In this "Happy, happy, joy, joy" week...

Okay, so maybe the last week of the season as a Jays' fan isn't exactly as the subject line suggests...because, well, they're not in the playoffs. But I think we're finally getting a look at the very bright future the Jays have to look forward to. Yes, a lot of everyday guys are gone right now...which makes the fact they played the way they have in the last week even better.

Granted, this past weekend in NY (except for Monday) was almost an abomination. Read here for more on this topic, by the wonderful Scott Carson. I agree whole-heartedly, and for more reasons than Scotty mentions in his column.

Two "Rock On"s to distribute today:

• Jesse Litsch for making a great spot start on Monday; and,
• Aaron Hill for tying Roberto Alomar's 17 homerun mark for a Jays' second baseman.

I should mention here that math and I are not friends. In my last post, I said there were 7 surgeries this year, but listed 9 names who've gone under the knife. Yeah...I can't count. But it doesn't matter because the surgery total has gone up again. It's now at 11 surgeries during the season, and 12 during the 2007 calendar year for the Jays.

To review, the following Jays have had or will have surgery by the end of the 2007 regular season: Johnson, Ryan, Zaun, Overbay, Halladay, Glaus, Chacin, Wells, Overbay again, Marcum, Fasano. You can add Johnny Mac to that list to make it an even dozen before 2007 is through, as he'll be having surgery to repair a sports hernia.

As my sadness settles in because there's only 5 games left (2 of which I'm attending against the Rays), I start to think back to something I wrote about in July which makes me very excited for next season. This last little while, even though it's been mainly pride on the line, I think everything has been coming together enough for the Jays that we're really starting to get a look at the what this team will be able to do. I realise they've been playing with quite a few rookies and 2nd stringers, but look what they're done. They swept Boston, held their own in an incredibly long weekend in the Bronx, and convincingly beat the Os last night. I see good things on the horizon of next season for the Jays.

Also, consider this: even with all the injuries and man games lost, the Jays record for this season won't be that much worse than last year. And in case you forgot, they managed to beat Boston for 2nd place in the AL East last year. The first time they've been higher than 3rd since 1993. Maybe it was a fluke, maybe it wasn't. Heck, they had only won 3 more games by this date last year than they have this year.

All in all, it was a great season. And of course, I would say that about any season...'cause I got to see my Jays play. Win or lose, I'm not going anywhere. But I'm getting a funny/happy feeling that things will be even brighter next year. I can't wait!

Hey, just for kicks...head on over to the Jays site and vote for your fave Jays moment from this year. I had a hard time picking 'cause they're all pretty fricken great.
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Doc makes his last start of the year in Baltimore tonight against Victor Zambrano. I'm quite sad Doc's start isn't in Toronto, but that' s just how the cookie crumbles. Look for Frank Thomas to continue his quest for 100 RBIs (he's only 6 away). Hopefully the Jays can wrap up the series win tonight.

I was just thinking, maybe I shouldn't have said anything about crumbling where the Jays are concerned.
JaysGirl5

Over the past Fortnight...

I went to 3 games. I saw my Jays beat the Yanks in the bottom of the 9th to avoid a sweep, look lackluster in the opener against Baltimore, then watched them sweep Boston out of town on their way to NY for a 4 game set. All in all, not a bad 3 games.

More injury stuff, and the surgeries just keep climbing. At last count, I believe it's at about 7 surgeries on the year...Johnson, Ryan, Zaun, Overbay, Halladay, Glaus, Overbay again, Wells, Chacin. Plus, not to mention Scott Downs might have a case out gout? Gout, seriously? I remmeber a clip of VDub from JaysConnected talking about how it's just a comedy hour with everyone dropping like flies. I think at this point, you can't do anything but shake your head and chuckle about all the injuries.

"Rock On" to...

• Matt Stairs for becoming #2 on the Most-Games-Played-by-a Canadian list;
• Roy Halladay for being all-around awesome (more on this in a sec);
• Russ Adams for making it back to the big leagues and showing everyone you can still play here. I'm sure your hubby Aaron is proud; and,
• John McDonald for being Mactastic, re-signing so us Jays fans get to witness your Mactasticness for another year, and even though you won't qualify for the fielding% title, you'll always be the most exciting shortstop I've seen play in a Jays uni.

Speaking of unis...this is a pretty cool idea. I would be all for it.

As for Roy Halladay, this just warms my heart and is just another showing of why I adore and respect him so much. He really is one of the only Jays I could never see playing for another team.

The only thing really left up in the air for me at this point is when Matt Stairs will sign with the Jays again. I'm about...85% sure he will, but we'll see how things pan out. You never know in baseball, you can never really know.

Three and 1/2 more things I enjoyed this week, and one of them is not baseball relately:

1. Scott Carson's latest column, down near the end all about Russ Adams and Jordan Bastian's Russ write-up.
2. Scott Carson's take on a tradition, and
3. Mike Toth's take on "Football and Faith".

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Doc's on the mound to start the 4 game set with the Yanks against Chien-Ming Wang. Here's hoping Doc can get complete game #8. Too bad he didn't win even 1 or 2 more games so far this season, 'cause my money would have been on him for the Cy Young. I still wouldn't be surprised if he's in the top 5 voting for it. Hopefully the Jays will continue to play spoiler, and take at least 2 of 4, if not 3, from the Yanks. As much as I'd like to see the Jays atop the AL East, if I have to pick NY or Beantown...I'll wear red all the way.

Enjoy the game, and the series.
Try not go get too down that the regular season is almost over. I know I'm not.
So far, so good on that venture.
JaysGirl5

I think I suck at resolutions...

Because I'm doing a great job keeping up with posting...

Truth be told, things got a little hectic in the last weeks leading to September, but now they've somewhat calmed down.

Again, though, it seems I'm feeling there isn't much to be said about the Jays that isn't already being discussed. There are 1 or 2 things, and I'll elude to those later.

"Rock On"s go to...

• Gregg Zaun for playing in career game 1000;
• Mike Timlin for becoming only the 13th pitcher in MLB history to appear in over 1000 games. (I think those stat numbers are right. He's been around long enough.);
• Clay Buckholz for becoming the first RSox rookie to throw a no-hitter; and
• Pedro Martinez for getting career strikeout #3000 in his return to the Mets last week.

I must say, I don't dislike Pedro as much as I used to. Probably has something to do with the fact that he's with the Mets, and not the RSox anymore.

I will admit what Roger Clemens has done over his career is incredible. I have very certain feelings about him being a baseball mercenary, but those aren't the point here. A few days ago, I heard that Clemens might now make his next start because of pain in his elbow...and blisters on his right foot. Maybe the media outlet was trying to make a subtle joke of Clemens. I can understand not pitching with elbow pain or with blisters on your pitching hand. But blisters on your foot? There are ways to treat those and make them pain free, you know. But, he's only making around $18 million for four months of work. What's a little time off for blister healing...

By no means do I think the Jays are dead in the playoffs. They're still hungry. Even though they lost last night, I think coming back from a 10-1 deficit, instead of throwing in the towel, shows they want to compete. Zaun's unassisted put out in the 5th at home showed that they're not ready to fall asleep for the rest of the season. It's nice to see the offense finally waking up.

For everyone who thought the Jays should just write off their season, I'd just like to point out that as off September 1, the Jays had the exact same record they did last year at that time (69-66). I don't think I need to remind people that the Jays ended up 2nd in their division at the end of the season last year, and finished with a final record of 87-75. Considering all the injuries this season and all the man games lost, I think if the Jays can get close to that record...I'd be incredibly proud. Their schedule won't be the easiest, as the rest of September could be called the East Showdown month. Six games against the RSox, 7 against the Yanks, 6 against the Os, and 6 against the Rays. There is one game against Detroit on the 10th to make up for a previously postposed game. But still...a total of 14 games against teams ahead of them in the schedule...

Which, leaves me to a very special "Rock On" before I head out...

To whoever the hell made the schedule for this season,

Either you've been syphoning off Seeer skills from the Trelawney's or you just got lucky, but you've done an incredibly job with the schedule and playoff showdowns. Rock On, annonymous scheduler, Rock On.
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Contrary to last night's game, tonight's match-up between Josh Beckett and Roy Halladay should be lacking a little more in the hits department. Hopefully Doc can get his 15th win, after pitching 2 complete games, and not getting a thing.


I think that's it for today.
Enjoy the game tonight.
JaysGirl5