A month later....

Oh c'mon, a month later and this super talent laden team is 10-19, are you shitting me.  What the "f" is going on here.

If I listen to the folks on the street, all they talk about is the Leafs and opening their cottages next weekend. Sincerely folks, I did not see this coming.

I looked at last night's boxscore, and thought "where's the offense gone" , and when I read Happ's line with 7 free passes, I said "where is the damn pitching", and when I watch us botch easy ground balls and miss the cut off man, okay, well you get the point.

Who to blame, some say they'll gas the pitching coach, some the hitting coach, some want Gibbons head on a pike. Either way someone is going to blamed and thrown under the bus.

Blue Jay apologists are running out of excuses, even R.A. Dickey, who has started to look respectable, has run out of people or flying objects or rowdy fans, to throw under the bus.

After a winter of optimism, and a bit of disjointed spring, we had high hopes. I don't think that going into Game 30 against Mariners ace Felix Hernandez will make everyone feel we are truning the corner, but this can get real ugly.

I heard this morning on my drive in that we won 1 series so far this year, it may have been KC, but this train wreck is so bad, it is a blur. Oh but the boys have hit the long ball, yes, but the boys have given up the long ball. The bullpen has been average, they have coughed up leads, but have had to be used far too often and too long, they'll be spent by Canada Day.

News arrived yesterday that Rickey Romero will take the ball for Josh Johnson. Why, well Josh has a boo-boo, so what else is new. When hasn't been injured. Is that laughing I hear from the Marlin brain trust ? Shut up already.  So after pitching 7 innings against a group of 18 & 19 year olds, he is ready.

Panic in the streets ! Rickey's returning. Hey, he cannot possibly pitch any worse than Johnson, who is destined for a stay on the DL, a visit to Dr. James Andrews, and the Jays will not pick up his option. Why does he remind me of AJ Burnett so damn much ?

A reminder, a while back, 1989 to be excact, the Jays had a decent team, and started 10 - 20 and this was after George Bell decided he was not going to DH, kiss my purple butt routine. Sil Campusano was the CF of their future. Their future ended up being Moseby again, and eventually Devon White.

With that 10 - 20 start, they gave the gas pipe to Jimy One M, Williams.  GM Pat Gillick did not see a team, but a house divided, one group hated Williams, and the other half hadn't made their minds up yet.

Gaston was brought in, and the Jays made the post season, good things were on the horizon.

Not saying the Jays will do that if they have a flat weekend against our expansion cousins, but you know all it will take is plus 23 and sunny, andif the Leafs were to take a game against the Bruins, well the gang at the Big Giant Conglomerate will notice the walk up crowds dwindle, and the ratings take a dive. Not even hornet's nest contraversy about illegal pitches by messers Hayhurst & Morris will be enough to keep folks interest.

The buzz

Life in Toronto can be bitter, the winds are pretty cold up and down University, so like this guy, you better bundle up.
The buzz on the street is evident, folks are stoked about this season, the restaurants, the smoke shops, the subway all adorned with all things Blue Jays.

I see it every day, here it on the radio, see it on TV,  the hype is as high as I have seen in years.


We are 4 hours away from 1st pitch, and it will be a knuckle ball I 'm sure to Michael Bourn of the Indians, all 53,000 fans in the stands know it, and the million or so tuning in , know it. Question will be, can he hit it.

Back in 77, dressing up for Exorcism Stadium require multiple layers of clothing, and copious amounts of alcohol. That wind blowing off the lake was brutal in April, even early May. Now we have the concrete convertable and a steady 72 degrees F, so no excuses for blowing on your hands.  The fans have been waiting for an excuse to cheer since Anthopolous strode to the podium and announce the "Big Catch", the Marlins reeled onto the boat.  Imagine folks, 40 % of your rotation, a starting shortstop , and  platoon 2nd/Outfielder for a bag of shells, and a full wallet.

The picture above I think was the Marlins former GM, who Alex made a monkey of. I know it was a money deal, we had, and would spend it, Marlin's owner did not want to, and  a match made in heaven.

Less than 4 hours now, depending on how bloody long the introductions are, and hey does everyone know that Rush lead man Geddy Lee will toss out the 1st pitch ?  Yup, Geddy, which is really Garry, a huge fan will toss out the first ball to JP Arencibia, and it might be the easiest pitch he will get all night.

Oh and the entire Sportsnet crew is on hand for live updates, every 15 minutes.  If you don't feel the buzzz, come to my office. It started with Luke and Mike at 9 this morning, chest bumps, huge smiles, and nobody has had a beer yet.

I must dash off soon, the dog will need feeding and walking before the national anthems, and hours of endless predicitions. 

Remember that the game has to be played on the field, not on paper, or like the Strato Matic style, and 162 times they play, so folks, take it easy.

Opening Day

Despite ESPN's Sunday Night game with Astro's and Rangers, today is always Opening Day.

It is when at least half the teams get to expect packed stadium, have elaborate introductions, and all the fans renew their hope and faith in their home team.


So now I guess I must make some bold predictions. Rangers will not go undefeated. OK, that's cheeky.

Starting off where it matters, the Jays will tussle all year with Tampa, but deadline additions made by Toronto  will shore up the pen, and bench, and they will inch out the Rays for the East.
The Central should not be close, but lack of a cohesive bullpen will stalk the striped cats for part of the year, and allow the White Sox to stay in the conversation till August, but the Detroiters are simply too strong to stop.
There will be no wild card from the central division this year.
In the West, many expect the Angels to hold off the Rangers, but again, they will face stiff competition from Oakland. Angels will win, but they will expose holes in their rotation that may not be able to fix easily.
The Rangers and Devil Rays will play a one game sudden death to stay alive.

The National League I will discuss next time out.

Today let all fans bask in whatever sunshine they can muster, grab a dog and a beer and celebrate spring, and renewal.

2013 in Toronto promises to be a good one.

Happ-Y-Ness is a warm glove

Yesterday after the Pirates game, and long after manager John Gibbons provide the proverbial kiss of death proclamation that Rickey Romero was indeed the Jays 5th starter, he wastold to perform the old "remove thy footeth from they moutheth ".

The Jays brain trust, which I assume does not include Fisherman John decided Rickey has either physical problems, demons, or pixies or a combination of all these, and should stay where it's warm for a bit.

There is quite literally no margin for error for these 2013 Jays, is there. I mean, the money's been spent on acquiring new talent. The Yanks and Red Sox are serious on the fly rebuild, re tool programs, and these are your fathers Yankees. They are now old, older and injured squad. The Red Sox fast tracked there makeover with trades last year, and decent re construct this year.

These Jays cannot waste a month of Romero starts on ahope and a prayer. J. Happ is inserted into the 5th starter's position, while the organisation performs a seance to speak to the ghost of Mel Queen.
Mel, as any Jays fan will remember, did a make up job on Doc Halladay, and look where that has take him.

 A despondant Romero was informed hours after his 4 and a third less than sterling performance over a rag tag Pirates squad.

A subdued Happ was happy, but was resepctful of the situation, he danced opnely naked up and down the dressing room. Happ has made it no secret that pitching in the Queen city of Buffalo has no advantages for him. He does not like wings, and c'mon, it is Buffalo. So Happ now hasarget on him, whether he likes it at all. Get us 6 innings with the game tied or the lead kid, or face criticism.

Happ-Days are here !

A more interesting dichotomy I think is perhaps a disconnect between manager and GM. Hours after the game, the press were convinced that the rhetoric was true, and number #23 was the guy.
At 6 bells in the evening, the story had switched, and Gibby had tootled off to catch o' mess of fish.

Perhaps this was all staged, perhaps not, but if there is a gap in communication, it might be the only reason to be concerned, as Gibbons has been brought back not just to contend, but to win. Nothing short of  a division win will suffice.

Clock is winding down on spring, couple more observations, and we kick it old school.

Enjoy !

Spring Training Blog Report

Now that MLB has completed it's homage to World Baseball, we can return all the homeless to their Arizona and Florida camps, and allow managers to make decisions on 5th starters,

Two weeks from opening day, or therabouts, pitchers are stretched to 5-6 innings now, and the aches and pains have set in.

Pluis the dead arms, which will recover. You know they always do

In Dunedin, Florida, they await the Dominicans returning to the nest, Reyes, Encarnacion to complete the squad, and get down to brass tacks, or whatever phrase Gibby has resurrected.  He spends the off days fishing for Marlin in the Gulf. Someone tell Gibby they scooped all the Marlin in the off season.

Lawrie is banged up, Rickey still searching for his inner Romero, and we have yet to see the starting 9 on the field all at the same time, but in acouple of days for sure. Then , like all clubs, it is time to get serious, cause The Show is coming back to town.

There are job fights going on camp, mostly relief , maybe for the last man on the 25 man roster, and cuts to be made soon, who is going back to Double AA, who is being released, who goes to Buffalo to assume active and ready status.

In Toronto, the banners are unfurled on University Ave., the boys of summer are returning, someone tell the weather man about that please. Another cold day, with last night's snow lingering around.

Soon we leave the cactus and palm trees in the rear view mirror, and head back to familiar settings.

Shake off the rust and wait for the yells to "Play Ball".

Next blog will set the Eastern Division up for 2013.

Wiarton Willie and his pal Phil

Its early February, and the pitchers and catchers are weekand half from descending on south Florida and Arizona as Spring Break is also on the calendar.
Super Bowl is done, the NHL is back, and March Madness is 2 months off.

So there is a lot going on, but in the world of MLB, all we have is minor league signings, soon arbitration hearings and physicals before the warm Florida sun basks on pitchers loosening up with the back drop of palm trees, and blue waters.

Well , a man can dream, can't he ?

There is nothing like spring training in baseball, and because most other sports don't spend a month in warmer climbs, long tossing, stretch, after Wiarton Willie and that Pennsyvannia critters have determined when spring officially arrives.

I will tell you when it arrives, when Pitcher & Catchers report, and ball fan will tell you that !



   This young fellow has hibernated long enough, and must be ready to shed off his winter pounds chasing ground balls and shagging fly balls in the outfield.


Soon I will provide some good old fashioned predicting for the 2013 season, but for now, we are in count down mode.

10 days and most camps will be open.  3 weeks and there will be spring games. 2 months and itès Opening Day.

It is closer than we think.

Now we wait until the snow melts

As we enter this new era of optimism in Toronto, imagine if you will what other cities endure until April.
In Pittsburgh, Seattle, San Diego and Houston, there is little of consequence going on.
Their ticket offices are fairly quiet, perhaps the odd 10 or 20 game packet is sold during the Christmas season, perhaps as a gift, perhaps the disposable income from no NHL hockey in markets such as Pitt, LA, and Anaheim or Dallas.



Here in Hogtown, we did boffo numbers once the Marlin deal was announced, then an up tick when Melky was signed. It hit it's crescendo when the RA Dickey trade and contract was finalised. Folks responded.
They have been buying jerseys for Christmas, they have been jerseys just because the team is legitimate.

If they get news that Sergio antos is 100 % healthy , barracade the doors, these fans are ravenous.  The Jays are also pretty lucky.

They have the opportunity that other markets don't have. No hockey to rival them.

We soon enter the 4rth month on no NHL hockey and the expectations that after mid January we will have run out of a workable schedule.  The Jays need not fear the Raptors, again nothing but also rans, the Argos championship season peaked at the Grey Cup, nothing after. The Marlies play in little Ricoh Centre to sparse crowds of 4 and 5000 well wishers, and the World Juniors are live when only insomniacs are awake.

A clean run through January until mid February when pitchers and catchers report, and the y have the sports pages to themselves. Sprinkjle in some boring arbitration news, some injury updates, and we are in March.
If Rogers were smart, they would seize the opportunity to televise exhibition games from Florida. Fol
ks will watch, PVR, and live stream at work just to get their fix.

If they play this right, they have the entire Toronto sports landscape to themselves.  They will be the inevitable distractions, like NCAA Men's Basketball, and a few Grand Prix races, the NBA, but the stage is theirs to own.

I think it is their's to cultivate new fans, embrace old ones, and foster a lot of good will before the umpire says play ball.

In other cities, say New York, the Mets are second tier, the Yankees are old and wounded, the city and region still recovering from Sandy, and no glitz or glamour.

We should enjoy our advantage, our current slight advantage, and as they say make hay when the sun shines.

Next blog we analise the current state of the pitching staff.