7:40 PM Eastern
Unfortunately, I’m down with that crazy flu thing that’s been going around, and I’m not allowed to go into work until Tuesday night.
That sucks.
I hope you enjoyed Zack Cooper last night, he and Alex Seixeiro will be handling The JaysTalk duties for the next few days. I’ll host The Blue Jays This Week on Sunday night, because I can do it from home, but you won’t hear me from the ballpark until June 30th.
So instead of the usual post-game bloggage, and since I figure I’ll be bored to tears over the next few days, this is what I’m gonna do. I’ll post nightly just to get that night’s JaysTalk up, but I’ll check back regularly and answer comments throughout the next few days.
I just sat here and went through a bunch over about an hour, and now I really need to lie down.
Thanks for the kind wishes!
34 Responses to “So Here’s The Deal”
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Michael,
Hope you feel better soon.
Can you recall an instance where after the starting catcher got injured, the backup catcher got injured as well leaving someone with little to no catching experience to fill the spot?
MW: I recall the game in Baltimore (I want to say 1982, but I could be wrong) where the Orioles had to put Lenn Sakata behind the plate. Tippy Martinez was pitching, and he picked three Jays’ runners off first.
- Uncle BenAaron Hill is such a good ball player
- AndrewHi Mike
Hope you aren’t suffering too much. I won’t get worried about your return date until I hear that you’ve gone down to Birmingham for a consult with Dr Andrews.
On an unrelated matter, at what point in a game do you find yourself getting excited about the possibility of a no hitter? I generally take note after 3 innings.
Note – this was written just after Utley got his hit so I’m not taking any responsibility for the breakup of the no no.
Another nice start by RR. The Jays have been getting great, and more than a little unexpected, contributions from at least 3 starters (not counting the Dr).
Take it easy and hope you are back soon.
MW: I think it had to be at least five or six innings before you can believe there’s a legit chance for history.
- Senior FelixHi Mike: wow you are missed.
I don’t know what sort of flu you have but there are nasty things afloat, so I hope that yours is cured soon.
I missed my chance to chat live with Jerry Howarth, on the post game
but I am going to listen to the Jays re broadcast.
I think he’s right, about the recession accounting for some of the low numbers.
All of us know folks whose jobs have disappeared, or are about to disappear.
Well , we could hire one, and put him /her in charge of selling seats and filling the ball park.
It could be their job to fill
wait for it” The Beeston Bus”.
My vote would be to discount seats to anyone who asks,
some are very pricey, and generally create good will and interest in the game.
What harm could it possibly do?
MW: There’s a business principle that says the more your discount your product, the lower you’re making its perceived value, which is not a good thing. Funny thing is that despite the attendance numbers being down, the Jays’ ticket revenue is actually up this year.
- BarbMike,
Sorry to bother you while you are sick, I do not expect a reply, but were you watching the game on Sportnet tonight since you are most likely at home? DId you hear Jamie Campbell’s comment at the start of the 7th stating that Romero had gone the last 6 innings not allowing a hit? Why must he state the obvious? Almost right after he said that Utley lined one into left breaking the no-no. Could you please have a talk with Jamie to smarten up and not put the ultimate jinx on Jays pitchers. I can remember him doing that earlier this year too, I just cant remember which Jay pitcher was going late into a game, but the exact same thing happened. Sorry again for bothering you. Hope you feel better.
MW: It’s a ridiculous assertion that anything a broadcaster says can have any affect on what’s going on down on the field. A broadcaster’s job is to tell viewers what’s going on.
- Tim SinyardI’m no fan of JP Ricciardi, but I don’t think I want to hear any more about how he missed Troy Tulowitzki for Ricky Romero. Romero was lights out tonight.
I hope you feel better soon!
- isabella reyesHey Mike,
Try taking some Vitamin C pills! They help out alot and might not cure you, but will certainly help.
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AjnXtShgrDbGMkP13S26cagjzKIX;_ylv=3?qid=20090429155656AAbzRql
Good luck recovering if it swine flu, and if it isn’t… well, good luck!
Mike, on a bit of another note, I have been down to several games this year and I am extremely impressed with the food at the games. Mike, I recommend you try the bbq chicken nachos from Muddy Yorks around section 112. I tried it and was blown away. Also the pasta there is top quality and I of all people had trouble finishing it, there was so much (I of course did). If there is anyway for you to forward this message to JP, I would appreciate it because the food at the game is top notch and GREAT prices.
Mike, when you’re better which will hopefully be ASAP you must try this food.
Kudos to Ricky Romero for pitching a gem tonight and I am looking forward to tomorrow’s outing at the game which I have tickets for.
MW: J.P. doesn’t have anything to do with the food, but I’ll check it out when I get back – not in the mood to really eat anything right now. So you’re wishing me more luck if it’s swine flu than if it’s just regular flu?
- WarrenHi Mike
Great game tonight. I can not believe we have another hurt player, Just heard on The Fan that Barajas is now on the DL, hopefully no more than the 15 days.
Am planning to go to the game tomorrow, hope Mills pitches better than his last game.
Drink lots of fluids !
Anne
MW: Barajas was having issues with the hamstring for a while, it was probably just a matter of time until it popped. If he wasn’t a catcher, he probably wouldn’t have gone on the DL, so hopefully it’s only 15 days.
- AnneDo what ya gotta do. Eagerly awaiting your return.
MW: Thanks.
- ApolloConspiracy theory: (stated in the meter of Dwight from the show “the office”)
Barajas gets injured.
Do the jays call up Barret.
NO
Do the jays call up Arencibia.
No
Do they call up jeroloman.
No.
Jays call up Kyle phillips.
Barjas Nickname: the captain.
Phillips high school alma mater…El Capitan.
coincidence..i think not.
- General ZodIf the Jays bring up Delluci instead of Ruiz they are nuts.
Millar should be released. He been awful for 2.5 years now.
Cito’s fascination with this guy is hilarious – he bats Millar ahead of Rios against lefties but reverses the order against righties with Overbay. That is so incredibly stupid it is truly hilarious.
Tonight he lets Millar hit in the 9th against Lidge. Miraculously he walks and Cito sends in a pinch runner so Overbay can play defence in the 9th.
MW: You should really calm down.
- Jim MaronMike,
You you say that Vernon Wells in not a #3 hitter without saying why. He has done his best offensive work in that slot (including a Silver Slugger award). Could you enlighten us as to what are the characteristics of a #3 hitter? What tools must he have and what numbers (BA, HR, RBI, SB) must he be capable of?
MW: I’ve said many times why I don’t think Vernon is a #3 hitter – he gets out too much. The guy who hits third is supposed to be the best you’ve got. Ideally he can hit close to .300 with an OBP close to .400 and has 30+ homer pop.
- Cito ManMy gf surprised me with tickets for the game tonight since it’s our one year togetherness thing, and I again had a great time. It’s very rare that I get to go see two games within the same week.
I just have a few comments.
1)Ricky Romero was something sensational. I was again keeping tabs on his pitch count, and I’m slightly concerned by his strikes to balls ratio, which I think was approx 6 to 4. However, 7K to 1 BB was nice to see. I am impressed that although he was throwing lots of balls, he only gave up a single walk.
2)It was good to see Accardo come out and work an efficient inning.
3)Is Arencibia backsliding in his development and therefore being passed over?
4)I hoped that the Phillies would also wear throwback uniforms tonight. Unfortunately, I was sitting in 527 so I couldn’t really see what they wore.
5)What happe
MW: Arencibia’s not backsliding, he just isn’t having the year that everyone hoped he would. He’s not playing well enough to come up here and start, and it’s better to have him playing in Vegas than to have him sitting on the bench for two weeks up here.
- Sam McLeanTallet, Romero, Richmond, and have basically replaced Burnett, Marcum, Litsch
The combined ERA of the 09 group to date in 231.2IP: 3.81.
The combined ERA of the 08 group in 548.2 IP: 3.72
Much of the success of all six of these pitchers belongs to the superior defence of both the 08 and 09 teams.
Speaking of defence – that play that Hill made in the 7th was incredible.
Would you say the current infield of Rolen, Scutaro, Hill and Overbay is the best defensive infield in Jay history?
MW: Easily.
- Jim MaronHey Mike,
I wish you all the best. Take it from someone who had swine flu earlier this jays season. The best thing is loads of sleep.
However, when i had swine flu, the jays had their only home series so far this year against the red sox, and thus i couldn’t miss an opportunity to watch the game, and possibly get a lot of sox fans sick.
It was absolutely terrible, i would never be hungry and when i did eat i either through it up in the morning, or had diarrhea in the night. Throughout the day i had the chills, and at night i sweated so badly that my bed was soaked in the morning. You also feel constantly tired; have a consistent pounding migraine, and a cough and cold. Overall the worst thing i have ever had, and i hope you can get better soon. It took me roughly five days to get over it.
The only good thing resulting from this flu, is your lack of hunger. And as a result i lost that 5 pounds i was always trying to lose without a workout required.
On a Jays note, i think i ruined the no hitter. I texted my friend and said, not to jinx it, but i think something special is happening tonight. Immediately the next batter Utley hits a line drive single (that i think Overbay would have corralled, but it was a nice effort by Millar). It’s nice to see Romero step up considering the uncertainty surrounding McGowan next year.
If all goes well, next year’s rotation until McGowan is fully recovered should be;
Halladay, Marcum, Romero, Cecil, (Litsch, Richmond, Tallet, Purcey, Mills or a free agent). This rotation seems quite promising for next year. However i am not looking past this year, and i actually hope the Jays can remain competitive into August and September, as i will plan to take more road trips.
Anyways Mike, feel better soon.
MW: Litsch won’t pitch until at least the all-star break next year. Thanks for the graphic description of your illness, mine’s not quite that bad. I feel crappy, tired, no appetite, but I’d come in to work if they would let me. It’s weird to not be at the ballpark.
- paoloAnother Jay (sort of) on the DL…
Shall we blame Brad Arnsberg? That seems to be in vogue.
MW: Arnie didn’t spend enough time massaging Barajas’ hammy.
- MarkI think what really sucks for you is that Jays are at home and you can’t go to the ballpark to do your job. If Jays were on the road, it might have not sucked that much. Well, that’s life.
Ricky Romero hardly looked like Rookie Romero today. He has now convinced me that he’ll have a solid MLB career and we’ll be a no.2 starter or no.3 at worst for years to come. Like I said two months ago, I see a bit of Johan Santana in him. I’m keeping my fingers crossed.
MW: Ten starts into a career is far too early to declare that he’ll be a #3 “at worst” for years to come. He has really impressed, though. And yeah, you’re right, it’d probably be easier to handle if they were on the road.
- BeburgGet well soon, Mr. Wilner. Mr. Cooper and Co. are doing a fine job, but I miss that Wilnerness.
MW: Thanks.
- Moyashi from JapanMike….I had to chuckle when I read the sports ticker this morning: “Milton Bradley sent home by Lou Piniella for losing his temper.”…Isn’t that the ultimate pot calling the kettle black?
- chris m.why did JP mention Philips as a lifetime minor leaguer? what makes him a minor leaguer?
MW: The fact that he’s never played in the majors.
- nickHi Mike.. Every day that I watch this ball club, thier is always great defensive plays.. Tonight for me was the 4-6-3 double play with Hill short hoppin’ a stinger ,and a throw to Marco. and Marco avoiding the crash and a great transfer to Millar.. My question is Mike.. Where the hell are the fans?? You cant use the hockey card anymore as a reason.. Can you imagine if they were 10 games under 500 .. Mike, I live in Van. and have been since I moved out from T.O. in 1980. I think that the SO-CALLED jays fans got spoiled with those 2 rings in a row.. In my eyes Mike, I think T.O only cares what T.O. does and would crap on anything else.. I here you got a garbage strike so it is fitting.. Go to the ball-park and believe it or not, If your team looses, you still might enjoy it. Sorry about that Mike but I just get p-off on the living and dyeing 1 game at a time that people have there. Remember when Cito was hired and he brought in his coaches.. Hitting coach Gene was one of them.. A couple of days after the hireing, the Jays exploded for I think maybe 14 runs.. The bulk of the show was about how Tenace, the hitting coach turned the team around.. He barely had time to un-pack his bags .. My question is.. Are people really that stupid..
MW: I don’t think stupid is the right word – maybe myopic. Your spelling, by the way, is atrocious.
- FLIPPERGet well soon Mike! The thing I enjoyed most on last night’s broadcast was hearing Cliff Johnson. Cliff, Ashby and Jerry had me in stitches!! The story telling and good natured verbal jabs were hilarious to me. If you happen to remember this the next time you see Jerry & Allan please tell them that was radio at it’s finest!! :)
- JohnWhat’s the status on Downs? I have heard nothing except he threw from flat ground the other day. Is he scheduled to come off the DL as scheduled next week? It seems easier to get updates on a broadcaster with swine flu then the Jays closer.
MW: Because I’m more forthcoming. I obviously don’t know the answer on Downs, not being around the ballpark.
- Shawn in CaledonHi Mike – so your on the dl eh! That is a tough flu bug for sure I know a couple of people who went through that recently. Take care of yourself.
Just sitting here reading through the comments to your blog and trying to figure out after all this time why some still don’t get it when it comes to your “wit, your style of humour and friendly sarcasm!
Hard to believe you actualy had a few comments from some who felt the need to explain the “16 – 17 foot” vertical with respect to Rolen was not possible – yikes!
I hope the few naysayers from when the Jays went through their “nine in a row” slump are taking note here! Just as you have said many a time, every team goes through tough times, whether it’s blowing a big lead, coughing it up in the bottom of the ninth or struggling for any length of time. Just look at the reigning WS champs right now and what they are going through! It happens to the best of em!
Must be tough on you not being at the ball park! Knowing you only from your blog and reporting, as to your passion and dedication towards your job and love of the game!
Wishing you a speedy recovery – all the best and take care.
Thanks.
MW: Thank you!
- Bob from BurlingtonMike,
How are you doing? Right, I don’t care. Just joking! But your going to get a lot of people asking that and your going to have to accept that your listeners do in fact hope your well. I just told my GF about your illness and we are pulling for you.
What I would suggest you do is have your wife rent (unless you own them) Ken Burn’s Baseball and War. As I am sure you’ve watch KB’s Baseball you know it will give you goose bumps and KB’s War might make you cry….but it is amazing and should be watched.
All the best.
JW
MW: I actually have the box set of “Baseball” right behind me. Good idea!
- JWThe Dodgers lead the league in run differential +90…the next 4 teams
TB +83
Bos +70
Tor +52
NYY +48
When these four teams aren’t playing each other their records are:
NYY 35-19 +75
Bos 29-20 +58
Tor 38-28 +66
TB 30-27 +54
Combined they have a .584 winning pct when not playing each other and +1.11 runs per game.
When playing each other:
Bos 16-8 +12
TB 10-8 +29
Tor 3-6 -14
NYY 6-13 -27
Doesn’t exactly bode well for the Jays 2nd half chances.
Sucks to be in the AL East.
MW: Small sample size.
- Jim MaronWheres the jaystalk
MW: Good question.
- John terryMike, can you recall the last time a three game series featured SIX lefty starters?
i would have to think it may have involved the yankees and blue jays back in the late 80′s. the jays had cerutti (RIP) musselman, key,
yanks had a bunch of lefties as well.
MW: I can’t remember it happening, but I’m sure it has. Still, it’s pretty cool.
- General ZodMike….The Len Sakata story was from 1983…And speaking of Ken Burn’s “Baseball”..I let my son take it to school as part of his Willie Mays essay and I guess the teacher was impressed and gave him 85%
MW: Yes, indeed, August 24, 1983.
- chris m.MW: J.P. doesn’t have anything to do with the food, but I’ll check it out when I get back – not in the mood to really eat anything right now. So you’re wishing me more luck if it’s swine flu than if it’s just regular flu?
I am wishing you equal luck. I realized after I didn’t type that right. Hopefully you’re feeling better regardless of what you have. I find when I use the computer when I’m sick it gets much worse.
About the game today, I was really disappointed in the effort today, however it seems whenever the Jays kill a team they come out flat the next day and the opponents come out firing. Hopefully that’s the case tomorrow.
Mike, what is Kevin Millar doing in the cleanup hole?? He’s been ice cold all month and really doesn’t have much pop.
With the 9 players who started today, wouldn’t the lineup look better like this?
1. Scutaro
2. Rios
3. Hill
4. Wells
5. Lind
6. Millar
7. Bautista
8. Chavez
9. McDonald
MW: Cito loves what Millar brings to the team.
- WarrenMike, re #16 — before reading your response, I was pretty sure that the “Jay” who was now disabled was yourself, not Captain Rod (hence the “sort of” in brackets).
Smoothe of you to deflect attention over to Rod.
MW: Smoothe? And now it turns out that The Captain isn’t on the DL after all!
- NormThis defense is great, true, but what about… Gruber, Lee, Alomar, Olerud?
Would you say that was the second best?
MW: I’d have to really think about it, but probably. Lee wasn’t one of the Jays’ top-5 defensive shorstops ever (Fernandez, Gonzalez, McDonald, Schofield, Bordick, Scutaro at least are all ahead of him), but Olerud seems to be a clear second to Overbay as far as a glove at first, and Gruber stands a clear second to Rolen among Jays’ third basemen.
- MattMike you say that ticket revenue is up. Great. Seat sale is down.
Well it means that you and I are not irreconcilably at odds.
Maybe it means that for those who are employed, they are willing to buy very good seats. Or have the seat prices increased?
In abt case I was not hinting that all seats be discounted, but rather that some concession be acknowledged about the recession.
So… for example, if Beeston
et al wanted to allow for more nights, when people are struggling could get a break,
while not discounting all the seats, it is possible that more seats would be filled.
I did ask what harm , in my previous blog didn’t I and you just told me.
ok
how are you doing?
MW: I’m doing OK today. Seat sales are actually up this year over last year.
- BarbMW: You should really calm down.
that’s flat out rude.
MW: Not nearly as rude as the things you said in your comment.
- Jim Maron