I swear the Jays seem to win whenever I'm not doing the Roundup the next day. I really ought to retire. :)

i think they play pretty good some times but when they play with other teams they lose most of their games why is that happing to them i hope they get better by playing base ball real soon

Gawd that chick is painful

Longest national anthem ceremony ever.

I saw that Brady Anderson is being inducted into the "Orioles Hall of Fame." I'm guessing that's the cause for the delay?

Also, it's turn back the clock - 1970's day at Camden Yards! I swear, the O's have the most turn back the clock promotion's I've ever seen! Are the O's and Jays wearing the throwback uniforms?

The Jays should take a lesson or two from the O's and schedule a few Turn back the clock days themselves, that would be pretty cool.

That was the worst singing of the national anthem I've ever heard. Brutal.

This is what American Idol has done to our culture. Anybody can be a singer now! (That's not a good thing.)

Looks like Orlando's wearing some voodoo beads there. It looks like a choking hazard.

I'm stuck at work (yeah, on a Saturday, I know). Who was singing?

Who was singing?

Must have been a friend of Angelos' daughter. I don't know how her demo tape could have been selected. It was a young blonde girl who gave the anthem the slow and painful treatment.

Geez, that inning reminded me of my nephew's little league games.

Cabrera couldn't hit the strike zone at all, so the ump decides to give him some mercy strikes at the hands of Alex Rios. Then Alex is forced into a 1-2 count instead of it rightfully being 2-1 or 3-0.

That was pretty lame.

I was thinking the same thing. The 1-1 pitch clearly went around the plate. Alex was pretty much forced to swing at the 1-2 pitch even though it was off the plate, cause it was close to the one called for a strike. Boo.

Okay, it's official now. David Bush is no longer David Bush, he wants to be called Dave Bush.

Not that it matters any, but what's up with David and Alexis not being proud of their given names?

Am I the only one who thinks Gross at the plate looks like Hinske? Not as bulky of course, but very similar look.

This is beautiful.

I love runs.

Wow, I think a few more AB's like that and Delgado will officially own Daniel Cabrera.

#20 for Delgado, 6-0 Jays

Let's hope we don't get a repeat of the last time Bush faced off against Cabrera last sunday.

Another question for all of you guys. On a homerun if the runner misses a base, can the run be taken back on appeal at the plate or is the play completed anyway?

How does it feel to score runs?

Have I mentioned how much I like playing the Orioles lately?

IMO Gabe Gross really fits the mold of this organization perfectly.

He's a very solid hitter, great plate discipline and he's got a good compact stroke. I think his upside might be a little higher than people are giving him credit for.

What a nice way to start this game.

I assume Bush is not going to want to come out of this game to ensure the bullpen doesn't blow it for him again.

Sucks to be the O's. Their BP really needed somne rest today.

Which position player would get the ball if necessary?

On a homerun if the runner misses a base, can the run be taken back on appeal at the plate or is the play completed anyway?

They have to appeal before throwing a pitch, but yes a run can be taken off the board. The hitter would end up with a single (if he missed 2b, say).

Im glad they brought up these guys. I was wondering before the start of the season how we expected to compete in 2006 if the key parts of our team would have less than 500 PA. In a weak rookie year, who are the favourites now that Cabrera's luck has run out and Crosby has been in a slump dropping his average below .260 . Does Rios have a chance? I doubt Bush will get enough innings in to be a contender. But either way, the winner won't be very impressive.

David doesn't have his best control today. The breaking balls tend to be up.

Not that it matters any, but what's up with David and Alexis not being proud of their given names?

Gee, DAVEinNYC, I'm stumped too. Why would you suppose someone named "David" would want to be called "Dave". Thanks for pointing that out, DAVEinNYC.

He pitched Mora great though. Slow curve on the inside corner to go to 1-2 and paints inside with the fastball to get the popup. Well done.

I would say Rios has a chance. He leads all rookies (min 200 PA's) in batting average. The fact that he only has 1 HR will hurt him though.

I still think they'll end up giving it to Crosby. No pitcher really stands out anymore.

Gee, DAVEinNYC, I'm stumped too. Why would you suppose someone named "David" would want to be called "Dave". Thanks for pointing that out, DAVEinNYC.

I guess the world may never know ;)

In my case though, DaveInNYC certainly looks a lot better than DavidInNYC... yup it's all about image.

My non-sarcastic answer to your earlier query would be probably the media guide prints one's name as on the birth certificate. After some time in the majors these guys might then feel comfortable enough to say: "actually, I prefer to be called Dave".

Runs Created

Crosby 57.4
Scutaro 39.1
Rios 38.6
Quinlan 33.1
Youkilis 33.0

...meh.

So, when does the mercy rule come into effect?

20th double in less than a season's worth of games in the majors for Rios. Sure he only has 1 homerun but a 40 double and 10 triple pace promises he has some power to come. And hitting .296 in his first extended exposure to the big leagues is pretty fine too.

Ahh but come on Keith, you've gotta admit that David Bush certainly sounds better than Dave Bush and Alexis Rios certainly sounds better than Alex Rios. David Bush sounds like the name of a rockstar, Dave Bush doesn't nearly have the umphh or the pizzazz.

All useless information by the way :)

Good offspeed pitch to strike out Palmeiro but Bush needs to stop throwing him fastballs he can pull. Raffy has just missed two homeruns.

Crosby playing a premium position with the power and runs created looked to be the favourite. But if his average dips any furthur, or even stays around .260, I can see the voters really overlooking his other stats.

Not saying you're wrong, RBillie, but I remember people saying much the same thing with regards to Olerud's doubles. The doubles kept coming but the homeruns never showed up.

A fine, fine start to Rios' career though.

So I'm watching Fox Saturday Baseball (Mets V. Giants) and the announcer brings up a great point...

What is Ms. Pacman's relationship with Pacman?

Seeing as how it's Ms. and not Mrs. Pacman, she obviously isn't Pacman's wife... but could she be his sister?

Interesting...

I don't understand why some folks are so overly concerned about Rios's lack of power in his FIRST SEASON? Its a gradual progression for certain "types" of players.

If Rios can maintain and improve his batting average and put up somewhere around 20 homeruns per year in his prime as Olerud did then he's be doing quite well. I think Alex will be a lot like Garrent Anderson, a high average doubles hitter with double digit power in his early years and a real star as he matures.

Let's also not forget that Crosby has played the entire year while Rios did not play the first couple of months so it's natural he has a sizeable edge in runs created. Of course that still hurts Rios' chances at ROTY but it isn't conclusive that he's provided less quality than Crosby. I think when you factor Crosby's solid D at short though he is deserving.

I think the point here was that it will hurt his rookie of the year chances. And I agree with that - the voters vote for average, HR, RBI.

Not that it matters any, but what's up with David and Alexis not being proud of their given names?

I can't speak for Mr. Bush, but I don't like using my given name of "David" in ordinary conversation - it sounds too formal. That doesn't mean I dislike it. Me, I'd say if he keeps pitching like that, he can call himself "Cy" if he wants. :-)

What gave me a fit of the giggles was one of the TV talking heads speculating on what Dave Bush's role was going to be next year. Urm, how about "in the starting rotation"?

I really like watching him pitch. He throws strikes, he changes speeds, he looks calm and poised out there. This one's a keeper, folks.

Who are these "some folks" to whom you refer, Chris B?

...the media guide prints one's name as on the birth certificate.

There are two kinds of entries in the Media Guide - the major league players, others on the 40-man, and a few selected others. These guys get their pitcher and very detailed statistical information (e.g. lifetime hitting stats at Dodger Stadium.)

Later on in the guide come entries for the minor leaguers. No picture, a short paragraph of career highlights, and just the bare yearly stat lines.

Rios has been in the first section each of the last two guides, as "Alexis Rios"; Bush has been in part two as "Bush, David."

In part one, we also have "Gabe" Gross, "Howie" Clark, and "Vinnie" Chulk.

Of course in Part Two, we find "Soldano, Danny" and things like "Smith, Michael Anthony (Mike)"

Whatever!!!

Anyone remember how Donruss would print a players full name on the back of their baseball card?

Here's an example:

These guys get their pitcher

I'm sure they'd like that. They get their picture

Oh crap

Speaking of names...

Val Majewksi

That could be one of the worst names in the history of the game that is baseball.

Gameday says Injury Delay

Please tell me it isn't David Bush, PLEASE!!!

Nice. On alumni weekend you can come out and meet Rance Mulliniks! Rance was always one of my favorite Blue Jays growing up.

Runs Created / 27 outs (min 200 PA's)

Youkilis 6.75
Rios 5.05
Crosby 4.74
DeJesus 3.86
Scutaro 3.83

I suddenly have flashbacks of last Sunday's game running rampant in my head. But stuff like that only happens once... right?

Bush is OK but he's getting hit this inning.

You have to be kidding me.

In 70 pitches thus far David Bush has thrown 55 strikes. That's awesome.

That's awesome.

Why, it's positively Towers-like...

So...

are the teams wearing throwback uni's on turn back the clock day or what?

No, they aren't.

A stupid question...

sabrmetrics or sabermetrics?

Raffy loves him some fastballs over the plate. Bush just keeps challenging him but finally got touched for a double.

Wow, Vern's having a bad day at the dish.

Is Bush being left in for the 7th, or are they going to give him the quick hook?

Will it be the good Kerry (39 games, 1-1-3, 1.96 ERA)

Or will it be the bad Kerry (6 games, 0-4-0, 189.00 ERA)

Yes - 6 games, 1 inning, 21 earned runs.

Oh my God, the mismatch of the century

The Unhittable BJ Ryan

versus

KEVIN CASH!!!

3 pitch strikeout, LOL

Holy Smokes! Stay away from ESPN2 folks!!

Little League World Series Baseball

Top of the 1st mind you...

Taipei 14
Poland 0

And counting...

Ouch!

The Syracuse game is on Rogers Cable again today...end of the 4th inning Syracuse leading 2 - 1. Mike Smith is pitching for the Skychiefs.

Tyler...

Sabermetrics.

Very nice win for the Jays today. Nothing helps an ailing offense quite like a dose of some Oriole pitching, and thankfully the Jays pitching came up solid today.

Bedard vs. a struggling Miller tomorrow. If Miller can get some kinks worked out, I don't see why he can't throw a solid game tomorrow.

Orlando Hudson looks like a new player since Tosca was gone. I don't understand why. Did they not feed him for a few months?

O-Dog loves Gibbons and Gibbons thinks the world of O-Dog. Ever since Tosca was fired, Orlando's been batting 2nd regularly whether it be against lefties or righties and he's produced.

Obviously Gibbons knows how to get the best out of Orlando.

Seeing as how it's Ms. and not Mrs. Pacman, she obviously isn't Pacman's wife... but could she be his sister?

Well, after you clear some levels there's various skits and I think it's pretty clear from those that there's some sort of relationship between Pacman and Ms Pacman. If a kiss and a heart above the two of them doesn't indicate a relationship I don't know what does.

Plus, I've always understood that Ms. could mean either married or single. Of course in high school it meant the teacher was a lesbian.

Anyone have the link for the jays newsletter that you get free tix for signing up for? a friend wants to give her a go.

That was the worst singing of the national anthem I've ever heard. Brutal.

Nothing can top Carl Lewis' rendition of the US anthem.

Good points Pistol.

Everyone has always assumed that the two were married due to the kisses and hearts and all that jazz. But since she isn't known as MRS. Pacman, it's entirely possible that there is a little case of incest going on between brother Pacman and sister Pacman.

Or they could be married and she just decided to be called Ms. Pacman, but that's no fun :)

Yes, I believe there's a difference between Ms. and Miss.

http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/tor/ticketing/connect_form.jsp
sweat, COMN for the free ticket offer.

I haven't actually looked at the Jays' record in a long time and I noticed they are 51-72.

Wow. I just can't describe this. I knew they were bad, but...wow. That's almost a 100 loss pace (67-95). The last time the Jays lost 100 games, Alfredo Griffin won the ROY.

Sorry to anyone who has been following the standings and knows all this already, but I just clued in now. 2005, anyone?

Oh, Rob, you are in need of some faith. 39 more wins and the Jays finish at 90-72 to sneak into the wild card.:-)

Seriously, the Yankees are not quite home and cooled yet, and personally, I would find it quite delicious if the Jays laid a good beating on them in their remaining games. A fighting spirit is more important than the difference between a 5th and 7th first round pick.

Oh, I got the faith and all. I watch (or listen to) all 162 games. I keep a handwritten 25 man roster. I score some games (my goal is to score 100 games one year).

I just don't know what to do anymore. This is the worst full season team since 1979. I wasn't even a zygote in 1979.

I got my free tickets in the mail already, the accompanying letter said the promotion got a huge response and their allotment of free tickets vanished after just two days.

Those full names on the Donruss cards always bugged me. As well, when Topps starting putting names like "Rock Raines" on the front of the cards, taking these passing nicknames too seriously. Wasn't "Rock Raines" a drug reference for Timmy?

How come you can't buy current baseball cards anymore? Even at SkyDome, it's those same old early 90s packs.

when looking at david bush's velocity, he seems to drop to 88-89 after around 3 or 4 innings. he throws at 91-92 early on in the first 3-4. Maybe he does not have the endurance or could he be better as a closer. he certainly has the demeanor

I'm surprised you got a letter. I just got my tickets (200 level, outfield) with no explanation. I'm glad that I got the 200 outfield, though. The 100 level wedge that's on the outfield part of the baselines always causes my back to cramp up from having to turn all the time.

Orlando Hudson looks like a new player since Tosca was gone. I don't understand why. Did they not feed him for a few months?

It was all the damn bobbleheads Tosca made him eat.

Wasn't "Rock Raines" a drug reference for Timmy?

Man, I must be naive. I always assumed it referred to his physique.