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