Blue Jays 2009

[mandrill]

Player development in baseball is a dice roll at the best of times. Hinske looked like the real thing for his first season. Unfortunately, that was as good as it got.

How about some of the Yankee and Bosox blunders? The Chuck Knoblauch signing??!! Has to be the most humiliating fuck up of the 1990's.

At least JP doesn't trade for pitchers AFTER they have obvious arm problems, like Gord (the Moron) Ash did all the time: Joey Hamilton? Hanson? That guy they traded Wells to Chisox for, what's his name? Those were the worst and most pathetic blunders in Jay's history. Ricciardi looks like a genius compared to Ash.

 

[teassoc]

Inevitable and sad that Ryan had to go. He was a liability every time he was used.

Carrying a few other dead weights at the moment. Millar (after a bright start to the season), Overbay and Deluci are poor offensively. Wells however seems to be recovering form (a bit) as does Rios. Nothing like the players they are paid to be though.

Looks like another loss tonight. Even Halladay can't seem to produce at the moment.

 

[bigdik]

How about some of the Yankee and Bosox blunders? The Chuck Knoblauch signing??!! Has to be the most humiliating fuck up of the 1990's.

Yanks traded for Knobgobble, and went to the WS in all 4 years he was there, winning 3. Wow, what a fuckup. Sure, he lost the ability to throw to first in '99, which was definitely career limiting, but not a complete fuckup.

 

[mandrill]

Yanks traded for Knobgobble, and went to the WS in all 4 years he was there, winning 3. Wow, what a fuckup. Sure, he lost the ability to throw to first in '99, which was definitely career limiting, but not a complete fuckup.

I think the reason(s) they went to the WS in those years had a lot to do with Cohn, Wells, Pettit, Rivera, Williams and Jeter and not so much to do with Knobface. I recall the general humiliation and embarrassment around his psychiatric treatment to overcome his "mental block" about fielding his position. What a dickhead!

 

[SkyRider]

Gord (the Moron) Ash did all the time:

Does anybody remember why Gord Ash was ever promoted to GM? Seems like the Jays already had a pretty good GM in Pat Gillick at the time.

 

[Captain Fantastic]

Does anybody remember why Gord Ash was ever promoted to GM? Seems like the Jays already had a pretty good GM in Pat Gillick at the time.

Pat Gillick left when the new ownership took over. Ash was his assistant (and had been a scout/player personnel guy since 1984) and was considered a good, if not great, talent evaluator. Look at the job he's been doing with Milwaukee lately (Asst. GM there since 2001 - look at their young hitters.) On his Jays watch: Halladay, Delgado, Wells, Rios, Orlando Hudson, Ryan Freel, Billy Koch, etc.

 

[Captain Fantastic]

I think the reason(s) they went to the WS in those years had a lot to do with Cohn, Wells, Pettit, Rivera, Williams and Jeter and not so much to do with Knobface. I recall the general humiliation and embarrassment around his psychiatric treatment to overcome his "mental block" about fielding his position. What a dickhead!

Actually, he was a good second baseman and really good leadoff hitter for those teams - he was on base about 38% of the time and averaged about 120 runs scored in 1998/99. He set the table for Jeter, Williams, O'Neill, Posada, Tino M, Brosius, Darryl/Chili, et al.

2000 is when he lost it and then became the somewhat diminished leadoff hitter as DH/LF.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/knoblch01.shtml

 

[Captain Fantastic]

Player development in baseball is a dice roll at the best of times. Hinske looked like the real thing for his first season. Unfortunately, that was as good as it got.

How about some of the Yankee and Bosox blunders? The Chuck Knoblauch signing??!! Has to be the most humiliating fuck up of the 1990's.

At least JP doesn't trade for pitchers AFTER they have obvious arm problems, like Gord (the Moron) Ash did all the time: Joey Hamilton? Hanson? That guy they traded Wells to Chisox for, what's his name? Those were the worst and most pathetic blunders in Jay's history. Ricciardi looks like a genius compared to Ash.

I think if you took Gord Ash's ability to scout hitters and JP's ability to find pitchers, you'd have one complete GM, albeit an odd looking one!

Seriously, some guys just need someone to "complete" them - check their egos, tell them they're wrong, give sound and trusted advice, etc. Both Ash and Ricciardi seem to need that. Both seem to be good #2 guys, neither appear to be true Captains.

 

[ckupets04]

Well another close game for the Jays and another loss. This is starting to become a broken record now. It is tough to see all these close games and have them end up in losses. I wonder if the delay that occured in the middle of the 3rd effected Rzepczynski. Also, Alan Ashby and Jerry Howarth were making the point that sometimes when a situation like that occurs the umpires have slightly different K-Zones. One of the keys in todays game I thought was the fact that Baltimore was able to get some timely hitting when they needed it. The 7th inning I thought was a turning point as well. In the top of the 7th Chavez advanced on that deep fly ball by Scutaro and that mental lapse by Adam Jones. Not sure what Adam Jones was thinking on that play , he probably thought there were already 2 outs I guess. But anyways that allowed Chavez to advance into scoring position. And then Johnny Mac pinch ran for Chavez. And Aaron Hill hit a hot shot to 3rd and it seemed like Hill pulled up a little running to 1st, not sure if he hurt himself on that play or what but it did look like he pulled up a little early and had he been safe McDonald would have scored the game-tying run. So that was a run the Blue Jays were not able to score and then in the bottom half of the 7th the Orioles got that unearned run to get a tack-on run and make it a 4-2 ball game. Kind of surprised Melvin Mora doesnt have a hole in his chest by now, that guy has gotten hit by some hot shots to 3rd right in the chest on at least 3 occasions in this series as best as I can recall.

 

[Rockslinger]

Did you know that 12 different pitchers have recorded wins with the Jays so far and there are still 70 games left to play? (Did BJ Ryan win a game before he left?)

 

[OnTheWayOut]

Pedro signs with the Phillies

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_y...cB?slug=ge-martinez071409&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

Don't worry, the Phils still want Doc if the Jays get a bit more reasonable in their asking price. They got Pedro to be their #5 and if he surprises then all the better.

I was listening to someone on ESPN radio and they gave an interesting account of teams that gave away the store to get one great player. Most of them have short term success but then fall on hard times. The Phils would be in this boat as well, consensus says their window to repeat is generally the same as Doc's contract. They'll have a ton of superstar talent needing new contracts after 2010 season and unlikely to keep much of the core together after that.

So a deal for Doc kinda makes sense for the Phils but to be honest I think they'd be better served by seeing if they can get Bedard or Washburn from Seattle or that type of pitcher. They can pound the snot out of the ball and get by with a little less quality. And then they will keep their young talent for when this group gets too pricey. Doc would get them 1 or 2 wins more than Bedard .... is raping the farm system worth that?

If I was a Jays fan I'd be more than a little pissed JP is overpricing Doc .... then again, if the Jays are to contend any time soon how can they trade Doc? Truth is they need Doc and a LOT more to contend.

All that said, I think Doc would look awesome in the Phil's pinstripes ..... I just am not sure it makes sense given the Jay's demands.

 

[Doc Holliday]

Windows restaurant

Once again this year, the restaurant formerly called "Windows" is closed. Does anyone know why? It's too bad that such an ideal 'spot' in the stadium is closed. At least they could have converted it into a bar, which is lacking at the Rogers Center (as compared to other stadiums).

 

[scouser1]

Just a couple of points, first anyone find that little tid bit that Sportsnet has with the TD comfort zone really lame?? We get some self important person sitting on a couch and they put the cameras on them, a couple of days back it was some hockey player on the Caps or Flames or other team I really wasnt paying attention. Next to him was the significant other I assume texting on her cell, completely oblivious to the fact she is at a sporting event


Second going to a Jays game has become an absolute annoyance, Im just tired of the antics and the carnival atmosphere, and yes I know this isnt a baseball town but its pretty sad when we are forced to put up with lawn mower races on the screen, Fed Ex packages thrown to the crowd. As if sitting behind 3 rejects from a Trailer Park Boys casting call isnt bad enough, who paid around 50 bucks each for their seats and looked completely disinterested in the game.

 

[pencilneckgeek2]

Did you know that 12 different pitchers have recorded wins with the Jays so far and there are still 70 games left to play? (Did BJ Ryan win a game before he left?)

14 pitchers now have wins with the Blue Jays in 2009. Mark Rzepczynksi got his 1st Major League win on Saturday. Yes, B.J. got credit for a victory this year while with the Jays.

 

[ckupets04]

Just a couple of points, first anyone find that little tid bit that Sportsnet has with the TD comfort zone really lame?? We get some self important person sitting on a couch and they put the cameras on them, a couple of days back it was some hockey player on the Caps or Flames or other team I really wasnt paying attention. Next to him was the significant other I assume texting on her cell, completely oblivious to the fact she is at a sporting event


Second going to a Jays game has become an absolute annoyance, Im just tired of the antics and the carnival atmosphere, and yes I know this isnt a baseball town but its pretty sad when we are forced to put up with lawn mower races on the screen, Fed Ex packages thrown to the crowd. As if sitting behind 3 rejects from a Trailer Park Boys casting call isnt bad enough, who paid around 50 bucks each for their seats and looked completely disinterested in the game.

Like you said Toronto is not a baseball town. Its unfortunate for the people that do like baseball like us but its true Toronto is definitely not a baseball town. I get the impression sometimes that wrestling, ultimate fighting and poker are more popular in this city. Seems strange to me but to each his own.

They had Rick Leach in the TD Comfort Zone seats a couple nights ago and him and Tabby were reminiscing about the old times and I dont mind when they talk with former baseball players or actual baseball people but I remember on opening night when they had Don Landry and Gord Stellick in those seats that was just brutal. Landry belongs in a curling rink and Stellick wouldnt know a baseball from a basketball.

 

[shack]

Second going to a Jays game has become an absolute annoyance, Im just tired of the antics and the carnival atmosphere, and yes I know this isnt a baseball town but its pretty sad when we are forced to put up with lawn mower races on the screen, Fed Ex packages thrown to the crowd.

I think the Jays games are downright sedate compared to what goes on at a Raptors game, where you can't actually hear yourself think. Actually, this stuff goes on at many, many pro events in many cities, not just Toronto.

 

[Rockslinger]

Next to him was the significant other I assume texting on her cell, completely oblivious to the fact she is at a sporting event.

Some of those female SO's are real eye candy . Did you see Doug Gilmore's wife? She is a looker.

 

[Rockslinger]

14 pitchers now have wins with the Blue Jays in 2009.

I wonder if they keep records on such things. Most pitchers to post wins for a single team in a season.

 

[Rockslinger]

I think the Jays games are downright sedate compared to what goes on at a Raptors game, where you can't actually hear yourself think.

The noise level at a Raptors game is worst than at an SC. I don't need my senses to be constantly bombarded.

 

[scouser1]

Like you said Toronto is not a baseball town. Its unfortunate for the people that do like baseball like us but its true Toronto is definitely not a baseball town. I get the impression sometimes that wrestling, ultimate fighting and poker are more popular in this city. Seems strange to me but to each his own.

They had Rick Leach in the TD Comfort Zone seats a couple nights ago and him and Tabby were reminiscing about the old times and I dont mind when they talk with former baseball players or actual baseball people but I remember on opening night when they had Don Landry and Gord Stellick in those seats that was just brutal. Landry belongs in a curling rink and Stellick wouldnt know a baseball from a basketball.

I was at the Leach game and yes I agree baseball player or anything to do with baseball is actually interesting, thats hilarious they had Landry and Stellick there. This is the only country where someone like Gord can get a job on an all sports radio station considering he knows zero about other sports that dont have to do with the puck and stick.

Thanks for the warning guys about Raptors games I have never been to one, and after this warning I will pass on the sensory overload.