Batter's Box Interactive Magazine

Game on. Seattle got three unearned runs in the first off Josh Towers, but Vernon Wells got two of them back with one swing in the bottom of the inning. Wells had two hits, a walk, a stolen base, and threw out a runner at home plate for a nice night's work.

Anyway, Koskie doubled in Wells to tie it up in the fourth, and Russ Adams put the Jays up to stay with an RBI double in the fifth. Josh Towers held the line through six, Going Going Zaun chipped in a two-run homer, Schoeneweis and Chulk bridged the gap until the ninth inning - when Jason Frasor worked an uneventful and scoreless inning for his first save of the season.

I know what you're thinking, but no - Batista was just getting the night off after pitching in three straight games.

Posted by Magpie on Tuesday, September 20 2005 @ 09:44 PM EDT.

Jays 6, Mariners 4 | 51 comments | Create New Account

The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.

Willy - Tuesday, September 20 2005 @ 10:22 PM EDT (#128437) #

Jerry, it seems, reads Da Box. Or maybe one of his agents. In any case, it gives me the opportunity to thank Jerry for paying attention, and for promptly mending his ways with regard to confusing “hone” and “home” (he no longer does that, at all!). Good. He’s also stopped using “and suddenly”. Good again. And last night he pronounced Guillermo Quiroz’ name correctly--in fact he did it twice, within a few seconds, just to prove he could. What‘s more, Sawkiw chimed in himself seconds later to pronounce Guillermo correctly. Nicely done chaps.

Hey, stick with us and one day you’ll be good announcers. Well, better anyway. ( And the fee simply cannot be beat.)

Mick Doherty - Tuesday, September 20 2005 @ 10:59 PM EDT (#128440) #

First, I want to self-identify that I did NOT personally delete the previous comment, though I can understand why it was deleted. I point that out just because I don't want my comment below to be read in context of reacting to something I've deleted -- it is not.

It blows me away that a site that plays host to dozens and sometimes hundreds of self-avowed Blue Jay supporters is SO vocalin complaining in Instant Replay threads after losses, but after a win, there are often no comments or, as with tonight, the occasional stray off-topic comment about the *announcers* ... and even that is incredibly negative.

Perhaps I am overstating the case, as I admit I rarely spend much time with the Game Instant Replay threads any more, but every time I do open one, as today, it seems to play out according to script.

So, for real ... what did you like about today's game?

Me? Crikey, Josh Towers has 12 wins ... who saw that coming?

Dave Till - Tuesday, September 20 2005 @ 11:08 PM EDT (#128441) #

What did I like about today's game? Vernon Wells, for one thing: a home run, a stolen base, a walk and an outfield assist (if I remember correctly) in the same game. They ought to have a name for that.

Josh Towers pitching well enough to win, as usual.

The Fighting Jays coming back from three down.

I predict that they will finish 81-81. It just seems right somehow.

VBF - Tuesday, September 20 2005 @ 11:14 PM EDT (#128442) #

Well, for one, Vernon Wells had a fantastic game, defensively and offensively. If I remember correctly, towards the end of last year Carlos Delgado seemed to become an agressive baserunner and Richard Griffin tipped his hat to him showcasing his leadearship qualities. Well, I don't know if Vernon's now feeling some leadership heat, but man he's been leading by an awfully good example lately. And an even better example of this was Sunday when he stretched his double into a triple.

And on that note, maybe this agressiveness on the basepaths and his offensive changes (he's pushing the ball now too which is great) were in light of Rios' incident running out the pop-up.

Flex - Tuesday, September 20 2005 @ 11:49 PM EDT (#128445) #

I, for one, really enjoy the Instant Replays. Because I live in a house with a wife and a daughter, I often don't get to see the games on TV unless I skulk off to some bar. So it's great to come here and get a feel for the game just ended.

Wanted to get my vote in there: Instant Replays, good.

Alex Obal - Tuesday, September 20 2005 @ 11:52 PM EDT (#128446) #

The bullpen's lights-out performance. 3.0 shutout innings, 2 hits (both by Ichiro), no walks, 4 Ks, and flawless management from Gibbons. Even with Ichiro's single tonight, the Schoeneweis Magic Number is now .497. How many better LOOGYs are there?

jvictor - Tuesday, September 20 2005 @ 11:57 PM EDT (#128447) #

I think what struck me the most was a pitch from Frasor. He threw a curve for strike two, which had the batter looking flummoxed. Ok I was at the bar watching intermitently, but I thought to meself when was the last time anyone looked bewildered at what Batista was throwing? I leave this here as an observation, nothing more.

Ducey - Wednesday, September 21 2005 @ 12:16 AM EDT (#128450) #

"How many better LOOGYs are there?"

I was thinking about SS Loogy as well. Remember all the grief JP took around here for signing him after losing out on Kline?

They both get $2.5 million this season.

Kline 4.63 ERA, 3.63 vs LH,
SS Loogy 3.52 ERA, 3.18 vs LH, 2.59 post all star break.

The bullpen has probably been the single biggest improvement this year from last

Twilight - Wednesday, September 21 2005 @ 12:42 AM EDT (#128451) #

I thought the game was very well played. Wells did his thing, Zaun WOW I am consistently impressed with what he brings to the team. The Jays have an option to extend his contract for another year, and I really hope they do. Quiroz seems okay, and Huckaby is a good backup, but at the moment I don't think either one could replace Zaun and be as effective as he has been this year.

IMO, Towers didn't have all his stuff and wasn't locating as well as he could. 2 walks in a game is just not like him. Which I think really goes to show how good he has been recently. His ERA after the break has been below 3.00 and aside from the occasional long ball, he is very difficult to rally against. There are a few situations that come to mind where Towers should have got a win but ended up with a no-decision or a loss (at least one blown save comes to mind, and a couple 1-0 and 2-1 losses). If the run support was there for him, I can easily see him at 15 wins by now. The starting rotation will be interesting to see next year. I really hope Towers is back though.

As far as Steve Kline goes, I don't really feel we are missing out. From what I've seen he's not the most agreeable person around. When the Jays were at Camden Yards and his manager pulled him after he began to struggle, he threw a little fit. That's not the first time I've seen that either. Besides, Schoeneweis is almost automatic with left handed hitters. He has got out of many threatening situations and strands most of his runners on the bases.

Regarding the closer...the Jays really need someone who can go in there and knock 'em down. It is worth noting that Frasor converted 15 of 17 saves last year, as a rookie. He's settled in this year and has done really well, and has a great 93-95 mph fastball, and of course, that slow curve to screw up batters' timing. I believe he has what it takes to be effective in the 9th.

People might think I am insane, but I'd like to see Batista start again. Give him a few days off and then let him try it out, with his full repertoire. He has shown in the past that he's very capable of starting games, I just don't know why the Jays gave up on him as a starter so quickly and are insistent on having him close. Most clubs would try to figure something else out after that many blown saves.

Keith Talent - Wednesday, September 21 2005 @ 01:06 AM EDT (#128452) #

You know, if you're having trouble sleeping out there, reading through the past posts of "willy" is pretty fun and educational!

I'd like to see a "willy's greatest hits".

Still, I'm confounded that he doesn't capitalize his name.

To respond to Mick Doherty: People like to vent after a loss. It's part of the stress relief of following a team all year long. Sure, it's not fair, but venting is an important human activity, and in the sphere of professional sports it has no concequence on the human who is venting. Try venting about your frustrations at work and you'll quickly get a reputation as a malcontent.

Baseball players aren't babies and don't need to be treated with kiddie gloves. They are grown men, making millions of dollars playing a child's game for half a year. They live in magnificent luxury and travel the world, never having to carry their own luggage. Along with that, they should be expected to receive criticism from fans: fair or unfair. I can't believe it actually bothers them. If it does, they really need to re-examine their life.

The same holds true for baseball broadcasters. These guys, simply put, have the best jobs in the world. And they're critical gatekeepers for those passionate about the game. Those entrusted to perform this task, those blessed with this job of all jobs, ought to be held to the highest standard. If this is a job everyone in the world wants, I think we should expect tremendous talent, grace, and expertise from those selected to this role at the Major League level.

If Rogers does not do an exhaustive search when they hire their baseball radio/TV men, they are doing the fans, the franchise, the baseball universe, a massive disfavour.

Noah - Wednesday, September 21 2005 @ 01:19 AM EDT (#128454) #

Hey guys, I haven't posted in forever, but try and read up when i get the chance. I want to chime in with my thoughts on Batista. Contrary to popular belief I too want to see Batista get a shot at starting again before we give up on him. If he can get us 12-15 wins next year with an era around 4 Id say thats a successful season.

Id like to support frasor for closer as well, he just seems to get it done. He had some success as a rookie and then hit the wall which was not unexpected. Lets see what he can do with it.

Also not sure if anyone can fill me in on this, but is Speier a free agent this year or the year after?

rtcaino - Wednesday, September 21 2005 @ 01:26 AM EDT (#128455) #

I have to disagree with willy and anyone else who criticizes Jerry too harshly. Jerry is a master at his craft. He doesn't say too much, or say to little. And he does a good job of capturing the feel of a ball game.

I mea, he can be criticized. For one, Jerry is a geek. He has bad jokes, and he laughs at nerdy things. Also, it has been noted, he mispronounces names and words.

But, he does a good job of capturing the feel of a ball game. And that, imo, is the most important quality in broadcasting baseball games.

rtcaino - Wednesday, September 21 2005 @ 01:28 AM EDT (#128456) #

""Also not sure if anyone can fill me in on this, but is Speier a free agent this year or the year after?""

I believe he signed a two year deal this past off season. So we do have him for next year.

AWeb - Wednesday, September 21 2005 @ 01:50 AM EDT (#128457) #

Off topic, but with San Diego losing 20-1 (!!!???!!!) to Colorado tonight, the Jays are 1 game out in the NL West. Old friend Woody Williams saw his era rise half a point in the drubbing. With the Giants 5 back, with 4 head-to-head games left, and one non-human slugger in the lineup...not likely, but the Padres better win a few before that series next week.

Aside from the Jays possibly bettering the Padres, it would be cool if the entire NL East did as well. That division is turning out a lot like people thought before the season.

Other pretty meaningless things the Jays could achieve this year, but that keep me interested in them as the season winds down:

Best record against the division (1/2 game back of Baltimore).
Best Pythagoreon record in the division (not too likely, but possible).
Best pitching in the division (locked up, barring a lot of 20-1 losses).

Also some individual things to watch for:
Wells goes for 30-100 (just like Delgado last year). Prediction anyone?
Hillenbrand is at OBP .351 (was there a second half wager? I haven't seen any updates).
Towers and Chacin going over 200 innings.
Will Hudson win the Gold Glove this year?
Catalanotto, Wells : 0 errors so far (did I just jinx them?)

Pistol - Wednesday, September 21 2005 @ 09:01 AM EDT (#128458) #

I think one of the more overlooked things about Josh Towers is that he has been pretty durable. I can't remember a time in his career when he's had an injury. Googling it didn't turn anything up either. (I can't remember Chacin or Bush ever having injury problems either.)

A league average pitcher that can give you 35 starts and 200 innings is pretty valuable. And this year Towers is 27th among AL pitchers in VORP which puts him above average.

DiscoDave - Wednesday, September 21 2005 @ 09:18 AM EDT (#128459) #

Give Batista a few starts to finish the season. If he pitches well his trade value increases. In the offseason actively pursue trade offers for him and see if you cant wiggle a 30HR guy out of someone.

The pitching has be solid this year, but they need a bat teams will fear. It would be better if we were able to get a proper 3 and 4 hole bats and move VW to 5th, he would be a killer 5 hole batter.

When I look at Hill it is amazing how much he reminds me of a young Jeff Kent. Would trading ODog while his value is high be a good idea (he is proving to be an injury risk)?

Jim - Wednesday, September 21 2005 @ 09:43 AM EDT (#128461) #

'In the offseason actively pursue trade offers for him and see if you cant wiggle a 30HR guy out of someone.'

Can we be a little more realistic with our trades. A 34 year old enigma with a 5MM contract who can't get people out does not fetch a good offensive player.

Jonny German - Wednesday, September 21 2005 @ 10:30 AM EDT (#128466) #

In response to Keith Talent: You're missing the point entirely. We can agree to disagree about whether or not venting is an important human activity and about whether or not a person in an enviable position deserves to be criticised without restraint by those without the talent or work ethic or brains to get themselves to that position. But it's not about Miguel Batista or Jerry Howarth or JP Ricciardi. It's about fellow Bauxites. Suppose you had a friend who never had anything positive to say, who was constantly complaining about something or spreading doom & gloom, with no hint of irony or humour. Would you enjoy hanging out with a guy like that? I sure wouldn't. And that's what certain posters are, constant nattering naysayers for whom the glass is always, always three quarters empty. I don't care if they're generally or approximately correct in what they say, they're not telling us anything we don't already know and they're depressing. Further, when you vent in person do you do it with people you hardly know, or people who disdain you? Of course not, you vent to good friends who will hear you out. There are posters here who haven't given any of us any reason to like them, but they seem to feel we should be glad to hear their venting, that it is their right to subject us to their venting.

For the record Keith, while I often disgree with what you have to say, you're not one of those posters I'm referring to above.

DiscoDave - Wednesday, September 21 2005 @ 10:59 AM EDT (#128469) #

Jim,

Of course they are going to have to package some minor league talent to get a bat(Gross?). YOung taletn and a SP who can toss 200innings could have more than a few takers(Milwaukee).

Gwyn - Wednesday, September 21 2005 @ 11:07 AM EDT (#128471) #

Also not sure if anyone can fill me in on this, but is Speier a free agent this year or the year after?

Speier is a Jay next year at $2.25M, he's an FA in 2007.

#2JBrumfield - Wednesday, September 21 2005 @ 11:31 AM EDT (#128473) #

Some positives from last night. Jason Frasor taking care of business in the 9th. Even when he gave up the single to Ichiro, I felt pretty confident he'd nail it down. The pen did another great job and Towers really settled down and got quite a few quick outs after he threw 30 pitches in the 1st. He helped himself out with a couple of nice plays defensively.

It was also nice to see the Jays try to get aggressive on the basepaths, even though it did backfire on a couple of occasions with Zaun and Rios caught stealing. Was Rios safe or out at 3rd? I thought the throw was there in time from our vantage point in section 520 but obviously Gibbons didn't agree.

I also thought Aaron Hill had a nice game last night. Even though he went 0-for-3, he hit the ball hard all 3 times. Defensively, he made a couple of nice plays. I thought it was a heads-up play by Hill when he dove to stop Ichiro's grounder in the 4th and fired a seed to 2nd to force Torrealba instead of trying to get Ichiro at 1st.

I didn't see any Bauxites at the game, but we did hear a "Going Going Zaun" chant last night on the 3rd base side of the 500 level. The missus was happy to see Zaun park one over the wall and what a play he and Wells made to get Lopez at the plate.

The one pisser of the evening was Simcoe Place charging $10 to park instead of $5. When the hell did they start that? That cuts into the lap dance money :).

Jobu - Wednesday, September 21 2005 @ 11:44 AM EDT (#128475) #

A random observation from last nights game.

I was seated in the promised land (front row of 518) and behind me sat possibly the most confusing fan ever. He was a university aged Japanese fellow, wearing a Mariners hat and a Mariners jersey. He cheered for Ichiro! and the mariners, jumping up for any of their successes. Doesn't seem to out of place yet does it? Here's the tricky part. He also seemed to grudgingly cheer for the Jays as well whenever they did something successful. He cheered but with just a pinch less enthusiasm than the mariners. It was odd, I never experienced it before other than with young children who just didn't follow the game and cheered along with loud noises. This fellow seemed to know exactly what was going on, but was just constantly cheering for any play that was successful.... for someone. Is it customary in Japan to cheer for both teams against your will, did he just have too much to drink? These are things I may never know...

Nick - Wednesday, September 21 2005 @ 12:43 PM EDT (#128479) #

Let me add this anecdote which is semi-related to the phenomenon of the Instant Replay thread noted by Mick. I was watching a roundtable discussion with 4 NFL coaches (Cowher, Billick, Dungy, and Mora, Jr.). A question was asked that related to the mood after a win as opposed to a loss. 3 of the 4 coaches said that after a win, they enjoy it for about 5 minutes before focusing on the following week's game. In fact, one of them referred to the feeling after a win as closer to relief rather than elation. On the other hand, after a loss they dwell on it for hours, sometimes days or weeks, depending on the magnitude of the loss. They can't sleep the night of the loss and sometimes for days after. The only coach who said he actually enjoyed a win was Dungy. Of course, they have their job on the line week in and week out in a 16 game season, while we are just fans of a team playing a 162 game season. So maybe this is way off-couurse. But I think it says something.

VBF - Wednesday, September 21 2005 @ 01:23 PM EDT (#128486) #

Actually, I've been semi-intentionally spreading around the 'Going Going Zaun' chant to various regulars at the Dome for the season. I guess it's paying off. But I wasn't there last night. I will be there tonight to watch The King.

Willy - Wednesday, September 21 2005 @ 02:50 PM EDT (#128499) #

Whoa! (as St. Jerry himself might say), close call! I was almost deleted. But thanks to Mick D., a true Texas champion of freedom of speech, I live to send another post.

Firstly, there had been no other posts for a half-hour or so after Magpie opened the thread. So I sent my post, thinking it might start a discussion. How is that ‘off-topic”? And since when are comments about the announcers off-topic? Thousands upon thousands of fans experience their Jays games through those announcers. There was no “venting” in the post. I’m always happy when the Jays win. I expect everyone who visits this site is. This is news?

When you take your car to a mechanic, you expect him to use his tools well, even flawlessly. When I listen to well-paid professional broadcasters I expect them to use their tools well, even flawlessly. (If I understand matters correctly, Mick, you live in Texas, right? So you don’t have to *listen* to these guys anyway? Does that maybe disqualify you from commenting on them?) Their flaws are irksome, to put it mildly. And avoidable with a bit of care and practice. (If we want to be really serious, we might even find them insulting: these guys don’t care enough about their work, and their audience, to get it right?) Well, then, tell them to shape up. I know we live in a celebrity culture, but just because someone is on the radio makes him no better or worse than you or me. Jerry is a very minor local celebrity. So what? And Sawkiw isn’t even on the celebrity radar. Are these people beyond reproach? Why can’t they do better?

As for Jonny German (whose posts I usually find unexceptionable), he presents himself as a Dilbert empathizer, but his post has more than a whiff of Dilbert’s boss’s control-freak intolerance about it. To follow Jonny’s logic only people we agree with, or would like to ‘hang out with,’ are welcome here. I didn’t know that I was supposed to be making myself ‘likeable’ to Jonny G. Silly me. Let me repeat: to criticize Jerry is not “venting”. Sorry you don’t like it.

And to make inferences about whether posters’ have sufficient “talent or work ethic or brains to get themselves [a job on the radio]” based upon a post to Da Box is just plain fatuous. As if brains were required for radio, anyway. Do you listen to it much, Jonny? You know nothing at all about my talent or work ethic or brains.

Named For Hank - Wednesday, September 21 2005 @ 02:58 PM EDT (#128500) #

The venting comments were about a post that was deleted, not yours, willy. Yours is still here.

Mick was just pointing out that he didn't delete the now-gone comment, but was responding to it.

Named For Hank - Wednesday, September 21 2005 @ 03:05 PM EDT (#128501) #

Likewise, Jonny's comments are about the now-missing post. Sorry for the confusion.

Jobu - Wednesday, September 21 2005 @ 03:31 PM EDT (#128507) #

There's a guy sitting across from me right now in my tutorial dressed in full Yankee regalia, hat and jersey. An A-Rod jersey to be precise. But that's not bad enough, he actually has "RODRIGUEZ" printed across the back of the home jersey.

Is there ANYTHING more annoying than that?

Named For Hank - Wednesday, September 21 2005 @ 03:37 PM EDT (#128508) #

Ask him where his uniform pants and field-legal cleats are.

Tyler - Wednesday, September 21 2005 @ 03:54 PM EDT (#128509) #

I frequently wear a hat and jersey. What's the big deal with that?

Named For Hank - Wednesday, September 21 2005 @ 03:58 PM EDT (#128510) #

But Tyler, do you wear a Yankees hat and an A-Rod jersey that has A-Rod's name on it? (The real ones don't -- Yankee jerseys feature the number only. But you can get reproductions that DO have the name, in case you think it's important for your non-Yankee fan friends to know whose jersey you're wearing.) And do you go to school wearing it in the Greater Toronto Area?

Named For Hank - Wednesday, September 21 2005 @ 03:59 PM EDT (#128511) #

By the way, I was asked once where my cleats and uniform pants were when I wore a Jays cap and jersey together. I still do it, though. ;)

Tyler - Wednesday, September 21 2005 @ 04:03 PM EDT (#128512) #

No, I'm a BoSox fan who follows the Jays closely for reasons locational, historical and personal. If you're objecting to the name on the jersey, I agree it's stupid-it kills me seeing thousands of Yankee fans with expensive jerseys that don't make sense at SkyDome.

I do live in the GTA though and have been known to add a Sox jersey to my customary backwards Sox cap. No shame in that, although you don't see me running around in a home jersey with "Ortiz" on the back, or worse "Papi!" Yankees fans suck though, so that might account for the difficulty.

Jonny German - Wednesday, September 21 2005 @ 04:18 PM EDT (#128513) #

NFH is correct, I was in no way referring to willy's remarks nor to willy himself. While I find willy's complaints about Jerry to be more an obsessive hobby than reasonable dissatisfaction, I like him just fine. But on a couple of your points, willy:

I’m always happy when the Jays win. I expect everyone who visits this site is. This is news?

This is definitely news to me. There are posters who most definitely appear to define themselves as Jays fans in that the Jays are the team they complain about, and it seems to me they must prefer losses since losses give them more fodder than wins to complain about, and affirm their apparent belief that the Jays are no good and never will be any good.

You've severely misinterpreted my "talent or work ethic or brains" remark, but it wasn't clearly laid out so allow me to explain: I was not insinuating that any given Bauxite is without talent, or work ethic, or brains, or all three in copious amounts. What I did mean was that not everybody is born with these things in sufficient amounts to reach the position of Major League baseball player, or broadcaster, or general manager. Do you really think it was just luck and circumstance that prevented you from becoming Roy Halladay? No reasonable person would think that - Roy is clearly a very gifted individual, and one who has utilized those gifts well. Now, does that mean he deserves to be criticized without restraint when he fails, is it reasonable to demand not just full effort every day, but to demand that full effort always equate to peak performance? I sure don't think so, but as I said in replying to Keith Talent, we can agree to disagree about that.

For the record, I listen to the game on the radio well over 100 times a year. It seems you also listen to the radio a lot, and it baffles me that you're so dissatisfied with Jerry given his buffoon of a broadcast partner, and even more relevant, after witnessing how many are much worse than Jerry in last year's parade of visiting broadcasters. Many of the things that irk you about Jerry are also things that wouldn't fit in my definition of a perfect broadcaster. I'll even add another for kicks - the undue reverence he holds for the Yankees, in particular Derek Jeter, and less explicably, Robinson Cano. "Open your eyes Jerry, there's a much better Rookie of the Year candidate on the team you watch every day". But when you sum it up Jerry is a very good broadcaster, particularly in performing the core function of his job, relating the game on the field.

Jobu - Wednesday, September 21 2005 @ 04:27 PM EDT (#128514) #

Also to clarify, I have no problems at all with hats and jerseys together. I'm guilty of that from time to time. Just something so annoying about people wearing yankee jerseys WITH names on the back....arg.

He more than likely knows less about the Yankees than I do and was either told it looks cool, or just thinks that wearing Yankee gear makes him cool.

I didn't get to bate him into argument as he was on the otherside of the class as me, but next week I intend to show up in full Jays regalia and "have words".

And not that there's anything wrong with the hat and jersey combo, but don't you just roll your eyes when you see someone sporting a Yankee hat and jersey combo?

(and in case you were wondering, yes his unbent brim was pointed askew)

Named For Hank - Wednesday, September 21 2005 @ 04:37 PM EDT (#128516) #

To me, willy is kind of like that movie critic that you read every week even though you find your opinions never converge. And if willy were a movie critic, I'd be savoring those weeks when movies came out that I knew would drive him up the wall.

Tyler - Wednesday, September 21 2005 @ 04:39 PM EDT (#128517) #

Do you really think it was just luck and circumstance that prevented you from becoming Roy Halladay?

I think if I was 8 inches taller and blessed with an arm kissed by the Gods, my chances would have been a lot better. I'm not denying he has worked incredibly hard to get to where he is, because I believe he has. This is all a digression, but Roy Halladay is Roy Halladay in large part through luck and circumstance.

Oddly, I'm an incredibly quick healer. I suppose we all have our gifts. Mine just isn't all that useful to me.

(and in case you were wondering, yes his unbent brim was pointed askew)

I have to admit, I don't really know what to make of the name on the back of the jersey-all Yankee fans, even those who are legit fans seem to do this. The unbent askew brim though...he might as well have been wearing a sign that said "I'm doing this because I think it's fashionable." Mock away.

Named For Hank - Wednesday, September 21 2005 @ 04:42 PM EDT (#128519) #

Actually, I think it's because the ones with the names on them are cheaper.

Tyler - Wednesday, September 21 2005 @ 04:45 PM EDT (#128520) #

This doesn't even make sense though-surely it costs the manufacturer more to put together a jersey with a name on it than without. No rational person demands an inauthentic looking jersey to force the manufacturer to do so. It's like a confluence of utterly irrational activities.

Named For Hank - Wednesday, September 21 2005 @ 05:06 PM EDT (#128523) #

Majestic make two levels of jersey -- the "replica" and the "Authentic Collection". The Authentic Collection are supposedly identical in workmanship and materials to what they issue to players -- stitched-on numbers instead of heat-pressed ones, stronger seams, stuff like that. The quality of the embroidery is also better for the team patches.

They are of course tagged differently -- the real jerseys have numbered sizes while the Authentic Collection are still S, M, L, XL etc.

Anyways, the Authentic Collection jerseys are a lot more money. And being Authentic, the Yankee ones have no names on the back. The replica ones can, so they do.

I'm sure it's possible to have a replica one done up with a number only, but I'd bet that the pre-made ones are all name-and-number.

Jobu - Wednesday, September 21 2005 @ 05:29 PM EDT (#128524) #

I'm trying to think of any other team in sports where it's as trendy to wear their merchandise or "support" them without knowing anything about them as it is with some Yankee "fans".... but I can't think of another team that comes close.

I wonder if it's just a matter of not being able to get Yankee games on TV here, as well as not following the team as closely as they should and not even realizing there's not supposed to be names on the back. Or perhaps it's just the personality fitting someone who wants to go out into public in full Yankee regalia saying ever so subtly "I LIKE A-ROD! SEE!? IT'S ON THE BACK OF MY JERSEY!! NO LOOK NOW!!! IM COOL SEE!? A-ROD!! SEE!? MY HAT'S CROOKED!! YO! REPRESENT!".

Tyler - Wednesday, September 21 2005 @ 05:44 PM EDT (#128526) #

I'm sure it's possible to have a replica one done up with a number only, but I'd bet that the pre-made ones are all name-and-number.

I suppose that this really does make the most sense. Surely Yankee fans can't be that dumb. My friend, who is a huge Yankee fan, has his jersey with the obligatory 2 and no name, but he got it done somewhere else after buying a blank.

Strange world.

VBF - Wednesday, September 21 2005 @ 05:52 PM EDT (#128527) #

Actually Jobu, Atlanta and LA are going to surpass New York on the fashion radar sometime. Or whatever P.Diddy wears. He changes teams weekly, but I respect he usually wears teams that aren't very good like the Pirates or O's.

I tend not to wear the combo anymore (and I wore the combo almost daily) since it's apparantly 'weird' to do so. So I try to mix in other Toronto jerseys and stuff from other sports. But always the cap.

No, I'm a BoSox fan who follows the Jays closely for reasons locational, historical and personal.

Oh, *that's* original.

VBF - Wednesday, September 21 2005 @ 05:56 PM EDT (#128528) #

See Jobu, I'm like that when I wear a Jays jersey, plus the fact I follow the team closely. I want the world to know exactly who I support in baseball. Not only for this reason, but to identify myself as a Jays fan means when I see others doing the same thing, there's like an immdeiate connection. I don't know the person, but they are a Jays fan, which makes them an automatic ally.

Oh, and if *anyone* is anywhere near Toronto today get down here. Tickets from scalpers are really really cheap and you get to see King Felix. Seriously, you can probably sit right behind home plate for about 15 bucks.

Named For Hank - Wednesday, September 21 2005 @ 06:18 PM EDT (#128529) #

I'd come down, but Theo just cut tooth #3 and is vomiting because of it. Whee!

Mick Doherty - Wednesday, September 21 2005 @ 06:30 PM EDT (#128530) #

Oh, I can. Here in the DFW Metroplex, there's this little tackle football squad named the Cowboys ...

There are PLENTY of people down here wearing 'Boys jerseys who know nothing about the NFL prior to about 2002 or so, but based on the word of their father or older brother or somesuch are POSITIVE that Roger Staubach was the greatest QB who ever lived -- until Troy Aikman came along (that's where fathers and sons diverge) and that yes, Danny White belongs in the Hall of Fame.

Keith Talent - Wednesday, September 21 2005 @ 08:13 PM EDT (#128532) #

Now, does that mean he deserves to be criticized without restraint when he fails, is it reasonable to demand not just full effort every day, but to demand that full effort always equate to peak performance? I sure don't think so, but as I said in replying to Keith Talent, we can agree to disagree about that.

This is putting words in my mouth. I was responding to 2 things:

1. Why do posters rush to Da Box after a terrible loss rather than after a great win?

2. Comments about the announcers after a game are off topic. (Which is like saying: talking about actors after watching a movie is off topic.)

I'm not going to waste my time arguing. I just wanted to clarify that I wasn't putting a slight on Jerry. Jerry's OK. He's got his quirks but I wouldn't hesitate in calling him a professional. I was thinking of Sawkiw as the real offense to the game.

As for the paragraph on top that I quoted. Well. All I was saying is that these aren't children playing Little League whose confidence we'll forever destroy if we vent a little frustration. (Not even directly to them! To Da Box! Which, I would be shocked, if the players actually read.) The stress-relief role of professional sports is probably the reason they play such a role in our society. What do you read first in the paper: Richard Griffin or the game recap? Who is more entertaining: Bob McCowan or Rob Faulds?

Unless you're Leo Tolstoy, happiness writes white: it doesn't show up on the page. Often you get the best comments, prose with bite, after a loss.

Four Seamer - Wednesday, September 21 2005 @ 08:49 PM EDT (#128536) #

and that yes, Danny White belongs in the Hall of Fame.

Of course he does! Granted, putting Steve Pelleur in the Hall might be a bit of a stretch.

costanza - Wednesday, September 21 2005 @ 10:28 PM EDT (#128547) #

When I was school, Raiders gear was everywhere in Toronto, and it had absolutely nothing to do with the team's performance...

VBF - Wednesday, September 21 2005 @ 11:00 PM EDT (#128553) #

Raiders gear was definitely a product of rap's emergence onto the scene just like the NY logo has become a symbol of hip hop. I hate Fat Joe.

VBF - Thursday, September 22 2005 @ 02:45 PM EDT (#128604) #

Straight outta Compton!

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