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Can we get something straight before I mail it in for this Game Report? A tie is not like kissing your sister.

No matter how the old saying goes. Kissing your sister is awkward (at best -- at worst, disgusting). A tie is not that bad.

Speaking of which, did you know that in Japanese professional ball, games are a maximum of 12 innings, so teams have several regular-season ties every year?

Anyway, finding something to say about yesterday's game except GABE GROSS IS DREAMY is pretty difficult. The Jays took a slightly understrength team up to Lakeland and 10 innings couldn't solve matters as it ended 2-2. Zaun, Sparky, and GQ each collected two hits, Gross homered again (his sixth, leading MLB) and the Jays' pen pitched six innings without giving up an earned run.

Before the game, the Tigers released Alex Sanchez. I'm laying 7-2 odds that he's in a Nationals uniform before the week is out.

Today, it's the Twins again. Why!? Anyway, here's some links. Talk amongst yourselves.

Jays’ Adams learning shortstop from ground up

Blue Jays look to kids to fill holes by the esteemed Dr. Prison Fence.

Notes: Towers loves catcher's game. Once again, the Dr. is in

The MLB game story has a nice pic of Gross sliding back into first on a pickoff attempt.

Just play ball: Jays gives the team's take on the steroid hearings in Washington.

Told ya I was mailing it in! Go read the Jamie Campbell interview, it's great.

Spring Training Game Report, Unlucky 13 - Tigers 2, Jays 2 | 9 comments | Create New Account
The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.
Pepper Moffatt - Wednesday, March 16 2005 @ 12:42 PM EST (#106314) #
If you're mailing it in, you could at least make some classic video game references. I mean, how else are people going to remember the arcade-y goodness that was Atari Football:

Chuck - Wednesday, March 16 2005 @ 01:17 PM EST (#106330) #
With Endy Chavez, don't the Nats already have their Alex Sanchez?

Laughs all around if the Boss decides that Sanchez is an upgrade over Glanville and Crosby as Williams' caddy. Or maybe not. He probably is.
R Billie - Wednesday, March 16 2005 @ 02:05 PM EST (#106363) #
Did anyone catch Spencer Fordin on the FAN today around 11:30am? I just caught his last few words so I'm not sure what was discussed.
Darryl - Wednesday, March 16 2005 @ 02:38 PM EST (#106380) #
Not sure where to throw this but was there a Chris Newsome drafted by the Blue Jays in the last 5 or 6 years. A pitcher I believe
Ducey - Wednesday, March 16 2005 @ 05:00 PM EST (#106424) #
There was a Chris Neuman, lhp drafted in the 29th round of the 2000 draft. Otherwise try the Baseball Cube website. They have info on most players.
Nolan - Wednesday, March 16 2005 @ 10:57 PM EST (#106444) #
I just happened an interesting thought- I was perusing a Texas Rangers discussion type page and a lot of the conversation centered on Adrian Gonzalez, his great ST play and whether they should trade him or Texiera.

How about a Gonzalez for Gross (plus pitching prospect) trade?

They are both having great springs, both highly thought of and both ready to play in the majors in all likelyhood. I know Gonzalez is highly thought of, but from what I hear, the Rangers are looking for more outfield options.

Is this one of those unrealistic trades? I think it'd be decently fair.

[The page I read all this at was sort of a mailbag answering type thing like Fordin does; anyways, some of the question writers (fans of the Rangers I presume) were wondering if the Rangers should trade Texeira for Brandon Backe of the Astros...]
Scott - Thursday, March 17 2005 @ 09:21 AM EST (#106453) #
Jeff Blair briefly mentioned in today's paper that the Jays are contemplating platooning Gross and Rios in right field.

He also mentioned in previous columns that the Jays were following Gil Meche of the Mariners and Colarado keeps calling JP about Charles Johnson.
R Billie - Thursday, March 17 2005 @ 04:17 PM EST (#106510) #
Urg...of course Colorado is calling JP about Charles Johnson. I'm sure they're calling everyone about Charles Johnson. Johnson is due $9 million for 2005 and is then a free agent. Even if the Rockies ate $6 million, that would mean $3 million comes out of the remaining $160 million of the budget with possibly no impact for 2006 and 2007. Why would the Jays not just save their money and go after Johnson in the off-season assuming they needed him?

What the Jays MIGHT do is see what teams might be interested in Quiroz. If the Rangers need a catcher then maybe a something involving Quiroz from the Jays and Gonzalez from the Rangers could work. Then it might make more sense to get a guy like Johnson in the off-season for a reasonable price for a couple of years.

Gil Meche is an interesting case but I'm not particularly enamored of pitchers who have had shoulder issues. Also his performance above A-ball has been mediocore and he's now 26 years old. His homeruns allowed at the major league level are just awful especially considering his home park. Maybe the idea is to turn him into a reliever but the point is he is a project. His numbers really don't differentiate him from guys like Prokopec or Sturtze.
Craig B - Thursday, March 17 2005 @ 05:38 PM EST (#106520) #
of course Colorado is calling JP about Charles Johnson. I'm sure they're calling everyone about Charles Johnson.

Since we have a better catcher than Johnson anyway, I'm not sure why we'd need him even if he was cheap. Johnson can take a walk, and he has a little power, but you're talking about a guy who'd hit about .210 in Toronto and has let his defensive skills erode to the point that Zaun is just flat-out better in every relevant area.

Even if Zaun goes backward a little bit with the bat, he's only going to go backward to Johnson's territory. And Johnson is only two months younger and has a lot more wear-and-tear on his body.

Spring Training Game Report, Unlucky 13 - Tigers 2, Jays 2 | 9 comments | Create New Account
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