After today I won't have to hear that blowhard in the front row for awhile. He's Exhibit A for what you get when you combine lots of money and atrocious manners. If I were sitting a few rows behind, I'd be surreptitiously throwing peanut shells and popcorn at him. I can't imagine the other patrons are enjoying the game very much.
I guess he was the only one left...Looks OK though :)
O-Dog makes a great defensive play and Miguel Batista's limping. Plus ca change...
Lurch is tossing a perfect game...That should do it.
Hmmm..Lurch for Speier. Looks good now, doesn't it?
I know, hindsight. But still, damn.
I know, hindsight. But still, damn.
OK...how wrong is this?...from CBS Sportsline, on the top of the boxscores:
Ugh.
Blue Jays (34-44) Devil Rays (38-37)
Ugh.
Hmmm..Lurch for Speier. Looks good now, doesn't it?
I know, hindsight. But still, damn.
I still like the trade. With Doc, Lilly, Artista, Miller and Bush (if he's coming up), there really wouldn't be room for Lurch. Speier's struggled, but he missed time with an injury and proved himself to be reliable with the Rockies.
Black sheep drives in black sheep - 1-0 good guys.
I know, hindsight. But still, damn.
I still like the trade. With Doc, Lilly, Artista, Miller and Bush (if he's coming up), there really wouldn't be room for Lurch. Speier's struggled, but he missed time with an injury and proved himself to be reliable with the Rockies.
Black sheep drives in black sheep - 1-0 good guys.
Kevin Elster...Elster...a quick B-Ref search tells me he played for the Mets. He also likes to say "good piece of hitting there" a lot. Looking at his .300 career OBP, he would know. :)
And you guys can thank me later for jinxing Lurch.
Off topic - does anyone know a good URL where I can read an article on the 1994 baseball strike? Since I wasn't following baseball then I feel the need to read up on it and understand it. But my google search seems to turn up lots of crappily written student essays.
Is there an authoritative commentary on it? Or even a book?
Is there an authoritative commentary on it? Or even a book?
Speaking of B-Ref, Aaron Gleeman sponsors Roy Halladay's page. What's up with that? I figured he'd have Santana and Kielty (and Rivas, of course) but I never thought he'd sponsor HLH.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/splits3?statsId=6645&type=batting
Elster was your classic serviceable shortstop. The Mets had a great prospect Gregg Jefferies (who later starred for the Cardinals) who wasn't quite ready when the Mets were probably the best team in baseball from 86 to 88, so Elster was their shortstop most of the time. He came back after shoulder surgery in the early 90s to have a fine power season with Texas.
COMN for Eric Hinske's 3 year splits. When Eric hits cleanup against a lefty, you know the team is fighting injuries.
Elster was your classic serviceable shortstop. The Mets had a great prospect Gregg Jefferies (who later starred for the Cardinals) who wasn't quite ready when the Mets were probably the best team in baseball from 86 to 88, so Elster was their shortstop most of the time. He came back after shoulder surgery in the early 90s to have a fine power season with Texas.
COMN for Eric Hinske's 3 year splits. When Eric hits cleanup against a lefty, you know the team is fighting injuries.
Welcome back Phelps, we've missed you. Now dont screw it up again.
Sincerly,
Super Intendent Tosca.
Sincerly,
Super Intendent Tosca.
Game 79: Can the Pop-Gun Offence take down the Big Lefty?
Yes. :D
Yes. :D
Fawaz, can you jinx Bartolome Fortunado (Fortunate Bart) now? Seemed to work pretty well on Lurch.
The Mets used to do this interesting thing where they'd play Howard Johnson (a great hitter at the time) at SS when Sid Fernandez (extreme FB pitcher) pitched, start Dave Magadan at 3B. HoJo was so bad at SS, with anyone else it'd be Elster, who was pretty slick there at the time.
It was an interesting platoon, back when managers used to manage.
It was an interesting platoon, back when managers used to manage.
If that worked I would have pooped myself. Looked good for a moment, too.
Oh noooooo.
"ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) -- Toronto first baseman Carlos Delgado will miss the Blue Jays' weekend series against Montreal in his native Puerto Rico.
Delgado has been out with a rib cage injury since May 30. He is scheduled to take batting practice with the Blue Jays on Friday and Saturday before joining Triple-A Syracuse for games Sunday and Monday."
COMN
Damn, I was really look forward to having Carlos back on Friday.
"ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) -- Toronto first baseman Carlos Delgado will miss the Blue Jays' weekend series against Montreal in his native Puerto Rico.
Delgado has been out with a rib cage injury since May 30. He is scheduled to take batting practice with the Blue Jays on Friday and Saturday before joining Triple-A Syracuse for games Sunday and Monday."
COMN
Damn, I was really look forward to having Carlos back on Friday.
Don Chevrier is calling the game on the radio... sure brings back some childhood memories.
Jobu, ask and you shall receive. Consider Fortunate Bart jinxed. I wish I could claim credit...
Gameday stalled after Menechino struck out. What's happening?
Bottom 5 - Blum reaches on a Gomez error. Crawford lines out on a hit and run, O-Dog gets the unassisted DP. I've already forgotten how Gaithright got out.
Andrew, in 1994, the Expos had the best record in baseball. But Bud Selig argued that baseball needed a salary cap so that teams like the Expos could compete. The media, of course, sided with Selig. The players went on strike in August, figuring the owners wouldn't risk losing their post-season revenue and would negotiate. Selig cancelled the post-season in September, stunning everybody. The owners planned to use replacement players the following year to break the players union (they figured players would start to trickle back to collect their paycheques, like the NFL players did earlier).
At this time, the Jays best young player, Roberto Alomar had just one year left before free agency, which is when the Jays traditionally signed players they wanted to keep long-term, but in this environment they didn't know what a fair offer was. No contract with Alomar was negotiated that winter.
The owners held spring training with replacement players. The Jays announced their replacement games would be in Dunedin instead of Toronto because of the Ontario NDP's law against using replacement workers. But just before the 1995 regular season was to start, some labour panel in the US ruled 3-2 that the owners didn't negotiate in good faith and so couldn't use replacement players. Selig's plan was derailed. The players immediately ended their strike. A shortened regular season started later in April.
But the Expos had lost a lot of revenue by sacrificing their playoff run (in vain). Now they really had to start selling off some players. Their fans weren't forgiving. Their long death spiral begun. Some confused people still think this means the owners were right in the first place.
The Jays sold out their 1995 opener, but the sellouts stopped after that. The veteran Jays had a bad year, finishing with the worst record in baseball. Alomar would not re-sign. But overall, for the Jays, the strike just coincided with their change to mediocrity; it didn't cause it.
With little fanfare, an agreement was finally made another year or so later. No cap. But probably the whole mess made the players more reluctant to strike in 2002, so some say the owners may have eventually got some benefit. Then again, most teams are well below the taxation limits, so the Moneyball philosophy has probably benefitted the owners far more.
Interesting you should bring this up on Canada Day. Here's a link with more formal details about that time.
At this time, the Jays best young player, Roberto Alomar had just one year left before free agency, which is when the Jays traditionally signed players they wanted to keep long-term, but in this environment they didn't know what a fair offer was. No contract with Alomar was negotiated that winter.
The owners held spring training with replacement players. The Jays announced their replacement games would be in Dunedin instead of Toronto because of the Ontario NDP's law against using replacement workers. But just before the 1995 regular season was to start, some labour panel in the US ruled 3-2 that the owners didn't negotiate in good faith and so couldn't use replacement players. Selig's plan was derailed. The players immediately ended their strike. A shortened regular season started later in April.
But the Expos had lost a lot of revenue by sacrificing their playoff run (in vain). Now they really had to start selling off some players. Their fans weren't forgiving. Their long death spiral begun. Some confused people still think this means the owners were right in the first place.
The Jays sold out their 1995 opener, but the sellouts stopped after that. The veteran Jays had a bad year, finishing with the worst record in baseball. Alomar would not re-sign. But overall, for the Jays, the strike just coincided with their change to mediocrity; it didn't cause it.
With little fanfare, an agreement was finally made another year or so later. No cap. But probably the whole mess made the players more reluctant to strike in 2002, so some say the owners may have eventually got some benefit. Then again, most teams are well below the taxation limits, so the Moneyball philosophy has probably benefitted the owners far more.
Interesting you should bring this up on Canada Day. Here's a link with more formal details about that time.
Look at this team. Can't hit, can't pitch, fields like a bunch of grandmothers.
Pathetic.
Pathetic.
Predictions on the first stupid question Wilner is asked tonight? I'll say it will be "trade Delgado to the Yankees."
From the Jays website:
"Mystery man: With Wednesday's demotion of Pat Hentgen to the bullpen, Toronto is looking for a starter on Friday. The team hadn't named anyone prior to Thursday's game against Tampa Bay, but a move is expected to be announced after the game.
All indications point toward 2002 second rounder David Bush as the man to open the series against the Expos in Puerto Rico. The right-hander is coming off a stellar outing in which he allowed one run in eight innings for the SkyChiefs, and is scheduled to pitch on Friday regardless.
In 16 starts for Syracuse, one-time Wake Forest closer owns a 6-6 record with a 4.06 ERA. He has also struck out 88 batters in 99 2/3 innings."
"Mystery man: With Wednesday's demotion of Pat Hentgen to the bullpen, Toronto is looking for a starter on Friday. The team hadn't named anyone prior to Thursday's game against Tampa Bay, but a move is expected to be announced after the game.
All indications point toward 2002 second rounder David Bush as the man to open the series against the Expos in Puerto Rico. The right-hander is coming off a stellar outing in which he allowed one run in eight innings for the SkyChiefs, and is scheduled to pitch on Friday regardless.
In 16 starts for Syracuse, one-time Wake Forest closer owns a 6-6 record with a 4.06 ERA. He has also struck out 88 batters in 99 2/3 innings."
Thanks very much Stephen, that's very informative. It looks like a fascinating topic.
A number of people I know (mostly Americans and Canadians working here in the UK) say that they lost all respect for baseball after the strike. It sounds like it hurt the sport a great deal. I don't think we've had anything like it in UK sport, although we have had plenty of strikes in other professions (esp. 20-30 years ago).
A number of people I know (mostly Americans and Canadians working here in the UK) say that they lost all respect for baseball after the strike. It sounds like it hurt the sport a great deal. I don't think we've had anything like it in UK sport, although we have had plenty of strikes in other professions (esp. 20-30 years ago).
Thanks for that info, Mike in CT. I wonder what moves the Jays will make after the game? I hope its Bush and not some starter by committee thing. Who is going to be dropped from the 25-man roster?
I'm almost positive I heard someone in he media say that Tosca confirmed it would definitely be someone from the minors.
And if it is someone from the Minors, it pretty much has to be Bush, right? I can't see who else it would be...
And if it is someone from the Minors, it pretty much has to be Bush, right? I can't see who else it would be...
Howarth: Bush to start tomorrow. Nakamura optioned to Syracuse.
OK, that's good. I didn't like Nakamura in the Majors. I hope Bush impresses. He is one of the keys to the Jays future.
Does that mean Nakamura was removed from the 40 man and has to clear waivers?
That's true, someone has to be bumped from the 40-man to make room for Bush.
Haven't been listening to the postgame. Has Wilner confirmed any Bush/Nakamura/Hentgen moves yet?
I'll keep my eye out for a press release... I haven't seen anything yet. If one comes in the next little while, I'll post a new thread.
Wilner just said Nakamura will be optioned out and Bush will start tomorrow. 40 man spot still needed.
Alright.. I guess I trust Mr. Wilner.. I'll post a new thread. :)
The jays still have Estellala on the 40 i think, they better just drop him. They better not try anything stupid like they did when they lost Harper.
Nakamura is only in his second yeat in the majors...
he still has "options" till end of next year
he still has "options" till end of next year
I've created a new thread about the unofficial roster move annoucement.
My bad... Nakamura's "options" might just be related to the 25 man roster not the 40. Not sure....
Point is - Nakamura is still on the 40-man even though he's been optioned to Syracuse. Bush is NOT YET on the 40-man, so someone will have to go off.
I have a hard time seeing Nakamura's upside other than as a good AAA pitcher unless he develops a Professor X-like ability to manipulate the minds of major leaguers and make them forget that he throws 32 mph, regardless how funky his delivery is.