Spies, twitter, and the Jays

"Hello Agent 6, come in"...
"Agent 6 here, over"
"Agent 6, are you in the file room, over"
"Yes, and it was not hard, their password is password, over"
"Agent 6, is there anything on their hard drive about Darvish. over "
"Nothing so far..ooh crap, they have an old style network, you'd think Rogers would have state of the art technology, over"

"Agent 6, we just need to verify if they bid, how hard can be to verify that, over "
"The files are encrypted, those devious bastards, over"

"Ok, but I am tracking the security guard, so you have 3 minutes, or you have to abort, over"


" Geezus the Maple Leaf system was easier to hack than this thing, but you had to get past the guy at security desk, don't ask what I do for him to get by, over"
" Found it !....all it says in the file is a big nay nay..., I am aborting , over"

"Agent 6, come in....Agent 6 ???"

We would have to resort to such covert ops if the Jays rfecognized that fans are a lot more savvy and their passion has grown over the past 5 years.

Has the world of available media quietly slipped past the Jays, cannot see how, they are owned Rogers, so how does the current GM figure double speak, and controllable years, and payroll certainty matter to Jays fans who show up to watch live, or pay premium cable packages.

Yesterday Stephen Brunt , as he usually does outred the organisation for being "out of step with reality". Steve, I would normally agree with you, becasue it appears that the train has left the station so to speak on the extent of media that wanted, nay demanded forthright information on whether the home team bid on a foreign player.

The GM said it was not his policy to comment on such matters, well the Yankees did, the Cubs did, I don't see the city burning to the ground in NY or Chicago in outrage over low bids.  In Toronto, we are used to skull duggery by Ron Wilson, and the "who' your goalie tonite Ron ?" antics, so are they taking a page from MLSE.

The twitter and blog world has been abuzz by Jays fans over the Darvish posting, fans grew their own expectations that good things were coming. That is not the GM's fault, but he has to be aware that fans want either results, or sell em' hope. Tell you bid, but cannot disclose.
Don't use the words "cost certainity, and controllable years ", these are business terms, and you have forgotten what it is to be a fan.

What is my take on this ?  Fear crept in, admitting that as Richard Griifin of the Toronto Star that a $ 50 million dollare bid was placed, lets fans know you were willing to spend that type of cash for one player. Losing out would mean you still have the $50 mill lying around, not going back to buy Bonds, T-Bills. 

Get with the program Alex, or watch the fan base turn on you, you don't have the city in your hands as the Leafs do.

                 

Say Howdy !

I tried to photoshop a ten gallon hat for Darvish, my skill lie elsewhere, but as the Texas Rangers won the sweepstakes, they can outfit him in chaps, and boots and whatever they want now.

The Rangers were the successful bidders for 25 year Yu Darvish, with a reported $51.6 million posting bid. They now have 30 days to conclude a contract. Hardly an issue, as bthe Rangers already have a good feel on his expectations.  5 years and $ 75 million should be around the final deal to join a team that has twice in 2 years been toi the World Series, and has a great core of young talent.

I would not say the Rangers are out on Prince Fielder, but in all likelihood a $125 million committment to Darvish eliminates them.


The Blue Jays heard the news that they were not the successful bidders, and this city shrugged it's shoulders, yet again. But this morning I am sure many awoke thinking the same thing. So if they missed out, by how much. Because we all want to know how serious the Jays were, $ 30 million, $ 40 million, if he was considered better than Dice K, $ 50 million ?  Will they tell us fans, not likely, will they seek to sign Fielder ?
Again I would say no.  So we are left to wonder, and knowing the Toronto media ( Leafs Fan ) they won't let this bone slip out of their mouths.

It is 3 months still before spring training, and that is a long time to repeat your "no comment " answer to the media, when the Twitter world in Toronto was awash with fans all stirred up over Darvish.

What we have is a lump of coal in our stockings, and the hope of some aquisitions in future.

Dear Santa,

Please send me one of the following, Gio Gonzalez, Matt Garza or Prince Fielder.

Signed ,
Alex Anthopolus,
( I promise I have been a good boy all year)

Blue Jays near years end

As we approach the end of 2011, amid silly rumors of a Prince Fielder signing, or Carlos Beltran acquisition we take stock of the current state of the roster.

Now to be fair, Alex might have a few morsels to add onto the crew that will take flight in late February, but we should look at what we have as pretty close to the 40 man roster to start 2012 with.

Our rotation, give or take has 3 definite, In Romero, Morrow and Cecil. Add to that hopefuls Henderson Alvarez, Dusty McGowan and Kyle Drabek, with Luis Perez a long shot. That is 7, so perhaps they give Carlos Villanueva another look see in Dunedin.

The bullpen has built rebuilt with certainties being the new closer Sergio Santos, holdovers Jesse Litsch, and Casey Janssen. Add these 4 names in as 75 % sure locks, Joel Carreno, Jim Hoey, Carlos Villaneuava and one of Chad Beck / Danny Farquhar. Other possibles are Luis Perez, Tristan Magnuson, Alan Farina and Jessie Chavez, with extreme outsiders Deck McGuire just there for exposure to a big camp. Don't rule out McGuire asserting himself into the mix. He is big, has quality stuff and is cocky.

There is a chance Alex signs a lefty, and there are a few out there, Darren Oliver, Arthur Rhodes, George Sherrill, guys who will be sought after to be a situational lefty.

I think we should expect a move or two as players begin to get a little desperate for employment, so the new year might alter the current pitching. Yu Darvish, you wish !, not with the bidding to negotiate with him perhaps at $ 40 to $ 50 million, then salary.  Perhaps a Kerry Wood, or Joel Zumaya, but both have warts, but need homes.
Rotation wise, I think we shall see a 4 man competition for 4rth and 5th spots. McGowan is the sentimental fave, and Alvarez has a leg up as well. Drabek, and Luis Perez have options.  And there is Jesse Litsch as an emergency starter, same as Villanueva.

Offensively we are cornering the market in utility / platoon outfielders.  Fransisco, Thames, Kelly Johnson, Rajah Davis, and forgotten slugger wanna be Travis Snider. Johnson if the team accepts the arbitration decision can slide back to 2nd base, but heavens, we do not need 4 outfielders, and there's hopeful Edwin Encarnacion stealing at bats at DH.  Davis has another year, so if they cut him, they have to buy him out.

The odd man out would seem to be Travis Snider yet again, but a hot spring training either helps him get dealt or kept as regular.  The Eric Thames is the odd man out.  Hard to know what happens.

Anyhow, the year is coming to a close, and just based on what we have, I would be hard pressed to predict 81 wins.

But let's check in with the team in late January/ early February as pitchers and catchers are ready to report. We might have a clearer image of what the team has to choose from.

Right now, not that much, but 2 months from now, things may have changed.

Brains and Braun

I found it hard to start this blog because after all I have read, and heard, it hasn't quite sunk in.
If it is true and I can't dispute the tests, then a 50 game suspension will be handed out, probably after the holidays.
There are many disturbing aspects to this case, obviously the easy one is, and presumes guilt is, with testing done, why ?
Why take anything ?  What was it that caused his testosterone levels to sky rocket ?
Don't you think that in 2011, with all we know, a player of average intelligence would try and get the team doctor, or his personal doctor to look at what he puts in his body.  I don't know if Ryan Braun thinks this way, but missing 50 games is a significant chunk out his wallet.

So the next most puzzling aspect is the 1st positive test was established in October, then verified by a second positive test.  So, before the players takes the stage for playoffs, or further posts season play, he has violated MLB's drug policy.  What happened is Part 2, of "Braungate".   Nothing happened, neither by the Brewers or MLB, or by the player.  This news was leaked, and as far I can tell, players and management are more concerned with why the news was leaked than the fact he was caught cheating, and nobody blew the whistle.

So if there were no whistle blower, we'd still be in the dark, and it was everybody's best interest to keep it quiet. So if you think this story is over once the league finally suspends hi, guess again.

Sad that Bud Selig told us we had put that ugly decade behind us, and for it to be the Milwaukee team, a team he owns in blind trust, run by his daughter. 
This scandal, and make no mistake, it's a scandal, might force Selig to resign, I mean a cover up by MLB, ratted out on his watch.
First, it seems MLB was sweeping this under ther rug.
Second, the information could not even stay confidential, so what does that say about the security of information.
Lastly, MLB owners have a marquee star go down, not an aging Manny, or retired Roger Clemens, so the game's reputation is tarnished.

It means the whole testing system is flawed, and maybe they finally are forced by Congress to an independant body with no affiliation to MLB, agents and players.  A true arms length.

Braun denies two positive tests, Ryan pal...use your brains...you're caught, confess and move on.

End of an ERA

It still has not sunk in, the news is hours old from Dallas, Albert Pujols has agreed to a 10 year $250 million deal. Somewhere Prince Fielder is smiling.

Lucky the Cardinals got their 2nd World Series win in 5 years, otherwise, they would be hard pressed to return.


This was topped seconds later by the report of CJ Wilson signing as well with the Angels.  Uh, I thought the Marlins were spendthrifts, but the Angels in one morning have just over shadowed the Fish with these bold moves.

Albert is the real prize, Wilson, adds depth to a deep rotation at the expense of the rival Rangers.  Addition and subtraction should make the Angels odds on to take the division.

Albert will still wear a red and white jersey, but the bird is gone, and the halo replaces it, as Albert's pay day will be heavenly.  My buddy the Ricster always moans of the lost talent to the National League, and as we both play a fantasy brand, we are a AL only league, and if lost talent is not replenished, the rich stay rich, and the poor pick up the scraps.

Now 2 major pieces have landed, and we will have to watch the Fielder situation play out, the Mariners say they are in, so do the Marlins, and Brewers, but Prince wants to be paid like a king, and the bidding starts at $250 million, thanks to Pujols.  Prince is younger than Albert, but his body might not remind anyone of Charles Atlas, so there might be some generous 7 year offers, but not sure I would go 10 years. No one finishes these 10 year deals anymore, the retire and walk away, or get bought out when they are 38-39, so won't expect Albert to be bopping when he hits 40.

Meanwhile the fans in Boston, unaccustomed to a post season of no awards, rings, and accolades they do a slow burn.  Bobby Big Britches talks glowingly about super touted prospectYu Darvish, who will get posted ( meaning some team has to bid countless millions and hope to win his rights, to pay him....countless millions ).
Despite Bobby's remarks about his abilities, this is a pitcher that has pitched an average of once a week, and a 130 game schedule, and throws 8 to 9 pitches, some slop balls, some hard stuff.  I like this player NOT.  He reeks of impending arm problems, his pitch counts are monitored like NASA watches satellites, looking for orbit decay.

The Red Sox were spitting nails 2 days ago as they were not even in on the Sergy Santos sweepstakes, and hell, why not us argument. In Boston remember they have enough issues to take to the pysch ward, so being dissed by Kenny Williams doesn't improve their ego.


So Albert goes to Anaheim, and Wilson signs there too, and for keeners like Boston, and the Yankees, they must be saying "what the hell", first these upstart Fishes, now the Orange County squad, I mean what's next ...the Blue Jays ??... Okay stand down folks...give the big boys time to regroup, this was not a year for either superpower to add Pujols or Fielder, both teams are chock full of 1st basemen, and DH's, and maybe some free agents just want an easier place to play in than NY or Boston.

It would be worse if the Mets started adding players ( what you say Frank Fransisco and Jon Rauch signed with M-E-T-S, Mets Mets Mets ) Cannot imagine what the New York Post is saying about another quiet Cashman winter. And in Massachusetts, newly anointed GM Cherington will be asked who is replacing departed Johnny Papelbon ? 


End of an era in Saint Lou, no Larussa, and now no Albert, they will regroup, and spend their savings elsewhere, and they still have Carpenter and Wainright, so they are cupboard bare, just wounded today.

Christmas coming early in Anaheim, deck the halls with boughs of Pujols, fa la la la la

Christmas Shopping

The Grinch (Miami Marlins) attempts to steal all the off season presents so far has gone well, and a 6 year offer to CJ Wilson may enough for him to move to Florida for more than orange juice.

This winters meetings ratified a lot of loose ends form the agreement, but who's kidding who, it signals the silly season of spending, dissing and swapping players.

Closers are moving around rapidly, and Red Sox had bette rgrab Ryan Madson while they can, before the music stops. Just today, intrepid reporter Brad Drew reported that the Rockies had moved Huston Street to the Padres, but there are still some stories to the opposite.  Sergie Santos moved back to the Jays for a decent double AA starting pitching prospect, as well.



Earlier on, Papelbon signed with the Phils, and the Fishy Fishes signed Heath Bell to 3 years worth of swordfish, and salary incentives. Them Marlins are sporting gold teeth these days, already with Jose Reyes landed.  So the closers are danci around and their are other moves still, there is Krod, Frankie Cordero, and maybe Kevin Gregg.  Andrew Bailey was a wasn't availble, in true Billy Beane Hocus Pocus.

Beane waved his star 3 season and 75 save cheap money closer under some noses, but was looking to score 3 pitching prospects back.   Sorry Charlie, no tuna for you today.  Beane is still playing the stock the shelves deal for ace Gio Gonzalez, but again, no one is biting, hell, not even the Marlins, and they are after almost everyone.

The Jays have again found the trade route more to their liking, getting 28 year closer Santos, who saved 30 odd games last year. His second numbers were not hot, but the amount of innings, plus the new role may have reduced him later in the year. He should rebound.   I like how he gets announced, based his 8 years of controllable costs, like a mortage that won't increase, or a constant bank dividend. Christ isn't it what he can do to stabilize the back end of the pen.

The Jays however continue to disprove any theorists who say that their comittment to spend like the big boys is coming.  When ? 2010, nope, traded Halladay for a package ( looks like a Beane move ), in 2011, nope ( moved Marcum for Lawrie ), looks like a Rays move, but get talent. So here is 2012, is this year Paul Beeston ?   Well, we have always said we would spend money and Rogers say the money is there to ask for it, but we want to spend it wisely. Now we have heard we need to see those turnstiles and if, if the team is in the hunt in July, we will spend the money.  Huh ?   What free agents exist in July, and if the team is enconsed in 4rth, who in their right mind would seek to add payroll in a veteran player being dumped ?

How do you get to 2nd or 3rd , and in a race, answer, add players in the off season. 

Don't listen to that blow hard Mike Wilner, he has been hooked on that Kool Aid they serve at Jays games and cannot see straight.


But I always say, Anthopolus, Beeston prove me wrong, swing for the fences.  I will admit error, and admit you are seeking the brass ring, bujt no evidence to the opposite. 

Some GM's have already packed up and gone home, they are not after Princes, and Fat Alberts, or start pitchers. The spenders are all staying to make deals. The remainder will complete their Christmas shopping on e-bay., amazon or through desparate agents.   Already players who thought themsleves big winners have started opting for arbitration.


More in few days, expecting an Albert signing, and maybe a CJ Wilson splash (Miami) .

A Brave Wild New World is coming

Give Richard Griffin credit for todays arcticle, the Jays will have to rachet their approach, and so will Rogers if MLB forges ahead with their plans.
If Houston enters the AL, and the new balanced schule arrives, and universal DH passes, and a new 5 year agreement is ironed out, whew , that is a lot.

But if this all comes to pass for2012, the Jays lose their excuse that they cannot compete against the Sox and Yanks, so unless there is another Wild Card spot, they have no chance to win, in the ultra uber compettitve AL East, then think again.

It will be time for Rogers to show they can pony up to a $100 million payroll, or admit they are Canadian version of the Athletics, good, not great, but budget conscience. Cannot compete with big boys for top free agents.

Case in point is their opening at second base.  Now by all accounts the Kelly Johnson experiment was not all that fruitful, he hit in low .220 s for the Jays, and never could he confused with Aaron Hill defensively. So if he is classed as a Class A free agent, he will seek $ 6,7 million per year, but will easily agree to aceept arbitration. His agent is greedy, but not stupid.
The Jays will counter with an expected $ 3.5 to $ 4 million offer, and probably lose, and be faced with his inflated salary. Will they accept it , possibly, maybe they walk away. 

So what is under Alex Anthopolous tree this year.
Hechavarria to play flawless cheap 2nd base.
Richard Griffen to stop nagging at them.
A rotation that includes Dustin McGowan and Henderson Alvarez.
A trade of Travis Snider for Huston Street.
Rogers agrees to a 2012 payroll of $ 72 million, may a bit higher.



Maybe as stocking stuffers some competant middle relievers, but we could see Shawn Camp, Casey Janssen as dual 8th inning set up men, and Jesse Litsch as the new long man. Do not rule that out.
But as we know there are always middle relief men out there. Maybe Chuck Lamarr can help weed out the good from the bad.

Winter meetings in 2 weeks, so we may see the Huston Street trade by then, or someone else.

Street with no name

This street has a name, but not a marquee one. His father is legendary inn Texas as a Longhorns quarteback, played in 2 Cotton Bowls, one against future Argo QB Joe Theismann, ryhmes with Heisman.

Huston has a one yr deal for $7.5 million, and a player option for 2013 of $ 9 million, but a trade would have to be made, and what th eRox crave is more pitching prospects. They fleeced the Indians last year, and you watch that kid Pomeranz rise to the top of their rotation.

This might be the best option, as Street is only 27, he strikes out a batter an inning, and does not surrender walks.

Jays have prospects as starters, but no ready made closer. I could even see Dustin McGowan be dangled as trade bait. Dusty showed the ability to compete at this level, and would come cheap, salary wise. I would hate to see him go, but the addition of Street means you do not have to compete with other teams for Heath Bell, Joe Nathan, et al.

GM's are meeting this week, so there is a buzz about Anthopolous making a bold move ahead of the December winter meetings. This deal would shouw legitimate free agents of the committment to shoring up the pen.

Papelbon is off the board, and the Marlins seem set to back up the Brinks truck for Jose Reyes, Albert Pujols and others, so as I say, the timing is right to grab a ready made closer, surrender a Deck McGuire or Henderson Alvarez or even a Travis Snider and put the Jays on the map.

It would give the fans a "Rocky Mountain High" to get a Huston Street on the staff.

Lamar signs on

While the lights are still burning in Jays offices, looking at free agents, potential trade options, Alex the Great brought into the organisation some much needed front office help.

See, it's not just the Leafs with their 12 assistance GM's and no goaltender, or the Raptors and their assemblage, the Jays have added where there was a gap.
As good as Tony LaCava is as AA's assistant, a man with Lamar's credentials adds depth of knowledge when it is sorely needed. Even if he can steer Alex towards a bonafide closer, and better constructed bullpen, and perhaps a Mark Buerhle signing.

Lamar's time in Philly certainly was fruitful, but as Pat Gillick is staying on as special assistant, Lamar's advise was not as "well heard" in the Phil's front office, and it was time to leave.

Decisions this off season are crucial, the team must make some significant strides forward, show the fans it believes this group just needs a bit of veteran help here and there. Spending money is one thing, spending it properly is another.

A Lamar move would have been the recent KC/SF deal getting young Johnathon Sanchez for over hyped Melky Cabrera. When the winds blow in off the bay in San Fran, Melky will pine for the still winds and gentle breezes in KC.

There are many fans that want Rogers to open up the vault, and maybe they will , but pigs will fly first before the Jays hit $100 million.

So, adding a Lamar buys them some time, he will assist Alex in picking and choosing key additions, another hitting back up catcher. A DH type, a couple of long relievers, and crafting a bullpen. That will cost them $ 10 million, or there abouts, but will keep them an 80 win team.

If Rasmus blossoms, if Hechaverria ends up at 2nd base and he thrives, if Morrow gives us a full 35 start season and becomes a real number two starter. A lot of ifs, but that is what they need to bring this group to a 90 win team.

Sure I would love Andrew Bailey, but not at the cost of 3 prospects, so a one year deal with player option for Joe Nathan feels right. He needs a place to redeem him self, and maybe with Lamar here, he can convince Alex when and where to spend.

Ball Players and Social Media

Joey19Bats, BrLawrie, RickyRo, Jays and other players now feel the urge to communicate independently from regular press agents and conferences.

Oh, they still use those outlets, but today's athlete feels the need to express themselves. Base Ball players are no exception. They weigh on discipline issues, suspensions, awards, new music, game winning RBI's and whether they suffering from chronic disrespect.

Now Football and Basketball players are way ahead, and they as a group are far more vocal, the WR network of Terrel Owens, Ocho Cinco demand the attention of anyone within shouting distance. These are athletes that while in college were adulated, revered, raised on a pedestal, so why would they expect anything less now that they are in the pro arena.

I follow a few, Bret Lawrie, Gregg Zaun, Bautista, but far too many are so self indulgent snivelling me, me, me, look at me types, they have turned me off. You disconnect yourself with players that have more bluster than PT Barnum, more huts pa than a US politician. More balls than......well you get the idea. I still hear or read what they say, but if you follow reporters, TV and print you get to see what they see.

I am a big fan of free speech, hell I have my own Twitter account, so I will not carve up players to be heard, just perhaps so outspoken.  Talk about your play, talk about how you profess to love the fans, talk about your love of family, what music you listen, but don't talk trash about your team mates. Do not trash each other, that is always , always, misunderstood and we have that "disrespecting " word again. 

My tweets are meant for humour, I respond to others, challenge opinions, foster some of my own, usually harmless attempts to be part of this new social media environment. Hopefully I will cross any borders I shouldn't.  Athletes do , and they really need more media training, and perhaps a dose of humility. Because when they stray from the clear and narrow path, they find themselves having those press  conferences to apologise, or say what they really meant.

An old saying still applies....People in glass houses should not throw stones...time to revisit some of those values before saying something hurtful.  Read  your own copy over, ask yourself this..Is this going to hurt anyone, is anyone going to be offended.

Sabathia re ups

Yankees signed LHP Sabathia to a one-year, $30 million contract extension with a vesting option for 2017.

  The new deal is tacked on to his current contract, which runs through 2015. While Sabathia said in a  conference call Monday night that he is comfortable in New York and wanted no part of the free agent process, it's hard to fault the guy for using his opt-out clause as leverage on a new deal. The big left-hander will now receive $25 million in 2016 and either a $25 million vesting option or a $5 million buyout in 2017. He is guaranteed $122 million over the next five seasons and could max out at $142 million over six years if he avoids an injury to his shoulder. A hefty price to pay, but now the Yankees can forge ahead with other offseason priorities.  


The Yankees initially offered Sabathia a deal for five years and $120.5 million, allowing him to just top Lee’s mark. But the Yankees upped their offer to ensure he would not opt out and hit the free-agent market.
Sabathia’s 2017 option will vest automatically unless he finishes 2016 on the disabled list, spends more than 45 days on the DL in 2016 due to a shoulder injury, or is forced to pitch out of the bullpen six times in 2016 because of shoulder problems. Sabathia also will continue to have a no-trade clause.
“It was a big motivation,” Sabathia said of avoiding the free agency drama. “I didn’t want to be a part of being a free agent and opting out and doing all that stuff.”
General manager Brian Cashman released a statement, praising the 31-year-old as “the ace of our pitching staff, a leader in our clubhouse and a driving force for the Yankees in our community. He is exactly the type of player and person that Yankees fans and this organization can be proud of.”
Sabathia lost 25 pounds last winter but put some of it back on this past season. He said he will prioritize the weight loss again, though he admitted he “got a little lax during the season” with his conditioning.
“I think it’s something I do because it’s for me and to be proactive,” he said of losing weight. “I just need to go out and be healthy and try to do what I can to be out there for every start. For me, that means losing weight. That’s what I’ll do.”

                                                                             

   

The Goddam Boston Red Sox

 Since the Yankees fleeced the Sox for George Herman Ruth,  this franchise been cursed. At least until Theo Epstein arrived, and convinced owner John Henry it was time to start spending bigtime bucks, on big time talent. A long curse, the type gypsies put on and you grow another apendage, or a tail.

They couldn't win in 46' ( lost to the Cardinals ) and again in 67' ( same team Cards, different heroes ). Then losing a 7 game to the Reds, not even Carlton Fisk could save them.

Then losing to those hated Yankees in 1978 in a playoff, that was horrible, and the curse tightened it's grip.
I thought it was over when they beat the Angels (when by rights the Angels had them) down to their last strike, but  Davey Henderson beat Donny Moore and they went to the Series. With a Roger Clemens, no less, and stars all over the diamond.
But you know what happened, more Game 6 drama, a ball hit by the Mets and it dribbled threw Bill Buckner's wickets and the air collapsed in the balloon yet again.  Curses, foiled again !!

As I say, on comes a young bright mind in Theo Epstein, he brings in new manager.  Tito call me Terry Francona, born of a baseball lineage. They did was restore hope, even after they suffered at the hands of Yanks and Scott Brosius, & Aaron Boone.   The Beantowners wondered "when will this merciful curse end ? ". Christ why not ask the Cubs about curses. Check the calendar folks,  1908 ! for the Cubbies.

Anyhow, back to those damned Red Sox, well it seems adding a Curt Schilling added just the right ingrediant, adding a Johnny Damon was as well, and the Cowboy Up generation, coined by Kevin Millar came of age.

They found their edge, they found a way, lead by Big Papi., by Manny, by Youkilis, and Dustin Pedroia. They found whatever had been missing since 1918, and in the last 7-8 years, playoff success, and 2 World Series titles.
Fast forward to September of this year. Something bad was going on in Boston, they could not win games, they found new ways to lose. They could not get decent games from starting pitchers and they could hit in the clutch. I mean you name a facet of the game, defense, offense, hell if they had akicking game, they'd have screwed that up too.

The offseason finger pointing began almost when the last out in Baltimore wa recorded, when Crawford's bobble coat them the 162 nd game and any chance of a 1 game playoff against the Rays.  It was so and so's fault, the pitching staff, the bullpen, the offense, maybe even the kicking game, they all took turns.

Until the stories leaked of not keeping Francona, he would be the scrificial lamb slaugtered to preserve the franchise.  Then the club house stories emerging. Drinking beer and eating chicken but off duty starting pitchers became another sign that Francona had lost his players trust and The Boston Globe's reports and ESPN reports buried any hope of Francona returning.
So Terry's option was not picked up, and the rumours continued, this time, it was wunderkid Theo Epstein, could he lured away to GM the Cubs ( talk about frying pan into the fire ).

Tampering charges, compensation arguments, and an all out free for alll, all while the playoffs were going on.

No one could stop looking at this multi car pile up, it was trainwreck in progress, with nightly reports, blogs, twitter all eating up the Red Sox , their ownership and the messing aftermath of a season gone wrong.

Stupidity decided to step in when nameless gutless front office claimed they were not perhaps happy about the Carl Crawford signing.  Well la de da, put your hands up if you but that one ???

So now heading into 2012 ( apocolypse year ) a new GM annoited ( company man Cherington ) in tow, the Red Sox, who hijacked September.

This time I sympathise not for Boston.  They had the best duo, and ownership decided they needed scapegoats, not the beer swilling chicken eaters. Not the under performers, not the gang that couldn't shoot straight. They deserve whatever the Gods have in store for them.

Leave it Bill Lee, to sum up the situation.

"You see, in Boston, they dumped tea in the harbour, then complained they had nothing to drink". " They had all the signs, Paul Revere could have showed them, one-ith by land, two -th by sea , three -eth you're out ".

" In Boston, they eat beans and wonder why they fart so much "  "Sometimes, a loss is just a loss, but in Boston, it's a Shakespearian tragedy" 

"Et tu Brute, then fall Francona" 


Coming attractions, the Jays seek arms in the Far East...Whirling Darvish...

Ordained

From the College of Cardinals

Last Friday night, the Cardinals were victorious and won a hard fought see saw 7 game World Series.

Tony La Russa was elected from the College of Cardinals as their new pope.

Not by vote, as in the picture above, but by twitter, by blog, by fans, and by media alike. A little too much adulation for my liking, but in Saint Louis, where they take their baseball as seriously as they take their religion, winning their 11 th title in 2011 is not coincidental, it is divine right or rite.



The last game was not anything like Game 6, but had no chance of coming close. A brief Texas lead was erased, and then a melt down inning of gaffs and walks and then the walls caved in ultimately. Plus, and I am not in this corner, Ron Washington seemed to have been out managed by the Big Giant Head of LaRussa. 

Wash spurned any talk of a Derek Holland start in Game 7, despite the superlative 8 plus innings he churned out.  No, Matt Harrison would make this start, and come hell or high water ( there's that Biblical reference again ) he was not gonna waver.  No flooding of the Mississipi was observed either.

This series might go down as the sloppiest played by both teams, who at times looked like the 62' Mets, the Alphons and Gaston ( not Cito ), the you take I don't want it. And so far the numbers reflected a lack of interest in the north east and southwest ( NY and LA markets ).

What will be written about as people reflect back is the moves made by Cardinals in July, getting Ed. Jackson, Dotel, the Zepper , adding Rhodes and Furcal, and moving McLellan into the pen. Bold moves,indeed and when you look at their late August, and September run, they all fell into place. Of course the Braves foldup made all the whole thing possible or the Phills might have waltzed into the Classic.

A sign was held prior to the last fly out by Murphy  that said 11' in 11', and 5 in 12', a reference to winning their 11th title in 2011, and to keeping Pujols for 2012, and if there are baseball Gods, the Cards will retain their star, and he will retire along side Musial, Gibson, and other legandary greats to play in Saint Louis.

It is ordained.

Good bye Baseball season 2011, hello off season.

Game 7 - Time for Magic to Unfold

Freeze that moment.

It's the bottom of the 11th, 9-9 tie, several lead changes, comebacks galore. And then David Frees steps to the plate.

A high drive...a deep drive, and the ball lands on the grassy noll in dead centre with fans pouring from the bleachers to try and get to the ball.

High 5's, and hugs, in the Rangers dugout there is no smiles, just the thought that we had this one, twice in the bag.

I am sure the Phillies thought that in Rd 1, nope, did not happen. Then the Brewers were the favourite, nope, that didn't happen either.  Onto a World Series and another underdoggy position.

Last time if memory serves the Cards played a home game and it was a Game 7 was in '68.

Think the Twins series was in Minny, but I can proven wrong.

In '68, Gibson faced Denny McLain and was defeated. That year McLain had won 31 games for the Tigers, all Gibson did was finish with a modern era record for ERA at 1.12.

We won't have near the pitching match up this time, but it is a Game 7, and they usually do not disappoint.

There will be magic, in some form, maybe another walk off hit, another Napoli ket RBI, a Nelson Cruise Missle home run, a great performance from the man they call Albert.

If this the last game Albert Pujols plays in a Cardinals jersey, do you think he will have one for the ages.

Pitching tonight..acc to Washington it's Harrison, but I think it's a guy named WholeStaff, anyone available, and those that aren't. Like the cliche, there ain't no tomorrow, well there is, just no Game 8.

For those that will watch, myself included, I expect more magic.

Strap yourself in, let the Games begin.

World Series Time

Well what's happening in baseball these days, the Texas Rangers are making their second straight appearance and the wild card Cardinals have made it by beating the best team in baseball ( Philly ) and the the team they could not catch ( Milwaukee ) in their division.

Nothing else going on in baseball unless you consider Terry Francona leaving Boston, and the subsequent news that Theo Epstein is trying to join the Cubs, and drunken chicken eaters in the clubhouse, are worth talking about.
And the ownership of Red Sox was "not on board" with the Carl Crawford signing either.

The shenanigans in Boston have over shadowed the playoffs, to the extent it has become thee baseball story instead of the meeting of the 2 league champions.
Why is this happening ?

Well, partly because the Yankees bowed out, Sox never made it, no NY/ Calif major TV market has a team in the Series. No compelling stories, no 4 Philly rotation of the apocolypse , and not even the plucky Rays could garner any national attention.

Holliday, aka "moth man" has had large impact on Cards fortunes, along with David Freese, Lance Berkman, Yadier Molina, and a no name bull pen.

Rangers have a solid 1-9 line up, and deep bull pen, but starting pitching has been spotty for both teams, and that usually ends up mulitiple pinch hitting, and trips to the mound, double switches, so I won't insult you with who will win.



My personal bias is to my long time affection with the Cards, and the extra home game may play a deciding factor.  If so, Prince Fielder's winning RBI in the All Star game may prove impactful.


Unless the rains wash tonights game, it all starts tonight.

Yankees

Yanks depart the post season, pockets empty, promises unfulfilled and fans unhappy.  I guess a $180 million dollar payroll or whatever it is does not guarantee happiness.

The previous off season saw the Bronx Bombers unable to attract big name pitchers, but I suspect they will try and lure CJ Wilson, as will the Red Sox, Rangers and Cubs. All that guarantee is Wilson's family will be well taken care of.

They managed to cobble a rotation out of CC, Hughes, Nova, Freddy Garcia and Bart Colon, plus AJ Burnett. It was enough, bolstered by a deep pen, and relenting offense to win the division, but fell short of another series appearance.  Knowing the penchant for continual success, one would anticipate Brian Cashman looking at ways to dangle rookies ( Montero/ Betances ) to acquire veteran arms, or simply buy a pair. 

If the Yanks have serious trouble buying talent, I think they will ask the Federal Government to inspect their cash for fraudulent bills, since no one seems to want to take their greenbacks.

Arod made the last out trying to steal. Last time the Yanks lost a playoff game or series ender was 1926, when Babe Ruth tried to steal on the Cardinals, and was shot down. 1926 series was chronicled in Ken Burns BASEBALL as a series the Yanks were not supposed to lose, but 42 year old gin soaked Grover Cleveland 3 times defeated them, the last time in relief, supposedly still hung over from winning the previous game.

Pitching beat the Yanks, first by not getting any, and then by the Tigers, who as it was discovered, had just enough. 

Would not be suprised to see James Shields in a Yankees or Red Sox uniform next spring, if it's Boston, the Bombers may have to repeat the efforts of the 2011 squad. Which won't be easy.

Playoff Banter

 I like the last few days of the regular season because there was intrigue, drama, unlike the post season where seemingly predictable series should wind up shortly.

Rangers beat Rays, and their depth and there rested pitching staff was integral, plus a 1-9 hitting line up rivaled by the Yanks. Rays had little left in the tank, and will likely face another off season of concern. Home crowds were some of the worst attendance numbers in 30 years.  Rumors swirl that Shields , due to collect $ 7 million then higher in 2013, 14, will be next.  Is even David Price safe to buy in Tampa ?

 The Tigers will regret not taking AJ Burnett to the wood shed, as the Yankees are expected to advance to play Texas for the pennant. So a repeat of last year, advantage Rangers, even with no Cliff Lee.

The D Backs have done yeoman work, but winning is another thing, the Brewers and Phillies will survive scares and advance so that series will be a much better one than the AL version.

I see the Phils winning based on rotation depth, and experience and 2 starts from Doc. 

Lot's of Theo Epstein and Francona rumours at least until the Cubs name a successor, plus open jobs with the White Sox, and possibly Seattle, or the Mets. Expect to hear the name Bobby Valentine repeatedly, but there is no great fit for the BIG EGO that is Valentine.

If you listen carefully, Taps is playing in Boston and Atlanta

A Shakespearian tragedy has played out in two cities where baseball is played , and the locals are worshipped, while in the racous downtowns of St. Louis and Tampa Bay, they celebrate like it's Mardi Gras.

Tragedy is nothing new to Red Sox Nation, watching Scott Brosius and Aaron Boone and Bucky "Freakin" Dent. Somewhere Ben Affleck just used a swear word and RAys fans woke up saying " we can buy playoff tickets ? ", and then they won't.

Atlanta is not a stranger to Greek tragedy themselves, but for their lone World Series over Cleveland, they have had hearts broken as many times as the Buffalo Bills.

In Massechusetts, rabid fanatics are asking for sharp objects to be locked up, as Celts are very inactive, and beloved Sox went 7-22 in a meltdown rivalling 3 Mile Island. Maybe the Patties losing to the Bills is another omen, that this ain't your year Boston.

Sitting alone in his office deep in the bowels of Fenway, manager Terry Francona sits at his desk, with a bottle of Wild Turkey, and the record player on , with the strains of a Patsy Cline song "Crazy" playing in the background. 

Terry will not be canned, there are too many guilty faces in the locker room, Adrian Gonzalez, Daniel Bard, Josh Beckett and others had swoons at the worst time. We may hear about bogus injuries to help these guys save some face, but in the end, this not anything new in Boston.

Flags now flying at half mast in Boston.

How the mighty have fallen

Good God, I first must apololgise for the lack of content lately, damn bosses, too many projects, no support, and the damn new dog keeps needing to get up in the night to pee.

Guys shoes I don't want to be in right now,

Terry Francona - he will keep his job, I don't think that Theo Epstein is going to make rash moves, just blow up the pitching staff is all.
I think any rotation dependant on John Lackey, Dice K, and even Tim Wakefield was doomed to start with, and add in oft injured Eric Bedard, and that is a recipe for disaster.

Over in the National League, the Bravos are having their own issues, and I see hundreds of candles lit outside Turner Field, and hosannas were heard after the Astros dealt the Saint Louie's a near fatal blow. Cards are still only 1 back, so there's hope and the Phils are just sending out Lee, Oswalt, I mean Atlanta must think, give us Blanton, give us a raw rookie, but nooooo, the Phillies are playing this right the end, getting their major league leading 100 the victory.

Oh and the rumours are now true, The Oz is out on the south side of Chicago, and his new address is Miami Beach, to manage the 2012 Marlins.

Prayer never worked in Chicago Oz, you better have a plan for managing a low budget crew.

Second last game for the home squad, and with injuries, and surgeries, and new borns, it has been hard to field a decent line up .

My 83 game prediction is now toast, but according to Paul Beeston we have most of the building blocks in place, just asfew tweaks...and hold on a second..a few tweaks...we got holes at second, maybe centre field, 3 fifths of the rotation, the entire bullpen except Janssen, and left field is still a question mark. But that is what the off season is for, optimism.

Upcoming blog will be my review of Moneyball.

Fridays Feathers Flying

So a call to arms as the end of August arrives, and the pennant races heat up, and the Jays are poised to battle Tampa, possible to unseat them as the 3rd place team in the AL East.


Actually there are only 2 races left to discuss, as the
Yanks and or Boston will be division and or Wild Carder, and the Central is almost settled.


In the NL, the Phils are home and cleared, the brave have the Wild Card, and the Brew Crew have the Central sown up.


It's just the 2 western division were there is still battles raging on, at least for now. The Giants are chasing Arizona and the Angels are trailing the Rangers, and that , as they say, is that.

No sense causing a fuss or a riot, September is going to be a rather quiet month of playing out the string, packing up, and reaching personal stat goals to get incentive bonuses, and prop up bad years going into free agency.

Unless MLB changes their minds, and adds a second wild card team, races could be over in week or two, and where's the drama, why go watch 19 yr old kids fight for playing time. That's why we have spring training !

I have a hard time watching the Jays scuffle against Oaklnad and Kansas City, they just look like they are sleepwalking through these games against weaker opponents. Never progress until they develop a killer instinct.

Maybe they need a can of RAID.

So, onto some truly weird stuff.

Matt Holliday - aka Moth Man

I have seen a lot of bug infestations, Jacobs Field, Joba vs the gnats, but Matt had the luck of having one fly into his ear.
They used a flashlight, and bugger woulkd not come out.

Finally they used a pair of tweezers to extracate the moth.

B ug Off

Posada, aka Billy the Exterminator

Jays looking for brighter feathers

News on the Toronto Star this morning reports that as early as next season, the Jays will have yet another redesigned uniform, as Rogers seeks to bleed the customers with a patriotic red and white, with a sprinkling of blue. I mean, aren't Jays blue ?

Please feel free to colour this blank slate as you see fit.  Making this public allows Rogers to use their fan base to provide ideas, or better yet, market feedback on what most fans want. Presumably if 20,000 core fans like a retro style, 20,000 fans will buy it.


I can only hope it means the end of Mikey DC's fave black jersey, my personal opinion is I am tired of teams wearing black, it does not make them look tougher, or more imposing.

I sense it is yet again time for Rogers to try and sell us more sizzle when they have no steak.
 Oh and the village idiot just called me, says even he sees through this sham.

Of course I asked a few Ardent Jays followers, the ones that bleed blue by it, hook, line and sinker, the skeptics see it as I do, it's the art of misdirection at work.  Like watching Christian Bale in The Prestige.

Now these are not the best new ideas , but I hear this design is high on the dart board of potential new uniforms.

One advantage would be if the wings actually worked, it could allow us an unfair advantage on balls destined for the seats.

However I think the creative folks are looking for more Maple Leaf / Patriotic garb, so maybe stitch the flag across their backs. 

If this new uniform does not work, may have to sell space on uniforms to corporations, like Nascar and Formula One.  Now that needs MLB approval, and the Yankees and Red Sox won't do it, so likely that one dies on the vine as well.  Can we just find us some bullpen, another 2 starters will experience, a 2nd baseman that can hit, and promote Travis D'Araud , and perhaps we can win more games, be a real contender, and sell them as a winning franchise, instead of gimmickry, bobble heads, and bringing your dog to the park, which I am sure the grounds crew and stadium cleaners just love afterwards.

My idea, scarp the black, use the Red and White ( July 1st Canada Day ) as home jersey, but add more blue, and use good sense adding talent to augment what you have. Spend your time and cash on giving the fans better players in the uniforms than new uniforms on poor performers.

Play your cards right

 Arod has potentially dealt himself a body blow, depending on how Bud Selig sees the severity of playing or even sitting watching these high stakes poker games.


Alex says he will co-operate, because he is scared shitless of what this can mean, especialy after his self confessed PED involvement. While not being totally illegal, it is highly immoral.



What reaction is there out there in the baseball community ?


Does this make Arod someone that could have serious  gambling ties, or could he be in to the sharks, or worse, the mob ?  We all know he has multi millions so the gambling losses do not mean much, but it's potentially a target for extortion, blackmail, who knows ?

Here's a shot of ARod, Matt Damon, Brad Pitt, and Ben Affleck playing some high stakes poker.

I know, they're dogs and they're playing poker, easy Homer....

I can  see the humour in all  this, I just hope MLB does too.

I give him 3-1 odds he gets a 5 game suspension, if there is enough oroof, and it's just to make sure all the other players hear the words from Selig's mouth.

"baseball and gambling do not mix "

Waivers

 Players are now popping up on waivers like prairie dogs, here and there, and all around. Some receive shock from from fans, some fans say, please someone make a deal for this loser. Generally it is performance based, but many times there is a cheaper alternative in the wings, and the heavy contracts would love to be dumped.


George King III of the The New York Post recently reported that AJ Burnett, Rafael Soriano and long time Yankee Jorge  Posada were placed on waivers. Gee, they all make lots of money, are struggling, andf have cheaper replacements waiting.  No suprtise to me, but this is what happens on a regular basis, testing the waters, see who you can lure in, who will block possible deals.

In 1992, the Blue Jays placed a waiver claim on David Cone of the Mets, a late night heist when seemingly no one was looking, or were supposing that some one is going to put in a claim, and didn't.

I mean some players are used to this, and some get very offended, and some get vocal, and who know,
Wonder if any come to tears, cause there's no crying in baseball......

Time for deals

Yunel Escobar

Last year, the Jays had come to the realisation that the Braves were frustrated with Yunel Escobar, ancd Alex Gonzalez had converted one half of baseball into a very marketable shortstop, 17 home runs, extra base hits, high enough average, reliable defense, and a player not prone to the hot doggery play.

Cito Gaston knew as well the kid had much more potential, given the right circumstances, a very special one.

Deals at this time of year are generally made for need and Atlanta had a need, a shortstop that could hit and make those routine play.  Run out ground balls.

Funny that a year into the deal, that woulld describe Escobar to a tee, and in fact, he's part of the young leadership group.

The Gonzalez deal was pure sell high, and deal for the guy with potential, but little results. Anthopolous saw an opening, deal Alex quickly before the batting average tumbled, and the lustre of the early home run success would run dry.
So this was more right place, right partner.


 So Jim, handicap where the potential deals are going to be made this deadline. Okay, let's give it a whirl.

Beltran, the most sought after, or the most hyped.
I think that the Mets want 2 things, salary relief, and ready to play prospects, like Chris Davis, Marty Perez.

BJ Upton, now this is a deal that Tampa wants prospects only, no one that is making any appreciable money, a controllable commodity. San Fran will lose out on Beltran, so will need to score a bat, too bad it will likely be Upton`s. But he might flourish with a change of scenery.

Aaron Hill, and I don`t think we will get much, but I think he moves , perhaps kenny Williams has soured on Gordon Beckham, Ozzie sure has, and US Cellular is a hitters paradise, so maybe the White Sox, and Jays get a single AAA prospect, but Kenny be careful, last year we got Escobar, this year, well, just be careful.

The usual collection of relivers will drift around to fill holes, a few back up catchers, but Beltran, and Upton will be names to expect.

Everyone expected Hunter Pence, or Wandy Rodriuguez, and James Shields, but none appear to be moving, but the Phils, Red Sox and Yankees all see the finishing line, and one of these teams will make a splash, bet on it.

Players from a time gone by

I started with Roberto Clemente, since he finished with 3000 hits exactly, after the 1971 season, he never saw 1972, his plane crashed delivering supplies to earthquake victims.

 I loved watching this perennial All Star play right field for the Pirates, win batting titles, knock in over 100 runs, and man could throw out runners.
The press in Pittsburgh insisted on calling him Bobby, and he would correct them constantly, and so was considered a malcontent, but he was fearless proud of his Cuban heritage.

Born to play the game, and he patrolled center field ( just ask John Fogerty ) like no one else in the majors, in either league.  I swear he played so shallow he could hear the second baseman whisper.  Has been given a bad rap because he fought the reserve clause at a time when players were not represented in a true fashion by a union with any teeth.  Marvin Miller sure changed that ( and when does he go to the Hall, thee most influential figure in the game from the late 60's for almost 2 decades.

 Dick Allen was a sullen, angry black player, never feeling like he got a fair shake from the establishment. He had tremendous talent, and on occasion was the most feared hitter in the National League.  But he frequently wore out welcomes, moving to Chicago to play for the White Sox, then onto Oakland and Texas, and played a season with the Dodgers.  Like I say, he had great ability to hit long home runs to all fields, and he could easily stretch a double into a single, he had that type of talent.
Sad he never fully realized his true potential.

 Let's Play Two, as Banks would utter, he was a player who never played a single playoff gamer, but has Hall of Fame numbers nevertheless, playing 1st base and other posts essentially for the South Siders of Chicago.
Another feared hitter from the late 50's through the 60's, and into the early 70's, he had the zeal for the game when it paid pennies.  Players complain about unscheduled double dips, Ernie wanted as many double headers as he could get.

Played in 3 World Series, Brock stole bases, but he could stroke the ball enough that he could have hit 30 homers a year, but like Ichiro, chose the path of base hits, steals, and runs created. Played a flawless outfield, making the glide to the ball look effortless, he did not get the press that Flood did in centre, but he range baby, he could take away hits that were sure doubles. Because he could run like the wind.

Joey Bats and Clemens Rats

Time to get caught up after the All Star Game, the Jeter 3000 hit, the Beltran Buzz, and here come the Yankees to town, with no Arod, no Cameron Diaz, no current controversy lingering.

Clemens vs The US Government declared a mistrial on evidence a first year law student should know was not admissible.  Maybe planned that way, so as to trip your self up, and reduce the potential long drawn on cost on taxpayers. In the 40' s, boxers took dives because they cleaned up betting on the other guy, and so did the Govt  get good odds on a mistrial ? . 

Jays roll into the 2nd half and clobber the Yanks, while losing Joey Bats19 to an ankle sprain, which most will tell you will cost him a weekend on the shelf.  No sweat, we banged out 23 hits, most of them off Barty Colon, who stunk worse than the Hudson River.  In fairness though to Colon, not many of those hits were truly monstrous. Mostly dinks and duck farts.

Into the 2nd half with tight division races, Arizona hanging with San Fran, Tigers and Tribe, Yankees-Red Sox, Cards and Brewers, Braves and Phils, and Angels- Rangers, with a few others still hope like Tampa, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, and the Twinkies. Ultimately they will cut down the pretenders into August, 3 team races usually unravel like a poorly knitted sweater. Watch out for the Twins.

Here in Toronto, we headed into he break winning 3 in a row off Cleveland, then last nights combination laugher/ cliffhanger, thanks to Jo Jo Reyes, and Andruw Jones. Imagine, a 9-0 lead, and he gives back 7, and that with half the game still to play. Still nice to exhaust their bullpen in one evening.

Key hit of the night, E5 ( Encarnacion ) a 2 out base knock that gave us an 11-7 lead, a chance to breathe again, and momentum to re-accelerate our engines. 8 runs in the first not a record against the poinstrippers, 9 scored in 1934 by the Tigers, but a pasting nevertheless.

Clemens Rats

Clemens, number 1 Rat Fink, so far denied his chance to stand up and have his record washed clean, must hope a mistrial means HOF Voters think he is innocent.  Does the Pope wear a toupee ? Does a bear shit in the woods ?

This ain't over by a long shot.


I am sure that HBO are thrilled that when they begin showing the Jeter assault on 3000 hits like Hercules ascending Mount Olympus, there are no nightly trial tidbits to tarnish Yankee icons.  Maybe here's hoping Clemens elects to wear a Red Sox hat if he gets into the HOF.

Joey Bats19

I am currently following baseball's good boy @JoeyBats19 on twitter, and yes folks, I am also on Twitter, as well as blog world.

My twitter handle is @keon2214, but don't expect Shaq like ditties, and Darren Dreger trade updates, just rambling commentary, like the blog.



With E5 hitting, Snider banging, and Thames swinging, we can survive against the Yanks if we get contributions from everyone, and start taking more pitches to wear out their arms. That's what they do.

The Big Stretch

We reached the halfway mark in the season in Jay Land and the current record says we are 40 and 41, a game under the .500 mark, and with what has transpired so far, I'd say we are fortunate.

Cecil demoted early, Drabek demoted, Litsch DL'ed, Dotel, Rauch and Franky coughing games faster than Kevin Gregg, yikes.  Camp shaky, Jo JO went almost 2 months before a win, and Morrow's ERA is finally under 5. Ok, I am sure it gets better somehow. Carlos Villanueva a starter ?  Okay, enough bad news, please. Wait , Rickey has the lowest run support on the team, how about the AL East, how about the American League. Stop already.

Now onto the hitters, Adam Lind spent a month on the DL, Hill has 3 home runs, hitting .240, Arrencibia hitting .226, Rajah Davis lost his lead off assignment, and his batting stroke. Oh, did I mention we have not seen Travis Snider since, what Easter, maybe that is a stretch. Jose is still Jose, thank God, and Escobar has produced a better offense than expected, and Lind returned from back woes with a vengeance, but the offense has also been spotty.

Defense, check the errors at 3rd base, ooooooo that is almost more than I can handle, so the hell are we 40-41 ?

Wish I could tell you, but the game has twists and turns, lucky breaks, and unexpected help. Corey Patterson made an impact batting in the 2 hole, and young Eric Thames has recently injected some run tonic, but there are better time ahead.

Are we catching some breaks in the second half, maybe, in another month, we should see Brett Lawrie, maybe Adam Loewen, and if Travis regains his stroke, the top 6 hitters give the Jays a reason to be optimistic.

Entering July, it forecasts as a brutal month, as we start with the Phillies, the Red Sox, the Yanks and Texas, with the Trible, and re-surgent Mariners, so we are in pretty tough, so the next 25 games decide much of the season. In August , we get the lesser lights, so July must be a hold on tight month, win 13 , lose 12, and we are back at .500.  The trouble with that theory is that Boston , NY and perhaps Tampa will run away and hide as they are collectively 137 - 101 now, and the Sox & Yanks will be buyers at the deadline, so only getting deeper, better, more lethal.

What will the good folks at Rogers do ?

Refill the bird feeders !

15,632 attended another mid week affair, but big crowds will watch Halladay's ( interrupted ) return to Toronto, but attendance is not great, so dealing off a Rivera, a Camp, a Jason Frasor, a Jose Molina, maybe an Encarnacion is all we can expect.

It is a big stretch to say we are still in the hunt, but if we manage to gain 5 games on New York and Boston in July, and enter August with a head of steam then it could be interesting.

It's a pretty big stretch, but I had predicted 83 wins, so c'mon guys, gotta make me look good here.

In Court with Frank and Jamie

Trust LA to provide a gaudy and well publicized divorce proceeding, and Major League Baseball are the winners in this front row seat. Major League Baseball put the kibosh on the $3 billion Fox deal with Frankie, because Buddy Selig deemed it not in the best interest of baseball.

Oh my God, best interest of baseball, he killed it because he wanted Frank & Jamie to declare bankruptcy and guess what, he succeeded, they did. Thankfully, Frank has no more personal cash he's willing to spend to keep the thing afloat, and whatever that deal was, he had to deal with the ex-missus, who must be thrilled, all she wants is her pound of flesh, and then she will be of to the spa to share LA stories with all the other recently divorced women.

You are excused from reading any further if you do not give a damn about the Dodgers organization, but pray read on if this matters to you.

Dueling is not legal, but methinks it would have solved this a lot faster.

Jamie McC was very public with her opinions as to how hubby, sorry, ex hubby cavorted around in the past year, while Rome was burning, Frank was playing the role of big time man about town, living high on the hog, all the while he was dipping continually into Dodger coffers. Jamie constantly called him out, and gee, what did the media do, what the media always does, they ran everything, the strippers, the parties, the jets, the ..well the everything, whether true or not, and today it all comes crashing down in time for the 6 o'clock news on KTLA, the local Dodger station.

Someone drive over to Vin Scully's house and make sure he has not done anything rash.

Geez, when they played in Ebbets Field, all they were worried about was fans winning a few case of beer if a Dodger hot the Schaefer sign.

As the days go by, MLB will hand pick the next owner, and here is a list of who ain't on it.



1. Mark Cuban
2. Jack Nicholson ( an Angels fan )
3. George W. Bush
4. Enron
5. Ex Governor, Arnold...
6. Jay Leno, don't laugh..no seriously don't laugh.
7. George Lucas ( remember he gave us Jar Jar Binks )

It will likely get bought by someone the other owners want and trust to join the club, and we'll keep an eye open to see what happens.