This is the first in a series of reviews of the farm affiliates' 2004 seasons. In the series, the focus will be mainly on the teams, as Jordan will be preparing his top 30 prospect summary shortly with details on most of the guys you want to know about.
With no Jays game today, I thought I'd start a playoff catch-all thread.
If anyone is interested in participating in a Japanese Baseball (NPB) fantasy or roto league for next season, post your contact details (i.e. name and e-mail) here. If there's enough interest, we'll set up a format in November/December and draft via e-mail after Christmas.
I'll check this thread again at the end of October. I'd say that eight people ought to be enough, if we get more than 10 or so we may need to go to two divisions (there's only 12 teams in NPB, soon to be 11!).
The end of the 2004 minor-league season also signals the arrival of the Batter’s Box Post-Season Top 30 Prospects List. It was constructed with invaluable assistance from all members of the Minor-League Reports Team: Gerry McDonald, Mike Green, Ryan01, Jonny German and Craig Burley -- especially regarding the rankings, which were challenging this time around. A separate big thank you to Jonny, who assembled all the stats in HTML format.
Bonus: Click
here for an exclusive Batter's Box interview with Blue Jays’ Director of Player Development Dick Scott.
Is there anybody in there?
Just nod if you can hear me.
Is there anyone home?
The Jays have been shut down by the veteran Cuban Orlando Hernandez this year - to the tune of 17 IP, 9 hits, 6 walks, 20 strikeouts and no runs allowed in 3 starts. El Duque is undefeated in 13 starts with 8 wins to his credit this season overall. He might be the Yankees' best starting pitcher right now.
And look how far we’ve come
So far from where we used to be
But not so far that we’ve forgotten
How it was before
-- Neil Diamond, "September Morn"
That's right, it's that time again ... with absolutely no apologies whatsoever to Neil Diamond (after all, he never apologized for that "You Don't Bring Me Flowers" duet with Barbra Streisand) , we're pleased to introduce the Batter's Box All-September team …
Most people in these parts are assuming that Carlos Delgado will be elsewhere in 2005. While I haven't given up hope yet, I'm pretty much assuming that too. This leads to the next question: where will he go?
To try to answer this question, I took a look at what the other teams have at first base, and their contract status, and then estimated the probability of their trying to pursue Delgado.
And they ran through the brambles
And they ran through the bushes where a rabbit couldn't go
They ran so fast that the hounds couldn't catch 'em
On down the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico
The word is that Doc will be limited to about 65 pitches, so getting through 4 innings against the patient Bronx Bombers will be considered a success. That means the bullpen will be front and centre today. Will we see Brandon League's major league debut tonight?
We're down to the final two weeks of the season and there is still no clear favourite for the NL wildcard. One thing that has changed is that the Giants have crept up on the Dodgers (2.5 games behind) and with 6 games remaining against their natural enemies, Bonds, Schmidt & Associates have a decent shot at catching the Depodestas.
I ... love ... Johan on the mound
Torii coverin' ground ... the Twins!
I ... love ... rookies like Morneau
The way Joe Nathan throws ... and ... and ... the ... Twins!
As you may have already heard, the Minnesota Twins (nee Washington Senators v.1.0) have clinched their third consecutive American League Central crown.
To honor the Twinkie threepeat (tm), the three propositions before you are thus:
1. The Minnesota Twins will/will not win the 2004 World Series.
2. The 2005 Toronto Blue Jays will/will not be better than the 2005 Minnesota Twins.
3. True or false -- Twins:Good :: Yankees: Evil? (define your terms)
Discuss. Best answer (defined as "whatever the hell I think is the best answer") to each question wins a prize.
Just watching the show
Over and over again
Knew it was time
He'd made up his mind
To leave his dead life behind
It’s come down to this — Lars Kvale’s AGF will meet my Toronto Walrus in two weeks of Head-to-Head combat. At stake is the Alomar Division championship and a place in league history beside last year’s inaugural winner Scott Lucas. No trophy, only a replica jersey, which I hope will be Jays home black, extra large.
Due to scheduling changes caused by hurricane, today's sceduled off-day has been moved to Thursday. It seems that TSN, which was to broadcast the 3-game set in New York, will not pick up tonight's game. My Extra Innings package lists the game as being available - let's hope that holds up.
Gustavo Chacin, the lefthander who tore up the Eastern League in the second half and thus did more than any other Blue Jays farmhand to improve his stock since mid-season, will get the difficult starting assignment.
