Neither no optician, tell me what I ought to see
No one tells you nothing, even when you know they know
But they tell you what you should do
They don't like to see you grow

With Toronto idle and New Hampshire, Dunedin, and Charleston all rained out last night, it fell to Syracuse to provide good news for Jays fans and worthy candidates for the Three-Star Selection. Two fourth-outfielder hopefuls and a pitcher acquired for another of their ilk were up to the task as the SkyChiefs won for the first time in five outings.

Break up the Tigers! After having won two more games already than they won all last April, the Detroit Tabbies are enjoying their brief lead atop the AL standings. Perhaps they're even happy to see the return of a Toronto squad that rolled over and played dead for them in a three-game opening series at Skydome last week. If so, that would be a mistake.

Back around April Fool's Day, sports enthusiasts in the Detroit area certainly assumed that April would be an exciting month. The Red Wings and Pistons, each bolstered by mid-season trades, would be jockeying for position and then commencing their respective playoffs -- each with high hopes.

But improbably, the Tigers have also forced their way into the consciousness of Detroit fans. Off to their best start in nineteen years, the Tigers are generating sincere enthusiasm for their strong play when most Tiger fans would have settled for basic competence after last season's debacle. An influx of veterans with a basic idea as to how to play the game has rejuvenated the franchise, at least in the early going.

Still, the Jays need to get back on track, and this series presents an opportunity to do it. All three pitching matchups favour Toronto, and a better approach at the plate is all that's needed to get to Tiger pitching that was vulnerable against the Twins this weekend. Remember, Doc's outing on Thursday will be a matinee.

On to the Advance Scout!

The Blue Jays were facing an organisational whitewash yesterday, but David Smith of Charleston became both the home town hero, and the organisational saviour of the day, with a walk off three run home run in the bottom of the 12th inning to produce the lone Blue Jay win on the first Sunday of the season.

It's no surprise to see Billie's Bashers and gashouse gorillas atop the early leaderboard in what is now called the Alomar Division of the BBFL, but they have company. Chatsworth Halos and hannibal's cannibals share top spot after the first long "week" of head-to-head play. Our defending champion, the renamed Austin Senators, stumbled out of the gate, much like the real Jays, Phillies and Mariners. It is, of course, a long season, and these early results don't mean much.

I don’t pretend to know what you want
When you come around and spin my top
Time and again, time and again
No fire where I lit my spark
I am not afraid of the dark

"Hooking... hooking... there she goes!"

Try to read that line without imagining the voice of Jerry Howarth, now in his 23rd year of broadcasting Blue Jays baseball. We're delighted to have him step into Da Box to answer your questions.

And so my inaugural Minors Roundup begins…

Summer, thankfully, approaches. (How do I know? We're all bitching about Tosca's pitching changes.) And with summer comes summer vacations and summer reading lists - for many, their time to reacquaint themselves with the printed word.

I recently had a request from a reader for a list of books that were "must reads" for someone who is just emerging into baseball fanaticism. I stumbled through a couple of selections, but wasn't satisfied with what I could come up with on short notice. So I sat down and thought about it, and pared the list to five essentials. If possible, I'd like the other readers to add their own selections. Remember, this list isn't for experts, and not for complete neophytes, but for the fan who is starting to become seriously absorbed in the game.

Three Red Sox homeruns were too much for the Jays to overcome in a 4-1 loss.

As if Pedro's medium octane wasn't enough yesterday, today the Jays face the supreme octane of Curt Schilling, who is making his Red Sox Fenway Park debut. Miguel Batista takes the mound (and gives it back each half inning) for the Jays.

Batista again struggled in the first inning, walking three and allowing an RBI double to Manny Ramirez. It's a holiday, so I expect the board will be lite today, but fire away if you're near your computer. It's a magnificent day here in the "rainy" Northwest: plenty of sun, temps in the high 70s. I'm enjoying it, and I hope your day is as pleasant.

Syracuse, New Hampshire, Dunedin, and Charleston were all in action again last night. Those of you who were disheartened by the poor pitching performances of David Bush, Josh Banks, Jamie Vermilyea, and Danny Core on Thursday night will find this update more to your liking. Oh, and members of the Big Vito Fan Club will also be pleased.

The Jays picked up their first win on Friday with a 10-5 decision over the Red Sox.

TV clickers in Toronto will get a workout this evening as a rare matchup of Cy Young winners interests a few of us even more than the hockey game downtown. Roy Halladay and Pedro Martinez both bring question marks with them to the Fenway mound; Doc gave up three homers to the Tigers on Opening Day, and Pedro's fastball was missing early against Baltimore. Roy's got that weird April split, and there are concerns about Martinez' shoulder. I'm expecting them both to pitch well, deep into the game.

It's the starting nine for the Jays; Cesar Crespo (!) leads off for the Sox and Kapler, Bellhorn and Reese are also in the depleted lineup. Let's hope the Jays' bats stay in a good groove and the fielders make the routine plays. A series win would be sweet.