So this will likely be the longest break
between posts once the season gets going.But the fact of the matter is......I just don’t care about Spring
Training.
I mean don’t get me wrong.I LOVE the fact that baseball is back.After a long cold winter there is nothing better
than the pop of the glove and the sound of Jerry on the radio.However I can’t get caught up in the day to
day results.It is essentially just 6 long
weeks of practice.
I used to care.I used to follow the box scores with a passion
and base my hopes for the season on breakouts like Buck Coats, Jason Lane and
Josh Towers....but it means nothing. Last season being a prime example; the Jays
dominated the Spring sched and then came out flat once the real games began.
So it is fun and all, but I cannot get excited
with the day to day and the same old storylines over and over again: best shape
of my life, improved team chemistry, he’s working on a changeup....yadda yadda
yadda.
Instead I just hope everyone stays healthy and
that it is a very quiet Spring.So far
so good*
*although in two weeks we might have to start
worrying about Ricky.
So a lot of new faces on the Jays this year.You might be asking yourself “who should be my favourite Blue Jay?”Have no fear, this easy to use PRO/CON list
should help you with your final selection.
The most popular kids
Jose Bautista
PROS
His at bats are amongst the most exciting in baseball. He
takes a home run swing at every pitch.Has a gun of an arm in Right Field.His rise was the beginning of the rebirth of YOUR Toronto Blue
Jays.You get to cheer “HOOOO-ZAAAY, HOZAY,
HOZAY, HOZAY, HO ZAYYYYYY, HO ZAYYYYYY”
CONS
He is coming off wrist surgery which is super scary for a
slugger.Who knows if he will be the
same Jose.He complains way too much to
the umpires.
R.A. Dickey
PROS
He throws a knuckle ball.You can make a million puns and double entendres with his name. Reigning
Cy Young award winner.You get to say
“Dickey the Best”.
I believe he honestly has a chance to be the most popular
athlete in the city if he performs like he did last year.He is mature, articulate and beyond compassionate.I mean what did you do with your vacation
time?
One of the most exciting all-round players in the game.Good friends with Carlos Delagado. And this:
CONS
A bit of an injury risk. Under contract to be paid a
whopping $22M his age 35 season.
My favourite from this group is a tie between Jose and
Dickey.
The interesting kids
Emilio Bonifacio
PROS
You can call him Boneface.He can play every position except pitcher or catcher. Very underrated.
CONS
Doesn’t have a defined position.Might just be a super sub.
Steve Delabar
PROS
His back story is right out of the movie “The Rookie”
starring Dennis Quaid.He strikes a lot
of guys out and his split finger fastball is devastating.
CONS
His arm may fly off at any moment likely causing a horrific
scene at the ballpark and scarring many children forever.
Edwin Encarnacion
PROS
Finally reached his potential last year.It is no longer dangerous to sit behind 1st
base at the game because EE no longer has to play third base.When he hits a Home Run he does the “T-Rex”
when rounding the bases.
CONS
Might not be too bright; once injured his face setting off
firecrackers
Casey Janssen
PROS
He works fast.Had a
great year last year.I still think he
could be starter again, but why mess with a good thing.This photo:
CONS
The double S in his last name is confusing.His shoulder always seems to be a bit of a
question mark.
Josh Johnson
PROS
According to the ladies, he’s gorgeous.Been a trade target of the Jays for a years and
now they finally have him.When he is
feeling right, he can shut down any team in baseball.Big strong thrower.
CONS
Some questions about his shoulder.Only one year left on his contract so he may
not be here long.
Brandon Morrow
PROS
Has the best “Pure Stuff” on the staff.We got him in a trade for Brandon League...I
mean c’mon what a heist.He has recently
grown a beard which seems to suit him well.
CONS
You can’t share candy with him because he is diabetic.
From this group I would go with Casey….he’s awesome.
Old Reliables - They are what they
are
Mark Buehrle
PROS
He seems to really care about the welfare of animals. He
pitches really fast i.e. works fast, so his games are short.
CONS
He seems to care a little toooooo much about the welfare
ofanimals.His pitches really slow i.e. he doesn’t have
much of a fastball and the AL East could eat him up.This pit bull discussion is going to
draaaaaaag on and on and on. His last name is impossible to spell, even when
you have it right it looks wrong.BUEHRLE?? Really?
Rajai Davis
PROS
Still one of the fastest guys in the league. Pretty much set
as the 4th outfielder.Pretty
good against LHP, which means he should pitch hit for Lind a lot.
CONS
He always seems like he is on the verge of crying.You would love your 4th outfielder
to be able to play defence a bit better.His family circus routes to fly balls are hilarious.
Maicer Izturis PROS
Dependable versatile infielder.First real free agent the Jays have signed in
years.
CONS
Another tough name to spell and pronounce.Buck will butcher this one I’m sure.He may be the second best 2B on the team
behind Boneface.
Darren Oliver
PROS
His nickname is Black Magic.Enough said.
CONS
He is OLD. I mean like really OLD.He may or may not have tried to
blackmail/leverage the team this past off season using the threat of
retirement.
Gotta go with Izturis in this group.
The kids with chips on their shoulders
cause they got something to prove
JP Arencibia
PROS
Seems to really love being a Blue Jay.Has a lot of power in that bat.Has improved defensively and is a hard
worker.
CONS
Can’t get on base and he’s not Travis D’arnaud.
Melky Cabrera
PROS
Signed for a huge discount.Led the NL in batting average last year.You can call him the MELK MAN!
CONS
He used steroids, he got caught and he served his
suspension.It’s done. I don’t care
anymore.....but it will be a story all season long.
Brett Cecil
PROS
The goggles
I mean c’mon that’s enough isn’t it?Hopefully he has found a home in the
bullpen…..because he really shouldn’t be given another chance to start ever
again.
CONS
He will always be the 2nd best Brett on the team
Jeremy Jeffress
PROS
His pro marijuana stance should make him a fan favourite
with the 21 year old burnouts.
CONS
He really likes smoking pot..... I mean a lot.He can’t seem to stop smoking it even it
means he keeps getting suspended and missing out on the opportunity to play in
the Majors.
Colby Rasmus
PROS
Super talented.Still
time to put it all together.Hates Tony
La Russa.....so does everyone with half a brain.
CONS
The corn rows....oh the corn rows.What were you thinking Colby?
Or is it the mukluks?
Ricky Romero
PROS
Mentally tough, has had to battle hard.Wants success as bad as anyone in baseball.You can call him RR COOL J.
CONS
Dear Ricky and every other pitcher on the Jays: STOP FUCKIN
PITCHING HURT! YOU ARE NOT IMPRESSING
ANYONE.YOU ARE HURTING THE TEAM AND
RISKING ANOTHER INJURY.
Sergio Santos
PROS
Was a former Jay minor league SS a lifetime ago.Not a converted flame thrower.Will likely end being the closer at some
point.
CONS
Has been hurt since he got here....and man is that one ugly
delivery.
Outta this group I’m a JP guy.
These guys should not be your
favourite player
The back-up catcher: Josh
Thole OR Henry Blanco – No he isn’t better than Arencibia.Stop calling Jays Talk and suggesting
this.Just stop it now.
Mark DeRosa - I’m
pretty sure he is only on the team to make sure everyone gets to the bus on
time and to tuck everyone into their beds when they are on the road.“Goodnight
Jose, did you remember to brush your teeth?Sleep tight, don’t let the bedbugs bite”
Chad Jenkins –
Only if you like mediocre AAA starters who pitch for Buffalo!
J.A. Happ – Also
destined for Buffalo, but I think we will see him at some critical point this
year.The one guy who got royally
screwed by the Jays big moves this off season.
Dustin McGowan – What??
He is still a Blue Jay?What is this
2008? I kid, I kid.But seriously Dustin,
you gave it a good go, and no matter how hard you try, at this point we know
how this ends.
Brad Lincoln – He
really loves guns.Sigh.
Adam Lind – This
entry could be a thousand words long.How about he shouldn’t be your favourite player because he can’t hit
left-handed pitching (like at all), he doesn’t seem to care, he is often out of
shape and my back is in better condition than his and he is the pro athlete
being paid millions, not me.
Esmil Loup &
Aaron Rogers – Quick tell me one interesting thing about Aaron Loup/Esmil
Rogers!
.......and the correct answer to who should be your
favourite Toronto Blue Jay?
That’s easy, it should be Anthony Gose.He’s going to be awesome!One more year or less.
It all started November 13, 2012.I had just reactivated my Twitter account the
previous week after a three year absence.Timing is everything......
Massive Trade Jays/ Marlins.....Reyes TO bound...Josh Johnson could be
included....Mammoth 12 player deal being worked out between Blue Jays and
Marlins......
I was stunned.My
head was spinning.A quick phone call to
a friend to confirm that yes....this was really happening.Texts from others asking my opinion.For the record I think my opinion at the time
was “HOLY F&CK!!!” followed absolute bewilderment and confusion.In the end the Jays received Jose Reyes, Josh
Johnson, Mark Buehrle, Emilio Bonafacio and John Buck (who would be gone in a
month).This was followed the next week
by the free agent signing of Melky Cabrera.Then another big move no one saw coming - the trade for, and extension
of, R.A, Dickey one month later.....he just happens to be the reigning Cy Young
award winner.An unbelievable turn of
events....because......
2102 was a shitty, horrible, gut punching, craptacular year
to be a Jays fan:
·The regression ....I will always love you Travis!
·The comedy of pitching injuries.Just an unbelievable week in June when three
starters went down in a week
·The rest of the line-up getting taken out by a
sniper.Bautista, Arencibia, Lawrie.....
·Omar Vizquel.....the cheerleader who wasn’t very
cheery
·The pathetic, homophobic, immature Yunel Escobar
·The Manager who shall not be named jumping
ship.Thanks a lot skip!
Earlier I said it was a bit bewildering and confusing as the
Marlins trade went down.This is because
the emotion I was feeling was so distant and almost foreign to me.It had been over twenty years since I felt
this way about the Jays.It wasn’t a
feeling of hope.Every team and their fans
have hope in the off season and hope on Opening Day.No, this was different.This was not just a feeling of hope.Alex Anthopolous* with one major move had
given Jays fans not only hope....but confidence. Confidence that the Jays
ownership were willing to do what it takes to put a winner on the field.Confidence that the team was being
transformed into a contender. Confidence that 2013 would be different.
It has been a long time since I felt this confidence......
My earliest real recollection of the Jays was actually
attending q game in person, likely in 1983 with my Dad and Uncle Gord.Pretty sure it was against the White Sox and
that it was raining.Sat on the cold wet
bleachers up the first base line at the old Ex.I was lucky and about to start an incredible ride.1983 was the first year that the Jays had a
really good team.
I remember 1985 and where I was when George Bell caught the
final out and fell to his knees giving the Jays their first division
title.
I remember 1987, waking up every morning during that last
week, and hearing that the Jays had lost again....I didn’t understand why it
was happening.
I remember being at Game 3 of the ALCS in 1989 when the Dome
was the loudest place on earth.They won
that game.....it was the only game they won that series.
I remember the Jays losing another ALCS in 1991 against
Minnesota and wondering whether they would ever get over the hump.
I remember the excitement and being in Saskatoon
Saskatchewan in 1992 when the Jays traded for David Cone.
I remember Alomar hitting THE Home Run of the Eck and I also
remember being pretty sick and being in bed when Ed Sprague hit his home run that
turned around the World Series.They
won!
I remember being at a rugby club in 1993 as the designated
driver and watching Carter round the bases.I don’t remember much after that except racing to the van, piling in as many
as we could and racing into Toronto to join the party.
Then 1994.......lost season....and then the strike and then
nothing.....
It has been 20 seasons s since the last Jays team that not
only brought hope, but that brought confidence......20 long fucking years.
I’m ready.
*hereafter referred to as AA because there is no way I am
typing “Anthopolous a thousand times on this blog
