Cheers to Homer Simpson for all his charity work! Jeers to this rusty door handle. Tonight, the intrepid crew of the Blue Jays Cheer Club, which has the ushers' blessing to be as loud and pleasantly boisterous as they like, will be doing a little of both. The cheers will be for the Jays, of course, as they continue their Drive for Eighty-Five (yes, I've copyrighted that) behind the rejuvenated Josh Towers. The jeers will be for third-base umpire Phil Cuzzi, who ejected Roy Halladay last night for wearing white after Labour Day, or something. Have a listen for Named_for_Hank and the temporarily renamed Jeer Club, and watch for their signs at the game: this thread contains some simply brilliant suggestions. Now why can't someone eject Rob Faulds?
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Anyone else watching the leaders debate? I was, but I think I'll watch the ballgame instead.
I wish someone would ask one of the leaders the following question:
What makes you think you're qualified to run the government of Ontario, when you can't even answer a single damn question?
Seriously, they're acting like eight year olds. I wouldn't reward my kids (if I had any) if they acted as rude and disrespectful as these clowns. Why on earth should I reward any of them with my vote?
Mike
Anyone else watching the leaders debate? I was, but I think I'll watch the ballgame instead.
I wish someone would ask one of the leaders the following question:
What makes you think you're qualified to run the government of Ontario, when you can't even answer a single damn question?
Seriously, they're acting like eight year olds. I wouldn't reward my kids (if I had any) if they acted as rude and disrespectful as these clowns. Why on earth should I reward any of them with my vote?
Mike
Seriously, they're acting like eight year olds.
Eight year olds who missed their daily dose of Ritalin.
Why is this not properly moderated? Howard Hampton is just rude.
Eight year olds who missed their daily dose of Ritalin.
Why is this not properly moderated? Howard Hampton is just rude.
Why does Dalton bother to show up? He should just send a looped tape of himself. He keeps saying the same things in every media outlet that gives him time, regardless of the topic presented.
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Why is this not properly moderated? Howard Hampton is just rude.
Yeah, but the other two aren't much better.
The moderator is probably overcome from the fumes from her awful dye-job. She really ought to get her money back. I can recommend a great salon if she's ever in London, ON.
Why is this not properly moderated? Howard Hampton is just rude.
Yeah, but the other two aren't much better.
The moderator is probably overcome from the fumes from her awful dye-job. She really ought to get her money back. I can recommend a great salon if she's ever in London, ON.
I was watching the hen party and missed much of the Jays game. I hear JP in the booth. Did he say anything interesting?
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I was watching the hen party and missed much of the Jays game. I hear JP in the booth. Did he say anything interesting?
I missed it as well. I'm visiting my parents and whenever I started watching the game I could hear my Mom upstairs yelling "DALTON, YOU IDIOT!!!". Which is pretty funny considering my parents are both ardent Liberal supporters and they have a big lawn sign out front.
Completely OT, but it was really classy for Mike Wilner to pay the site a visit last night, even more so to apologize for a couple of mistakes. If the Jays made as few mistake as Wilner does, they'd win the pennant.
Cheers,
Mike
I was watching the hen party and missed much of the Jays game. I hear JP in the booth. Did he say anything interesting?
I missed it as well. I'm visiting my parents and whenever I started watching the game I could hear my Mom upstairs yelling "DALTON, YOU IDIOT!!!". Which is pretty funny considering my parents are both ardent Liberal supporters and they have a big lawn sign out front.
Completely OT, but it was really classy for Mike Wilner to pay the site a visit last night, even more so to apologize for a couple of mistakes. If the Jays made as few mistake as Wilner does, they'd win the pennant.
Cheers,
Mike
SkyDome seems nice and loud tonight.
Nice base hit by Cash, and then great base running to tag up at second on a routine fly to right-center. He's much more exciting to watch than the stats show.
Nice base hit by Cash, and then great base running to tag up at second on a routine fly to right-center. He's much more exciting to watch than the stats show.
Well, at least Towers appeared to be throwing at Huff...
And Delgado wanted someone in the restuarant ot feel his pain...
I'm only able to follow the game on Gamecast but I think Tosca HAD to get tossed on one of the two HBP's prior to Towers getting tossed. My only exception would be if both HBP's were clearly on breaking balls that got away. If not, on principle, Tosca has to go St. Louis on the umpiring crew and stand out there until they toss him. It's what Tosca has to do to support HLH.
On the game, I just think tonight is another example of the kind of problems that Towers may face longer term in Toronto. He just gives up way too many HR's for this ballpark. I'm happy the k's are up, but I think he could produce (maybe) league average to slightly below league average innings in a place like Seattle. In the dome I'm just not sure.
On the game, I just think tonight is another example of the kind of problems that Towers may face longer term in Toronto. He just gives up way too many HR's for this ballpark. I'm happy the k's are up, but I think he could produce (maybe) league average to slightly below league average innings in a place like Seattle. In the dome I'm just not sure.
Completely OT, but it was really classy for Mike Wilner to pay the site a visit last night, even more so to apologize for a couple of mistakes.
He was probably scared. I imagine he's seen the way we tear Baker and Griffin apart for their screw-ups. :-)
He was probably scared. I imagine he's seen the way we tear Baker and Griffin apart for their screw-ups. :-)
The other interesting thing going on tonight is that Kerry Wood is no-hitting the Reds tonight through 6 innings. That's not so interesting except he's thrown 95 pitches through 6. The question is, exactly how many pitches would Baker allow Wood to throw in quest of the no-no? The game is otherwise pretty much under control as the score is 5-0 Cubs.
Zambrano leads the AL in walks, HBP and wild pitches. It was clear that the pitches that hit Delgado and Woodward were errant. The pitch that hit Carlos was a Delgado-HBP special - maybe a couple inches off the plate that hit him in the upper leg.
OTOH, Towers, on the first pitch after the Lugo homer, throws right behind Huff's back. The intent was clear... just as clear as Halladay's non-intent on Monday night. I didn't have a problem with Towers being ejected and Tosca really didn't put up much of a fight.
OTOH, Towers, on the first pitch after the Lugo homer, throws right behind Huff's back. The intent was clear... just as clear as Halladay's non-intent on Monday night. I didn't have a problem with Towers being ejected and Tosca really didn't put up much of a fight.
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He was probably scared. I imagine he's seen the way we tear Baker and Griffin apart for their screw-ups. :-)
Nah... I've met most of the staff here at the Box. They're not a very intimidating bunch. Physically, anyway. :)
BTW, why has nobody torn Gideon apart for getting the game number wrong? I must not have been the only one to notice it. Now he's only hitting .998 on the season.
Cheers,
Mike
He was probably scared. I imagine he's seen the way we tear Baker and Griffin apart for their screw-ups. :-)
Nah... I've met most of the staff here at the Box. They're not a very intimidating bunch. Physically, anyway. :)
BTW, why has nobody torn Gideon apart for getting the game number wrong? I must not have been the only one to notice it. Now he's only hitting .998 on the season.
Cheers,
Mike
For those on Gamecast, Delgado made an amazing play, diving to his left, snaring Marlon Anderson's hot smash before it could get down the line. With runners on, he saved the game.
My kids might all have Delgado as their middle name. I'll start to prepare now for the argument that will ensue with my wife.
My kids might all have Delgado as their middle name. I'll start to prepare now for the argument that will ensue with my wife.
Someone want to take a shot at explaining what happened? I'm on gamecast.
Lopez through behind Crawford...Crawford came at Lopez...Cash blocked Crawford - I believe Al Martin ran out and bumped Delgado who was protecting A-Lo - that caused the benches to clear (actually I think they were clearing the moment Crwaford stepped out) Cuzzi ran in from 1st base and grabbed Sturtze and it looked like Sturtze went off on Phil re: yesterday - I expect a suspension for Tanyon cause he was quite physical with Cuzzi (best thing Sturtze has done all year) - then Crawford and Delgado looked like they were going to come to blows if given half a chance - the announcers specualted it had to do with the comments of two weeks ago - then eventually things calmed down
I threw behind Carl (The Jays only have two good hitters) Crawford. He was upset. Benches cleared. Delgado seemed irate.
that should be "Lopez threw behind Crawford" of course
Aquilino threw a ball behind Crawford in the top of the 9th (very similar to Towers' misplaced pitch). The ump tossed Lopez, but Crawford gestured and came towards the pitcher. Delgado went to intervene, and the benches and bullpens emptied.
Crawford and Sturtze (not in the game) were tossed after about a 5 minute melee. No punches were thrown.
Crawford and Sturtze (not in the game) were tossed after about a 5 minute melee. No punches were thrown.
Mini-hijack:
That "pop" you just heard was the vein in Larry Bowa's forehead exploding.
Florida 5, Philly 3
That "pop" you just heard was the vein in Larry Bowa's forehead exploding.
Florida 5, Philly 3
Thank you all. Excellent recaps, I almost feel like I saw it first hand! There could not have been a better night for a kick off the the Cheer Club.
Anyone else watching the leaders debate? I was, but I think I'll watch the ballgame instead.
The only guy watching the debate was the only guy not voting. There's an uncomfortable inference there.
I think Tosca HAD to get tossed on one of the two HBP's prior to Towers getting tossed. My only exception would be if both HBP's were clearly on breaking balls that got away. If not, on principle, Tosca has to go St. Louis on the umpiring crew and stand out there until they toss him.
This was dealt with above. Tosca, after the game, repeated much of what was said here. Zambrano is wild, and he's going to hit guys. Neither pitch was a purpose pitch.
Towers, on the first pitch after the Lugo homer, throws right behind Huff's back. The intent was clear... just as clear as Halladay's non-intent on Monday night.
Towers, I suspect, thought he had a freebie after no action was taken for the two HBPs by Zambrano.
Delgado made an amazing play, diving to his left, snaring Marlon Anderson's hot smash before it could get down the line. With runners on, he saved the game.
We are so privileged to have three stars like we do on this team. That was a superstar play... like the great scorer who hightails it back on defense to mash a sure fast-break layup against the backboard.
Cuzzi ran in from 1st base and grabbed Sturtze and it looked like Sturtze went off on Phil re: yesterday - I expect a suspension for Tanyon cause he was quite physical with Cuzzi (best thing Sturtze has done all year)
Getting suspended, or going after Cuzzi?
Three things in general struck me about this game...
(1) Rod Black once again confirmed himself as the worst and most obnoxious broadcaster ever to step behind a microphone. This guy loves to hear his own voice... and what is worse, he repeats the same comments over and over and over and over again. He must have said "I think this all goes back to those comments Carl Crawford made to that newspaper" *five* times during the brawl and its aftermath... I am not exaggerating. Then, when they were interviewing Tosca on the postgame, Black asked a quetion that seemed to last two entire minutes. He just kept going and going and going, looping around until it was obvious that it wasn't really a question at all... Rod was just enjoying listening to himself talk, and Tosca was left staring into the camera, not knowing when Rod was going to stop, or what to say when he did.
(2) Tosca wasn't pleased with what happened at all. He immediately acted to tone down the comments being made by the broadcasters... I think he was upset with what his pitchers did, but that's just me.
(3) I always want to beat the Yankees and Red Sox more than anyone else... but this year, beating the Devil Rays has become more and more important to me. When they started beating the Jays earlier this year, I took it hard... now they are like New York and Boston to me... I no longer want Toronto to just beat them, I want them to humiliate them, plow their field under and sow them with salt so nothing will grow there again.
The only guy watching the debate was the only guy not voting. There's an uncomfortable inference there.
I think Tosca HAD to get tossed on one of the two HBP's prior to Towers getting tossed. My only exception would be if both HBP's were clearly on breaking balls that got away. If not, on principle, Tosca has to go St. Louis on the umpiring crew and stand out there until they toss him.
This was dealt with above. Tosca, after the game, repeated much of what was said here. Zambrano is wild, and he's going to hit guys. Neither pitch was a purpose pitch.
Towers, on the first pitch after the Lugo homer, throws right behind Huff's back. The intent was clear... just as clear as Halladay's non-intent on Monday night.
Towers, I suspect, thought he had a freebie after no action was taken for the two HBPs by Zambrano.
Delgado made an amazing play, diving to his left, snaring Marlon Anderson's hot smash before it could get down the line. With runners on, he saved the game.
We are so privileged to have three stars like we do on this team. That was a superstar play... like the great scorer who hightails it back on defense to mash a sure fast-break layup against the backboard.
Cuzzi ran in from 1st base and grabbed Sturtze and it looked like Sturtze went off on Phil re: yesterday - I expect a suspension for Tanyon cause he was quite physical with Cuzzi (best thing Sturtze has done all year)
Getting suspended, or going after Cuzzi?
Three things in general struck me about this game...
(1) Rod Black once again confirmed himself as the worst and most obnoxious broadcaster ever to step behind a microphone. This guy loves to hear his own voice... and what is worse, he repeats the same comments over and over and over and over again. He must have said "I think this all goes back to those comments Carl Crawford made to that newspaper" *five* times during the brawl and its aftermath... I am not exaggerating. Then, when they were interviewing Tosca on the postgame, Black asked a quetion that seemed to last two entire minutes. He just kept going and going and going, looping around until it was obvious that it wasn't really a question at all... Rod was just enjoying listening to himself talk, and Tosca was left staring into the camera, not knowing when Rod was going to stop, or what to say when he did.
(2) Tosca wasn't pleased with what happened at all. He immediately acted to tone down the comments being made by the broadcasters... I think he was upset with what his pitchers did, but that's just me.
(3) I always want to beat the Yankees and Red Sox more than anyone else... but this year, beating the Devil Rays has become more and more important to me. When they started beating the Jays earlier this year, I took it hard... now they are like New York and Boston to me... I no longer want Toronto to just beat them, I want them to humiliate them, plow their field under and sow them with salt so nothing will grow there again.
BTW, why has nobody torn Gideon apart for getting the game number wrong? I must not have been the only one to notice it. Now he's only hitting .998 on the season.
No, he got it right. That "158" you saw earlier was... oh, I dunno... an optical illusion. Yeah.
No, he got it right. That "158" you saw earlier was... oh, I dunno... an optical illusion. Yeah.
The moderator is probably overcome from the fumes from her awful dye-job. She really ought to get her money back. I can recommend a great salon if she's ever in London, ON.
Michael, we'd simply LOVE for you to be our Canadian correspondent. What DO you THINK, dear?
Michael, we'd simply LOVE for you to be our Canadian correspondent. What DO you THINK, dear?
http://bluejayscheerclub.com
Towers, I suspect, thought he had a freebie after no action was taken for the two HBPs by Zambrano.
We from the Cheer Club feel somewhat responsible: after shouting "What's the difference between last night and tonight? Or are you admitting that last night was a pile of crap?" a whole bunch of times, we suggested, quite loudly, to Josh that it was okay to hit guys tonight. And lo and behold, his next pitch gets him thrown out.
And after four innings or so with our sign, we were approached by an usher who said that while he and pretty much everyone else loved our sign and thought that last night was a pile of garbage, the Jays had received a call from MLB about our sign and said that it was inappropriate.
By the way, the one we brought was HEY PHIL: EJECT THIS.
Towers, I suspect, thought he had a freebie after no action was taken for the two HBPs by Zambrano.
We from the Cheer Club feel somewhat responsible: after shouting "What's the difference between last night and tonight? Or are you admitting that last night was a pile of crap?" a whole bunch of times, we suggested, quite loudly, to Josh that it was okay to hit guys tonight. And lo and behold, his next pitch gets him thrown out.
And after four innings or so with our sign, we were approached by an usher who said that while he and pretty much everyone else loved our sign and thought that last night was a pile of garbage, the Jays had received a call from MLB about our sign and said that it was inappropriate.
By the way, the one we brought was HEY PHIL: EJECT THIS.
the Jays had received a call from MLB about our sign and said that it was inappropriate.
What a pile of crap.
What a pile of crap.
the Jays had received a call from MLB about our sign and said that it was inappropriate.
Who knew MLB was a police state?
Great job, Named For Hank.
Who knew MLB was a police state?
Great job, Named For Hank.
I didn't see the sign on TSN.
My recollection of J.P.'s comments isn't completely clear, but, roughly, J.P. said Vernon should get some MVP consideration, but this is the year to give it to A-Rod with no one standing out. He suggested Bush, McGowan, Arnold all need a year in AAA. They think Tosca wasn't ejected because the warning wasn't issued on the field.(?) And something about Palermo just telling the umps to have a heads up rather than Alderson telling them to issue warnings, but this wasn't made very clear.
My recollection of J.P.'s comments isn't completely clear, but, roughly, J.P. said Vernon should get some MVP consideration, but this is the year to give it to A-Rod with no one standing out. He suggested Bush, McGowan, Arnold all need a year in AAA. They think Tosca wasn't ejected because the warning wasn't issued on the field.(?) And something about Palermo just telling the umps to have a heads up rather than Alderson telling them to issue warnings, but this wasn't made very clear.
MLB will probably blame Aaron's sign, not incompetent umpiring, for the benches emptying.
MLB cares that much about what a few measely fans (nothing personal at all guys) have to say about a past game? I'd be honoured to have irked Bud like that. Three cheers for the Cheer Club (I'd give them to you but I'm sure a Cheer Club and cheer better than I can ;-)
I couldn't see the game so when I went into ESPN's scoreboard to check out the boxscore and clicked on their photos tab from the Jays' game, I was surprised to see 7 shots (usually there's 1-3). But with all the fussin' and the feudin', Johnson's now up to 20 games on his hit-streak.
Side note: McGuinty won just be virtue of not being trounced by the other three. Hampton comes in second because he had nothing to lose and came off more credible than the other two with a few more direct answers firming up that category. Eves may have been the better one but he needed to win this outrightly with everyone realizing he was the better debater and that simply didn't happen. It's been 8 years of dealing with their crap and we are so close to saying good-bye. October 2nd couldn't come quickly enough!
I couldn't see the game so when I went into ESPN's scoreboard to check out the boxscore and clicked on their photos tab from the Jays' game, I was surprised to see 7 shots (usually there's 1-3). But with all the fussin' and the feudin', Johnson's now up to 20 games on his hit-streak.
Side note: McGuinty won just be virtue of not being trounced by the other three. Hampton comes in second because he had nothing to lose and came off more credible than the other two with a few more direct answers firming up that category. Eves may have been the better one but he needed to win this outrightly with everyone realizing he was the better debater and that simply didn't happen. It's been 8 years of dealing with their crap and we are so close to saying good-bye. October 2nd couldn't come quickly enough!
http://bluejayscheerclub.com
I'd be honoured to have irked Bud like that.
Oh, I'm happy enough. I'm also happy that I got a clear reaction from the umpiring crew (who looked over and shook their heads).
By the way, I'm the snippet of person on the right in Coach's picture. On the left is Mrs. Named For Hank.
My one thought about these two games is that without the stupid memo from MLB, there would not have been any "bad blood". The League made it happen -- they said it was there, and then treated us like it was there until finally it was there. Good work "controlling the game": they got the outcome they wanted.
I'd be honoured to have irked Bud like that.
Oh, I'm happy enough. I'm also happy that I got a clear reaction from the umpiring crew (who looked over and shook their heads).
By the way, I'm the snippet of person on the right in Coach's picture. On the left is Mrs. Named For Hank.
My one thought about these two games is that without the stupid memo from MLB, there would not have been any "bad blood". The League made it happen -- they said it was there, and then treated us like it was there until finally it was there. Good work "controlling the game": they got the outcome they wanted.
Anyone notice Kevin Cash went 2-for-3?
Go Cash!
Go Cash!
Sorry that pic is out of focus, but I had a couple of beers. I also sat close enough to join the heckling of Cuzzi for the first couple of innings, until I spotted the sign and joined the Cheer Club meeting. Typical of my constructive criticism: "Hey Phil, if stupidity was a crime, this cop would have to shoot you."
When Zambrano plunked Delgado, I hollered "Give him a warning, Cuzzi." After a brief pause, I added, "Oh, I forgot. You don't give warnings."
Everyone in my section seemed entertained, which only encouraged me. Said something about the Hall of Shame, wished him a good season in AAA next year, thanked him for ruining a great game last night. We all have to do what we can.
Towers, I suspect, thought he had a freebie after no action was taken for the two HBPs by Zambrano.
For sure. But not with this crew. Zambrano hit two, and didn't even get a warning. Towers and Lopez still haven't hit anyone, and both were ejected. Makes you wonder what will happen next.
It was a very entertaining evening, if you like that WWE sort of thing. I prefer baseball, competently officiated. Another good night at the plate and behind it for Kevin Cash, and the usual awesome effort from the Sparkplug, who continued his record hit streak, with a second-deck tater for good measure. Great hustle by Wells to make an in-your-face double out of a single to right; huge (and timely) blast by Carlos.
Overlooked in all the distraction of overmatched, thin-skinned umps losing control the last two nights was Vernon's marvelous catch on Monday, when he actually outran a Huff line drive that was over his head. Shades of Willie Mays.
When Zambrano plunked Delgado, I hollered "Give him a warning, Cuzzi." After a brief pause, I added, "Oh, I forgot. You don't give warnings."
Everyone in my section seemed entertained, which only encouraged me. Said something about the Hall of Shame, wished him a good season in AAA next year, thanked him for ruining a great game last night. We all have to do what we can.
Towers, I suspect, thought he had a freebie after no action was taken for the two HBPs by Zambrano.
For sure. But not with this crew. Zambrano hit two, and didn't even get a warning. Towers and Lopez still haven't hit anyone, and both were ejected. Makes you wonder what will happen next.
It was a very entertaining evening, if you like that WWE sort of thing. I prefer baseball, competently officiated. Another good night at the plate and behind it for Kevin Cash, and the usual awesome effort from the Sparkplug, who continued his record hit streak, with a second-deck tater for good measure. Great hustle by Wells to make an in-your-face double out of a single to right; huge (and timely) blast by Carlos.
Overlooked in all the distraction of overmatched, thin-skinned umps losing control the last two nights was Vernon's marvelous catch on Monday, when he actually outran a Huff line drive that was over his head. Shades of Willie Mays.
"My one thought about these two games is that without the stupid memo from MLB, there would not have been any "bad blood". The League made it happen -- they said it was there, and then treated us like it was there until finally it was there. Good work "controlling the game": they got the outcome they wanted."
I had a similar thought while watching the 9th inning melee: the memo and Cuzzi's actions on Monday created what I was watching.
I had a similar thought while watching the 9th inning melee: the memo and Cuzzi's actions on Monday created what I was watching.
No, he got it right. That "158" you saw earlier was... oh, I dunno... an optical illusion. Yeah.
Jeers for Gideon's ability to count. My average these days is way, way below .998. Thanks for the pickup, Craig.
Towers probably did deserve the ejection -- had he not been thrown out then, the Rays would've nailed Wells or Delgado the next inning and things would've really gotten ugly. And Aquilino's pitch really did look like payback for Crawford's big mouth. Nonetheless, much as the fan in me cheers those two pitches, I can't really condone them. Throwing at a guy because the last batter homered off you is bush league, and throwing at a kid because he mouthed off isn't much better. I know it's been a long season, but that's not professional behaviour. The Jays were mad at the umpires and took it out on the opposing team. I'm glad Tosca wasn't thrilled with it, and I trust he spoke to both those guys later.
That said ... it should be noted that the Jays had two batters hit by pitches last night and the Rays had none. The umpires should've warned both benches after Zambrano hit Delgado -- most of the pitches before the HBP were way inside. Whether Zambrano is wild by nature doesn't matter -- in this kind of atmosphere, you have to err on the side of caution. And it was ridiculous not to issue a warning or even an ejection after Woodward got hit. At that point, there was no question the Jays were going to retaliate. Badly umpired from start to finish, creating bad blood between two teams where there wasn't really any to start with.
Agreed, Rod Black is a potatohead.
The Jays had received a call from MLB about our sign and said that it was inappropriate.
Good thing you didn't bring that "Phil Cuzzi fellates pot-bellied pigs" banner, then. Sheesh. What is even remotely inappropriate about that sign? No profanity, no threats, on insults -- not even a "sucks." MLB is a humorless, deadening institution. Juan Antonio Samaranch for Commissioner!
Jeers for Gideon's ability to count. My average these days is way, way below .998. Thanks for the pickup, Craig.
Towers probably did deserve the ejection -- had he not been thrown out then, the Rays would've nailed Wells or Delgado the next inning and things would've really gotten ugly. And Aquilino's pitch really did look like payback for Crawford's big mouth. Nonetheless, much as the fan in me cheers those two pitches, I can't really condone them. Throwing at a guy because the last batter homered off you is bush league, and throwing at a kid because he mouthed off isn't much better. I know it's been a long season, but that's not professional behaviour. The Jays were mad at the umpires and took it out on the opposing team. I'm glad Tosca wasn't thrilled with it, and I trust he spoke to both those guys later.
That said ... it should be noted that the Jays had two batters hit by pitches last night and the Rays had none. The umpires should've warned both benches after Zambrano hit Delgado -- most of the pitches before the HBP were way inside. Whether Zambrano is wild by nature doesn't matter -- in this kind of atmosphere, you have to err on the side of caution. And it was ridiculous not to issue a warning or even an ejection after Woodward got hit. At that point, there was no question the Jays were going to retaliate. Badly umpired from start to finish, creating bad blood between two teams where there wasn't really any to start with.
Agreed, Rod Black is a potatohead.
The Jays had received a call from MLB about our sign and said that it was inappropriate.
Good thing you didn't bring that "Phil Cuzzi fellates pot-bellied pigs" banner, then. Sheesh. What is even remotely inappropriate about that sign? No profanity, no threats, on insults -- not even a "sucks." MLB is a humorless, deadening institution. Juan Antonio Samaranch for Commissioner!
http://economics.about.com
Good thing you didn't bring that "Phil Cuzzi fellates pot-bellied pigs" banner, then.
You forgot the "for busfare" part. Scienticians have proven that references to someone participating in vulgar and disgusting behaviour are 45% funnier when it is implied that they're doing it in exchange for very meagre sums of money.
Named For Hank: I can't believe you were the cause of a directive issued by MLB. I'd put that on my resume if I were you. What an honour!
Mike
Good thing you didn't bring that "Phil Cuzzi fellates pot-bellied pigs" banner, then.
You forgot the "for busfare" part. Scienticians have proven that references to someone participating in vulgar and disgusting behaviour are 45% funnier when it is implied that they're doing it in exchange for very meagre sums of money.
Named For Hank: I can't believe you were the cause of a directive issued by MLB. I'd put that on my resume if I were you. What an honour!
Mike
http://bluejayscheerclub.com
Towers probably did deserve the ejection
I was reading an old quote from him this morning about the 17-2 loss to the A's earlier this year, where he asked why the Jays hadn't nailed any A's with a pitch.
I picked HEY PHIL: EJECT THIS because it was insulting without being crude or even particularly offensive. The fans in our section certainly appreciated it, and so did the ushers, right up until they were instructed to make us take it down. They were aware of the sign pretty much from the moment it went up, and there was no comment about it (other than some smiles) from anyone until later, so I do believe that the call came from outside the organization.
The part of me that really wanted to annoy Cuzzi is heartened by the fact that the sign wasn't seen on TV, because that means that the sign probably bothered Cuzzi enough that he or one of the other umpires called in to the league to complain about it and get them to take action. I can't imagine that anyone on the Jays or the Rays would complain about it.
And since the sign is basically asking Cuzzi to eject it, we provoked exactly the desired effect.
Despite leaving before the real fireworks, Jacko showed off his own shouting capabilities. Good on ya, Jacko, and nice to meet you.
Towers probably did deserve the ejection
I was reading an old quote from him this morning about the 17-2 loss to the A's earlier this year, where he asked why the Jays hadn't nailed any A's with a pitch.
I picked HEY PHIL: EJECT THIS because it was insulting without being crude or even particularly offensive. The fans in our section certainly appreciated it, and so did the ushers, right up until they were instructed to make us take it down. They were aware of the sign pretty much from the moment it went up, and there was no comment about it (other than some smiles) from anyone until later, so I do believe that the call came from outside the organization.
The part of me that really wanted to annoy Cuzzi is heartened by the fact that the sign wasn't seen on TV, because that means that the sign probably bothered Cuzzi enough that he or one of the other umpires called in to the league to complain about it and get them to take action. I can't imagine that anyone on the Jays or the Rays would complain about it.
And since the sign is basically asking Cuzzi to eject it, we provoked exactly the desired effect.
Despite leaving before the real fireworks, Jacko showed off his own shouting capabilities. Good on ya, Jacko, and nice to meet you.
http://bluejayscheerclub.com
Thanks, Mike, maybe I will. At least I'll have to put it as the first entry in the Blue Jays Cheer Club Hall of Dubious Accomplishments.
Thanks, Mike, maybe I will. At least I'll have to put it as the first entry in the Blue Jays Cheer Club Hall of Dubious Accomplishments.
Juan Antonio Samaranch for Commissioner!
Jordan, as I understand it, in one sense Juan Antonio Samaranch *is* the commissioner.
In order to ensure himself an unlimited supply of toadying flunkies, General Francisco Franco had Samaranch's desiccated, cinder-like heart surgically removed from his body in 1968 and placed in a vat of biochemicals, designed to keep the tissue alive in its vegetative state. Small slices of tissue were periodically removed from the organ and accelerated clones grown from the tissue.
The creature you know as "Selig" is one of the earlier and less successful prototypes, the product of a gene-splicing experiment with bitis arietans (also known as the puff adder) that went horribly wrong.
Later experiments succeeded in producing the creatures that Franco so craved... a blind, deaf, soulless creature without the capacity to tell right from wrong. (Most of these are now apparently employed in the European Commission.)
The "Selig", however, was useless for the purpose... instead of a complete absence of moral sense, the "Selig" is a creature of pure malevolence and evil, with the added unfortunate side effect of poisoning everything it touches.
Jordan, as I understand it, in one sense Juan Antonio Samaranch *is* the commissioner.
In order to ensure himself an unlimited supply of toadying flunkies, General Francisco Franco had Samaranch's desiccated, cinder-like heart surgically removed from his body in 1968 and placed in a vat of biochemicals, designed to keep the tissue alive in its vegetative state. Small slices of tissue were periodically removed from the organ and accelerated clones grown from the tissue.
The creature you know as "Selig" is one of the earlier and less successful prototypes, the product of a gene-splicing experiment with bitis arietans (also known as the puff adder) that went horribly wrong.
Later experiments succeeded in producing the creatures that Franco so craved... a blind, deaf, soulless creature without the capacity to tell right from wrong. (Most of these are now apparently employed in the European Commission.)
The "Selig", however, was useless for the purpose... instead of a complete absence of moral sense, the "Selig" is a creature of pure malevolence and evil, with the added unfortunate side effect of poisoning everything it touches.
http://bluejayscheerclub.com
Thanks, Mike, maybe I will. At least I'll have to put it as the first entry in the Blue Jays Cheer Club Hall of Dubious Accomplishments.
Thanks, Mike, maybe I will. At least I'll have to put it as the first entry in the Blue Jays Cheer Club Hall of Dubious Accomplishments.
http://bluejayscheerclub.com
Thanks, Mike, maybe I will. At least I'll have to put it as the first entry in the Blue Jays Cheer Club Hall of Dubious Accomplishments.
Thanks, Mike, maybe I will. At least I'll have to put it as the first entry in the Blue Jays Cheer Club Hall of Dubious Accomplishments.
http://bluejayscheerclub.com
Whups! Sorry about the mess, fellas. Too much coffee this morning.
Whups! Sorry about the mess, fellas. Too much coffee this morning.
http://economics.about.com
Thanks, Mike, maybe I will. At least I'll have to put it as the first entry in the Blue Jays Cheer Club Hall of Dubious Accomplishments.
You should have an accomplishments page on that site. There's nothing wrong with a little self-promotion.
Are you going to be at the Pizza Feed and/or Saturday's game?
Mike
Thanks, Mike, maybe I will. At least I'll have to put it as the first entry in the Blue Jays Cheer Club Hall of Dubious Accomplishments.
You should have an accomplishments page on that site. There's nothing wrong with a little self-promotion.
Are you going to be at the Pizza Feed and/or Saturday's game?
Mike
Eves may have been the better one but he needed to win this outrightly with everyone realizing he was the better debater and that simply didn't happen.
I thought it was pretty intelligent of Eves to take advantage of the voting population's dislike of Jean Chrétien by repeatedly lumping McGuinty in with JC as guys who "just don't get it". That said, it probably wasn't enough and I think you might be right, Adam.
I've seen a few polls this morning that gauge public opinion of who won the debate. Each leader won at least one of those polls.
If only one of them included legal action against Phil Cuzzi in his platform, he'd win the BB vote. Aaron, are you bringing the sign again tonight? I think you should.
I thought it was pretty intelligent of Eves to take advantage of the voting population's dislike of Jean Chrétien by repeatedly lumping McGuinty in with JC as guys who "just don't get it". That said, it probably wasn't enough and I think you might be right, Adam.
I've seen a few polls this morning that gauge public opinion of who won the debate. Each leader won at least one of those polls.
If only one of them included legal action against Phil Cuzzi in his platform, he'd win the BB vote. Aaron, are you bringing the sign again tonight? I think you should.
http://bluejayscheerclub.com
You should have an accomplishments page on that site. There's nothing wrong with a little self-promotion.
I think so, too, but I'll call it the Hall of Dubious Achievement. Because what other kind of achievement can we possibly have? :)
Are you going to be at the Pizza Feed and/or Saturday's game?
Yes and yes.
Aaron, are you bringing the sign again tonight? I think you should.
I'm arriving late (around 8:15, I have to work late tonight and tomorrow), and the sign is in the trunk of my wife's car. I was considering making a new one. Maybe just WHO'S NEXT? or I'M SORRY THAT THE REST OF YOUR CREW ARE SUCH LAMERS or LET THE EJECTIONS BEGIN.
If I print the first one, I can claim that I'm just a big fan of that particular Who album if and when the ushers approach me. Though I'm sure that they'll have been instructed pre-game to get rid of anti-ump signs.
You should have an accomplishments page on that site. There's nothing wrong with a little self-promotion.
I think so, too, but I'll call it the Hall of Dubious Achievement. Because what other kind of achievement can we possibly have? :)
Are you going to be at the Pizza Feed and/or Saturday's game?
Yes and yes.
Aaron, are you bringing the sign again tonight? I think you should.
I'm arriving late (around 8:15, I have to work late tonight and tomorrow), and the sign is in the trunk of my wife's car. I was considering making a new one. Maybe just WHO'S NEXT? or I'M SORRY THAT THE REST OF YOUR CREW ARE SUCH LAMERS or LET THE EJECTIONS BEGIN.
If I print the first one, I can claim that I'm just a big fan of that particular Who album if and when the ushers approach me. Though I'm sure that they'll have been instructed pre-game to get rid of anti-ump signs.
http://bluejayscheerclub.com
And what great nights for Cash and Johnson!
I've been trying to decide for a month who to put on the back of my jersey, and the more I think about putting Johnson on there, the better he seems to play, like he's trying to convince me.
And what great nights for Cash and Johnson!
I've been trying to decide for a month who to put on the back of my jersey, and the more I think about putting Johnson on there, the better he seems to play, like he's trying to convince me.
Named for Hank is absolutely right, there is bad blood now and it's been created by MLB. It's bad news if the now infamous memo came from Sandy Alderson, he used to be a smart guy. Has Bud been playing with his home lobotomy kit?
Before Monday's game the Rays were within something like 3 of the single season team record for hitting batters. You can picture the dolts at MLB seeing that record being broken as "bad press" and making a lame attempt to avoid such.
After Carlos was hit last night Mike Wilner said it was a good move by the umpires not to issue a warning at that point as it left the door open for the Jays to "get one back". Interesting angle, not sure what I think of it... Obviously it didn't work out that way in hindsight.
Before last night's game retired ump Ken Kaiser was on the radio with Bob McCown spewing a bunch of garbage about Cuzzi handling Monday's situation really well. Once an ump, always an ump... McCown just sat on the fence, I think he's got a problem with arguing in favour of any Toronto team.
I agree with Spicol, getting the sign ejected again tonight (and every other game Phil Cuzzi ever umps in Toronto) would be hilarious.
Before Monday's game the Rays were within something like 3 of the single season team record for hitting batters. You can picture the dolts at MLB seeing that record being broken as "bad press" and making a lame attempt to avoid such.
After Carlos was hit last night Mike Wilner said it was a good move by the umpires not to issue a warning at that point as it left the door open for the Jays to "get one back". Interesting angle, not sure what I think of it... Obviously it didn't work out that way in hindsight.
Before last night's game retired ump Ken Kaiser was on the radio with Bob McCown spewing a bunch of garbage about Cuzzi handling Monday's situation really well. Once an ump, always an ump... McCown just sat on the fence, I think he's got a problem with arguing in favour of any Toronto team.
I agree with Spicol, getting the sign ejected again tonight (and every other game Phil Cuzzi ever umps in Toronto) would be hilarious.
It's looking even worse for MLB now. Palermo was quoted in today's papers saying the warning stemmed from Joe Kennedy throwing at Ken Huckaby last year and that he was unaware of Crawford's recent comments about the Blue Jays. If the league was worried about some bad blood between the Jays and Rays, why the hell did they wait until the sixth and final series of the season between the two teams? As hard as it is to believe, this whole story makes even less sense today than it did yesterday.
http://bluejayscheerclub.com
Palermo was quoted in today's papers saying the warning stemmed from Joe Kennedy throwing at Ken Huckaby last year and that he was unaware of Crawford's recent comments about the Blue Jays.
That's a riot. A dozen games later and suddenly it's an issue?
Obviously they think that we, the fans, are really, really stupid.
I agree with Spicol, getting the sign ejected again tonight (and every other game Phil Cuzzi ever umps in Toronto) would be hilarious.
Absolutely. But I'd also be annoyed if I got booted or banned. I gotta be a little selfish, now. :D
However, anyone who wants the sign is more than welcome to it. Heck, if you want to come to Oakville this afternoon, I'll make a new one for you. Seriously.
Palermo was quoted in today's papers saying the warning stemmed from Joe Kennedy throwing at Ken Huckaby last year and that he was unaware of Crawford's recent comments about the Blue Jays.
That's a riot. A dozen games later and suddenly it's an issue?
Obviously they think that we, the fans, are really, really stupid.
I agree with Spicol, getting the sign ejected again tonight (and every other game Phil Cuzzi ever umps in Toronto) would be hilarious.
Absolutely. But I'd also be annoyed if I got booted or banned. I gotta be a little selfish, now. :D
However, anyone who wants the sign is more than welcome to it. Heck, if you want to come to Oakville this afternoon, I'll make a new one for you. Seriously.
Before last night's game retired ump Ken Kaiser was on the radio with Bob McCown spewing a bunch of garbage about Cuzzi handling Monday's situation really well. Once an ump, always an ump... McCown just sat on the fence, I think he's got a problem with arguing in favour of any Toronto team.
No, I think it's more that McCown has openly stated that his philosophy of interviewing is to not get in the way of whatever the guest wants to say. He's got a strong personality and strong opinions - when he bothers to have any at all - and doesn't want that to interfere with the interview, which isn't supposed to be about him.
He did mention the Kaiser interview on the radio this morning, saying that he didn't know why they had him on in the first place since it was obvious that he was just going to stick up for Cuzzi, because, for umpires, loyalty to other umpires is their first, second and third priority and everything else is tied for tenth. (My phrasing.)
No, I think it's more that McCown has openly stated that his philosophy of interviewing is to not get in the way of whatever the guest wants to say. He's got a strong personality and strong opinions - when he bothers to have any at all - and doesn't want that to interfere with the interview, which isn't supposed to be about him.
He did mention the Kaiser interview on the radio this morning, saying that he didn't know why they had him on in the first place since it was obvious that he was just going to stick up for Cuzzi, because, for umpires, loyalty to other umpires is their first, second and third priority and everything else is tied for tenth. (My phrasing.)
You're right Matthew, Bob was following his philosophy and not steering the interview. But what I'm referring to is after the interview, Kaiser's not on the line anymore, and Bob didn't offer an opinion one way or the other.
I think he's lost touch with the Jays and baseball in general. Too many people just wanting to talk Leafs with him, and so many things wrong with Leafs management that his schtick now is just being a crank.
I think he's lost touch with the Jays and baseball in general. Too many people just wanting to talk Leafs with him, and so many things wrong with Leafs management that his schtick now is just being a crank.
so many things wrong with Leafs management
Heh... as Mike Moffatt might put it, management's doing just fine... the Leafs are making buckets of money.
Heh... as Mike Moffatt might put it, management's doing just fine... the Leafs are making buckets of money.
http://bluejayscheerclub.com
My wife is a little annoyed at me because she wasn't really into the Jays, and then she came out and saw half a dozen games at the start of the season because we wanted to use the free car rental coupons (the True Fan Reward for attending seven games) on our trip to Halifax. Anyhow, she got really into the games and the team, and now can't see the Leafs as anything but a directionless, cheerless money-making machine.
The Jays didn't make the playoffs, but they were fun to watch, hold promise for the future, and dammit, they have some passion for the game! When they lose, they're mad! When they win, they jump around! Watching that flipped some switch in Vanessa and now she's gone from being a devoted, lifelong Leafs fan to a jaded, uninterested Leafs observer.
My wife is a little annoyed at me because she wasn't really into the Jays, and then she came out and saw half a dozen games at the start of the season because we wanted to use the free car rental coupons (the True Fan Reward for attending seven games) on our trip to Halifax. Anyhow, she got really into the games and the team, and now can't see the Leafs as anything but a directionless, cheerless money-making machine.
The Jays didn't make the playoffs, but they were fun to watch, hold promise for the future, and dammit, they have some passion for the game! When they lose, they're mad! When they win, they jump around! Watching that flipped some switch in Vanessa and now she's gone from being a devoted, lifelong Leafs fan to a jaded, uninterested Leafs observer.
Heh... as Mike Moffatt might put it, management's doing just fine... the Leafs are making buckets of money.
A really good management team wouldn't be so blatent. They would be able to make buckets of money and still convince the fans they were trying to win. They would be able to feed us Yonge St. pigeons, call it squab and have us gleefully munch it down and lick our fingers.
A really good management team wouldn't be so blatent. They would be able to make buckets of money and still convince the fans they were trying to win. They would be able to feed us Yonge St. pigeons, call it squab and have us gleefully munch it down and lick our fingers.
http://economics.about.com
A really good management team wouldn't be so blatent. They would be able to make buckets of money and still convince the fans they were trying to win. They would be able to feed us Yonge St. pigeons, call it squab and have us gleefully munch it down and lick our fingers.
What do you mean they're not trying to win? They're doing a great job of emulating the 1994 Calgary Flames. That's got to be a winning strategy! :)
So where's Jamie Pushor on the depth chart of D-men. Second or third?
Mike
P.S. I cheer for the Flames. Feel free to mock my lousy choice of teams.
A really good management team wouldn't be so blatent. They would be able to make buckets of money and still convince the fans they were trying to win. They would be able to feed us Yonge St. pigeons, call it squab and have us gleefully munch it down and lick our fingers.
What do you mean they're not trying to win? They're doing a great job of emulating the 1994 Calgary Flames. That's got to be a winning strategy! :)
So where's Jamie Pushor on the depth chart of D-men. Second or third?
Mike
P.S. I cheer for the Flames. Feel free to mock my lousy choice of teams.
she's gone from being a devoted, lifelong Leafs fan to a jaded, uninterested Leafs observer.
Tomorrow the world.
Tomorrow the world.
I cheer for the Flames. Feel free to mock my lousy choice of teams.
And I cheer for the Habs. People should feel free to mock us, as it their wont, but our clubs have won a cup in our lifetimes and will do so again. Not all teams are so lucky.
And I cheer for the Habs. People should feel free to mock us, as it their wont, but our clubs have won a cup in our lifetimes and will do so again. Not all teams are so lucky.
Sounds like Tosca and Piniella are going to try to patch things up themselves.
I'm sure they both realize this "situation" was largely created by the umps, and that there's no logical reason for the bad blood between their respective teams.
I'm sure they both realize this "situation" was largely created by the umps, and that there's no logical reason for the bad blood between their respective teams.
there's no logical reason for the bad blood between their respective teams
Except that the Devil Rays are an evil, hateful gang of miscreants who should be ground into the dust beneath the boots of the mighty Blue Jays.
Except that the Devil Rays are an evil, hateful gang of miscreants who should be ground into the dust beneath the boots of the mighty Blue Jays.
Actually, if this stupid, pointless, unnecessary mess congeals into a real competitive rivalry between the Jays and Rays then that's a welcome silver lining. The Jays have long histories of serious dogfights with the Orioles, Red Sox and Yankees (not to mention Brewers and Tigers), and it was only lacking some spice in the T-Bay games to make all the divisional games somewhat interesting.
http://economics.about.com
Except that the Devil Rays are an evil, hateful gang of miscreants
Yes, but do they eat kittens?
Mike
Except that the Devil Rays are an evil, hateful gang of miscreants
Yes, but do they eat kittens?
Mike
This'd be a real good rivalry for the Jays financially simply by virtue of the horrendous attendance that is a reaction at least in part due to the no names found gathered inside the firstbase dugout when T-Bay comes to town.