All the world is Babylon
And all the love and everyone
A ship of fools sailing on
So, was it ball four or strike three? Frank Menechino thought it was low, and the umpire agreed, and the Jays caught a break for once this season. But the credit for last night's win should be spread evenly throughout the lineup, including Carlos Delgado's clutch, game-tying two-run homer. Read all about it, and more:
The Star: Jays claw out win over Indians, which includes some nifty interplay between Menechino and his buddy Rick White.
MLB.com: Jays rally to sting Indians, including Carlos Tosca's praise for much-maligned Dave Berg, who's giving Reed Johnson a rest the last few days.
CP: Jays storm back to beat Indians
The Sun: Jays finally show power, which raises the amazing fact that Toronto is second-last in the league in home runs this year. Even with Wells and Delgado out of the lineup for several weeks each, did anyone imagine we'd be saying that in early August?
Elsewhere around the e-baseball world:
* Former Blue Jay Tony Batista had the game of his life in St. Louis last night, belting a game-tying two-run homer off Jason Isringhausen in the 9th inning and following that up with a game-winning grand slam in the 12th -- the 200th home run of his career. Congratulations to Tony, who'll always be welcomed by fans of both of Canada's big-league teams.
* Another former Blue Jay, perhaps a little less welcome around these parts, was also in the news, as Roger Clemens celebrated his 42nd birthday and a gutty performance for the Astros by venting his dismay over his ejection from his son's Youth League game in Colorado. While I think the Rocket was probably ejected unjustly, it still would have been nice had he added: "But you know, I want to send a message to all the Little League parents out there: it's only a game. Don't get yourselves all wound up, angry and shouting in front of your kid and his teammates and ruining it for everyone. This is supposed to be fun." Roger didn't get around to that part of his speech, I guess.
* Richard Griffin writes about the slow disappearing act of Chris Woodward, who is almost certainly watching his Toronto career wind down. As usual, I disagree with a number of Griffin's characterizations of Woody's situation -- Chris lost his job this year not to injury, but to his lack of production when he returned from injury (he was at .324/.384/.529 when he came back on June 8, .256/.299/.416 a month later) and the fact that Chris Gomez (.288/.349/.352) has essentially outplayed him. Allowing young players to keep their jobs despite consistently mediocre play is one of the things that cost Gord Ash his job.
* John Olerud joins the Evil Empire, becoming the 19th current or former All-Star on the Yankees. A fabulous no-prize to the first Bauxite who can figure out who the Sickly Six are.
* As this Bauxite pointed out weeks ago, it's been raining on Jason Frasor's honeymoon lately, and those struggles surfaced again last night. Frasor talks to Spencer Fordin about the need to bear down and get the leadoff hitter, and to maintain a closer's mentality. Frasor's durability -- two surgeries and an unprecedented number of 2005 innings -- is also something to think about. I don't see Frasor as next year's closer, though I think he can be a fine late-inning reliever; what about you?
https://www.battersbox.ca/article.php?story=20040804091634999