Anticipation has a habit to set you up for disappointment in evening entertainment. But who isn't feeling all giddy after the last two series? Like Dave, I'm hopeful that good crowds will show up, and that the Jays will jump on an injury-ravaged opponent coming off a frustrating weekend in the Bronx. Optimism wins!

So earlier today, Dave Rutt posted a really wonderful TDIB thread (check it out) that includes this sentence, looking back at this past weekend ... "First J.P. Arencibia has probably the best debut of any Blue Jay in history, and then the very next day Brandon Morrow pitches probably the best game in Blue Jays history."

And an all-new Box Question of the Day is called forth! Actually, in two parts ... (1) If not JPA, what Jay has had the best debut in team history? (Sidebar: What major league debut is the best ever?) and (2) If not Morrow's, what is the best game pitched in Blue Jay history?

Ready? Go!

Sometimes you want to write about something on the Jays blog that you write for, but your scheduled TDIB is one day removed from the thing you want to write about. That's okay, just write about it anyway!

The farm went 2-3 on Monday night and Las Vegas got an inning of relief from an unexpected source.

The Seattle Mariners have fired manager Don Wakamatsu, pitching coach Rick Adair, and bench coach Ty Van Burkleo.

Carlos Perez showed that JP Arencibia is not the only catcher with some power, Perez doubled and tripled and drove in four runs to pace the only win on the farm.  All the teams above Auburn lost, some badly.  There were some scattered good performances but it has been a sad week on the farm with most teams seeming to hit the skids at the same time.  It's either the dog days or opposite time where the affiliates play badly when the Jays play well.

 

The game looks different in three dimensions. There are things you see in person that you just can't see on the television.

In case you are living under a rock, Brandon Morrow just finished a 1 hit, 2 walk, 1 error 17 strikeout complete game shut out. The single was a weak one that Aaron Hill had and lost, and came with 2 outs in the 9th. After a visit from Cito Morrow managed to strike out Dan Johnson to end the game, and then was assailed unmercifully with shaving cream pies.

It was also, according to Bill James Game Scores, the best start in Blue Jays history, narrowly edging out Roger Clemens. It also narrowly edged Roy Halladay's perfect game for game of the year using the same measure.

That is all.

Who doesn't live for the big hit? The Jays had plenty of them Saturday afternoon as they belted eight homers among their 20 hits in a 17-11 victory at the Rogers Centre.  Jonathan Paul Arencibia was living the dream in his major league debut by hitting two home runs, a double and a single in a 4-for-5 day at the plate.  Aaron Hill also went yard twice while Adam Lind, Lyle Overbay, Edwin Encarnacion and Jose Bautista (shocker!!) also put one over the fence.  However, I'll remember this game for another reason after encountering this "learned Jays fan" (not to be confused with this fellow down below because that would be an insult to crash test dummies and all dummies in general!).

Las Vegas and New Hampshire made us on proud on Saturday.  On the rest, we only hope for a better Sunday.  Frustratingly,  only one of the farm clubs has an over .500 winning percentage – New Hampshire at .588 (67-47, tied for the Eastern League East division lead).  The others’ winning percentages are as follows:  Lansing .488, Las Vegas .482, GCL Blue Jays .463, Dunedin .429 and Auburn .367.  Dunedin has clinched the first half playoff spot in the Florida League.

One of the greatest baseball players in the history of the Toronto Blue Jays franchise, having already taken a spin through the New York (NL) circuit, has opted to sign a minor league deal with the most successful MLB franchise of this decade (that's still weird to write), the Boston Red Sox. Delgado is set to report to Triple-A Pawtucket Sunday.

One word: ick.

The six North American based teams gave up fifty six runs in seven games.  The only team to win was Las Vegas who could out muscle their opponent.  Bright spots were a 17 year old pitcher in the DSL who pitched five hitless innings; Jesse Carlson pitched well; Brian Jeroloman hit a home run; Ryan Goins got some hits; Carlos Perez hit a home run; Jake Marisnick got another couple of hits.

Title says it all. Brad Mills has been recalled.

The closest game the full season affiliates played saw them lose by 6. Auburn managed the only win and 3 teams were in varying states of action but failed to complete their games.

You might have heard ... a really good, somewhat stultifyingly annoying ballplayer, who will probably be a controversial Hall of Fame inductee in 10 or 12 years, hit his 600th career home run yesterday. He was once in the conversation for Greatest Shortstop of All Time and is arguably still the Greatest Third Baseman in the storied history of the Yankees. But Alex Rodriguez reaching this milestone? Apparently, not very many people actually, you know, care.

Various reports say this is because of the 'roid era, while others claim it has become more de riguer in baseball circles to reach what once was hallowed ground. I admit it, I don't remember a thing about Sosa's or Bonds' 600th dinger, or even Griffey's, which in baseball terms, just happened about 12 minutes ago. (Willie, Henry and the Babe were all before my time.)

So today's Questions of the Day: Do you care at all about A-Rod hitting this homer? Should we? If not, why not? And, just for the heckuvit, will any oher active players get there? (And if the answer to that last one is "no," does that change your thinking to the other questions?)