I'm always amazed that the stories out of spring training are identical in each paper just about every day

I just can't wait to find out who's in the best shape of their life.

I'm always amazed that the stories out of spring training are identical in each paper just about every day

I'm guessing all the beat writers are looking for something -- anything -- to turn into a story since there's no ball actually being played. So whatever nifty sound bite Gibbons puts out during the daily scrum turns into the day's "news."

What scares me a little is how most writers will write the same (topical) story almost identically. I think it speaks to how journalists are taught their rather ridged craft.

If anybody's still mulling over the idea of heading down to Cooperstown for the Hall of Fame game, featuring the Jays and Orioles, there still seems to be a bunch of tickets on sale. They were available a couple days ago but I managed to pick up 6, so they aren't few and far between. Should be a great way to spend Victoria Day.

Jeff Blair spent a few minutes discussing the Gibbons extension on XM a moment ago. Here’s a recap.

-          The timing was right for an extension. Blair believes that by the time the year is out Gibbons will have been granted another extension, this time for upwards of three years.

-          Apparently the deal was ironed out between JP  and Gibbons in little over 10-minutes. The rest of their meeting was spent ranking 80s hair-metal bands.

-          One of the reasons Wells re-signed with the Jays was the positive clubhouse atmosphere fostered under Gibbons.

-          Gibbons’ reputation for bullpen management is very strong and held in high regard by people around the Major Leagues. One such individual, BJ Ryan, told Blair that he was impressed by the fact that on only one occasion this past season was he called up in the bullpen without being brought into the game.

VBF, do they generally use bench and minor-league players for the HOF game?

The Jays are in Philly on the Sunday, and in Baltimore on Tuesday, so who knows if anyone on the big club would be going to Cooperstown. My guess though is that it might be intriguing to a few guys on the team and perhaps they'd go play an inning or two as a novelty. Had the team been in Toronto the weekend before, I imagine more players would show up. Chances are we see someone from Syracuse on the mound, or maybe someone on an injury assignment, like a Zambrano.

Still, to see those jerseys playing on Doubleday Field is pretty cool.

"I'm going to be a different Miguel. Believe me," he said. "I'm going to be totally different."

February 15 to ball players is the equivalent of January 1 for the rest of us. A bunch of resolutions that will never be kept. There's no point fighting one's true nature. I yam what I yam, said Popeye.  

Dayn Perry om the Jays chances:

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6485500

Perry is cautiously optimistic about the Jays' chances of contending for a wild-card spot.

I have often defended Perry in these circles, but today's piece did exhibit some sloppiness.

Backing up Halladay and Burnett in the rotation are Shaun Marcum, Thomson and Ohka.

While Chacin may be no better than Marcum, he is the more likely #3 at the moment with Marcum slotting in anywhere from #4 to #7.

Scott Downs was outstanding, and Brian Tallet was solid. The rest of them — Jason Frasor, Brandon League and Jeremy Accardo — did not pitch well.

I think he got a few of the names mixed up. Could he have really meant:

Brandon League was outstanding, and Scott Downs was solid. The rest of them — Jason Frasor, Brian Tallet and Jeremy Accardo — did not pitch well.

This would sure seem closer to the truth.

This would sure seem closer to the truth.

 Except that Tallet did pitch well. Too many walks, but he held batters to a .238 BA (lefties to .220), and tightened up his control in the second half and held batters to 238/331/324.

 It's also not too much of a stretch to call Scott Downs outstanding in relief: 2.77 ERA, held batters to 197/280/345 in 61 innings.

VBF, do they generally use bench and minor-league players for the HOF game?

Now that I see that the Chiefs have a game that same night, and the Jays have an off day, we might see more players from the big club than I thought. Of course they could decide to call up the Auburn Doubledays...

Teams normally do make a large number of callups for the Hall of Fame Game, but as the Doubledays' season doesn't begin until at least June, I don't think any Auburn players will be making the trip from extended spring training in Dunedin.

I wouldn't think that they'd want to disrupt the starting rotations of the Jays or the Chiefs.  I'm thinking a spot start for Francisco Rosario or a rehab start for Victor Zambrano - or somehting along those lines.  If nothing along those lines is available, I wouldn't be surprised to see Ricky Romero or Jesse Litsche flown in from extended spring training.  What have other clubs done in the past when it comes to starting pitchers for this game?

http://www.thestar.com/Sports/article/183992

It's an interesting(really amusing) article about any potential "Jeter & A-Rod" tension between Thomas and Glaus concerning who will be in the cleanup spot. It's funny because the media got their fill with the Gibbons extension campaign and now have managed to find another "story".

Anyway, it got me thinking about the batting lineup which according to Gibbons may look a little something like this:

1 Johnson
2 Overbay
3 Wells
4 Thomas
5 Glaus
6 Rios
7 Zaun
8 Hill
9 Clayton

He said that he's flirting with the idea of putting Overbay between Glaus and Thomas. I'm a little concerned that (arguably our best hitter) Rios is being left out here. I'd love to see the following lineup:

1 Rios
2 Johnson
3 Wells
4 Thomas
5 Overbay
6 Glaus
7 Clayton
8 Hill
9 Zaun

It may seem peculiar at first sight but I think that your best hitter should get the most possible AB's. This way Rios can get upwards of 600 AB's. Johnson's a good OBP guy so Wells and Thomas should have plenty of RBI opportunities. Overbay is a better hitter than Glaus and his many doubles would certainly get Wells home but he may find that Thomas' speed will keep him from some doubles. Glaus is a thumper so the 6th spot isn't so bad. Clayton at the 7th spot certainly looks dubious but I put him there so that Hill and Zaun (good OBP guys) can be table-setters for Rios!

Any thoughts? I mentioned a similar limeup to VBF a couple of years ago (that is, the idea of your best hitter leading off with traditional "table-setters" hitting 8 and 9) and he absolutely detested it!

I'd go with this for Opening Day:

1 Johnson
2 Overbay
3 Wells
4 Thomas
5 Glaus
6 Rios
7 Zaun
8 Clayton
9 Hill

Johnson isn't called Sparky for nothing. Good things happen when he gets on base (and that's not infrequently.) Plus, without a whole lot of pop in his bat, we won't be missing many 3-run homeruns because he was hitting lead-off. My first notion was to put Rios in the 2-spot but I think to start the year with as little pressure as possible on him Overbay should bat second with Rios at #6. If Rios kicks it into high-gear (as expected) then bump him up to 2 as a show of confidence. And if we're facing a particularly deep bullpen then that might be cause to bat Overbay between Thomas/Glaus. At the bottom of the order I like a 9-hitter who can set up the top of the order, hence Hill. And Zaun is an easy choice to hit ahead of Clayton.

This is radical but when I see leadoff guys getting 60-100 AB's more than 6th hole hitters, it bothers me. Soriano's not a "prototypical" leadoff guy but I don't argue against him hitting in the leadoff spot because he gets a few more AB's(I'm estimating 30 more than he would if he hit 3rd or cleanup). That's because it gets him 2-3 more homers and about 9 more hits, which is better than what your "prototypical" leadoff guy produces in terms of OPS(pretty safe estimate).

So, wouldn't it make sense for your best hitter (prototypical 3rd hole hitter) bat lead-off followed by your next two best hitters but keep the "prototypical" clean up guy. And in the 8th and 9th spots, you would put guys with high OBP's. That way your lineup looks as follows:

1 Prototypical 3-hole hitter (Wells)
2 Next best hitter (Rios)
3 Next best hitter (Overbay)
4 Cleanup guy (Thomas)
5 Power bat (Glaus - we have the luxury of having 2 "cleanup" guys)
6 Hill
7 Clayton(or whoever our shortstop ends up being)
8 "leadoff guy" (Johnson)
9 prototypical #2 batter - high OBP (Zaun)

This way, we maximize AB's from our better hitters while keeping the "table setters" mold in tact. It's pretty radical, but I think it'll maximize runs!

Anyone else beginning to love Frank Thomas?

http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070221.wsptblair21/GSStory/GlobeSportsBaseball/home

Scroll down to see what he did for Lyle Overbay in exchange for Lyle giving him his number.

Bob Elliot interview with Shea Hillenbrand. Take it with a grain of salt but there are some very interesting things said about the Blue Jays clubhouse.

http://www.torontosun.com/Sports/Baseball/2007/02/22/3654227-sun.html

"In 2005 I'm an all-star, selected by my peers"

Er, not exactly sport. You were selected by a manager (or perhaps a committee of managers) because of a silly rule requiring at least one player per team. You happened to be stinking it up less than your teammates so you got the nod. You had no business being at an all-star game.

Who needs General Hospital, Days of Our Lives...heck, even WWE Smackdown!
I like this, it's pure entertainment!

Did anyone read the Matt Stairs article in the Star? It's about Griffin's soft spot - Canadian baseball players.
He actually thinks Stairs is going to get 300 AB's!

Anyone else beginning to love Frank Thomas?

I'll admit that I was pretty skeptical about the whole "New Man" image Thomas was selling but he can't fake the kind of class he showed with that gift to Overbay. Most guys would have just gone with the Rolex.

I'm somewhat surprised that the entire Hillenbrand story seems to have magically come out several months after the incident. And considering Shea's track record of whining to the media, I'm surprised he kept these 'stories' in for so long. That or he just had alot of time to make them up, which I don't doubt.

Anyone who actually goes to the effort and exhausts time into ripping and then cutting up the flag of their team's country up--well that says alot about their character and their ability to manage frustration.

In the end, every player swallows their pride to be part of a bigger and better success. If everybody was Reed Johnson, the world would be a better place. Let's just hope the Che revolucion disciples have been eliminated.

I know the interview was supposed to make Hillenbrand look like a good "tells it like it is" kinda guy who was wronged by the Big Bad Blue Jays, but man, it didn't work. It's a big deal that Hillenbrand - the DH - didn't play much when the Jays played in a National League park? Because for some reason Overbay or Glaus should have been sitting on the bench instead?

 Geez. Elliott's usually... well, he's not usually subtle, but he's seldom this blatant. One thing I find about Griffin is that when he's writing stories about the players, he's actually pretty reasonable and even-handed (and quite a good writer); it's only when he delves into "analysis" he becomes unhinged. Elliott can't seem to let go at all.

Richard Dawkins wrote a GREAT book recently called "The God Delusion." Obviously Mr Dawkins made an error, he should have titled it "The Deluded Hilly." Our friend Hilly has issues, maturity, intellegence who knows, I'm just glad he's gone. 

From what Hilly says I'll take 9 Zaunnies, please.

Pitchers, sheesh!

Needless to say, the powers that be were not amused.

"You always seem to get somebody who shows up trying something new," general manager J.P. Ricciardi said. "We'll have to get on him to get the arm back up. We'll want him to get it back to where it was, a little higher."

     A lot of Bauxites are completely misreading the Elliott interview with Hillenbrand.  Go back and look at it carefully.  Elliott is very skeptical of Hillenbrand's version. He makes it clear from the start that Hillenbrand's comments are self-centred and self-interested.  He compares Hillenbrand to a Doyle Alexander or a George Bell as a clubhouse dissident.  He points out that a lot of people are not going to believe or sympathize with Hillenbrand's version.  Does this sound like someone who is using Hillenbrand in a "blatant" campaign against Ricciardi?  A lot of people here are so hostile to mainstream sportswriters that they assume everything they write is a conspiracy.

    What's significant about Elliott's interview with Hillenbrand is the new detail that it provides on the turmoil in the Jays clubhouse last year.  For example, he gets Hillenbrand to admit -- for the first time -- that he wrote "Play for yourselves" and "This ship is sinking" on the clubhouse whiteboard.  We've had versions of these quotes before, but this is the first time that Hillenbrand himself admits what he wrote.  (Elliott was smart enough to give Hillenbrand enough rope and let him hang himself with his own words.)  This interview is one of the most detailed accounts of the most explosive incident in Toronto's 2006 season. As fans of the team, I think we need to hear these details -- not suppress it because we don't like the writer who wrote it.

    The interview also raises some interesting questions about Vernon Wells and his work ethic.  Now, admittedly, Hillenbrand could be completely lying about this, but there might be a kernel of truth somewhere in his comments.  There are two new details here:  1)  in 2005, JP was "ranting" about Vernon's lack of work ethic;  2) in July 2006, just before the Hillenbrand incident, Vernon called a clubhouse meeting to defend himself from a teammate who complained that Vernon pulled up on a ball that should have been caught.   This suggests that even Vernon's own teammates sometimes wonder if he is working hard enough.

    Okay, a lot of us will completely dismiss Hillenbrand's comments, but I personally think there might be a kernel of truth here.  After all, JP seemed uninterested in giving Vernon a contract extension until after his failed attempt to spend $100-million on Lilly and Meche.  Isn't it quite possible that JP has some lingering concerns that Vernon doesn't work hard enough?  It might be an unfair perception, but I think this adds to the mix of information that we have about Vernon and his massive new contract.  Again, I think it's worthwhile to have Hillenbrand's comments on the public record, even if they have to be treated with some skepticism.

    Finally, I think a lot of people are misunderstanding the role of the mainstream writers at this time of year. The Sun and the Globe have one writer at the Jays camp and a second writer (Blair or Elliott) who roves around the other various teams. The second writer, naturally, should interview people who are of interest to their Toronto readership.  If you were a Toronto-based writer who entered the clubhouse of the Anaheim Angels and you bumped into Shea Hillenbrand in a talkative mood, would you refuse to publish his comments?  I think, in this case anyway, Elliott did a reasonable thing by chatting with Hillenbrand and asking him about the most explosive incident that happened last year.  There was nothing in the interview that made JP look bad, so why do people misread it as a campaign against JP? 

Again, I think it's worthwhile to have Hillenbrand's comments on the public record, even if they have to be treated with some skepticism.

You may be right about the public record - but anything from Hillenbrand has to be treated with more than just "some skepticism".  Hillenbrand is a liar.

When this story was reported on The Fan 590 radio station this morning, Bullpen Show host Mike Hogan replayed a short part of an interview he had with Hillenbrand after the incident last season.  Hogan asked Hillenbrand directly if he had written either of the now infamous comments on the Jays clubhouse whiteboard.  Hillenbrand's answer was a flat no.

I would not believe what Hillenbrand says about any player - especially a player as superior to him as is VW - or, really, about anything.

Regarding Vernon Wells' work ethic and teammates' "response"-- that could also be interpreted as a small core of players like Hillenbrand who have too much to say for themselves in a desperate effort to raise themselves a few bars on the employee platform. The "Let's bring the star player down a little closer to us" philosophy.

I also don't read much into the priorities of Ricciardi, and giving money to Meche and Lilly before Vernon. Strengthening the rotation was the target of the offseason, and the only chance this team had/has to compete. I think that having a solid third and fourth starter for the 2007 season was more urgently needed than giving an extension to Vernon Wells, who would've played 2007 regardless.

And even though we may only have the perspective of the fan, I think that changes to Vernon Wells' work ethic have been fairly visible. It was talked about in Spring Training last year about how Vernon was spending more time on his own game, and the results backed up the stories about an increased work ethic.

OK, some of you are are getting CLOSE to crossing my "nobody disses my main man Vernon" line...

VW is, wait for it... a 6' 1" 225 pound (TWO HUNDRED AND TWENTY FIVE POUND!!!!) Gold Glove center fielder! This guy is an 800 pound GO-RELLA playing a Gazelle's position. IF he did not pace himself he'd have broken down years ago. He's a Gold Glove, 30+ homer center fielder. He's a center fielder that will one day be a Gold Glove, 30+ homer right or left fielder.

He is HUGE. He soars like an eagle, he covers more ground than a cheetah chased by a pride of lions, the ball is magnetically attracted to his glove, he is a PURE PLEASURE to watch.  

Enjoy this man EXCEL in CF while we can, then enjoy this man EXCEL in a corner spot for years after that. JP, you signed a winner.

Is it April yet?

There was nothing in the interview that made JP look bad, so why do people misread it as a campaign against JP? 

You don't think J.P alledgedly ranting and raving about Vernon and Hinske to another player makes J.P look bad?

Something to worry about: Brandon League's shoulder. From Blair's blog:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/blogs/baseball

"On the field, I’m getting the sense that there is growing concern about Brandon League, who is being relied upon to pick up some of the innings lost when setup man Justin Speier left as a free agent. League pulled a hamstring last week. Now, he has a stiff shoulder after looking, frankly, like a guy with a sore arm during a couple of throwing sessions.

The Blue Jays are fudging League’s status, but he might need further medical examinations before the nature of the injury is known. Never a good sign, however it's spun."

The interview also raises some interesting questions about Vernon Wells and his work ethic.

Before John Olerud was canonized, he was often accused, whilst a Jay, of not seeming to care enough. Critics, observing his reserved demeanour and lack of visible passion, concluded that he was, ipso facto, indifferent and lackadaisical.

Vernon Wells, not one to wear his heart on his sleeve either, may also be opening the door for similar accusations, particularly from fans and players whose behaviour is overtly passionate. In Shea's world, a true "competitor" looks and acts like he does, shooting from the hip, exhibiting no impulse control and binding and gagging the little interlocutor in his head who would otherwise vet what his brain conjures and his mouth spews.

To judge a player's attitude or work ethic based solely on the evidence of their outward behaviour is foolish. While Greg Zaun's (and, in some quarters, Shea Hillenbrand's) overt feistiness resonates well with fandom, none should presume that the lack of same from the more even-tempered players suggests a lesser amount of passion, or a diminished work ethic.

Vernon is chill.  The only time I've seen him visibly fired up was once last season when he was tossed from a game for arguing with an umpire.  He yelled at him from the dugout.  I must say it was kinda hot.  But I don't expect it out of him all the time.  People assume he isn't trying because he makes things look effortless.  He is very smooth and very slick.  It's part of the fun of V-Dub.  That and him yelling "g*d damnit!!" when he misses his pitch.

As for Shea,  good lord, boy, please stop talking.  The whole thing is so dumb.  It's the wounded male ego at it's worst. Now, I'm not the biggest JP fan.  Shea talking about the pressure JP was putting on Gibbons to win and egos smarting everywhere has a ring of truth.  I wrote a post saying as much right after the whole incident last summer.  But move on, please. I beg all of you attending the game against the Angels in August (if Shea hasn't already been benched, started to whine and forced to park his trailer in a new town), not to boo.  Please no boos.  Look away.  He was never here.  Booing only feeds the whole wounded individualist "no one understands me.  I stand alone" idea he has of himself.  Just don't look. Just don't look.  It's got Paul Anka's guarantee...

Perceived player attitudes are totally fickle, and often depend on what sort of story the media is looking for and how the team is doing. I remember when Mondesi came here and everyone talked about his intensity and how he played at 115% - despite stories of being a malcontent in LA. And sure enough, he came to TO, he hustled and made great plays, and he was everything the team needed - particularly compared to Carlos Delgado, who apparently just wanted to hit home runs and collect his salary.

  A couple years later, malcontent Mondesi was long gone and we were hearing about how the Jays missed Delgado's calm, veteran leadership.

  Vernon - like Olerud, I think - seems to be a pretty quiet, low-key guy, and some people can perceive that as indifference or laziness; at the very least, it's easy to lay commentary on it, since there's nothing obvious to the casual observer to contradict it. Some people just want a Paul O'Neil type who'll smash water coolers and bat racks after every strikeout. (unless it's Eric Hinske, I suppose)

Carlos Delgado, who apparently just wanted to hit home runs and collect his salary.

Ok, I hope that's not a shot at Delgado. Delgado seemed to be very comfortable in Toronto and he played really well. His defense was underrated and his bat...well, his bat speaks for itself. If all he cared about was homers he wouldn't have consistently slashed singles the other way to battle those silly infield shifts!

Vernon Wells is a different personality and I think he's one of the few athletes who realize that it's just a game. It doesn't mean that he doesn't care about his team's performance. It just means that he can control what's in his realm(ie, plate appearances, base running, playing defence). He's an awesome Gold Glove center fielder who probably deserved a Gold Glove in '03 but was overlooked because of flashy outfielders like Torii Hunter, who make the highlight reels. Hunter is true performer because sometimes he doesn't need to dive but he does anyway 'cause it looks good and gives fans entertainment value! Wells has such enormous range(especially going back to the fence for balls) that he doesn't have to dive (and when he does, you he really had to - you appreciate him because of that). Moreover, he makes it look effortless and we criticize him for not giving it his all!? As previously mentioned, he's a large fellow who can't afford to play carelessly in the outfield(see Griffey Jr.). He's an awesome talent and we should be happy that we've got him locked up for the next 4 years!