Batter's Box Interactive Magazine Batter's Box Interactive Magazine Batter's Box Interactive Magazine
Quick, what's the first thing you think of when you hear the words "spring training"? I bet it isn't "Charles Dickens." Well, in truth it's not my first thought either, but let's pretend it is. And no, I'm not thinking about Great Expectations, but about a well-known opening line to another Dickens tale: "It was the best of times, it was the blurst of times . . . you stupid monkeys!"

One would like to think Dickens would get a chuckle out of being targeted by The Simpsons. At the same time one gets the feeling that he would have named the show The Knickdadaleeddodumbs. And that frankly that will not fly. Dickension perambulations aside, why is spring training the best of times? Duh, it means baseball will be here soon. One can surf the Internet only so long for books, CDs, plane tickets to Akron, etc. (read: one can only search for porn for so long). Why is spring training the blurst, er, worst of times? Two reasons. 1) We're still six weeks away from the season and 2) until then we will be throttled by such seminal stories as these:

1) So-and-so is in the best shape of his career;
2) Such-and-such team will have new hope because of so-and-so's return;
3) Bliz-blazz and Him-Ham are the greatest rookies since the last greatest rookies;
4) See (1), (2), and (3). Rinse, lather, repeat.

Generally there is nothing wrong with offering up bland generalities, and that synopsis above will cover much of the news in the next six weeks. No doubt the topic of steroids will eat too many trees and cyber-bytes. Positional battles will be examined. New managers will be discussed. Pundits and wags will "joke" that Roger Clemens and Randy Johnson will be investigated not for steroid usage but for evidence they are robots. And so on and so forth.

But what can we really look forward to reading and hearing about in the next six weeks? Not much else, unfortunately. We'll keep hearing how the games mean nothing, yet we'll keep hearing about the games. We'll keep hearing that there's no pressure on Danny Haren, Dan Meyer, and Joe Blanton to replace Tim Hudson and Mark Mulder—nobody can replace them, after all, at least not right away—but we'll keep hearing how much pressure Danny Haren, Dan Meyer, and Joe Blanton are under to replace Tim Hudson and Mark Mulder. We'll keep hearing that the Minnesota Twins and Oakland A's can't compete because of their small-market status, but by golly those Twins and A's will blast a sock in that theory and go out there and compete.

I could go on. Instead I'll throw it to the Bauxites: what are you most looking forward to this spring? What do you think is the single most interesting story, both in terms of the Blue Jays and across MLB in general? What is the chemical structure of jello? Does anyone plan to go to Florida or Arizona?

Etc. etc.
Notes From Nowhere: Preliminary Sketches Of The Preliminary Baseball Season | 32 comments | Create New Account
The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.
Mick Doherty - Sunday, February 20 2005 @ 12:25 PM EST (#103169) #
What do you think is the single most interesting story, both in terms of the Blue Jays and across MLB in general?
  • How will Randy Johnson handle New York -- emotionally?
  • How will a New Englend that has maybe seven people even alive who remember what it is is to be fans of the "defending champions" act in 2005?
  • Seriously, Atlanta, isn't it about time to step aside?
  • Texas: fluke or contender?
  • Spike Lundberg: future 50-save guy or future 20-game-winner?
That is all.
Rob - Sunday, February 20 2005 @ 12:38 PM EST (#103171) #
I think the most interesting story for the Blue Jays is Eric Hinske.
  • Will he continue his bewildering decline or put up 2002 numbers again?
  • How will he handle the humbling experience, going from winning the Rookie Of The Year and being the poster boy for his GM's trading skills to being tossed aside while the Jays acquire not one, but two third basemen?
  • Will his defense be any good?
I'll be at three or four games down in Florida, so I can see for myself just how good (or bad) Hinske is with the big mitt.

we'll keep hearing how much pressure Danny Haren, Dan Meyer, and Joe Blanton are under to replace Tim Hudson and Mark Mulder

And that's my "Across MLB" interesting story. I can't wait to see how those young pitchers turn out for them.

Jim - Sunday, February 20 2005 @ 01:14 PM EST (#103173) #
I'll be in Arizona for a week in late March. I plan on spending a good amount of time at A's camp. If my employer knew how much time I've spent drawing up different combinations of games to take in . . .
Joe - Sunday, February 20 2005 @ 01:15 PM EST (#103174) #

I want to know what'll happen to the Nationals after they ripped Canada's original team away from her. Will Baltimore really suffer with another team so close? Will the Nats compete, or will they just be an also-ran like the Expos were for so long?

I also have some interest in the Devil Rays' success, or lack thereof. It's not as though the D-Rays' front office is staffed with complete morons; nor do they have absolutely no talent on the field. But somehow, they always find a way to screw it up. Can that franchise pull it together? (Come on - Mark Hendrickson as your #1?)

But the real story for me this season will be Toronto's interest (or lack thereof) in Baseball. Now that Hockey is officially dead (and thank God for that), the Jays have a real opportunity to capitalize on. Rogers seems to be moving in the right direction, with the Rogers Centre makeover and potential new marketing, but I don't know if it'll be enough. I hate to say it, but maybe if the corporate overlords exercised some content requirements on their talk radio talent ('Talk about the Jays in a non-dismissive way or you're going to be the one dismissed') Torontonians would have more interest in the Jays.

Pepper Moffatt - Sunday, February 20 2005 @ 01:39 PM EST (#103176) #
It wouldn't be spring training without a bunch of stories about how this is the year Griffey will finally play a full season.

Will the Yankees will have the depth to sustain the age related injuries they're sure to face this year?

Will the Mariners spending in the off-season pay dividends, or will they get beat up by very good A's, Rangers, and Angels teams.

Speaking of the Rangers, will they have the starting pitching to win a division of very good but not outstanding teams?

Do the Cubs have enough bats to win the Wild Card playing in a division with 1 excellent team, an Astros team that seems to be sliding fast, and 3 teams that haven't done much in the last decade?

Is this the year the Mets will overtake the Braves?

Will the fans be turned off by a Nats team that may lose 100 games playing a division with the always competitive Braves, the much improved Mets, a Marlins team that just added Carlos Delgado, and a strong Phillies team?

Can any of the also rans in the AL Central break away from the pack and take a run at the Wild Card with the benefit of playing in baseball's weakest division?
VBF - Sunday, February 20 2005 @ 02:29 PM EST (#103181) #
How big an impact will Corey Koskie and Shea Hillenbrand have on the lineup?

Will Eric Hinske be in the lineup by the All-Star Break?

What "big" name if anybody will the Jays trade for?/ Who will the new money be spent on?

And the biggest question for the Blue Jays:

How much will Roy Halladay rebound from 2004?

I think he can duplicate 2003 IF he can get enough run support.
MondesiRules - Sunday, February 20 2005 @ 03:21 PM EST (#103191) #
Let's not forget: How will Mondesi fare in Atlanta as a full time outfielder?
BallGuy - Sunday, February 20 2005 @ 03:30 PM EST (#103193) #
How well will Rios and Adams play over a full season?
How will Randy Johnson respond to New York (my guess, fine until he loses a game or two)
Gerry - Sunday, February 20 2005 @ 03:41 PM EST (#103194) #
For Blue Jays spring training.....

Will Gabe Gross hit so well that poeple will question his return to AAA?

Will Alex Rios change his swing to develop some loft?

How do Brandon League and Gustavo Chacin look against ML hitters?

Will Ryan Glynn put any pressure on Towers?

Does Aaron Hill fit right in?

For the season the most interesting story will be the A's, how will they play after their overhaul?

Can the Barves do it again? Will the Dodgers thrive after DePo's re-tooling? Can the Brewers finally play at .500?

After Taxas took a big jump forward last year will they regress to the mean this year?
Mike Green - Sunday, February 20 2005 @ 04:14 PM EST (#103195) #
One more questiion for Jays' spring training 2005 to add to Gerry's list:

Will we see the Guillermo Quiroz of 2003 or the banged-up 2004 version?
Justin (T-Birds) - Sunday, February 20 2005 @ 04:29 PM EST (#103196) #
I'm definitely looking forward to seeing how the rotation holds up:
- can Halladay rebound from his shoulder problem?
- can Lilly replicate last year's success?
- can Batista perform up to the potential that he has shown prior to [most of] last year?
- will Bush be able to avoid sophomore struggles?
- who will win the 5th starter's slot?
Lefty - Sunday, February 20 2005 @ 04:33 PM EST (#103197) #
I don't know if you guys read all the Sun's, Slam Sports stories today, but theres a story about the Blue Jays line-up decisions. Theres a comment about Gibbon's possibly leading off with Rios. I doubt that will happen but it may lead to speculation about Rio's ability to ability to clear the fences.

But on the other hand there have been many a leadoff hitter who has displayed moderate power.
Mick Doherty - Sunday, February 20 2005 @ 04:39 PM EST (#103199) #
<I>But on the other hand there have been many a leadoff hitter who has displayed moderate power.</I>

Rickey knew this to be true. Rickey knows there were few true leadoff men with Rickey's speed AND Rickey's power. Rickey respects all that Rickey brought to the top of the lineup. Rickey isn't positive, but Rickey seems to recall Rickey once possibly playing for a team in Toronto once.
Lefty - Sunday, February 20 2005 @ 04:46 PM EST (#103201) #
I'm waiting to see if::

* Baltimore's young staff takes a step forward and BJ Ryan dominates as closer.

* Richie Sexson's arm stays in its socket.

* Carlos Delgado rocks Florida.

* Anahiem's key players stay healthy enough to take the west.

* Spiere holds down the closers job, and the pen personel have defined roles.

* what JP does with some financial flexibility.

6-4-3 - Sunday, February 20 2005 @ 04:51 PM EST (#103202) #
My favourite Jays stories for 2005:

Left Field: Can the Cat stay healthy, and will he play decent defense out in left? What will happen if Gabe Gross hits his way up from AAA?

Bench: Can Menechino repeat his unlikely success? Will Myers make it out of Florida?

Bullpen: Will Frasor continue to pitch well, or is he another Aquilino Lopez? Can Speier be an effective closer, or will there be Batista / Koch / Hentgen / Menechino for closer signs again? Will Ligtenberg pitch better, now that the Jays are committed to giving him lots of rest?

The Rios as leadoff hitter story is interesting. A few days ago, the Star ran a projected lineup, and they had the Cat leading off, platooned (IIRC) with Reed.
Lefty - Sunday, February 20 2005 @ 04:52 PM EST (#103203) #
Exactly Ricky, but hey Ricky, did you ever play with Johnny Damon? What did you think?
Mick Doherty - Sunday, February 20 2005 @ 05:05 PM EST (#103204) #
Rickey doesn't understand your question, Lefty. Johnny Damon? You mean Don Buford's son? Rickey never played with Damon or Don Buford, and neither one had anything like Rickey's power, though Don could run a little like Rickey.

And Leftey, be sure to spell Rickey's name right. Rickey was a great left fielder, greatest ever, so Rickey can understand you not wanting to attach many "E's" to his name, but Rickey is spelled "Rickey."
Mylegacy - Sunday, February 20 2005 @ 05:48 PM EST (#103206) #
If we are going to be better that we thought we would be this year the stories from spring training have to something like:

"Fasten your seat belts sports fans, just when you thought the Jays pitching was going to be easy to decide for 05 along come League, Rosario and Chacin. All three are the talk of Florida. Where did the Jays find these guys. Will Halladay make this team! (OK the last part was a slight exaggeration.)
Rickey - Sunday, February 20 2005 @ 06:45 PM EST (#103208) #
Rickey knew this to be true. Rickey knows there were few true leadoff men with Rickey's speed AND Rickey's power. Rickey respects all that Rickey brought to the top of the lineup. Rickey isn't positive, but Rickey seems to recall Rickey once possibly playing for a team in Toronto once.

Rickey is dismayed to see that Mick Doherty is claiming to speak for Rickey. Only Rickey can speak properly for Rickey, since only Rickey knows what puts the Rickey in Rickey.

-Rickey

Ryan - Sunday, February 20 2005 @ 06:53 PM EST (#103209) #
I'm not sure where to put this, but the Jays spring training photos from Reuters and the Associated Press are starting to come in and are available on Yahoo!
Craig B - Sunday, February 20 2005 @ 06:56 PM EST (#103210) #

"You put your right leg in, you take your right leg out..."

Mick Doherty - Sunday, February 20 2005 @ 08:11 PM EST (#103216) #
Who's the doofus on the left with his right leg in the air while every other person on the team has his left leg in the air?
Magpie - Sunday, February 20 2005 @ 08:15 PM EST (#103217) #
Who's the doofus on the left with his right leg

I dunno, but he's probably left-handed...

Ryan C - Sunday, February 20 2005 @ 08:15 PM EST (#103218) #
Totally off topic, but ah anybody want to buy a slightly used World Series ring?
Mike Green - Sunday, February 20 2005 @ 08:27 PM EST (#103221) #
Actually, there are at least two doofuses with their right legs up.

The Rockettes have nothing to fear!
Ryan C - Sunday, February 20 2005 @ 08:52 PM EST (#103222) #
Actually, there are at least two doofuses with their right legs up.

And one guy wearing white sneakers.
Cristian - Sunday, February 20 2005 @ 09:26 PM EST (#103223) #
For me, the most interesting question for the Jays is how good will David Bush be? Here's a guy who was categorized as a number 3 or 4 starter before he pitched a major league inning. He surprised us all by pitching like a number 1 or 2 starter. I'm curious as to how good he'll really be. Can he be a Radke-like pitcher who gets great results with so-so stuff or will the league adjust to him this year.
BallGuy - Sunday, February 20 2005 @ 09:59 PM EST (#103224) #
I am curious to see how effective the new doping policy will be. How will Barry Bonds, Jason Giambi and the whack of other players quite probably on the juice fare this year? It will be interesting to see if there is a noticable drop in Bonds' and others' power and production. I do have a legitimate question: Will a player be able to appeal his suspension for a doping infraction the way he can appeal a regular suspension? And if so, will the commisioner automatically reduce it the way all other suspensions are reduced when they are appealed?
Alex Obal - Sunday, February 20 2005 @ 11:17 PM EST (#103227) #
I'm looking forward to seeing whether Ligtenberg can regain his dominant pre-2004 form in spite of his lingering arthritic hip condition. Dr. Prison Fence has an article on the Jays' official site about how Ligtenberg's rigorous workout schedule contributed to the injury, and how he's using balance exercises and generally taking it easy to loosen it up in time for the season. "When it started bothering me in May, I should've shut down the running. But I kept running, running, running," he said. "The longer I kept doing it, it wound the capsule up tighter and tighter. And it's just taken a lot longer to loosen it up." It looks like he's doing all the right things, and Schoeneweis and a healthy Ligtenberg look like a heck of a pair of specialists on paper.
Mick Doherty - Sunday, February 20 2005 @ 11:37 PM EST (#103231) #
Actually, there are at least two doofuses with their right legs up.

Mike, I know we're trying to get away from grammar notes here on Da Box, but the correct plural form of that word is "doofii."

Mick Doherty - Sunday, February 20 2005 @ 11:41 PM EST (#103232) #
Come to think of it, the number one story in MLB this year HAS to be -- can Barry Bonds hit 53 homers this year? (Why that number? He enters the year with 703. Do the math.)

Which brings to mind the 1973-74 offseason, I was only seven, but I remember Aaron ending the '73 season with exactly 713 homers, so he had to endure an entire offseason of one-short inevitability. So maybe Bonds should hit 51 and retire.
Ben - Monday, February 21 2005 @ 05:19 AM EST (#103242) #
I'm actually looking forward to the A's new pitchers as well. I'm also pretty curious about the Dodgers and how they turn out if Depodesta is allowed to really do what he wants witht he money he has. In that interview at AN Beane said Depodesta was being held back by ownership so it'll be interesting if that's still the case. I think the most interesting story Jays style, besides all the youngsters developing, is the Hillebrand, Koskie, Hinske triangle. I want to see how each of them is going to do this year. MLBwise it has to be if Beltran can go 40-40 (dont think so), if Bonds can this the 53 (again, dont think so), if Pujols can finally win a MVP (maaaybe), and the whole Giambi fiasco (.285/.370/.450 for respectable numbers, but not what he's being paid). I dont eat jello, I prefer pudding. I was planning on going to Arizona, but then winter quarter finals happened so I'm not. Maybe next year. I've been saying that for three years now.
Notes From Nowhere: Preliminary Sketches Of The Preliminary Baseball Season | 32 comments | Create New Account
The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.