But still it's farewell
And maybe we'll come back
To earth, who can tell?
I guess there is no one to blame
We're leaving ground
Will things ever be the same again?
Another strong pitching performance against the Yankees JV team - this time by Roy Halladay - led the Jays to a 4-2 win.
Recaps
* Halladay in control to drop Yankees - Fordin
The Blue Jays let go of the reins on Roy Halladay on Saturday, letting the workhorse pitch until he dropped. The thing was, he didn't. Toronto's ace worked eight innings and allowed just one run, leading the Jays to a 4-2 win over the Yankees. That was the second straight win for the home team, but it was Halladay's first victory since July 3.
* Doc sees recovery for ailing Blue Jays - Rutsey
Afterward, Halladay was still beating the Jays drum, not shaken by a 67-93 season, convinced that better years lie just down the highway.
"It was tough, it was a long road but as a team I think we found out a lot about some of the young guys and some of the young pitchers we've seen here lately," he said of the Jays season. "I think if anything good came out of the year it was that. We got a chance to see a lot of these young guys who are going to be a big part of our team."
"If we're going to have a rough year I'd like to do it with those type of players who have such high potential. They're going to be here. So I'm pretty happy with that and I'm real happy with some of the arms that have come up here in the last week or so (Brandon League), including David Bush. That's going to be comforting having those guys in the bullpen."
* Just what the Doc ordered - Baker
Jays closer Miguel Batista was handed a 4-1 lead and — after giving up a run — retired Ruben Sierra on a drive to the centre field warning track with a runner on for his fifth save.
* Halladay ends season in good form - Wharnsby
Toronto Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay has epitomized the plight of his club's 2004 season, a campaign that has been full of disappointment and a significant amount of time in the infirmary.
Nevertheless, the reigning American League Cy Young Award winner was able to erase any doubt about his troubled right shoulder entering the off-season with one of his strongest outings of the year.
Notes
* Patterson dismissed - Fordin
Patterson was offered a position within the organization, but not at the Major League level. He declined the demotion and will begin making phone calls, casting about for a new employer.
Several sources have indicated and confirmed that Brad Arnsberg will be the next pitching coach. Arnsberg is currently in that capacity at Triple-A Syracuse, and he's helped several of Toronto's young arms make the big-league leap.
Ten of the team's current pitchers played for Arnsberg this season.
Toronto plans to announce the entire coaching staff on Monday, and John Gibbons will have his interim tag taken away at that news conference. First-base coach Joe Breeden has been informed that he won't be back, but batting coach Mike Barnett appears to be in the clear.
* Elliot on Baseball - Elliot
With the Expos moving, owners are looking over their shoulders in other cities.
Will the Florida Marlins pick up stakes and head for Las Vegas or Portland? Will the Oakland A's move to San Jose?
There has been movement, there will be will more.
Blue Jays fans should be worried as well.
* Solid citizen Carlos about to fly the coop - Perkins
Perhaps a miracle will happen tomorrow and Delgado will go into a meeting with the Jays and come out a signed man. But how could he? What could they possibly offer him that he could accept?
There are going to be a few teams interested in his bat, starting (the guess here) with the Angels, Orioles and Dodgers. He won't get $18 million (U.S.) a year. That market and that time are gone. But he'll get something enormous, especially if there are multiple bidders, which leaves the Jays out of it.
Delgado might, because of his well-documented regard for the city and his ties to the organization, give them a last-ditch chance to match, but they're a long shot to have that kind of money. Ever again, apparently.
* Today's Game - Josh Towers gets the start for Toronto. Brad Halsey gets the start for the Yankees. Game time is 1:05.
https://www.battersbox.ca/article.php?story=20041003091326999