the line. But if he cuts loose with his full-power arsenal on that throw, they get the DP, and win 1-0 in regulation.
They only showed the replay on TV once, so I may have gotten a wrong impression, but that’s what I thought. How did you see it?
Also, I tend to agree with Tallet’s opinion that he should not have been pinch-hit for in the top of the sixth. The game was already tied, Zimmermann was close to his limit (in fact, at his limit as it turned out), and the Jays had burned up their ‘pen pretty badly the night before. I think the “reasonable” approach would have been for Cito to try for an inning or two more out of Tallet, and expect that they would get at least one more “as good” chance to score later (which they did, of course, just didn’t execute). Now they are looking at a really tough situation today — Cecil may be asked to suck it up even if he’s getting torched!
MW: You have just infuriated a reader whose comments I keep deleting because he’s consistently insulting. I didn’t think that Scutaro non-chalanted that throw. Again, no right or wrong there on the Tallet call.
- NormHey Mike,
- Hussain P.I don’t get it, the Jays are good enough to sweep the phillies but they can’t beat the nats. The Jays are not beating the teams they have to beat. They hit so well against the Phillies but yet they can’t do the same against the nats. The Jays need the offensive production that came in the beginning of the year beacuse they were a very hard team to beat at that time.
Thanks
Just wondering how much bullpen the Jays could possibly have left for tonight. Ryan and Camp? Is League still available?
MW: Ryan and Camp, probably Hayhurst, and I wouldn’t shy away from Frasor.
- Greg WWhat is the point of signing David Dellucci if the Jays are not going to call him up for these pinch-hit at-bats?
Furthermore, knowing that the entire bullpen had been used before, why would Gaston pull Tallet out after 5? I understand Tallet can’t hit, but sometimes it is about looking at the entire game as opposed to a specific moment.
What happens today if Cecil does not make it deep in the game? BJ Ryan going to do long relief (Dear Lord)???
Yes the Jays could not hit last night, but he taxed a bullpen even more!
MW: Cito didn’t know it was going to go 11, and as I’ve said, I could go either way on that. The entire bullpen was used the night before, but only one reliever had thrown more than one inning and the starter went eight the night before, so it wasn’t like everyone was on fumes. Dellucci will be up to DH once road interleague is over.
- MarkMike, this is not the only time I questioned his pinch-hitting tactics.
THe Barajas one I questioned even more (even though he hit the home-run) because that eliminated the other catcher from use later one.
If CHavez gets hurt, they use who to catch?
I like Cito, but the difference between him and Gibby is that at least it felt Gibby had some foresight or reasoning to make the late-inning moves he did whereas CIto manages by the moment with no logic at times.
MW: It’s called pinch-hitting.
- MarkWhy did Cito play the infield in with the bases loaded, one out and adam dunn at the plate? I know it may not have made a difference in the end, but why not play at double play depth to try to get out of the inning?
MW: Because if you don’t turn the double play, the game is over.
- Sammichael,
- darrell bishopi gotta tell you, the main observation i had on last nights tilt vs. the nationals was how many good pitching arms they seem to have in the stable.
right from the starting pitcher (zimmerman) right thru to the bullpen. saw about 7 of them i guess & at least 4-5 of them lighting up the radar gun fairly well. 90+ and a 2-3 at 95+ it seemed. not bad…
but i guess based on their record maybe just some hard throwers & not enough “pitchers.”
as for the good guys, whole bunch of very good outings there too especially for a staff starting to get taxed.
and i don’t care what this organizations assessment of accardo has been thus far this season, his return to the majors based on his first 2 outings anyways comes with welcomed arms from this observer.
there’s always going to be at least 1 spot for pitchers that can pound the strike zone with 90+ mile an hour stuff…..
just logical i believe…
Tim Raines, Bobby Grich and Ron Santo are sort of no-brainers. Additionally Dick Allen and Albert Belle had better careers than a lot of outfielders and 1B that are in. (Tony Perez, Kirby Puckett, Vada Pinson, and Jim Rice being some recent examples).
Vada Pinson had a sterling career, but he isn’t in the HOF. The fact that Puckett’s career ended the way it did probably helped his HOF cause.
Blyleven and Santo are the two most glaring omissions, but Tommy John and Jack Morris are deserving as well.
Favourite quotes from before the 7th game of the 1975 WS.
“Win or lose, after the game Johnny Bench is going to the Hall of Fame.” - Sparky Anderson
“Win or lose, after the game I’m going to the [Bamboo Lounge].” - Bill Lee
MW: You should put quotes around the stuff you’re copying-and-pasting.
- KenHey Mike,
So I’m at the movies last night, went to see UP in 3D (highly recommend it to others), checked my blackberry at the end of the film, see that the Jays are in extras, race down to Milestone’s at Yonge and Dundas and have the pleasure of watching my man Brandon League pitch a superb inning. He had his 4-seam blazing in there with great movement, had good command of his changeup and performed like a pro out there. He looked confident, composed (other than the two wild curveballs he threw to Hernandez but we won’t talk about that… good thing nobody was on base) and obviously is quite capable of pitching a close game late. I still can’t but help wonder what his performance would have been like if he pitched the 11th. Other than the herd of angry fans calling into your show complaining about League hitting in a late game, I’m sure he is just as good as Bautista at staring down strikes so it wouldn’t have been a total loss to keep him in. Still, I wonder what happens to him between innings that makes him feature this two sided performance. Hopefully as the season wears on he can prove to us he’s capable of pitching more than 3 outs.
All in all a disappointing game to say the least. The bullpen did a great job even with Frasor giving it up but hey, this one’s on the hitting, not the pitching.
Just wanted to say thanks for all your hard work Mike. It’s a pleasure reading your blog and listening to your show.
Cheers.
MW: Thanks. Yeah, anyone could have struck out looking like Bautista has the last two games.
- RikDo you think the Jays could look for a free agent starting pitcher next year, especially if it turns out McGowan won’t be returning from injury?
I see a bullpen of:
Downs, Carlson, League, Frasor, Janssen, Tallet, Ryan (Or Accardo if Ryan is released..?).
and a potential rotation of Halladay, Marcum, Romero, Cecil, Richmond. Is that fine to you? Would you keep Tallet in the rotation, and use both Accardo and Ryan in the bullpen? Should they maybe trade for a pitcher, or sign a pitcher, or just stick with these guys, and if one of them struggles, you can hope that Litsch returns for the second half of the season.
MW: I think that’s early for Litsch, and I’m not willing to completely write off McGowan just yet. Still, I can see being happy with a rotation of Halladay/Marcum/Cecil/Romero/Richmond. I just don’t know if it’ll shake down that way. I seriously doubt that they’d release Ryan.
- BrendanJust a point about injuries, pitching staff, I understand, but at the risk of creating a jinx, the only position player injured is the back-up catcher.
Last year at this point, I believe we had lost 2 shortstops, a catcher, the second baseman, and the centerfielder. We would go on to lose the centerfielder again, and the third baseman. I’m just saying it could be a whole lot worse.
MW: If a non-pitcher gets hurt tonight, it’s on you.
- Greg WListening to Jays talk your comments about the hype that Bryce Harper has been given by SI is “insane” due to his age….
As an avid fan of teh big 4, I’ve seen similar hype put on names like:
Sidney Crosby
Lebron James
John Tavares
when these guys were receiving hype as young teens (all 3 names were in the media before their 17th birthdays), did you also consider it “insane”? or were you less outspoken about the hype these players got because your not as “into” these sports or you hold baseball in a higher regard?
just curious…
also are you strictly a baseball guy or do you consider yourself a well rounded sports fan? Considering the work you put into baseball I don’t think it would be a knock on you if you weren’t able to follow other sports as closely….
Also, I do understand that there are MANY cases of teens being hyped who bust out (and that Tavares has yet to do anythinga s a pro), but I just want you to comment on those 3 seeing as they are the most recent teenage media darlings
MW: Tavares hasn’t done a thing yet, so there’s nothing to say about him other than he’s been overhyped so far, but that seems to be the job of a lot of media types, because they need to fill space on 24/7 coverage and everyone likes to hear about the next great star. With LeBron, it was a little different, because players do walk out of high school and into the NBA (at least, they did until a couple of years ago). Same, to an extent, with Crosby (and I guess, Tavares). I consider myself a reasonably well-rounded, through turned off by the over-hockey-ness, sports guy.
- B CarterJust read your comments on the previous blog, so I kind of got the answer to my question. If one of those pitchers (Cecil, Romero, Richmond) are injured or just lose it on the mound near the end of the year, THEN do you think maybe they look outside the organization for a pitcher?
MW: By then Mills will be readier, as well as Castro and maybe Rzepczynski - heck, maybe even Marcum.
- BrendanMike,
Scoots catches another team napping and grabs second…nice.
As a fellow baseball fanatic and softball player, I would like your opinion on something that happened in our game last night. I play in a coed 3-pitch league, which may not be as competitive as yours, but still…
Anyways, this guy on the other team is up with a runner on first. First pitch is a come-backer to the mound that hits the pitcher - strike one. Second pitch is too high - strike two. On the third pitch (his last)the dude executes an excuse-me check-swing and dribbles the ball about 4 feet in front of home for a no-doubt easy single. Pitcher is not allowed to field the ball, catcher is the worst player on the team (can’t field or throw) and too far for me at SS or the 3B to run in, field, and throw him out.
Now, this guy has wheels, home-run power and can hit to any field, so there was no possible way it was an accident, and there was no possible way he thought he had another pitch. I confronted him after the game and told him that stunt was a pathetic bush-league move and it was pure garbage. If this was not my first year in the league I would have argued for him to have been called out. He looked at me like I had ten heads and then turned away.
Did I overreact? What do you think?
MW: I think you probably overreacted, yeah. It’s co-ed 3-pitch.
- Darren in Carleton PlaceNow that the jays have so many injuries in their pitching staff do you think they should maybe try and get Pedro Martinez? I think maybe 1 mil plus incentives would be a good gamble until the end of the year
MW: He wouldn’t take that, and I don’t think the Jays should go after him.
- RoyceHey Mike
What a boring game Friday night.
This is off topic, but I recall that when Ted Rogers passed away there was some speculation about whether Rogers would be interested in selling the Blue Jays.
I wouldn’t think that this would be in Rogers best interest since they own the Dome, Sportsnet and The Fan. But I was wondering if you had heard anything on this?
MW: It was boring, wasn’t it? There were just a ton of rumours after Mr. Rogers passed away because people who didn’t really know anything about the situation thought “owner dies, team sucks, why wouldn’t they?”. No truth to them at all.
- James HMike, this is what I fantasize for the 2010 pitching staff, of course after totally ignoring the $10 million contract to Ryan and the injury/recovery issues.
Starting pitching:
(R)Halladay
(R)Marcum
(R)McGowan
(L)Cecil
(L)Romero
Bullpen:
(L)Downs (closer)
(R)League (short)
(L)Carlson (short)
(R)Accardo (short)
(R)Janssen (long)
(L)Tallet (long)
(R)Richmond long)
Waiting in Vegas in case of injury:
- CynicalGuyMills
Castro
Rzepczynski
Ray
Purcey
Hi Mike,
Well, I bet Adam Dunn loved sticking it to JP Ricciardi’s Jays last night. You know, I kind of had a feeling that there might be a letdown after that big sweep of the World Champs. A loss to the brutal Nationals is a big letdown. Oh well, lets just hope the Jays rebound to take 2 of 3.
- Ian from WhitbyI’m SO happy Accardo was lights out last night. He really should be either the closer or the setup guy.
I don’t think I would have pulled Tallet so early. With the ability to light up the scoreboard, there was plenty of time left in the game. Pulling Tallet at 76 pitches.. meh.. wasn’t a fan of the move. (And had Inglett cranked a homer and the Jays won, I still wouldn’t have fundamentally been a fan of the move.)
The lack of driving in runs was a huge concern last night.. and it continues to be the difference between competing for a playoff spot or not.
Of course, you can argue that driving in runs is a concern for any team, but here we have a team that has great defense and solid to great pitching, despite the woes. If the offense could produce as consistent as the defense and pitching, man oh man.
It’s frustrating seeing this team put up 8-10 runs one night, then 1-3 the next.
MW: There are very few teams that simply put up five runs a game every game. Accardo was very good last night, but we have different definitions of “lights out”.
- Angeloi’m really interested in scutaro’s steal of second after the walk on thursday… mostly because my dad coached my ball team when i was young and had us using that play. you could usually get away with it once a game, but only with a team that hadn’t played you before.
any idea how many times this play has been used in mlb? is this even a record somebody would keep? how could i look it up?
MW: I don’t have any idea how that could be looked up. The only thing I would think to do would be to call the Elias Sports Bureau and have them do it.
- daveFor a switch hitter,
do you think Him hitting well and getting hot from the left side carries on when he also hits from the right side?
MW: No.
- Jayman…….any reason for not pinch hitting two of your worst hitters in the top of 9th inning? Overbay should have been hitting for either of Millar of Chavez. I understand that Cito is a good man and wants to respect his players, but I don’t think most if not any player would be disappointed by someone pinch hitting for him if that hitter is better than you. This is not a little league.
MW: I think Cito is reluctant to pinch-hit for any position players when he’s playing NL rules.
- JayDid I just see the $47 million man BJ Ryan get replaced by Shawn Camp of all people? It is amazing how far BJ has fallen.
A guy asked you if you thought that BJ would be released before his contract was over because they released Thomas. You replied by saying that Thomas had a vesting option and Ryan doesn’t. I think all of us are aware of that. The question is, do you think they will release him this year or next? Yes or no
MW: Not this year. Not until late next year, if he doesn’t turn it around.
- WillMichael,
They’re making a Ghost Busters 3, how awesome is that?
My question is, how long until you think we’ll see Justin Jackson in the big leagues?
Thanks.
MW: We’ll see Ghostbusters 3 first.
- Uncle Benmike just wondering if you can see the umpires sitting in the seats behind home plate.
MW: Yeah, unfortunately.
- oliverWho chooses the music for jays talk?
MW: On the network it’s all our regular network music, the extendo music is chosen by the technical director.
- dave_12This series is an absolute embarrassment and disgrace. I know this is baseball and the good teams don’t always beat the bad teams, but Washington is so terrible, the Jays had to win at least 2 of 3 to be respectable, and now they might get swept.
Don’t you dare give me that crap about “the Yankees just lost 2 out of 3 to the Nationals”. That is complete garbage. What would you say if the Yanks didn’t lose 2 of 3? Just because the Yanks lost a series to this terrible team is no excuse for the Jays to do the same thing.
The Nats were 0-8 in extra innings. Leave it to the Jays to give them their first 2 extra inning wins.
The 9 game losing streak wasn’t rock botton, because none of those teams were the Nats.
This is worse.
MW: So is the Yankees’ season over because they did the same thing? It’s two games out of 162.
- JasonMike,
I think we’re riding the scariest roller coaster of the season. Straight up, Straight down. If we could use an optimistic point of view, we just swept the defending champs and if we win tomorrow with Romero on the hill, we’ll have a 4-2 road trip heading home for nine games. And to all those fans who think we suck for losing these games, the Yankees lost 2 of 3 as well to Washington.
I loved the clutch hits in the 8th by the Bluejays and it was a shame we couldnt pull this out.
Thank goodness this will be our last interleague game on the road because Cito clearly doesn’t seem well suited to manage in the NL.
Mike, is Halladay going to be back soon and what’s the verdict on Marcum and Mcgowan? Imagine this team with those 3 in the rotation.
MW: Halladay will be back next Sunday, the story on Marcum and McGowan isn’t changing much.
- Warrensorry Mike about the Wang from Japan statement. Lack of research on my part.
MW: It happens, I messed up, too.
- OzRuss Adams is back!!!
Hopefully they instill him as the every day DH against RHP.
can’t be any worse than kevin 0 for 4 millar.
What does this mean for Dellucci?
not as immediate a callup as expected now i’m guessing.
MW: I’m guessing the same thing.
- ChrisOne of Gord Ash’s best moves was the salary dump of Randy Myers. I think San Diego took him off the Jays hands. Can a similar thing happen with B.J. Ryan? I doubt it. Myers was in the twilight of his career while Ryan simply looks finished.
MW: That was an incredibly stupid move by the Padres, and great for Ash for just letting him go. The Jays will try it with Ryan in August, but I don’t expect anyone to bite.
- DomenickHey Mike,
Did you see me on the broadcast dancing for like a minute. Apparently Jamie Campbell made a comment about me coming from Toronto. Do i really dance that bad. Ha Ha.
Wow i really wish the jays won today, and on a positive note, my friend had drawn a large Garfoose poster, and Dirk got the biggest kick out of it, that we got loads of autographs.
Tell Jamie that your favourite blogger, was the guy dancing on tv. Glad i danced.
- paoloWow randy ruiz is on fire.
Too bad he doesn’t bat Left Handed.
- ChrisAre those two wannabe-ump guys behind the plate Jays fans? I never noticed them before this series so I can’t have been paying attention. I think they are hilarious but I would hate to be sitting behind them.
MW: Please tell me you’re kidding. You don’t really think they’re hilarious, do you? I mean, maybe the first time or the second.
- isabella reyesMike, re your response to me, comment #15 — Not sure I understand. How did I “infuriate” another poster?
MW: He loathes Aaron Hill.
- Norm“MW: Tavares hasn’t done a thing yet”
Yeah I already said as a pro he hasnt done anything, but since the age 15 media hype he’s definitely had many accomplishments that point to him becoming a good pro. Dominating the OHL and the World Juniors aren’t things you can just write off. Guys move from the OHL to the NHL a lot and its become one of the feeder leagues almost. If Bryce Harper were to tear through one of the feeder leagues to the MLB…. AND then became a shoe-in to be given a major league roster spot next season, I’m sure you wouldn’t say “he hasn’t done a thing yet”.
your comment incinuates that what tavares has done since the hype began isn’t worth anything in being able to assess if the hype was warranted or not.
I can understand saying Bryce Harper hasn’t done anything, or saying that about Tavares when he was getting 15-16 year old hype. But shrugging off what JT has done as if it meant as much as his 16 year old statistics just seems short sighted.
Your right that guys break in younger in the NHL (only recently) and NBA… but development wise, we weren’t talking about 18 year olds… we were discussing 15-16 year olds who havent even grown into their bodies yet… so its not like you can say “well yeah, it was easy to see lebron and dwight howard turning into professional stars when they were 15″ thats just as much of a stretch as what they are saying about Harper because they are still adolescents.
I was skeptical on Lebron and Sidney way back when, but am starting to learn that sometimes the hype IS warranted… so when stories like Harpers come along, I don’t just write them off saying “that doesn’t mean anything.
Hopefully Bryce Harper can show you that you’re wrong and that he is this big a of a deal.
MW: I might have been a little too harsh on Tavares, but he still has yet to play his first minute as a pro, and now if he’s only just a good player he’ll be a massive disappointment. I wish for nothing but the best for all these guys.
- B CarterIn response to number 46:
I saw you Paolo. You are quite the dancer!
Mike,
4-2 on the trip (assuming there isnt 7 runs scored) heading into a 9 game homestand. Do you think attendance will FINALLY start to pick up? I find it depressing going down to the Dome to see myself and whoever I’m with amongst 30,000 blue seats. I went to see the Marlins vs Jays game and I believe there was 17000+ on a FRIDAY! It’s a shame that people in this city don’t go down to the games.
Mike, what do you think is the cause of this dropoff in attendance?
MW: I think that instead of looking for any excuse to go to the ballpark, people in Toronto look for any excuse not to go to the ballpark, and that’s too bad.
- Warren