Werk It Boys!

In case you’ve been living in a sports world blackout the past two days, the Jays introduced their new logo and jerseys on Friday. They also introduced some very snazzy looking major league models, too.

I’m sure when @RickyRo24, @jparencibia9, @JoeyBats19, @blawrie13, @2Morrow23, Yunel Escobar and Adam Lind all became members of the Jays, they didn’t imagine they’d be putting on a fashion show someday.

Well, obviously they thought wrong. Sportsnet has been kind enough to host the whole thing online for those of us who couldn’t be there. (Scroll ahead to around the 10 minute mark to see the new jerseys.) Also check out some of the tweet histories for the guys above to see some pretty cool candid photos.

For all intents and purposes, I’m not really sure what number logo to call this. Technically, the first two logos of the organization aren’t really that different from each other. Plus, the current logo is an amalgamation of those two with a little updating. There’s also the one we just got rid of, and the bird of steroids that was an “interim logo”.

Regardless, this new logo and return to blue jerseys is pretty much a no brainer. The more the change settles in, the more it feels like the last piece to cement the AA years. (Although, I’m sure he wouldn’t want them to be called that.)

I’ll admit that nearing the end of the JP years, specifically around the time of Docgate, I had some pretty harsh words for and about the previous GM. I totally stand by them, but time (and a great somewhat realistic look at a GMs life in Moneyball) has a great way of allowing me some perspective. But here’s the best way I think I can describe how I feel about now (AA years) versus then (Ricciardi years) - They were like a jersey that just didn’t fit. For a multitude of reasons it was never right, and no amount of trying was going to change that. It finally feels like the Jays-verse can breathe again and has gotten back to having the right fit. I swear, Scott Carson explains it better than me.

This may not be the best summation of my reaction to the new logo, but I’m still kind of in the middle of it, you know? I love it, can’t wait to see it at the Home Opener and think it’s about time. I also can’t wait to get my new hat and jersey.

There’s change and excitement in the air, Jays fans! 

Here’s to wishing the boys “werk” it on the field next year as much as they “werked” the new jerseys yesterday.

JaysGirl5

Reality Check

Amidst the wonder and joy of being a sports fan, there are times when we get a cold, hard dose of reality.

For hockey fans this year, it was the deaths of three players in a very short span this off-season.

For us baseball fans, it’s the recent kidnapping and rescue of the National’s rookie catcher Wilson Ramos.

As news broke early last Thursday morning, the whole baseball world started holding its collective breath. Outpourings of well wishes, prayers, and tweets went around the world hoping that Ramos would be returned safe and sound.

As we now know, Ramos was taken at gunpoint in front of his family’s home on Nov 9th. His kidnappers eventually came to rest at a secluded house in the mountains of Venezuela’s central Carabobo state. Ramos was told he would be ransomed and was left alone. Almost three days later, and after a 15 minute gun battle, Ramos was able to return to his family physically unscathed and overcome with appreciation to everyone who played at part in his return.

This isn’t the first time baseball and kidnapping have crossed paths, although to MLB’s knowledge this is the first time a player has been taken. Mothers and children of pro baseball players have been taken; one’s cousin was killed a few years ago. And there are more stories.

As lovers of the beautiful game, it’s easy for us to get caught up in enjoying what happens on the field, and the rumours/drama/gossip that happens in the off-season surrounding free agents and whatnot. We forget sometimes that the guys we enjoy watching so much go back to real lives. We lose sight that making it to “The Show” doesn’t mean life just turns into a fairy tale or that all problems go away. In some cases, like that of Wilson Ramos, it can actually make you a target. And in the end, he was lucky.

I’ll admit to having a very slight, general knowledge of the crime issues in South American states, but my eyes were blown pretty open when reading about the current state of things throughout the Ramos story coverage. If you haven’t read any, start. Read from the beginning to get a glimpse of what I’m talking about.

I know that baseball is only a game and am very aware of the role professional sports play and should play. But when the inevitable splash of reality comes in, I’m reminded of how lucky I am in general. My love of baseball (for many, many reasons) affords me an incredible love and appreciation of life in general.

Every day, I think of how lucky I am to have baseball in my life. Every day. And days like last Wed and Sat…they just put it all in perspective.

Be grateful and thankful fellow fans.

JaysGirl5

Sharing the Wealth

A few days ago, I was telling someone about the initial reason I started blogging...so many summers ago now. At the time, I wanted to offer my friends and family a break from the single-mindedness that consumes me during baseball season. I freely admit my posting record has been inconsistent, but I'm proud of how I.T.C.B. has evolved and grown over the years. Along the way, I like to (or choose to?) think I've offered at least a chuckle, a grin or maybe some thought provocation to anyone who's taken the time to stop by. (Which, by the way, THANK YOU for doing!) 

But back to my original direction...

My online Camera Bay still offers my loved ones a reprieve, but I'm also lucky to have friends and family who are supportive enablers of my love of baseball. They come to games with me, talk Jays with me, and best of all...somehow anything baseball that crosses their paths gets sent along mine. (This has happened many times with free tickets and memorabilia, and it's awesome!) So, here's where I send some of what this blog's title implies to you. In the last couple of months my mom, dad and brother have all sent me some pretty neat baseball videos, which now I'm sharing with you. The first three were the ones my family loving sent, the rest just some fun added by me. Enjoy!

Now, I'm still not 100% convinced about this one, but it's still really cool.

By following the link below, to the best of my knowledge and investigation, no harm will come to your computer. The website's embedded video player has some great black and white footage with a really old "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" track. Be warned, the video quality is a little low.

The Roots of Baseball

I found this extended video of Josh's trick from above, with a little somethin' extra.

And no baseball video collection would be complete without...

I loved getting to sit and watch Abbot & Costello on repeat while I was in the Wax Museum in Cooperstown last summer. Anyone who calls themselves a baseball fan should watch that video at least once in their lives.

That's about it for me folks. A little delayed, but congrats to the Cards for winning it this year. I don't think I've ever watched a better playoffs and World Series. Only good things are coming for baseball, I think. Speaking of good things and sharing the wealth...Mactastic has left the Dome for good, but has signed a very nice 2yr contract in Arizona. Love him well DBack fans. He's one of a kind. Although, I think you know that by now.

Happy off-season so far baseball fans! (Is it February yet?)

JaysGirl5