Normal lineup today. Hillenbrand at first, Hendu DHing.

As of now, I have the FAN on and David Cone's perfect game via MLB.com playing, muted. Eventually, I'll have to go back and turn up the sound from 1999.

Bobby Cox is on with Jerry now.

Don't know if this has been posted elsewhere or not but "today only" the Jays are offering a 2 for 1 deal on Season's Passes. I think they're about $160. Call the box office today.

Is everyone listening to the game or do you need a play by play?

play by play would be great, if someone has time. i can't really listen at work

ok I'll do it for now...

If you've got the time and the inclination, Zao, bring it on.

I missed top of the first but Jerry says Chipper singled and Halliday struck out the side.
bot 1st Jays 3 up 3 down including Cat striking out.

Top 2nd.

47 year old Julio Franco singles
next batter grounds into DP Adams to Hudson To Hillenbrand
Barns reaches on throwing error by Koskie
Barns steals 2nd
Eddie Perez up. Base hit by a diving Koskie scores Barns.
Perez starts for second. Roy starts his motion home and then stops. That's a balk!
GB to First, Shea makes the play himself for the 3rd out.
1-0 Braves

Bot 2nd

Koskie up against left hander Ramirez. Swings and misses the 2-2 pitch.
Hillenbrand hitting .243 this spring. 3-1 count. grounds out to first.
Skies are darkening.
Hinske belts it to left field. Wind keeps it in and it's caught on the track to end the inning.

still 1-0 Braves.

Top 3rd

Rapheal Furcul shows bunt and pulls the bat back. Then bunts one foul up the third base line. 1-1 pitch hit foul. Jerry will be visiting with Paul Godfrey later in the game (and someone else but didn't catch who). Fastball on the outside corner for strike 3. Jerry says Roy is looking sharp.

Missed who the next batter was. Hudson catches pop up behind first base with wind blowing.

Chipper Jones lines the first pitch into the outfield for a single.

Andrew Jones not in lineup today. Tied with Gross for the home run lead.

Adam Laroche hits grounder to short, Adams steps on 2nd.

Greg Zaun hitting .389 including 4 doubles. 3-1 pitch chopped to third. Chipper throws him out.

Ramirez has good command.

Rios takes a strike on a 1-2 count. Ramirez has pinpoint control.

Jays hitting coach Barnett having eye problems.

Adam takes strike 3. Looks like a good pitching duel.

1-0 Braves.

Jays hitting coach Barnett having eye problems.

That's always a good sign! A visually-impared batting coach :-)

top 4th

Jerry joined by J.P.

I think Franco got out but I missed it.

Brown up. Jerry and Jp joke that Franco is 2 years older than JP. Ground ball in the hole to short. Adams has no chance to get Brown.

JP says Jays defence will be one of their strengths.

Barns up. Runner goes. Good throw by Zaun but it's off the runners shoulder. JP doesn't know yet if Greg Myers will be ready. They're trying to give him many at bats to get him ready. Playing with the minor leaguers today. If he doesn't make the club he may not want to play in the minors and could retire. 2-2 pitch popped out to Hudson.

0-2 pitch to Perez. another RBI single to center. Brown scores.

Sneed? up to bat. Ground ball to Hudson, steps on 2nd.

2-0 Braves

bot 4th

FCat up. JP says Gross is relaxed and having fun. Dribbler to the pitcher. Bobbled and throw to first not in time. Cat running well. Scored a base hit.

Jp not worried about spring training batting averages and stats.

Hudson strikes out (looking) on 3 pitches.

JP says leadership should come from many different players not just one guy.

2-1 count on Vernon. Fouls off 2 pitches then lines one to third caught by Jones. JP impressed by his swing.

JP says good things about Gibbons.

Koskie up. JP not worried about Koskie's injury. He would have stayed in the lineup if it were the regular season. Koskie swings and foul tip caught by catcher for the third strike.

2-0 Braves

Top 5th

Furcal lines it to a diving Hillenbrand who makes a nice play and touches first.

Vernon makes a nice backhanded catch off the bat of the next batter.

Yesterdays "honey of a game" was helped by good defence just like today.

Chipper Jones hits a 1-2 curveball weakly to 2nd. Hudson makes the easy throw to first.

quick inning 2-0 Braves.

Not as many commercials in spring training.

Bot 5th

Hillenbrand Lines a 0-1 pitch through the legs of pitcher Ramirez into center. Hardest hit ball by toronto today.

Hinske's softly hit ball drops in center for a single. Shea to 2nd.

Seagull causes Ramirez and Hinske to duck. dont' want to soil black uniforms. First time since JP has been here that he's had to make descisions in spring training (bullpen) 11th pitchers spot between Ligtenberg, Chulk, Miller, Walker, Downs.

Zaun walks bases loaded.

Jp says all the potential bullpen pitchers are pitching well and the challenge is to keep all of them.

Rios bats. 3-2 count. JP not concerned with HR totals but wants him to drive the ball more. swing and a miss strike three.

Adams up count 0-2. JP wants better siuational hitting this year. Adams take a pitch outside. Fouls next pitch off. Check-swing. Adams went around strike 3.

Cat hits one over one of the outfielders heads. Goes to the wall 3 run double. Wind suddenly blowing out. Couldn't have come at a better time. Nice to see Cat do it against a lefty.

JP and Jerry talk about the nice lefty-righty combo johnson\cat.

Hundson hits it to 3rd. 3rd baseman throws wild. Cat scores the unearned run, Hudson to 2nd.

Wells grounds out to 2nd (I think). Poor throw but does the job.

4 run inning. 4-2 Jays.

Shoenweis on to pitch the top of the 6th. Halliday gave up 2 runs on 6 hits and 5 K's

Adam Laroche up. Laroche bloops one behind short. Jerry says it's dropping in but Cat makes a beautiful sliding catch.

next batter grounds out to short on a 2-2 pitch.

JP hopes Shoenweis continues his good spring and becomes a Steve Kline type pitcher. Scott Downs having a good spring and is in the mix.

Brown walks on 4 pitches.

John Barns up. flares one out to shallow RF Hudson almost makes a nice play but it's a base hit.

JP and Jerry say Hudson should've won a gold glove last year and will win one someday.

Next batter grounds out to 2nd.

4-2 Jays.

Bot 6th

Ramon Colon on to pitch and lots of defensive changes for Atlanta.

Koskie pop up to Left Fielder Jansen.

JP says nice things about Paul Godfrey.

Hillenbrand with easy ground out to short.

Techincal difficulties. microphones cut out and they go to commercials.

feed is back and it's top 7th.

still 4-2 jays

You're doing a fine job, Zao. Much appreciated.

Justin Miller in to pitch to Sneed. Myers on to catch so I guess I was wrong earlier.

Godfrey in the booth.

Sneed pops up a bunt. Diving catch by Hudson. Great defence today.

Next batter- Rios makes a great jumping catch at the wall. Ball close to going over.

Green hits easy fly ball to left. Caught by Cat. quick 1-2-3 inning. 4-2 jays.

was it miller i thought i heard speier? but I think I hear a lot of things.

Just a bit of color, zao is doing great, Godfrey oozing about the new scoreboards, Cat...putting aside any of questions/

payroll will be 3 year roll overs to aid JP....

Thanks, I'm having fun.

Bot 7th
Right hander Zach Minor on to pitch.

Zaun up so forget what I said about Myers I guess I misheard. (does Atlanta have a Myers?). Godfrey says the players seem to like the new turf and the fans will too. Zaun flies out to center. New turf should reduce injury.

Rios up. Lines a base hit to right field.

Adams up. Rios steals second. Jays defence will get even better with new turf. 2-1 count to Adams. slow grounder up the middle, throw not in time, Rios to 3rd.

Fans will be dazzled by new jumbotron.

Cat up. New scoreboard will show running pitch count as well as velocity and type of last pitch. Adams steals second without a throw. New scoreboard will show the pitchers real-time ERA. Godfrey going on about the scoreboard. Too much to type but I can't wait to see it. Cat fouls off 3-2 pitch. Cat hits one down the RF line. hooking but stays fair. stretches it into a 2 run triple. Cat looking healthy.

Hundson up. Infield in. Hundson grounds out, Cat stays at 3rd.

Players will have to get used to balls coming off wall at Rogers Centre. Plastic covering wall to protect new scoreboard.

3-1 count on VWells. Bouncer to third dropped by Timmons. Cat scores. Speedy wells given a single.

Godfrey want Rogers Centre to be the best stadium in the league. Wants to improve concourse etc.

Koskie up. Godfrey talks about payroll increase. Will keep payroll on a 3 year rolling average. No, I guess Nelson was up for Koskie. Too much talking about Rogers Center for this simple mind. Swing and a miss strike 3.

7-2 Jays

Howarth asking Godfrey about "Babe Gross"....saying if Gross goes down to Syracuse "He will go in a limo."

"Taking care of business" playing in background.

Ligtenberg, Huckaby and Gross in.

Timmons grounds out.

Jerry calls Gross "Babe Gross"

Next batter grounds to short. Off balance throw. "Pretty play". Godfrey says Adams plays position "artistically"

Next batter grounds out to Hudson. Nice inning by Ligtenberg.

7-2 Jays.

I thought I heard Miller but you could be right. Anyone have a boxscore?

Bot 8th.

Hillenbrand takes 3-2 for ball four. Jerry calling 2 pitches at a time. I think Lowe is pitching.

Godfrey says Selig always wanted steroid policy but players association didn't.

Hinske up. 1-2 pitch Strike 3 called.

Huckaby grounds into double play.

7-2 Jays.

Godfrey playing the ultimate politician here....Sappy about the new scoreboards, really praises JP, talks about what a genius Rogers is, what a good guy Jayson Werth is, how Frasor has been a nice add....Godfrey quite the guy.

Top 9th.

Jason Frasor on to pitch. Has had a good spring.

Brown grounds to 3rd. Nelson shows a good arm playing third. Godfrey likes his versatility.

Jansen up. Godfrey is talking about Werth-Frasor trade. Jansen strikes out swinging. Paul sings Ted Rogers praises. So JP loves his boss Paul and Paul loves his boss Ted. Ted hates losing.

next batter grounds out to Hillenbrand. Jays win 7-2. Jays record 13-6-1.
Play Daily Keno. How will your life change from one day to the next?

Sorry, it was Speier not Miller. There was too much politicion talk to cunfuzzle me.

Sleep Country Canada - why buy a matress anywhere else...

Thanks for the play by play, Zao

I guess you could say I made a Fauldian slip.

no problem.

phone lines are open to talk to Wilner.

Somebody call in and ask about Tom Cheek!

Wilner sounds extremely mean spirited tonight. I very rarely stay to listen, but is he normally like this? He's being particularly nasty about Raffy.

I too am tired of people blindly believing Raphael Palmeiro. Here's what I replied to Scott Carson's naieve column on Canseco, his book, and Palmeiro:

Scott said of Jose Canseco: "What we witnessed was a pathetic character, who sold out his former teammates, some of them completely innocent, in the pursuit of the almighty dollar."

First, Canseco had primal motives for writing his book. I can't agree that money was the "almighty" motive. Writing books is not a million-dollar venture. And how do we know he sold out completely innocent teammates? Because Raphael Palmeiro denied using steroids in front of congress? Gee, who would lie to congress? Bill Clinton, for one.

Palmeiro's been really fishy ever since Canseco's public accusations. First it was: "Canseco's a liar and I'm going to sue him". When he was given his chance to have his say before congress, he had more pressing St. Patrick's Day comittments: "I can't make it, it's my wife's birthday," he said. Then he got subpeonaed, took a risk and showed, told his story, and congress didn't lean on him.

"Maybe I can forgive Canseco afterall", Palmeiro said after the hearing, "if this turns out to help baseball." Those are the words of one who is tremendously relieved.

I'm not saying I know Palmeiro is guilty. But the decision to take steroids is also the decision to lie about taking them whenever asked: "wasn't me". That's what you do when you take steroids, you lie about it, no matter who asks. The real fascination is how McGwire lost his nerve.

Do you think we'll still see Palmeiro as the swing-man for Viagara?

I wouldn't say Wilner is mean-spirited. He is a bit of a cynic though.

On this issue, aren't we all?

The whole Viagra thing now seems extremely amusing, particularly in light of possible steroid scandals too.

I have to say this: if I were a macho baseball power guy, earning multi millions so that money was not an issue for me, there is *nothing* that could make me go on television and admit that I need to use Viagra. Nothing.

The marketers for Viagara are geniuses, hands down. I saw a guy at Home Depot, a manly man, wearing a Viagara NASCAR jacket. Those marketers have made Viagara cool, and remember it seemed like a joke when it first came out? (I guess having Bob Dole as their pitch man was a poor start, but they've recovered well.)

BTW: I think Roger Clemens takes steroids. All the classic signs are there, and I think he started in Toronto.

"I too am tired of people blindly believing Rafael Palmeiro"

I'm tired of people blindly believing that certain players are on steriods without any specific evidence, but I'm apparently in the vast minority on that one.

A tad off topic, but another option here for you fantasy baseball players.

Anyone interested in two Yahoo leagues I've set up? One uses American League players only. The second uses National Leaguers. Active owners only!

It's a single list automated draft (not live) using the standard fantasy stat categories. I'm hoping to process the draft on Friday, April 1st.

There's still a few spots left in each league. Here's the info:

A.L. Only League:
League ID #: 244168
Password: americanleague

N.L. Only League:
League ID #: 244186
Password: nationalleague

Hope to see several of you there!

I've heard Slash is playing the national anthems at a game this year, problem is I've heard the 8th and 9th. Any help on which day it is would be much appreciated.

I think you can look at a player's stats and get a pretty good idea when they may have started taking steroids. Wilner read Palmeiro's stats and the year Canseco got to Texas was the year Raffy allegedly started taking the juice and was also the first year he started putting up huge HR numbers. Just for fun I took a look at players like Jeff Bagwell, Jeff Kent and Sammy Sosa. All were in the league for several years before suddenly having monster seasons. This is not concrete evidence of being on steroids but it sure seems odd that these players would all of a sudden start hitting way more home runs than they ever had before. I don't think tweaking a batting stance will do that.

Certainly the 8th, not sure about the 9th.

There are pictures of the new Rogers Centre at bluejays.com.

I agree with pistol. Making assumptions just isn't right even if all the "signs" tell you that the certain players have taken steroids. Although these players are multi-millionaires, and are trained to handle the media, until there is evidence to prove they took steroids, I just don't think that they should be given that label.

mistermike, I signed up for your AL only league - hope you don't mind. Thanks!

The field turf looks pretty nice.

I hope the Jays save some of these Ws for April. Nice to see the starters (and the pen) pitching well. Though I'm betting the Batista experiment lasts about 6-8 weeks.

This is not concrete evidence of being on steroids but it sure seems odd that these players would all of a sudden start hitting way more home runs than they ever had before. I don't think tweaking a batting stance will do that.

It appears to have done well for Gabe Gross. Unless we believe he's on the juice, too.

Though I'm betting the Batista experiment lasts about 6-8 weeks.

I smell a challenge! What will you do if Batista lasts as the closer for 10 weeks or longer? And what will you do if he flourishes as the closer?

The steroids issue has really grown hasn't it? One would think 1988 never happened. Of course, to Americans it never did I guess. We can all guess who did and who didn't do steroids but it will never be truely known. Sadly, all the players who are bulked up will be viewed as guilty (proving innocence is impossible).

Palmeiro is a good guess as a likely one as he had a peak of 14 HR pre-Canseco over 3 1/2 seasons (14 in half a season in Chicago once, which suggests 30 HR power would be possible). Suddenly he hit 37 and then hit 38 or more every year but the strike year. Canseco came to Texas late 1992. A smoking gun? Perhaps. He also dropped from that 38+ HR a year pace last year (down to 23 over a full season) for the first time since the sudden power surge, the first year steroid testing appeared to be a serious thing in baseball. Hrm.

In the end though, without a positive test or Palmeiro suddenly deciding to say 'on second thought, I did do it' we'll never know for sure. He'll get into the HOF someday and, given sportswriters appear to have decided he is innocent he'll make it easily. Just glad the Jays aren't paying for him for 2005 now though as, if he was on the juice and now isn't who knows how his play will be affected.

I'm a twit. I read Palmeiro's stats and somehow held '14' in my mind. His peak, pre-Canseco was 26 which makes sense from the idea that he was a guy who might hit 30-35 for a season or two but not for 9 years in a row and 10 of the next 11.

First time I ever listened to Wilner on the radio, and he seriously sounds like Seinfeld. Just the intonation and some expressions.

The one guy who compared the steroids issue to the rockstars on drugs was just dumb. He said something to the effect that nobody ever cries about rockstars who are often juiced on something when they get on stage. The difference is that Steroids are performance enhancers, they give you an unfair advantage. Drugs are drugs, if you do them it might 'enhance' your performance, but it's different. A more apt comparision would be the way that so many singers nowadays lipsink. It means that they sound better than they really are. Same thing with steroids, it makes the players better than they would be otherwise.

Sorry, I wanted to call in but I was only taking a break from papers.

There's another one that's just gaining a spotlight now: lipsyching. It's been going on forever, and was, I think, more widespread in the '80s than it is now. Watch old episodes of SNL and tell me if any of those bands are playing live -- very few of them are.

"Pre-Recorded: Wild Tunes, Rampant Rhymes, Smash Hits, and How Lipsync Got Big"

The tell-all book by Britney Canseco.

Zao, thanks for the headsup on the Starpass deal, I've just ordered 4 for the year (6-4-3, myself, and two others). It's $166 for two passes at the moment.

Is the deal still on today?

Definitely, thanks for the heads-up -- I wasn't going to buy one this year, not because of the price but because of little Theo... we figured we would only get to a handful of games, not the 16 needed to justify the (remarkable) price. But this two-fer price made it a no-brainer, since Mrs. Hank and I were already planning on going to four or five. Theo's Jays jersey and hats will get some good use, it appears!

So, again, thanks -- we bought 'em, too.

That deal is just ridiculous. :( Maybe I should buy a second and third, considering how crazy it is. They're just giving these away.

I just ordered before I posted, so it's on at least through today. I didn't think to ask how long it was on for, I just mentioned "reading about a deal on the internet" and the rep confirmed it.

6-4-3 and I have been waffling on our decision for months now, debating flexpass (diminished value this year vs last) versus starpass, so this was perfect timing. We both have work schedules that tend to change, so having to commit to dates with a flexpass was a definite negative.

(By the way, hello, I'm 6-4-3's sister, and thanks to him dragging me to a bunch of games last year I'm starting to get into baseball... I used to think it was boring ;))

2 for 1 Starpass!? I've already bought mine and the ticket office is closed today. I'll be pissed off if I can't get a second one. This loose-cannon marketing is really bush league: one day only? C'mon!

Well, they said one day only yesterday and people reported being able to buy it today. I think it's one of those "buy now" tactics, like when they told people they'd have to renew their passes before the end of the week like two months ago. I'd bet that you'll still be able to get it tomorrow or Monday.

Buy today from where? I think the ticket office is closed.

Where'd you guys hear about it anyway? Seems odd to have a great deal like this without any publicity.

I feel stupid for paying for only one now, but such is life. They still haven't shipped mine, so I ended up buying opening day tickets in the 100 level, just to make sure I got in. :(

Why would the ticket office be closed to phone orders today, KT? Did you call in? The guy I talked to yesterday (who was working on Good Friday) said he was working today, too. He also said the ticket office was open for walkup today if I wanted to use my confirmation number to pickup my opening day tickets in advance (which I'm going to do Monday or Tuesday night).

The ticket office closed at 4pm today. It'll be open again Monday, I imagine.

I'd bet they're open tomorrow if they were open on Good Friday -- games on the radio lead to a surge in ticket sales, and tomorrow's game is on the radio.

Thanks, I must have just missed them today. It is a little odd about that Starpass, though. I wonder if they're trying to keep a lid on it. Sometimes they advertise it in the Star, but there's nothing about it on the website, or the phone menu when you call. I wonder what's really the deal with that thing.

It's like they want the broke die-hards to hear about it, without it registering on the radar of the big-spending season ticket holders.

Agreed with a previous comment on the Flex Pack, I didn't want to commit to games so far in advance, who could know that they'll definitely be free for a Sunday in June? Anything could happen between now and then. When I first heard "flex pack", I thought you could select your tickets any time you wanted (I think they'd sell a lot more if they let people do that).

Now that the Jays own their venue, the Starpass makes a little more sense for them (they'll at least be making more on concessions and parking the more often people attend games, regardless of how little those people pay to get in to those games). I suppose there also is a multiplier effect with Starpass holders bringing others to the game.

They allow you to switch games before they are played, although if you live far away, it can be a hassle.

Actually, I like choosing your games months before they are played. I give family my schedule of games I will attend and they just plan around them. If Aunt Dee plans Uncle Ben's birthday on a gameday, you just refer to the schedule you gave them 6 months ago and it's your ticket out of there. Unless you like Uncle Ben of course.