Today's match-up features Miguel Batista, 5-5 for the Jays, vs Scott Downs, making his 2004 debut for the Expos. Pre-season this match-up would have looked to be a juxtaposition: an up-and-coming team versus one whose very existence is in jeopardy. What we actually see today is two teams trying to scratch out wins in perhaps the last wholly Canadian Saturday afternoon MLB game ever.
mlb.tv changed their minds and decided to carry Rogers coverage after all - so I get to watch a game live for once. Woohoo.
Batista better get settled down.
Batista better get settled down.
It counts as a strike when the batter hits it doesn't it?
MAN WHAT A DOUBLE PLAY!
How does the O-Dog field so well with such a heavy gold glove?
Dome sounds loud. I like it.
How does the O-Dog field so well with such a heavy gold glove?
Dome sounds loud. I like it.
Very nice DP. Good to have Hudson back.
Why isn't Woodward playing? I do understand that Phelps is out while they re-engineer his swing (good luck!) but what about Woodward?
Why isn't Woodward playing? I do understand that Phelps is out while they re-engineer his swing (good luck!) but what about Woodward?
Does anyone else have a noise like a hot-air balloon filling, coming over the game sounds? It's weird.
Miguel's first inning troubles continue, despite the double play.
The NHL Draft started 3 hours ago, have the Leafs had a pick yet?
Round 40 perhaps?
Round 40 perhaps?
It's looks like Downs is your typical finesse lefty, trying to work corners and such, if that 84 mph offering is his fastball
Actually, I think I heard Phelps is actually playing tonight. Not sure if it was just a phantom in my radio though.
Damn, DP for the other guys...
Damn, DP for the other guys...
So with Ligtenberg activated, the Jays now have EIGHT relievers and FIVE middle infields on the active roster. I know that injuries are the main culprit, but this roster construction just baffles me.
Oh yes you're right. Phelps is back as DH. That'll be worth 3 or 4 Ks then, and with Berg to supply the DPs our only hope of a big inning is back-to-back homers from the "power" middle of the lineup, Johnson, Hinske and Zaun...
Time for small ball? Heresy!
Time for small ball? Heresy!
And Berg rewards Tosca for his wise decision of putting him in the 2 hole.
Middle infielders of course; even J.P. Ricciardi couldn't put together a roster with 10 middle infielders!
When one of the commentators at a recent game (when Berg has a 7 game hitting streak or something) said that Berg was on fire, it got my hopes up until I realised that they didn't mean it literally.
Wow. Gregg Zaun can throw out anybody not named Ichiro or Crawford
Now Termel Sledge doesn't sounds like a person's name. It sounds like a very bad 1980s heavy metal band.
The SLEDGEhammers? Ugh, I should be whacked for saying that
Wow. Gregg Zaun can throw out anybody not named Ichiro or Crawford
He can't throw out the Flash, not by a long shot. Maybe Superman, I dont know the rules on that.
He can't throw out the Flash, not by a long shot. Maybe Superman, I dont know the rules on that.
I hope today's game thread wont continue to be left to the mercy of Emerald, Andrew K and myself... we've already filled it with bad jokes and show signs of stopping ;)
Phelps strikes out. Whoa... i almost did a spit-take... NEVER saw that comming. (end sarcasm)
Phelps strikes out. Whoa... i almost did a spit-take... NEVER saw that comming. (end sarcasm)
http://www.naturesguard.com
My Goodness, Phelpsy is just Depressing. I was so looking for a breakout season!!!
My Goodness, Phelpsy is just Depressing. I was so looking for a breakout season!!!
It was an ugly run but I'll take it. 2 - 1 Jays !
I was so looking for a breakout season!!!
... you're getting a strikeout season!!! boom boom!!!
If the bad jokes continue at this rate the webserver will probably commit suicide.
Decent job by Rios with good hustle.
... you're getting a strikeout season!!! boom boom!!!
If the bad jokes continue at this rate the webserver will probably commit suicide.
Decent job by Rios with good hustle.
The good news when Berg comes up with 2 outs is that he cannot cause a DP.
Argh! Menechino picked off. He didn't have the slightest chance of stealing so that was just careless being off base.
Argh! Menechino picked off. He didn't have the slightest chance of stealing so that was just careless being off base.
Whoa... what a toss by O-Dog to get the bunt covered. Any chance he wins the gold glove this year or is he going to lose it to Brett Boone's bat?
That's it. Hudson is our MVP.
Actually, I think Wilkerson was safe, but still...awesome play O-Dog.
Actually, I think Wilkerson was safe, but still...awesome play O-Dog.
Whoa... what a toss by O-Dog to get the bunt covered. Any chance he wins the gold glove this year or is he going to lose it to Brett Boone's bat?
Bret Boone doesn't have a bat anymore.
Bret Boone doesn't have a bat anymore.
I seem to recall that Hudson's 7 errors is a high number amongst AL 2B. While we understand that this is a function of his enormously high range, the writers selecting the gold glove may well not.
Damn those writers. They're all in the Crusty Old Dean's deep pockets anyways...
The fact we can get hits off Downs gives me a little hope for this offense. If we couldn't, I'd suggest new giant log bats as the only offensive solution for this team.
Random thought: What's the funniest entrance song a Blue Jay could possibly choose?
I think "Material Girl" and I start to laugh.
I think "Material Girl" and I start to laugh.
Faulds: "Phelps hits the ball..."
Best sentence I've heard in a week. :)
Best sentence I've heard in a week. :)
Good time for Phelps to hit the ball! And an error too! Lovely.
The fiendish Phelps at last delivers!
Justin Speier's entrance song: 'Oops, I did it Again'
Justin Speier's entrance song: 'Oops, I did it Again'
Random thought: What's the funniest entrance song a Blue Jay could possibly choose?
"Feel like a woman"?
I personally would choose something silly like the "chicken song" or a Weird Al polka.
"Feel like a woman"?
I personally would choose something silly like the "chicken song" or a Weird Al polka.
That could also be Terry Adams song as well Emerald.
LOL.... "feel like a woman". Thats a good one.
Come to think of it, pretty much any song sung by a woman makes for funny baseball entrance music:
"Girls just wanna have fun"
"Take my breath away"
"Love is a battlefield"
its endless....
Come to think of it, pretty much any song sung by a woman makes for funny baseball entrance music:
"Girls just wanna have fun"
"Take my breath away"
"Love is a battlefield"
its endless....
I'd think the worst possible trotting-in-from-the-bullpen song would be Aerosmith's "Walk This Way."
If Rios hasn't had his rookie hazing yet, we've given the Jays lots of good ideas to switch his entrance music with...
My at-bat-song-of-choice would be the Band singing 'I Shall Be Released'.
Did you guys in Canada get that "song" by the Outhere Brothers called "I wanna f--- you in the ass"?
I doubt they'd allow that to be played at baseball games of course.
I doubt they'd allow that to be played at baseball games of course.
YAY Mighty Mouse!!
I think it is because Vernon is manning the Sportsnet 1st base camera.
I think it is because Vernon is manning the Sportsnet 1st base camera.
For those not watching on sportsnet, Vernon Wells is operating the 1st base camera..... no, im not joking.
Mighty Mouse with a dinger.
Mighty Mouse with a dinger.
The song for the Blue Jays as a team: 'The Kids are Alright'
Fantastic catch and a monster shot... not bad for a "fourth" outfielder.
Matthew E that's brilliant. A similar alternative is "please release me". Isn't there a Jane's Addiction song called "caught stealing"?
YAY Sparky has hit a dinger as well!!
See Vernon goes behind the camera and we get 2 dingers!!
See Vernon goes behind the camera and we get 2 dingers!!
We're only in the 4th. Let's bust this game apart, wear out their bullpen arms and morale!
PS: That picture doesn't load for me.
PS: That picture doesn't load for me.
You have to love these shots of the batter with the crowd behind him just in focus and the batter all blurred and slightly out of centre.
"We must have the highest paid cameramen in MLB"
A surprisingly witty comment by the Sportsnet crew.
A surprisingly witty comment by the Sportsnet crew.
That was a very surreal camera shot. I just saw a TV picture of a photographer who was taking a photo of Vernon who was pointing a TV camera at the field...
*head explodes*
*head explodes*
It's funny that we beat up on Vargas here, since last year when the bats were rolling he shut them down pretty well. It's like a reverse universe or something.
What'll really mess with your head is what if Vernon was recording you watching the Sportsnet feed....
Whoa... I just scared myself.
Whoa... I just scared myself.
Well Vidro hits a home run. In a related story a tree fell in the forest...
The Expos have clearly given up, now with Vidro and Everett out of the game. And with Vargas still in the game. Not that I'm complaining.
Well Vidro hits a home run. In a related story a tree fell in the forest...
I don't understand. If Vidro hits a home run in Olympic Stadium but the attendance is zero so that nobody sees it, did it happen?
I don't understand. If Vidro hits a home run in Olympic Stadium but the attendance is zero so that nobody sees it, did it happen?
This is indeed a good day to own Hudson and Menechino in the BBFL
8th inning, up by 6. This is the perfect scenario to bring in Adam Peterson. Instead, File comes in.
Winning isn't what's important at this point. Developing our younger players, in the most obvious of situations is what we should be doing. But don't get me wrong, Peterson should be in Syracuse anyways.
That's true. It would be good to see him for maybe just an inning. Nope, it's Vinnie C-hulk
"Sparky" , "Chulkamania"
Wilner should wear steel toe boots with all the Batter's Box names he's droping on air today.
Wilner should wear steel toe boots with all the Batter's Box names he's droping on air today.
It might have been the wind, but did Chulk just throw a screwball?
Remember, no lead is safe...
Well, then, there's certainly no point in bringing in File.
Well, then, there's certainly no point in bringing in File.
Writers don't select Gold Glove Winners, Major League Managers and Coaches do!
http://journals.jevon.org/users/keith_talent
I was at the game today. It was a real treat to watch O-Dog suck up those grounders at 2B. He's a phenomenal defender.
I was at the game today. It was a real treat to watch O-Dog suck up those grounders at 2B. He's a phenomenal defender.
Alright, guys, here's my question of the day. Is Orlandon Hudson -
A: Emerging as one of the best all-around second baseman in baseball? or
B: A great glove with an extremely streaky bat who'll never consitently hit left-handed pitching?
A: Emerging as one of the best all-around second baseman in baseball? or
B: A great glove with an extremely streaky bat who'll never consitently hit left-handed pitching?
Writers don't select Gold Glove Winners, Major League Managers and Coaches do!
Okay, my mistake. But coaches and managers are even less likely to be enlightened and look past the fielding percentage, unless they've seen him play plenty of games (i.e. non AL East staff).
I think that Toronto has a handicap in winning awards, just because of where it is (see - MVP). Hudson sure looks like a tremendous fielder but I think he will have to do extraordinarily well to get a gold glove.
Okay, my mistake. But coaches and managers are even less likely to be enlightened and look past the fielding percentage, unless they've seen him play plenty of games (i.e. non AL East staff).
I think that Toronto has a handicap in winning awards, just because of where it is (see - MVP). Hudson sure looks like a tremendous fielder but I think he will have to do extraordinarily well to get a gold glove.
Whoever is doing the roundup today, there is a good article at boston.com/sports in the baseball notes section with JP. Nothing really new but much better than what you would get in the Toronto press.