The Alomar division has quickly become a two horse race between the Magic 9 and W-A-M-C-O.  Things are more competitive in Barfield where the Garth Iorg Gremlins are being closely persued by the New jersey Stratuses. Papayas and Sexy Underpants.  The Carter division is even tougher, the dangercats lead the way, but have four teams - the Randy Wolves, Senate, Wedding Singers and Ballpark Frank right behind them. 

John Parrish continues to pitch well and is a fine candidate to start for the Jays if an injury comes up. The affiliates were 1-2 on the night.

Bases loaded with none out in the 10th. The pessimist in me expected a 1-2-3 double play, but the Mariners had to 'settle' for the 3-2-3 double play.

Gregg Zaun will be back off the DL on Wednesday. But Barajas has been hot and the Jays haven't missed him at all. I suspect they'll settle into a 50/50 role over time, but for now the Jays should ride Barajas while he's going good.

Just in time for Father's Day ...

Harvard Boys: A Father and Son's Adventures Playing Minor League Baseball Skyhorse Publishing, 2007 As another Father's Day approaches in the U.S and Canada -- that's right, if you haven't thought about it, it's June 15, which is next Sunday! -- it's time to reflect for a moment on the fact that for many families, inportant parts of baseball are all about fathers and sons. Now, we're not just referring here to Griffeys and Boones and Bells, but instead on the bond (not "Bonds") the game can help grow between any father and son, be they fans or, as in the case of a fortunate few, players.

Again, we focus here not on the major league bloodlines that dot the Great Game's historical tapestry. Instead, we examine the story of a father and son who each played pro ball -- more than virtually everyone who visits this site can claim -- but neither of whom developed as a pro to the level we casually call "big leaguer." Meet Rick and John Wolff, father and son ...

Ken Griffey Jr has just become the sixth man in major league history to hit 600 career homers.

It was once a widely held axiom that if you could play .500 ball on the road and kick butt at home, you'd keep playing ball in October.

The affiliates finished one game from Saturday, didn't finish one that started today, and, all told, managed to win three of four.

After a miserable stretch of games for the parent club, the minor leagues provided no relief last night, as only rain prevented an 0-4 record on the day. As it was, the affiliates went 0-3 and our Double and Triple-A teams combined to score one run. The farm system hasn't won a game since Thursday. It was such a poor night that I gave two of the three stars to losing pitchers. If you’re hungry for more losses after the past four games for the Blue Jays, read on. It’s not as painful, but results are all the same.

If you haven't been paying attention for the last three hours, well, uh, a lot of things are different.

Four losses.  Brandon League took the loss for the Chiefs in extra innings.  Vernon Wells and John McDonald had more than half of Dunedin's hits.  Lansing threw the game away and New Hampshire lost easily.

So I gotta be a winner
Fingernails and a cigarette's a lousy dinner

Back at it today beginning around 11:30 with the next 44 rounds, or until the Jays get tired and quit.

Yesterday the Jays took only one pitcher, Andrew Liebel, (and liked him more than my man Chris Carpenter who went a few picks later in round 3 and was also a senior) so I'd expect to see a lot of college pitchers being taken today.

Any player that makes the majors from this point on (other than signability players) is a huge success. In the Ricciardi era the best 7th round and later picks have been Tom Mastny (round 13) and Jesse Litsch (round 24).

It's happened before, it'll happen again.

That's what I always tell myself, anyway.

With the Jays sent to infuse the system with fresh wave of talent, thanks to the 2008 MLB Amateur Draft, two affiliates had very good nights.