It was supposed to be an opportunity to meet the author of the new book about the Jays' 2003 season and talk a little baseball. Rob Bradford, nearing the end of a long road trip of promotional appearances, with a solo drive home to Massachusetts ahead of him, had graciously agreed to join about 20 Bauxites for lunch at Alice Fazooli's. Few authors are willing to upstage themselves at a book signing, but Rob had arranged a very special treat for us — a guest appearance by J.P. Ricciardi.

It's okay, today's game is still a 4:05 pm start -- I just need to post the thread now before heading out for the afternoon. Today is Chasing Steinbrenner Day, starting at Tom Cheek's favourite hangout Alice Fazooli's, then moving on to Section 518 at the Dome, as author Rob Bradford shows up to answer questions, sign books, and join Bauxites at what should be a bang-up ballgame with the Cheer Club. This is a red-letter occasion, and if you still haven't signed up, don't let yourself miss this once-a-year opportunity: click on the home page link and get your last-minute RSVP into Coach right now!

And I tell this truth to you
Not out of spite or anger
But simply because it's true.

Roy Halladay allowed twelve hits and a walk to the 29 batters he faced. After the second inning, Toronto managed just a single, a solo shot by Hinske, and a walk.

A twinbill sweep, another Doubledays victory, and a very welcome debut by a player who was a Batter’s Box favourite even before he suited up in his first game.

Well, three great games in a row! And now it's our buddies from Anaheim, who surely will remember the trouble the Cheer Club gave them last time.

A couple of the minor league teams also played late inning heroics last night. Charleston were on the right side, while Dunedin were the victims. Check the Auburn section for a great Chip Cannon story.

When you need to feel that you're good enough,
All you pretty people who've been taken over.
Had better start looking for your own answers.

The Doctor is in, and if Roy Halladay has anything to say about it, the Blue Jays' modest but intriguing winning streak will continue tonight. Matched up against huge (in many ways) free-agent bust Bartolo Colon, Doc faces an Anaheim lineup that, as Mike D points out in his absolutely-must-read Advance Scout tonight, can bat around with the best of them but has had terrible problems in the rotation. If the suddenly-hot Jays get to Colon early, this could be a very fun night in Toronto.

Fresh off the exciting sweep of Seattle, the Jays next welcome another struggling AL West club. Anaheim enters today's play firmly in playoff contention, if not exactly knocking on the door of playoff position. Although Mike Scioscia has bemoaned the club's lack of timely hitting, the truth is that disappointing starting pitching has unquestionably been at the root of the Angels' recent mediocrity.

This week, three anticipated pitching matchups add colour to what should be an exciting three-game set. Of particular interest to Bauxites will be a certain Mr. Escobar, who makes his return to the familiar SkyDome mound on Batter's Box Book Day this Saturday. If Jays pitchers can throw strikes and hold runners close, there's a good deal of hope from the home side, even allowing for some inevitable production by the Halos' fine heart of the order.

This edition of the Scout is one of the most information-packed yet. Check out the tales of some A-list sluggers, a super sub made good, the pounding of a would-be ace and a name-change controversy that is brewing very seriously -- and we're not talking about a new corporate sponsor for Angels Stadium.

On to the Advance Scout!

Russ Adams talked with Batters Box last week when Syracuse were in Buffalo.

On tough days at work, many of us look out the window and dream of being a ballplayer, leaving the worries and the stress behind. Demanding bosses, unclear assignments and changing roles and responsibilities send us to daydreaming about the better way, on the field.

But the next time you think about the big time, consider Jason Kershner.

We sat and laughed.
We sat and laughed and
Waved it into the air!
And we did it just like that.

Okay, I'm just kidding ... no need to start yet another political ruckus here at Da Box. David Bush makes his Toronto premiere tonight, the first of what project to be many quality starts at the Skydome. After an excellent debut against the Expos in sweltering San Juan, Bush meets another team having trouble scoring runs -- but one whose members, especially Bret Boone, are starting to break out. Ryan Franklin takes the mound for the Mariners, as the Blue Jays go for an all-too-rare home sweep.

Thanks very much to long-time Bauxite and first-time poster James Strapp for sending us this article, inspired by Mick's "All My Exes Played for Texas?" piece. James is even willing to share the spreadsheet (a 3.5 MB zip file) he used for this self-described "quick analysis", which to a relative Excel novice, looks like a lot of work. Enjoy.

Only 2 farm teams went the regulation 9 innings in an unusual Wednesday night of action.