I do, however, and this is really rather obvious, possess editing rights, which gives me the authority to type the following sentence (which is in truth not an actual sentence but rather part of the same sentence, because I’m not actually going to start a new sentence but rather divide this current one with a colon, which you will see approximately . . . now): Use this space to post anything you’d like, be it Jays-related, spring-training related, Jays-and-spring-training related, whatever. As long as it’s about baseball. Links to other material are welcomed, indeed encouraged. Previously similar titles of a posting such as this would have been “Hijack Central,” “Daily Round-up,” “Make Your Own Roundup,” etc. The floor is yours, Bauxites. Scrub it wisely.
I do, however, and this is really rather obvious, possess editing rights, which gives me the authority to type the following sentence (which is in truth not an actual sentence but rather part of the same sentence, because I’m not actually going to start a new sentence but rather divide this current one with a colon, which you will see approximately . . . now): Use this space to post anything you’d like, be it Jays-related, spring-training related, Jays-and-spring-training related, whatever. As long as it’s about baseball. Links to other material are welcomed, indeed encouraged. Previously similar titles of a posting such as this would have been “Hijack Central,” “Daily Round-up,” “Make Your Own Roundup,” etc. The floor is yours, Bauxites. Scrub it wisely.
Nice to see this story was not subject to the approval of MLB.
What do people think? Is it possible for Crozier to play himself onto the team given that the Jays are going to carry 12 pitchers and already have players at 1B/DH with Hillenbrand, Hinkse and Catalanotto. Given a thin bench, it's tough to carry a 1B, so I'm not optimistic for Crozier's chances, even if he does extremely well in Dunedin.
And, in case people missed it yesterday, Dave Steib and Steve Rogers are going to be inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame, along with 19th century player Charles "Pop" Smith (who has the 8th most games in the majors of any Canadian) and trainer Harold "Doc" Younker. Congrats to all honoured.
I was thinking about it, but I think it might be out of my price range.
I think Hillenbrand is only going to be around for this year, and if someone is moved to make room for Crozier I think it would be him. But then there is the problem of making the lineup to left handed heavy.
J.P. has dubbed Eric Crozier "the most eye-opening player in camp so far. What do people think?
I don't put too much stock in these kind of articles. Last year we were reading similiar things about Simon Pond. If Crozier ends up surprising, great, but I'm not changing my expecations because of that.
Having said that I think he could be more productive than Hinske this year. Both ZIPS and PECOTA have Crozier with better rate stats.
If time and budget allow, I'll go to the SBAR convention. If not, I'll find out where the delegates are going drinking afterwards and join them for a pint.
Thanks
I wouldnt be surprised to see either of them get a good number of at bats in the majors this year considering that Cat and Koskie both have a bit of injury history and Hillenbrand is a likely candidate to be gone at the trade deadline.
Or, you can just pay $115 and not join SABR, but go to the convention.
Here's the website:
http://www.sabr.org/sabr.cfm?a=cms,c,892,34,0
And the Jays changed the time of their home opener. I agree with Jordan, skipping school to go to the home opener was always a blast.
I know this sounds unbelievable, but I've been trying (and failing) since we last spoke of this wonderful trip to get a simple price quote from ANYONE on how much it would roughly cost to get a bus from T.O. to chi-town.
I even have "the Mickster" on the inside and couldn't get anything, I've sent numerous emails to several bus lines (including greyhound) with no reply whatsoever. I even called up greyhound myself but got the royal run around.
I'm afraid, unless anyone reading this is in the know, my hands are tied to put the trip on hold until I get some knowledge of the bus industry, even at the expense of today being mad ticket day (I'd hate to actually buy tickets today, then find out the bus ride would cost like 500 dollars each and everyone cancels on me)
DAMN YOU RED TAPE!!!!
Any help appreciated.
Sinton! That's the name of one.
See you Monday.
Stay in school? We're risking the patients life? Knowing is only half the battle? Stop drop and roll? Pick up the white courtesy phone? We're risking the patients life?
/me hops onto a tenterhook, and waits for Monday.
"I can't believe I suckered you guys into defending me from Griffin for all these years."
I don't think you have to worry about that, Jobu. I was trying to schedule a group to charter a bus to Florida this March and even then, the cost was about $350 a person if you can fill up the bus. I would think that Chicago might cost a little less.
Some companies even have smaller, 25 seat, more inexpensive buses if the price becomes too high.
To read an article in which Paul Godfrey shares his thoughts on the economic future of baseball and hockey, COMN: Matthew E.
(There is a way to do 'COMN'! It just isn't satisfying.)
I'm willing to go along with Godfrey about the tax stuff, but he can roll his salary cap into a cone and sit on it.
Would anybody have any information on the date that Stieb and Rogers will be inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame? I'd like to drive up to St. Mary's for that one.
Jobu, make it work! Buses are fun! I still haven't gotten tickets yet, I've been in the "virtual waiting room" for a few hours. But the Jays are a relatively low-demand game, so I don't think we'll have to worry about a sell-out in the next week or so and should be able to get tickets just fine.
I'm going rain, snow or hail, but I'm afraid there may be a small turnout. But I'm usually wrong about these sort of things.
I look foward to picking up MVP in the next week or 2.
According to theCanadian Baseball Hall of Fame website>, it's Saturday June 25th at 10 AM. Admission is free and open to the public.
I just got MVP Baseball 2005 today. I'm not sure how good the Owner's mode is, but I'm thrilled that Dustin McGowan has gotten the Bonds / Dowd treatment.
Wha-ha? Is McGowan not in the union or something?
Alex Obal needs to go to the Lilly / Towers signing and get Ted to sign a Roosevelt K.
At least Godfrey finally pointed out that it is a socialist system these people who made their fortunes in the free market are after. Hmm, I think MLB is really getting annoyed with Toronto presidents saying the truth (Beeston with his 'I can make a $5 million profit into a $5 million loss' statement years ago).
There's a list here: forums.simcentral.net/showthread.php?t=53390 of all the Dowd prospects in the game. It's not a big deal, but it's a nice touch.
I bought MVP yesterday. Gameplay-wise, it's amazing. They didn't do much to fix the irksome defensive controls, but the pitching is second to none. I dislike the owner mode because it makes you create a stadium at the very beginning. I fail to see the point of that. Dynasty mode looks as good as always, though.
About McGowan getting Dowded, it seems that most players who haven't appeared in a game in the bigs and don't figure to break camp with their respective teams don't appear in the game, for whatever reason. That explains why League, Chacin and Chad Hermansen, for example, are in, while Hill and McGowan are not. (Then again, DMG is on the 40-man roster - does that not get him union membership?) It would be really cool to see EA (or Sega - hooray for exclusivity!) try to get full minor league licensing, though I don't know how easy that would be.
I love the new pitching meter, it's a lot harder to pitch perfectly. The whole point of owner mode is to take a stadium and build it up. If you started with (say) Yankee Stadium, you'd have nothing to do, and it'd be really easy to make money early on.
Anyways, I just got my first MVP points, and so I'm off to unlock either Satchel Paige or Olympic Stadium.
You'd think by now though they'd have figured that this union is not going to break, no matter how many times they try...
One thing the MLB players have always had going for them is that there are no credible replacement players. In football, especially, but basketball and probably hockey as well, there is a large pool of players outside the major league system. Credible players, many of whom may very well be good enough to play in the big league. The teams in the NFL and NBA do not control any players who are not already on their rosters; NHL teams essentially control the same number of players as are on the major league team.
But major league baseball teams all control four or five times as many players as they need for the top team. And these players are unlikely to want to cross the union and the system that is exists in order to get them more money and more freedom. It's doubtful that the teams would even want them to. In 1994, nobody connected with Toronto dreamed of using Carlos Delgado or Shawn Green as a replacement player, even if they had been willing. Jays management understood that if players like that, with a ML future, had crossed the line, they would have spent the rest of their careers leading the league in getting hit by the pitch...
And that sort of thing is probably not as big an issue in a game like hockey or football where you're supposed to be getting hit hard all the time anyway...
Anyway, what it means is that baseball has to go outside the system - way, way outside - to come up with replacement players. With a resulting lack of credibility.
Already this spring, Ricciardi felt one of his players, whom he did not wish to identify, was getting out of hand and threatening the chemistry in the clubhouse. Twenty-four hours later the player had been talked to, but Ricciardi did not have to say anything
No clue who it could have been.
Free OBP!
Alright, back to my coffee and dead trees... just thought I should share.
I found it interesting that Koskie has a limited no trade clause. He can only be dealt to 20 teams. I'm not a fan of no trade clauses because what happens if the best offer you recieve is from a team that is marked off from the list. It limits your options. I wonder if Koskie would have signed with the Jays if JP said no to the no trade clause.
Where did you hear that Marty York has been let go? I know that Cuthbert had been let go, but this is the first I have heard about York being let go.
---We're offering you 500 K less than what you asked for...
---I'll take it if I can get a no-trade...
---Don't want to give you a blanket no-trade...
---OK, here's 15 places I don't want to go. Give me a no-trade to there...
---We can do that...
---And another 100 K...
---Let's make it 10 places you don't want to go...
---DONE!!(In unison and harmony!)
This is why, when a player is asked to give up his no-trade, he always wants money. Because the no-trade is always a substitute for money in the first place.
I came pretty close to winning a pair of season tickets had I not picked the autographes ball in the first round :(
What sucked was all the other rounds involved baseball things (seed spitting, gum) that i would have killed at.
Thats okay, I got a Roy Halladay autographed ball in the end :)
I just returned home from Florida a few hours ago (and boy are my arms tired). In fact, this is the first time I've seen the site since the turnover. I certainly like what I see.
When I get the chance to unwind, I'll share some experiences. Well, at least the ones that are baseball related. I visited the Phillies and Threshers new stadium in Clearwater, as well as the Jays complex in Dunedin. Heck, I even got the chance to have a short conversation with Dick Scott. It will, however, have to wait for another time. Anyway, you may continue your conversation...
The only thing that I didn't like was the fact that the Jays ticket office located on scene, wouldn't accept my gift card so I had to walk to the Rogers Centre. It would've also been nice to have a sample of the new turf on display.
Best bad joke, ever. I enjoy using it after a joke of mine falls flat.
Looks like $2 games are back although I don't know which one's. The ticket prices look pretty cheap to me, too bad I live on the other side of the Country.
I'm hoping to fly over there this summer so I can check out the new and improved "Skydome" for myself.
He's bang on about the O-Dog. Half of the time I can't understand what he's saying. He did a WS preview show commercial and the only words I understood were "sit back and relax".
- April 26th, 7:07 vs. Tampa
- May 10th, 7:07 vs. Kansas City
- May 24th, 7:07 vs. Boston
- June 14th, 7:07 vs. St. Louis
Keep in mind though that the $2 games are just for the 200 level outfield and SkyDeck. The other seats will be at a slightly discounted price. Check bluejays.com or call the box office for more info.
vsaint,
The new line of stuff has been launched. Basically it's a women's line of clothing and I don't really see much of a change. But to promote this, the Blue Jays in co-operation with Sears have agreed for the Sears at Eaton Centre to carry this new line of clothing on a permanent basis.
It's good to get the logo out into the non-SkyDome world, but personally the only stores that carry a decent selection of Jays merchandise are all downtown. If they really want to get it out, they should open up one in Square One or somewhere that isn't 500 meters away from SkyDome.
Sounds like the Jays are trying to sign Hudson to some type of long term deal. Works for me.
http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Baseball/MLB/Toronto/2005/02/27/944256-sun.html
Looks like Huddy is going to give the Braves a home town discount. He's closing in at 48mil/4yrs. I'm sure some team out there would have gave him a long term deal at 15/16mil a season if he hit the market.
Y'gotta wonder what the organization's plans are for Hattig, since right now he's being blocked at whatever position he might play, save perhaps DH. Koskie's locked in for 3 years at 3B, and even if he were to move, you have to think it'd be for Hill, not Hattig.
I suppose 1B is an option, if Hinske gets traded - but I doubt it'd be this year. Hillebrand would slide into 1B, with the odd-one-out from Gross/Cat/Reed/Menechino DH'ing.
Not everyone can avoid being an organizational soldier, but Hattig probably represents the best power prospect in the upper minors (apologies to Quiroz and Crozier)
I think if anyone gets traded, it'll be Hillenbrand. In fact, I hereby say that I will be surprised if Hillenbrand is with the team all season.
Not hugely surprised, not enormously surprised. Not as surprised as I'll be if Josh Towers wins 22 games. But surprised nonetheless.
I was scouring the Blue Jays website, checking out some of the guys in the minors and I happened across this guy's numbers in A:
3-2, ERA of 3.12, 69.1 IP, 74 H, 4 BB, 72 SO!
I guess I haven't been following the minors enough, but is this guy for real? An 18:1 K:BB ratio -- this guy is insane! Here is the original link for those who are interested, and as equally uninformed as myself.
http://www.battersbox.ca/article.php?story=20040923034445999
Were you the guy with the 2002 All-Star jacket on and also where was the turf?
I don't really remember you but I thought about asking the guy (you) with the Wells ball if he wanted to trade. Ironically I have an autograph from almost every player except Vernon, despite supposedly being Vernon's Biggest Fan.
Ok. Those guys at MLB are a real hoot. Here's a list of players who apparently suited up for Dunedin last year (each with their own stat lines):
- Manny Mayorson (90 games)
- Manuel Mayorson (6 games)
- Joshua Banks (2 games)
- Josh Banks (11 games)
- Jamie Vermilyea (18 games)
- James Vermilyea (2 games)
- Edward Buzachero (51 games)
- Bubbie Buzachero (2 games)
- Brad Mumma (1 game)
- Bradley Mumma (2 games)
There's just something gut-bustingly amusing about this. Remind me to stick to BA for my minor league stats.
Dunedin's roster is weird, but try the Fisher Cats. Amazing how they won the championship with this team.
Where could two people who live in or near Toronto meet up, when both of them like baseball and specifically the Toronto Blue Jays?
The Hockey Hall of Fame?
Signed to a minor league contract with an invite to spring training, according to the Sun and Rotoworld. Adds to the already nice depth this year at Syracuse.
Note April 18th. When was the last one of those and will that affect the team that day, even considering the time and place of the April 17th game.
http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/schedule/index.jsp?c_id=tor&m=4&y=2005
A few things I grasped from it:
-Arnsberg made 4 calls to Clement, selling the idea of Toronto to him. Clement made the 5th call saying that he wasn't. Clement said it was the most difficult call of his life. (Wow)
-Since Arnsberg is very close to Burnett and Penny, Clement believes that Arnsberg will play a very strong role in where they choose to sign.
-Arnsberg also has a close friendship and keeps in contact with Vazquez.
You can take it with a grain of salt, but if it's true, then we could have a very interesting off-season.
The Jays were last in town for that 11 am start in 2003.
The morning started with the usual drills for infielders and outfielders - throwing to the right base, cutoff man, etc. After that there was batting practice with the coaches pitching.
Then at 11:30 there was a 6 inning game with pitchers going 1 inning each. The 1st inning Doc & Towers faced off against each other. Doc looked his usual miserable self - 3 up, 3 down. Towers had a little more difficulty, giving up 2 runs - one of them a big blast from Koskie over the left field wall.
The most effective pitcher of the day probably was Schoeneweis who struck out the side in his inning of work.
A number of other pitchers also had good days: Chacin fell behind one batter 3-0 and came back to strike him out; Walker looked in great shape and was throwing well; Downs, Frasor, Glynn, and Whiteside all pitched an inning and did not allow a run to score. Gaudin gave up one run on 2 hits in his inning of work. The pitching is clearly ahead of
the hitting at this stage of the spring.
McDonald played well in the field and hit a triple down the right field line in his at bat. A good pick-up for the Jays!
The defence played very well for the Jays with Alfaro, Nelson, Koskie, Hudson, Hinski, Hillenbrand, Crozier and Hattig all making good defensive plays in the field.
The game was played under sunny skies with a slight cool breeze - a perfect day in the Florida sunshine!
Wells gave us a good laugh before the game when he said that Doc had his cleats on at 7:00 this morning and was studying the batting charts of the Jays he would face. It appears he is the leader of this ball club, and for the next few years, I for one am happy that he is playing
for the 'good guys'.
There is another 6 inning game tomorrow and I hope to make that one too.