When Magpie pointed out that today is Greg Maddux's 40th birthday, Rob Pettapiece quickly retorted, "As for birthdays, Maddux shares today (though not the same year) with two other Greg(g)s -- Myers and Zaun. How's that for a coincidence?"

Well, it's "coincidental" enough to spur the following (C'mon, you saw this coming, or at least noticed the graphic, right?) Hall of Names exercise. There have, in fact, been 44 MLB players born on this date, though no Hall of Famers yet. Mr. Maddux will be the first, though a certain Charles Hustle, had he not hustled quite so much OFF the field, would already be there.

Today's date, as noted, produced quite a few long-term more-than-serviceable catchers, three of whom have even compiled ...

Can't complain about much of anything after the Blue Jays took two of three from the first place Red Sox. In Fenway, behind a pair of left-handed starters.

For the first time in 2006 the Blue Jays had an organisational sweep, as the parent club and all four affiliates won yesterday.

Craig wrote an interesting piece on the slowest runners around. It's a good read and the kinds of things that sabermetrics should be about, but often is not.

The Jays win 8 to 4 in Boston and hand old "friend" Boomer Wells the loss.

The farm affiliates had another difficult day, going 1-3, with only those tough 'Nuts of Lansing coming out on top.

Doin' some damage in my own subtle way

The Sox enjoy their home opener, beating the Jays 5 - 3.

Season Four of the BBFL is underway.

A tough day all around for the Jays organization. The minor league teams went 1-3 on Tuesday.

Roy Halladay will miss his next scheduled start according to Sportsnet with a forearm strain. It is not considered to be serious.

It's the first road trip of the season for the Fighting Jays, as they take a trip to Fenway for three games with the Bostonians. Unlike last year and 2003, there will be no 11:06 AM start, as Toronto is not in town during the Boston Marathon this time. Today's game is at 2:05, though, and with that early start time and a busy day (and week) for yours truly, the Scout is not as full of information this time around.

The Red Sox have started off 5-1 this year, and it looks like the Jays will dodge Curt Schilling just as the Bosox won't face Roy Halladay. Unfortunately for Toronto, they have no real edge in any of the pitching matchups this series -- and as good as some of the Blue Jay hitters might be, there are two guys batting 3-4 in Boston who'll have something to say to the Toronto pitching staff.

On to the Advance Scout!

A three-win night for the Blue Jay farm, featuring homers at all levels. Dig it!

Big sluggers get big money

The chirping of the birds outside the window was the sole incumbrance to my steadfast refusal to acknowledge that it was, in fact, a beautiful day outside. It was a hot July afternoon in 1993 and the conditions for were ideal for a swim at Peltoma Lake, a popular weekending spot for a few dozen families in rural southwestern New Brunswick. My thirteen year old id knew that there were girls outside and, unaware that it would later experience a five year Jordan Bulls-like period of dominance over my ego and superego during the high school/university years, was anxiously imploring me to put on my swim trunks and attempt interaction.

But I could not do it. The reason? The epic Jays/Athletics stratomatic series that my friend and I were playing in the cottage was about to crest in a game seven. Susie on a beach towel never had a chance against Juan Guzman on three days rest. And so it went. These are the choices that we make, and undoubtedly, if you are reading this, you experienced similar instances of budding baseball nerdness interfering with normal adolescent development.

Lansing picked up the only win in the organization Sunday behind Adrian Martin and some early runs.  Ty Taubenheim pitched well in a loss.  Eric Nielsen and Chris Gutierrez each had three hits.