One of the last of the Boys of Summer, and a familiar voice and face to Expos fans in their early days, has passed on.

The first real practice game is played today, after two intra-squad games on Thursday and Friday.  Brett Cecil takes the mound against the Tigers in a agme that is on the Fan in Toronto and might be available elsewhere on the Canadian network.  In a B game this morning the Jays beat Philadelphia 8-1 behind Scott Richmond, Chad Jenkins and Deck McGuire.

Today's POTD focuses on the Jays Opening Day shortstop of 2010.

Alex Gonzalez tries to get a hold of a Zack Greinke pitch against Kansas City at the Dome April 21.

What are you doing under there?

There are seven Jays Spring Training games available from the good people at MLB advanced media this year.  Starting Sunday March 6th against the Pirates.  Altogether there are 150 games being shown this spring, starting this Saturday with the Yankees and Phillies (Colon against Hamels).  The games are available as a freebie if you pony up the $15 for the At Bat app on Apple devices.

The POTD takes a look at a two-time Blue Jay celebrating his 33rd birthday today.

Dewayne Wise at the plate against Texas at the Dome September 6.  Taylor Teagarden is behind the plate for the Rangers.

An underrated rite of winter: the Vegas sportsbooks release lines for team win totals.

Talked to my buddy, photog extrodinaire, Jim Goins at spring camp this weekend.  Asked him was it me or has big Mike McDade slimmed down?  We agreed he had.

With pitchers and catchers already in camp and the balance of the squad arriving on Friday, Dunedin began the annual welcome of the Toronto Blue Jays to this delightful Florida coastal town just west of Tampa Bay.   The traditional welcome of the Jays is the address by a Toronto executive to the Dunedin Council of Organizations (DCO), a 100 strong group of local opinion leaders, community activists and volunteers.

Today's POTD shines the spotlight on the Jays 2010 closer.

Kevin Gregg shown on JaysVision prior to his May 16 appearance against Texas. 

The POTD captures the home run swing of the home run king.

José Bautista gets ready to face Tampa Bay's James Shields at the Dome August 7.

Everywhere else other than Baseball North, the big story in baseball has been dominated by one certain José Alberto Pujols Alcántara, better known as Albert Pujols.  A negotiating deadline set by Pujols for contract talks with the St. Louis Cardinals came and went this week without a new deal.  If Pujols sticks to his word, he will not negotiate during the 2011 season and become a free agent. 

Albert Pujols' game face can be seen as he stares down his bat during batting practice at the Dome June 24.

Jose Bautista signed a $65 million contract today but the biggest news of the day for him was his elevation to the Batter's Box Banner.  Ricky Romero joins him in a tribute to the club leaders of the hitters and the pitchers.

We hope you enjoy it.

Well, it's not official yet, but it seems pretty close - the Blue Jays are going to sign Jose Bautista to a 5 year deal worth $65 million, with a team option for 2016 worth $13 million. There's a press conference at 5 PM.


(Photo courtesty #2JB)

Gary Sheffield, who did not play in the majors in 2010, officially announced his retriement from the game today. Linked only loosely to the steroids scandal of recent vintage, the ex-Brewer-Padre-Marlin-Dodger-Brave-Yankee-Tiger-Met believes he belongs among baseball's enshrined:

"I am sure it will be mentioned and debated but from my standpoint I know who is in the Hall of Fame," Sheffield told the newspaper. "A lot of them don't belong in the Hall of Fame. If someone wants to debate me, check the stats."

So, Bauxites, whatchathink? Will the Hall be open to inducting a new Sheff someday soon?