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This Day in Baseball Thanks, We Needed That
The Jays continue their trek through the Wild, Wild West. Tonight they get the reigning Cy Young winner.


Scott Richmond's emergency call-up has come and gone. He's been optioned back to the minors and Corey Patterson has been activated from the DL. His first task, while filling in for the hobbling Rajai Davis, will be to face the great Felix Hernandez (Patterson has actually fared all right against the King.)

Patterson, of course, was drafted third overall back in 1998 after a sensational high school career, and spent the next few years being regularly touted by Baseball America as one of the best prospects in...well,  wherever he happened to be at the time. It never quite worked out that way.

However, it can not be denied that he brings something crucial to the 2011 Blue Jays. Another ex-Cub. Has any team ever prospered without at least one? The more the merrier?
Posted by Magpie on Monday, April 11 2011 @ 06:18 PM EDT.
Thanks, We Needed That | 16 comments | Create New Account
The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.
Mick Doherty - Monday, April 11 2011 @ 07:44 PM EDT (#232539) #

Mags!  Are you seriously not familiar with the legendry theory of The Ex-Cub Factor?

It posits exactly the opposite!

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Magpie - Monday, April 11 2011 @ 09:41 PM EDT (#232544) #
It is my belief that one can never have enough ex-Cubs. Those men who have shouldered the crushing burden of Cubness emerge from the experience better for it, tempered like fine steel...
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Alex Obal - Monday, April 11 2011 @ 09:43 PM EDT (#232545) #
Exhibit A: Sam Fuld. Without him, the Devil Rays would be finished already. He's single-handedly keeping them afloat...
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greenfrog - Monday, April 11 2011 @ 11:21 PM EDT (#232551) #
Big opportunity for the Jays to pull off an upset against King Felix and right themselves on this road trip. It's not often you're spotted a 3-0 lead against the M's ace...
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Ishai - Monday, April 11 2011 @ 11:30 PM EDT (#232552) #
I wonder if Jesse Litsch is going so slow on purpose, to break up the rhythm that King Felix usually can develop with the offensively meek Mariners.
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Magpie - Tuesday, April 12 2011 @ 12:04 AM EDT (#232553) #
By the way, I was planning to write something about Tampa's pathetic offense, which scored a measly 20 runs in their first 9 games. I had some snarks and insults all ready. I got distracted by a thing, didn't have time... that worked out just great for me!
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Thomas - Tuesday, April 12 2011 @ 12:23 AM EDT (#232554) #
Why has Yahoo Sports decided to photoshop a Seattle Mariners hat on Corey Patterson, despite the fact he's never played for their team (nor in the system, IIRC)?
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Magpie - Tuesday, April 12 2011 @ 12:23 AM EDT (#232555) #
Patterson has actually fared all right against the King.

There ya go...
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Thomas - Tuesday, April 12 2011 @ 12:24 AM EDT (#232556) #
offensively meek Mariners.

Kinder words have rarely been spoken.

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Thomas - Tuesday, April 12 2011 @ 12:38 AM EDT (#232557) #
Why has Yahoo Sports decided to photoshop a Seattle Mariners hat on Corey Patterson, despite the fact he's never played for their team (nor in the system, IIRC)?

To answer my own question, he apparently signed with Seattle last year, but was released (or elected free agency) at the end of spring training and spent the rest of the season with the Orioles.

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greenfrog - Tuesday, April 12 2011 @ 12:39 AM EDT (#232558) #
Jays have done fairly well against Felix overall. Might have something to do with (1) aggressive, free-swinging team with a predilection for fastballs facing (2) power pitcher who throws first-pitch strikes and is generally around the plate.
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greenfrog - Tuesday, April 12 2011 @ 12:45 AM EDT (#232559) #
On the down side, Lind and Hill have over 80 AB combined so far in 2011 and *one* walk between them. That is ridiculous. It's early, obviously, but lately both players have been looking like their 2010 selves, and that is not a good thing.
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Ishai - Tuesday, April 12 2011 @ 01:58 AM EDT (#232561) #
Wow. That was a good way to spend an evening. I guess the bullpen ran out of good karma.
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Mike D - Tuesday, April 12 2011 @ 01:58 AM EDT (#232562) #
That could be a season-killing game.
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Magpie - Tuesday, April 12 2011 @ 02:03 AM EDT (#232563) #
There are three elements of a managerial blunder:

1. It is a move which goes against conventional practice.
2. It occurs at a key moment of the game, and
3. It doesn't work.

Bill James, 1986 Baseball Abstract
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blu-j - Tuesday, April 12 2011 @ 02:04 AM EDT (#232564) #
Two crazy late nights in 3 days...and two gut-wrenching losses to show for the lack of sleep.  This one was worse due to the repeated self-inflicted wounds (walks, not tacking on more runs when able, burning relievers).  Always love it when you intentionally walk the winning run and put him in scoring position with indifference....

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The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.