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
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