I have always believed that there is a certain amount of class that goes along with being a professional baseball player. I think last night was the first time that belief was tried.
We will never know 100% whether Alex Rodriguez actually called off Howie Clark in the top half of the 9th in last night's game. According to Clark, someone yelled "Mine!" while he was camped under the ball, and it wasn't John McDonald. According to Alex Rodriguez, via the Jays's site, "I was actually almost past third base [when I yelled]. I was surprised the ball dropped". I think the smirk A**-Rod has on his face after the play says it all.
Please excuse me as I step aside to rant for a moment.
I hate to break it to you A**-Rod, but the video playback shows otherwise. When watching the playback of the footage, it's clear that Rodriguez yelled something in the direction of Clark as he was running TOWARDS 3rd (not almost past it) and passing between Clark and Johnny Mac. In real time, you can even kinda hear it...and it doesn't sound like Johnny.
The article about the incident on the Jays' site is worth a read, for nothing else than to enjoy the attempts at ass covering. Feel free to check it out... http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070531&content_id=1996556&vkey=news_tor&fext=.jsp&c_id=tor
I think the saddest part for me might be that I'm pretty sure some Yankee fans are going to think this is awesome/hilarious/completely okay...but it's not. Here is a guy who they've had a major hate-on for since he came to New York, but he's leading All-Star voting apparently. Well, he just sullied the Yankees uniform. As a baseball fan, I have the utmost respect and admiration for the history of the Yankees, and the legacy they've created. As a Jays fan, I might hate them, but I still believe they do great things. Last night, Rodriguez dragged the whole organization down. If you need to stoop so low to win a game, then you know what? Win it. I'd rather lose with class (like the Jays are in my mind), then to win by essentially cheating.
End of rant.
Game Notes/Closing Thoughts:
Royce Clayton is day-to-day after fouling a pitch off his foot on Tuesday. Howie Clark is called up from Syracuse. I'm glad Howie's back. I always liked the things he did for the team back in '03-'04, and I'll never turn a guy away who can pretty much play 8 positions, and wears his socks up.
I was a little sad that Ryan Roberts was designated for assignment. I always thought he was solid defensively, and was okay offensively last year. Plus, he had some really nice art. It was cool to see Tattooed Guy (as I called him). It always reminds me of the pitcher the Jays had named Justin (for the LIFE of me I can't remember his last name, grrr) who always had to wear long sleeves because he had so many tattoos. I also recall he might of gotten someone's name tattooed on his behind for $1000, but I could be wrong. I know it was a Jay in the last 3-4 years who did that though.
I'm going to call it right now and say Jesse Litsch is headed for the minors as Doc takes his place in the rotation. Yes, he showed brilliance in his debut, but since then his age and lack of experience I think have caught up to him. Send him to Triple A, while the gleam of his debut is still there a little, and let him get some innings under his belt. I think Tomo Ohka pitched well enough (on 11 days rest) in his last start to warrant another chance in the rotation. Litsch's 2/3 of an inning last night I think kinda sealed the deal.
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The White Sox come into to town to kick off a 4 game set on Ladies' Night. Mark Buehrle goes the Sox, as Harold Leroy "Doc" Halladay makes his much anticipated and expedited return to the Jays starting lineup. I'm not expecting Doc to go too far into the game. Maybe 70-80 pitches? That might even be pushing it, but I'll be cheering him on from Section 232/233 with the rest of the Ladies.
Until next time...
JaysGirl5
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