It's The End of An ERA, Folks!

There is absolutely no need for me to add to the many articles, posts, comments written about Roy Halladay's stats, his many accomplishments in Toronto, or what this means for him and the Jays moving forward (on their seperate paths).

But I can say that even though I knew this day was coming and have even accepted it, I still have the overwhelming feeling of the end of Roy's time at Rogers Centre, and even my childhood. I grew up watching Roy Halladay. I grew up watching his incredible career unfold. Part of me thinks that I will cherish that more than anything else about the Jays, including any future possible World Series wins. After Delgago left, Roy was the last serious tie to the Jays I grew up watching and the teams that kicked off my die-hardness. This doesn't mean I'm not a Jays fan anymore...it's just pushing home the realisation that I'm not a kid anymore.

Be proud Jays fans, Canadian baseball lovers, city of Toronto, and all of Canada...for too short of a time we got to call the hardest working, best pitcher of the past decade ours. If we ever see someone around these parts of his caliber again, it will be a long time coming, if ever.

There is only one person who can be Doctastic and he's left the Centre.

Bye Doc. And thank you...
JaysGirl5

Round Up

Just a quick highlight of points...

- Boston was awesome, even though we were swept. I got to see Doc pitch at Fenway as a Blue Jay. Also got to sit through rain and watch a baseball game for the first time. Woo! I might be the only one, but I still prefer the Rogers Centre/SkyDome to Fenway and Yankees Stadium. Yes, I'm aware I'm nuts.

- Congrats Derek Jeter on passing the mark for most hits by a Yankee. This is going to be a record that sticks for awhile, non?

- Yay Adam Lind for not only achieving your goal of staying with the Big Club all season, but wooooo for hitting 30 hrs and reaching 100 RBIs. You have had an amazing season (like I always knew you could). But, I'm not sure who I'm rooting for to with the RBI contest...you or Hill.

- Let me get this straight...you hit 6 our of our guys in 4 days, including 1 in the face. You hit 2 more of our guys in the same game. A pitch goes behind the back of one of your players (doesn't hit him and no where near close to him) and he proceeds to elbow our pitcher. I don't blame Carlson for standing up for himself or for his team either, whether the pitch behind was intentional or not. NO ONE from the Yankees was hit with a ball and this fight broke out. Sorry...I have a hard time respecting the Yankees for that one. I do, however, think the Jays would have been justified if one of the Yanks had been hit in the leg/lower back. (As much as I think retaliation is justifiable.)

- It looks like I might miss being at Doc's last start in the RC this season...which means I might miss his last start at home as a Jay. I don't feel good about this. But, thems the breaks I guess.

Like Tao, I'm hoping for the little things.

Have a great off day today and enjoy the series in Tampa.

There's only *gulp* two weeksish left in the Jays 2009 season. At least the 2010 schedule has been released already. Ah, small comforts.

JaysGirl5

OMG GUYS!!!! OMG!

The Jays won last night...

And not only did they win, they TIED AND WON IT IN THE BOTTOM OF THE 9TH!!!

Sad to say I saw them tie it, but fell sleep for the minutes it took to win it. Normally I would feel kinda bad about that, missing out witnessing my team winning. But due to the record over the past little while my apathy is slightly higher than it ever has been.

BUT THEY WON!!!

Now, here's me hoping they don't get embarrassed when I go to see them in Boston. I'm heading to Saturday's game and probably Sunday. It's a dream of mine to see Doc pitch in Fenway, and I'd prefer to see this dream realised while he's still a Jay. So I'm deeming this trip "Two Dreams, One Trip". Keep your fingers crossed for me.

Also, keep your fingers crossed that this (*cough* miraculous *cough*) win will give the guys a little bit more hop in their step. It did keep them from getting swept and is a good, if not small, morale booster going into a day off before heading to Fenway.

Enjoy the weekend ladies and gents, I know I will!
JaysGirl5

Sick Day

Is there a doctor in the house? Oh, he's taking a night off? Sure, yeah. I'm okay with that. The guy's only human after all.

What did last night teach us? That without Doc, the Jays would suck (even more than Baltimore or the Nats...sorry.) Because let's be honest...that my friends was not Doc last night. He just wasn't locating and wasn't getting some borderline calls.

Last time I had this feeling about a Doc start was the last one before he had his appendix out. I'm not saying anything's wrong with him so please don't read that. But it's almost sad that I've come to expect at least 6 innings from Doc so much that anything less than that has me worrying if he's okay. It's just...out of character.

But still, I will stand by the thought that every once and a while a guy's gotta be allowed a start where he doesn't reach the 6th inning. No starting pitcher can be at their best every single start. Last time we saw Doc go less than 6 innings was actually against the RSox in July...of '07! That's something like a span of 72 starts against the AL where he's made it past the 6th inning. Best pitcher in baseball indeed.

The best thing about last night? Watching Rob Barajas trying not to crack a grin/smile after watching Francona yell at the homeplate up after he warned the benches. Too awesome.

I'm hoping the Jays don't get swept. I really do. I'm also really hoping that my calculations are correct and I'll get to see Doc pitch in Fenway next weekend when I'm there. 2 dreams with one trip? Excellent!

Stay dry in S. Ontario today sports fans,
JaysGirl5

Stupid Hillenbrand.

I agree with what Scott has to say on the matter.

I have a feeling...we're almost akin to the Titanic. Does that make JP the iceberg? Or is that the AL East?

Sinking ship indeed. Does this mean Hillenbrand might've had skills in divination?

Must go and lay down. I'm getting the spins just thinking about it.

JaysGirl5

P.S. No offense Pittsburgh...but I don't wanna end up like your team.

Adios Rios!

So here's the thing...

Even before the whole Trade/No-Tradegate thing (remember those weeks of hell when we couldn't get away from the Doc trade "rumors"?) I have always been very weary about sports reporters/media for their lovely (*cough* annyoing as hell *cough*) knack for making a mountain out of a molehill. Part of the reason I haven't tried harder than blogging to join their ranks. I don't think I would have the patience to do it.

But anyhoo...at the time when it came to light that Rios had cleared waivers and been claimed by the ChiSox it felt like it was going to be another fabricated mountain. Well...isn't hindsight 20/20. Not to say that the actual way Rios left is/isn't a big deal...waivers happen and sometimes "big names" get taken. Personally what I think needs to be made a big deal of is that we got nothing in return.

Zip. Zilch. Zero. Rien. Nada. Nothing. A big fat doughnut hole, and not a yummy tim-bit like one. (Get my point yet?)

Now, granted this means that we're off the hook for Rios' paycheck. Wouldn't it be nice if that were the case with BJ Ryan? After all, he left the Cubs 'cause he just didn't think his velocity/location were going to come back. Beej...you couldn't have figured that out before you parted ways with TO? But I digress. My problem here (again) is with the way JP responded to the whole thing. According to him, from footage of his press scrum that was shown on Sportsnet last night, this is not a salaray drop. But, it does free up some money for next year.

Again, I'm slightly worried. I realise that a salary drop (even though that's not what this is) serves two ends: 1) to clear money for next year or 2) to lower payroll. Since we're not in the first 2 years of JP's era anymore, I think we can all safely presume that #2 is the least likely explanation for Rios leaving and us getting nothing in return.

Granted, the economy isn't what it used to be and with the (very sad) passing of Ted Rogers this past winter...the grandeur and freedom in the spending column for the Jays might not be exactly what it used to be. Still...if the Jays were cutting corners because their budget was getting scaled back, I'm sure JP would have mentioned it. Unless somehow things are flipped for him and he doesn't say the things he should and does say the things he shouldn't (Doc doesn't want an extension.)

Bye Alexis, please don't hit the crap out of us when we play against you. Like so many ex-Jays have a want to do. Take solace that you weren't just a salaray drop, but that you did free up some money for next year.

JaysGirl5 over and out.

P.S. I apologize for my extensive use of brackets this post. They just felt necessary.

Oh Lindy!

Heeheehee...apparently Adam's uniform hides his muscles. And after seeing his tattoos along his ribcage (on both sides) on Jays Connected last season I can attest to the fact that he does in fact have muscles. Quite nice ones actually.

Man, I wish I had caught all of his time on Baseball Today from 12-12:40. I only got to hear the last 15 minutes. He was much more articulate than normal. Most of the time, I get the "I still can't believe I'm in the bigs and can't find the words to express myself 'cause I'm in shock" feeling from him. He was also nicely candid.

I really am entertained by him and am so glad he's had the great season he has.

Rock on Lindy...just 'cause you're cool.

JaysGirl5

P.S. So...I guess Doc is human afterall. Still, I take solace that he's only given up 2 homeruns back to back twice in his career. Last night and back in 2007 against the (then) Devil Rays.

A Class on Class

Are you paying attention? 'Cause if not, you really should heed this lesson in class, respect and tact.

After his team couldn't win a 9 inning, 10 strikeout night Doc still sat down with the media for (gasp!) 20 minutes to discuss the whole "Trade/No-Trade Gate" (as we could call it.)

Read the highlights here. Thanks JB.

Saturday sucked. An 8 run lead wasn't enough? That's scary. At least we won today. It'll be interesting to see how the Boys do on the road. I'm praying it's not complete torture.

Keeping hoping Jays fans. What are we if not a nation that knows how to keep the hope alive.

JaysGirl5

Post All-Star

I have been somewhat quiet about things since the All-Star game.

I completely respect the way Doc handled things about the possible trade rumors and such while he was there. For a player who doesn't like to have a huge amount of media attention on him (part of the season I think New York/Boston would never be a good fit for him) he did incredibly well.

I think we all knew this day would come and maybe have been preparing for a Doc-less team for awhile now (try a year or so). But I don't think any of us expected it to be like this. And if you ever needed any more reason to admire/respect/love/adore Doc than you do, just read the very last part of this.

We played well against the Sox, not so great against the Indians. With Tampa Bay coming in this weekend, it could go either way.

Enjoy Doc's start tonight and cherish it for the wonderful sight it will be.
JaysGirl5

P.S. I guess the only consolation with this whole storm is...the suckiness of the Doc business softens (at least a little) the ultimate suckiness that has become the Jays season as of late.

Seriously? Seriously.

Let me get this straight....in hopes of (I don't know) casting yourself as the good guy in all of this you're willing to go up against a pillar of the Blue Jays history? You honestly think you can tar the loyalty we feel for Harry Leroy Halladay III by telling us that he plans on doing what he has the right to do?

Mr. Halladay owes this organization nothing. We're in the loss column here and I don't mean because when his current contract was signed we got a deal (and therefore owe him more money.) We have NEVER delivered on the vision he was sold on to stay long-term. Your 5 year plan is blown out the door at this point and frankly I really can't understand why you do still have your job. Whiteout trade, sharpie in fire.

I'm concerned about the mental state of the person calling the shots on the business side of Jays baseball. I think all Jays fans should be, too.

I'm also concerned about the classlessness of his move to make the "announcement" he did. Smells like he knows he's goin' down and wants to take people with him. Maybe I'm just being cynical. But seriously, what was the point otherwise?

Take a page from Mr. Halladay and learn some class. Wait...you can't. His tact, class and respect are so far out of your atmosphere of ability you'd be completely lost. You won't win. You're not the good guy in Blue Jays fan hearts. Never have been, never will be. I honestly do worry if you believe the delusion that you ever could.

JaysGirl5

Rolen, Rolen Rolen...Scott just keeps on Rolen.

Congrats to Scott Rolen...for his general awesomeness and hitting lately.

I have always maintained that the Glaus for Rolen trade made sense for every party involved, even when Rolen was having issues last season.

As someone who tinkered at 3rd whenever she played softball it is awe inspiring to see him play the position.

I happen to agree whole-heartedly with Todd over at the The 500 Level. It makes me kind of sick to think that the All-Star game is supposed to be about the best players from both leagues and it really doesn't live up to that completely anymore. It's not just the best offensive players (isn't that the role of the HR Derby), but the best all-around players. That's part of the reason that I think the voting system the way it's set up now is slightly broken. I've always thought that the votes of players and managers should account for more than they do.

But alas, I'm getting away from my point for this post.

Scott Rolen, thank you for coming north of the border. You man the hot corner like no one else could.

JaysGirl5

Throat Obstruction

It's not been the easiest week in Jays fan land.

Tuesday night's loss was so incredibly hard to bear. The Jays should have won. There's no question. They had the opportunities to score to break the tie (before extras) and they fell flat.

Last night's loss...well at least they managed to score runs to come back and tie a couple times. I can take solace in that.

Russ Adams is no longer a Blue Jay. Not to say I'm too surprised and I wish him the all the best out there in the limbo land that is not having a job/trying to find a job.

So the Jays are on their 3rd guy trying to find someone that can hit for power from the left side. How many ABs has Dellucci gone without a hit now?

BJ Ryan is also no longer a Jay, but I can't say that announcement was very surprising to me or really causing any kind of sadness. He just wasn't performing anywhere close to what he was signed for. Now, why the Jays haven't done something with Brandon League I don't know. I have been over him and his "stuff" for a couple seasons now and the more and more I watch him this season, he's going the way of Kelvim Escobar. Great potential, but never can seem to put it together in a Jays uniform. Sometimes that happens for whatever reason and I think the Jays need to look at cutting their losses. I realise with the way injuries have decimated their pitching staff this season getting rid of League just might not be an option right now (depending on how they would go about getting rid of him), but I hope it happens sometime in the near future.

I agree Tao. I don't even know if I can type the words out. I know I would follow him anywhere, even to pinstripes (although I doubt he would agree to go there). I could never hold wanting to go somewhere where he can win quite soon against him. He's given more than any Jays land resident ever had the right to ask for. Joanna put it beautifully as well.

As for my team, I would be hard pressed to be very happy any time I had to be in the Dome. I can deal with losing him to free agency, but just not because of a tr***. See...I can't even type it.

Congrats to Doc and Hill. You are All-Stars and always will be. Hopefully everyone has Linded their vote to get Adam to the game, too. Gotta love the promo campaign. And Rance was right...Lind should win the vote...he's got a whole country behind him (at least he should).

Here's hoping the actual game starts before 9pm this year. I have somewhere to be that night, but I'm not missing Doc starting (because really, how could anyone choose anyone else) or Hill in his first (of I'm sure many) All-Star appearances.

This is video gold. Not only do we get to see Hazel Mae, but we actually get to see Doc smile. Yes, he's actually smiling! "I think any time you lose it's embarrasing." I can only imagine how embarrassed he's been lately then.

Watch closely when Doc starts tonight. Not that we shouldn't have been cherishing every start he's made for us, but whether it's through free agency or tr*** Doc's not going to be here forever. (If only!)

JaysGirl5

MACTASTIC!

John McDonald just hit a homerun in Yankee Stadium off Andy Pettitte. Johnny Mac...he of the Mactasticness who hardly ever gets a start...just hit a homerun!

Yes, I realise that the Jays are only (probably) going to salvage one game out of 4 inteh Bronx, but Mactastis is playing AND hitting...and I couldn't be happier for him.

What a glorious day...
JaysGirl5

P.S. Enjoy this for a little chuckle today. I don't think any of us would mind Aaron giving Vernon some tips.

Awesomeness

This almost borders on being Mactastic. Yes, I have nothing but appreciation for Marco Scutaro and have had said appreciation for him even before he moved north of the border.

But Johnny Mac still is the Mactasticness master.

JaysGirl5

Homecoming

Welcome back Russ Adams. I'm sure your hubby missed you, and so did I. You're attitude is great by the way.

Anyone cringe when they saw Accardo getting taken out of the game? Thank the Baseball Gods it was just dehydration. But seriously...dude you're a pro athlete and I don't think it was that hot in Washington on Sunday. But make sure you drink your fluids!

After a sweep of the Phils and almost getting swept by the Nationals, coming home to Toronto couldn't be better timed. Sure, Sunday's game was pretty convincing after the 4 runs in the first, but nothing is ever easy especially with the Jays pitching working as much as they have lately. Good on Romero for fighting to go back out in the 7th.

Enjoy the series agaisnt the Reds this week. Hopefully being back on Canadian soil will mean the Baseball powers that be will be merciful to our pitching staff.

JaysGirl5

First of the Season...

"Rock On" Randy Johnson for winning start #300.

I realise I'm a little late, but congrats Big Unit. I hope you aren't the last 300 game winner, but I'm enough of a realist to accept that you probably will be. At least in my life time.

JaysGirl5

Say It Ain't So(re)!...2009 style

Casey, Casey, Casey…on the DL again. Makes me sad. Here’s hoping they can get some parts for your shoulder, since they’ve got some parts on order for Doc's groin area already. Yeah…I’m jumping on the Doc’s a cyborg bandwagon.

As a side…even if Doc can go on Saturday, doesn’t mean he should. It’s a groin injury. One of the most lingering injuries in baseball. Just ask Vernon. Why not rest him on Sat so he doesn’t have to run the bases, and let him start when they get back on AL ground? What’s missing one start for caution instead of who knows how many for the DL. Which incidentally…will also be Scott Downs’ home for a while. You’d have to be blind to not know he hurt himself in the top of the 10th last night.

Interleague needs to end.

Check out a thought provoking piece by the Tao of Stieb. Yours truly even left a comment. Makes me sad that King Carlos is mending his hip right now and not getting chances to hit #500. But, check out this incredibly awesome article/interview about/with the King himself. I agree with him that the fact he played in Toronto was a detriment to him getting the recognition he deserved for his play. Makes me love him all the more for staying for 12 years. I realize a part of that could probably be the contract they gave him, which was huge for the time he signed it…but I don’t really think so.

Yes, it came at the cost of losing Downs but at least the Jays won on the road, in an NL park.

Let’s go for the 2 game win streak tonight boys!
JaysGirl5

P.S. I guess this means no BP air guitar for awhile. Sorry Dirk.

Doctastic

Yes...I've given Doc the highest moniker I can. Feel free to use "Doctastic" to describe something that is consistently out of this world. Other than this, I have run out of things to use to desribe Roy Halladay. He is an awesomeness all unto himself. Much like Johnny Mac.

I'm not the only one feeling the love for Doc...Scott Carson is, too.

My fave Roy quotes from the past week all come courtesy of Lyle Overbay:

"Day in and day out, everybody that gets on first base says he's the best ... The Yankees, the Red Sox, they're like 'It's not fair.' I'm glad I'm on his side, not the other side."

"I don't think he's had his best," Overbay said. "These last couple of ones he has, but even before that. ... He hasn't had his stuff yet, and he's still able to dominate. It's scary, because he can dominate. With the bases loaded and one out, he just stepped it up another notch. It's scary what he can do."

"We've got Doc [Halladay] over here that we've got to get into the Cy Young [Award]," Overbay said, suppressing a smile. "So that's what it's all about. We've got to represent and take [Greinke] down."

'Nough said.


As for the game last night, Casey wasn't his sharpest at points, but he still made it through. Adam Lind...I'm so glad you're here. Not just 'cause you won the game for us runs wise last night, but just because you are a joy to watch.

Speaking of joys to watch...seeing Dirk Hayhurst and Casey air-guitaring to "Teenage Wasteland" this weekend was awesome. Plus from the TV booths behind homeplate they look eerily twinish, especially 'cause Casey wasn't sporting high socks during BP this weekend. Still, too funny.

Here's hoping Tallet can pull out the win tonight. I think he can. Let's get a win streak going!

Enjoy...
JaysGirl5

My Letter to the Rogers Centre

I was lucky enough to be with you when you turned 20 this past weekend. It was a memorable experience. It saddens me that just over 15,000 turned up for Friday night’s game (which was exactly 20 years since the Jays’ first official game in you), but everyone there had a grand time.

Anyone who is a Jays fan has mentioned something about your big day leading up to it, so I will try to keep this short.

You are my favourite place. I still flash back to the first time I visited you every time I see the field. Who wouldn’t remember the neon green AstroTurf surrounded by blue seats. Sure, you have FieldTurf now and it’s a little darker, but it’s still beautiful. You’ve also had a couple facelifts over the years, but honey you look fantastic! I haven’t been to many other fields where pro baseball is played, but I don’t know if there are any that exude as much home team pride as you do. It’s a feeling I get every time I’m there and maybe it is just me, but I don’t think so.

I know you’re name has changed and I have no problem calling you Rogers Centre because it is an homage to the man who very well might have saved MLB baseball in Canada. For that I, and every Jays fan in Canada (whether they realise what exactly Ted Rogers did when he bought the team or not), should feel proud to call you by your new name. After all…other than the Jays, Canada only has 1 minor league team that is affiliated with MLB (Vancouver’s Canadians, Single-A for the As.)

I’ll admit though, in my heart of hearts…you’ve always had a different name. DreamDome. Because that’s what you are. Whether it’s rock star dreams, athletics dreams, fan dreams of seeing their favourite rock star or athlete…you’ve made them come true. At the time you were built you were an engineering and construction dream. There are other parks that have retractable roofs now, but you were the first. And it doesn’t matter how many times someone may have seen your top slide back; it never gets old.

I can't imagine the day when you are no more and I feel deep empathy for those who have had to say goodbye to the park they grew up in (Tigers' Stadium, Candlestick, etc.). You are the only place I ever want to call home of the Jays.

I consider myself lucky to have spent the time with you that I have. Mostly baseball, but a few concerts along the way. Most memorable would have to be Roy Halladay’s 22 season win and his 100 career victory, Vernon Wells’ walkoff against Mariano Rivera, throwing out the first pitch against the Yankees (even though we lost), walking on the field for the first time for work.

I love you Rogers Centre, SkyDome, DreamDome…whatever you want to be called. I smile every time I see you, or even see the CN tower from my balcony because I know you’re right beside it. Thank you for being where baseball dreams (and dreams in general) come true every year for a small-town Canadian girl and everyone else whose dreams have come true in you.

Love always,
JaysGirl5

A Fresh Start

Two months have officially gone by in the '09 baseball season.

The Jays stand 1.5 games back of first place and 1 game back in the Wild Card...not too shabby for a team a lot of people thought would end up 4th in the division. (I realise there's still 4 months left, but I'm being optimistic!)

Things are lookin' good in Blue Jays land...

Sure, yesterday's loss wasn't so much fun. But good pitching will always beat good hitting and it was about time for Lester to start being the pitcher he is again. We still won the series and ended the losing streak. I'd call that a good weekend.

As for being happy the Red Sox are gone, I am. I will say though it was very heart warming to see Kevin Youkilis (mainly) and a lot of other Sox clapping along with a fan in the stands as he was calling out their names. The Sox were doing their pre-batting practice stretching and it was actually pretty awesome to see.

Day off today, and then Doc heads to the mound against the Angels. I always hope my Jays win (of course), but it would be great to put a nice winning streak together before heading back out on the road next week to play in Texas. At least it's not another interleague road trip. We've been swept enough in NL parks this season.

And on the girlie side of being a baseball fan, I agree with Jennifer Rolnik, except for me it remains a tie. I also agree with Joe Torre that Manny should not play in the All-Star game. As much as I love that the fans get a say in the starting roster, I've always thought the players/managers should have more say who the starting 9 is and the fans get to vote on filling out the rest of the lineup. 'Cause really...how can fans of teams in smaller markets compete with fans in larger markets to get their deserving player in the starting 9? That's right, they really almost can't.

Not completely sure how I feel about Cito putting Johnny Mac in late in the game yesterday. Not that I don't love to see Mac play. I do. It was even awesome to see him playing catch with Janssen before the game yesterday and to stick the gear on and catch Janssen's bullpen session.

But, by putting Mac in late...are you admitting defeat because you took Wells and Scutaro out? So, you'll only use Mac as a pinch runner or give him some playing time when it doesn't mean anything? I'm not saying replace Scutaro with Mac all the time or anything, but this is the only situation that I haven't been impressed with Cito's ability to get everyone some playing time. Sure, Mac's bat is not the greatest to begin with. But I never expect anything of him at the plate now (except his best effort, which he would always give anyway) because how can you expect the guy to hit when he hasn't seen in-game pitching in a week? I would be very sad to see the Mactasticness leave Toronto, but it's not like he's doing much from the bench anyway. And this is why I don't want Cito's job...

Enjoy the off day today and seeing the Doc pitch tomorrow.

Go Jays!
JaysGirl5

P.S. I can add Paul Beeston to my list of people I've almost run into in the media area...and add another two notches in the J.P. Riccardi column. One of these days there is going to be a collision. It will be interesting to see who I actually do end up running into.

The End of the World As We Know It

...and I feel fine.

This, May 26th...is not the end of the season.

Yes, we're in the midst of a 7 game losing streak. No, this is the not the worst streak we've seen in the last 5 years. *cough* 9 games *cough*.

If you need to take solace, take it in the fact that even with the bad record this past week, we're only 1 1/2 out of first place.

I will point out...it always seems the bats are a little funky for a day or two after facing Wakefield and we get swept A LOT in NL parks. Bart Given agrees with me...at least about the NL parks.

As always, I'm just glad I get to watch them play.
JaysGirl5

Pre-game ramble

Just a few quick thoughts before the pitching showdown of the season so far gets underway tonight...

- It's nice to see Al Leiter back around the Dome, even if he's here broadcasting for the Yankees. Odd fact...he was traded for Burnett (apparently.)

- King Carlos is only 27 homeruns away from 500. With his hip acting up this season, who knows how many chances he's going to get at the plate. I'm pretty sure there's not a player I will want to root for more to reach that # than him, even if he won't be doing in any where near Toronto.

- Isn't it nice to not have to depend on one player to carry the offence, or even the rotation anymore? As much as I loved King Carlos growing up, I'm not sad to see that era go.

And, if you'll excuse me as I step up onto my soap box quickly...

Jays fans aren't stupid. We know it's still only a month and a half in to the season. We realise that the Jays' schedule to this point might not have been the hardest. But who cares? When was the last time that any of the big teams in TO were this much fun to watch?

I get a little scared to wonder sometimes just what it will take for people to think the Jays are the real thing. Making it to the playoffs? Making it to the Series? Winning the whole thing? Because I'm sure even if they did win the whole caboodle, there would be sports fans in the Toronto area that would try to downplay it and equate it to a fluke. I'm sad for those people and I don't know if I can call them sports fans, not really.

In these hard economic times (and even in good ones) I understand wanting to get bang for your buck if you make the trek to see your team play. That's fine and good. So why are the Jays still only averaging in the mid-20,000 in attendance? WAKE UP Toronto fans! If you keep sitting on your asses for the Jays (or any team in Toronto) to prove themselves the real deal to you, you'll miss everything worth watching. And what happens if it does end? You'll say you knew it would and you'll be glad you didn't make the effort to go out and see the Jays play. You'll gloat that the team did exactly as you said they would. Not because you were right, just because you were too lazy to care. (Excuse my sarcasm, but thank you Leafs. Your years of cuplessness have taught those who bleed you how not to give a crap. Congrats. What an accomplishment.)

For those of us who make the effort to be there to enjoy the Jays play, we'll be sad to see this ride end, if it does. Do I think playing the Yanks, Sox and Rays could be very telling if the Jays can keep this up? Yes. Am I optimistic and believe they will play well? Absolutely! Will I be sad if things start going not so well at any point this season? Of course I will, I bleed Jays turquoisy-blue. But if it comes to an end...what a ride it will have been. No true Jays fan or baseball fan for that matter could ever regret watching the emergence of Adam Lind, the glimpse of the Travis Snider's bright future, Doc's yearly awesomeness, Aaron Hill's return and hitting sickness at the plate, and all the other amazing things that have happened so far this season other than the Jays win-loss record.

I'm hangin' my Jays hat on hope this season. Hope that they can keep this up; hope that I'll see my team get the attention it deserves; hope that sports fans around Toronto will actually start to care again before it's too late; hope that by the end of the season I might not be the only die-hard Jays fan I know. Sure, hope might not be the sturdiest hat hook, but I'll take my chances. And if my hat should fall, I'm more than willing to pick it up, dust it off and hang it right back up again.

Enjoy the game ladies and gents. It will be a good one.
JaysGirl5

P.S. GO DOC!

P.P.S. Wouldn't it be awesome if the Jays still had the chilli races, and if tomorrow night AJ ran it in? Yeah I thought so, too.

P.P.P.S. I love my job.

Two Weeks Notice

Okay, so it hasn't been exactly two weeks since the season started yet. That'll come in two days, but what a season it's been so far.

Already, the Jays have had to put two players on the DL. Jesse Litsch for a forarm strain and Michael Barrett for a shoulder injury, that as far as I know hasn't been specified yet. I'm not doubting the injury...I watched Barrett being taken off the field last night after he got hurt in the 4th and dude looked like he was trying not to cry a river. He was obviously in pain...but I haven't heard whether anything is broken or it's a strain. He did go for Xrays, so here's hoping he'll get better fast.

As for Jesse, here's hoping he comes back faster than Accardo. I think they're going to take their time with Litsch and not rush anything, maybe partially because of how things went with Jeremy last season.

But, all that aside...let's get to the super fun part of the season so far: the offence!

Let's be honest...on paper, the Jays do look like a team that should be able to hit well. It's been that way for at least the last three seasons, if not longer. But, voila! Now, they actually are hitting. I'm not surprised, though. Looking at three guys that have been hitting really awesome (Hill, Lind, and Snider) I knew it was only a matter of time before they started showing what they could do.

In Hill's case, I was here when he got his first hit. It was impressive. Over the years he's been here, I've believed he be able to hit like this. Last season, that's a write off. He went down only 2 months in and never came back again. He never really had a chance to get hot or get into a solid groove. Before that, he jumped around a lot in the lineup and on the field. I've never played pro ball before, but I have to believe the constant changes like that can take their toll. I've always believed that Aaron would be really good in the two hole. I understand getting a rookie acquainted with the majors and taking pressure off them by slotting them low in the lineup, but I'm glad to see Cito is giving Aaron the chance to be the #2 guy everyday. Hell, he must of been given his uni number for a reason when he first came up (lol).

I'm excited to see Lind get the chance at a full season in the majors. I'm pretty sure I've mentioned before that I've been a Lind supported since the get-go and believed that he'd been an awesome hitter in the majors. When he first came up, his defense was sub-par (just being honest), so he went back down to triple A and worked on it. When he came up again and got his shot to play in the field, it was incredible to see the changes and just how much he had improved. It's a little bit of a shame that he won't see much playing time this season in the outfield with Snider being almost everyday and Bautista as the backup.

And for Snider...what can I say. It's awesome to see him doing so well, and I agree with what Cito's doing for the early part of the season by sitting him against tough lefties. Why shake the kid's confidence so soon in? He's hitting well right now, playing a nice leftfield...why screw with him? True, you can't baby him forever and I don't think Cito will. It's like Cito not taking a veteran for a rookie late in a game. It might lose you that game, but win you one down the road. You can never forget as watchers of the game that we can't know the personalities of the guys in the clubhouse or the delicate mix a manager's got to have to make sure everyone can play their best. So, if Cito thinks he'll get the best out of Travis overall in the season by spelling him against tough lefties, so be it. We can never forget that we're still not even a month in of a six month season. Lots can happen.

That being said, if only the season ended today. The Jays would make the playoffs. They're a game up on the Orioles, and they won't face a team in the AL East for another 2 weeks. Smells like ground grabbing time to me!

Odd scheduling note...any one else notice the Jays have 3 four game series this month? I can't even remember the last time that happened. If it has happened before...

One more quick note. I wanted to comment on Brad Arnsberg's stand on BJ Ryan. Sure, Ryan's not the closer we once knew. He's having some issues...what pitcher doesn't every once and a while. Yes he blew his first two saves, but they might be the only two he blows for months. You never know. But I do LOVE that Arnie defended Beej and pretty much told the press at one point to screw off (in more words and more politely of course.) To paraphrase, he would let the press know when/if they did know anything and to quit making a huge story where there isn't one.

I agree Arnie. I get so fed up with sports press making a story where there really isn't one. There has the be SOMETHING worthwhile to talk about instead of just tonnes of speculation.
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Brian Tallet makes his first start since 2006 in place of the injured Jesse Litsch. He's up against Oakland rookie Trevor Cahill who took a no-hit bid into the 7th in his first start of the season. Tallet will be on a 70-75 pitch count so here's hoping it'll last him awhile. With Purcey going out in the 4th last night, the bullpen got quite a bit of work.

Enjoy the game!
Here's hoping the Jays can win this one, and keep their series winning streak alive!
JaysGirl5

A new year, a new layout...

Let’s face it. The baseball season is a marathon, not a sprint. I could come up with many excuses as to why I didn’t post that much last season, but really…who cares?

It’s Opening Day today, and even thought the weather here in Southern Ontario is SUPER crappy, nothing can squash my joy that the baseball season is upon us once again. I wrote last year about the loveliness that is Opening Day, and nothing has changed.

It’s been a long offseason. Quite a bit happened in Jays land, and at the same time not much did.

We said goodbye to AJ Burnett. I wish him well in NY, I really do. Maybe not if he ever pitches against the Jays, but I think time will tell how he manages the press in NY. It’s nothing like Toronto, and he had issues with the press here. I think something the NY press will have to learn is that AJ is who he is. I don’t know if all Jays fans realised that, never mind accepted it, but it’s true. He’s got the potential *gasp* and the intelligence to put the plan in place to maximize his pitches, he just doesn’t always do it. It can be frustrating as hell, but I think we started to get a glimpse of him adding the plan in last season. Will he be able to do that right off the skip in pinstripes? I don’t know. We haven’t heard too much about him on Yankee way in Jays land this Spring Training, so I’m not sure how the media coverage has been for him. Obviously, it’s not the same as during the season and I think it will be interesting to watch.

We also said goodbye to Gregg Zaun. I will never again not think of Zaunie when I hear a Rush song, or see Geddy Lee sitting behind home plate. I’m happy that he’s in Baltimore (if he’s not in TO) for two simple reasons: we’ll get to see him a lot because he’s still in the AL East and he gets to be close to his uncle, Rick Dempsey. Bye Zaunie. Thanks for representin’ the high socks while you were here. No one rocked out like you did.

Now, the biggest question of the season is definitely the rotation. I will admit I’m not as confident in this rotation as I was last year’s, but oh well. I’m intrigued by the mix we’ll be throwing out there during the season and I’m glad that the Jays brass is giving the young kids a chance. For so long it seemed like the Jays didn’t really have that many options pitching wise, or specifically starting rotation wise, coming from the farm teams. It’s nice to see that’s changing. The reality is we don’t have the money to go out and always sign expensive players. We have to build from within. That being said, I am aware that two of the highest paid Jays this season are homegrown.

But back to the rotation. We will be without the M&M boys (Marcum and McGowan, not Mantle and Maris) for most of the season. McGowan’s facing setbacks and Marcum wasn’t scheduled to come back until around August anyway. Why not just shut them down so they’re extra fresh for 2010. True…by the time we get in the season we might desperately need them, but I don’t think so. Afterall, we still have Accardo in the minors to come up and help the bullpen and Janssen is still an option for the rotation as long as he’s cleared from the soreness in his pitching shoulder.

The season will be what it will be. In the end, I’m just happy to be able to see my team play. I’m also REALLY happy that Aaron Hill is back manning second base. I think being without him for most of last season showed Jays fans just how integral he is to what the Jays are trying to build. Even though I think any Jays fan is crazy for not knowing that before his concussion.

In honour of Hilly's return to the field at the RC, one of my favourite signs from the last few seasons...

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Roy Halladay will make his 7th consecutive Opening Day start for the Jays tonight. Game time's 7:15 and Doc will be facing Justin Verlander for the Tigers. It should be a good game.

Enjoy the game tonight everyone!

If you're heading to the game, stay dry...

If you're staying in the dryness of your own home, don't laugh at those of us who will look like drowned cats.

Woohoo for Opening Day!

JaysGirl5