Congratulations to our friend John Gizzi and his wife Cindan on the birth of their first child, a daughter. Annabella Molly Gizzi, weighing 8 lbs., 1 oz., arrived at 6:11 p.m. last Wednesday, July 14. Mother and daughter are doing fine; knowing Gitz, it will be no surprise if his baby girl is a lefty.

Health and happiness to you and your family, John.

In August of 1998, I moved to Manhattan. Within a week of my arrival, I attended a "Circle Line" cruise around the Hudson and East Rivers with my new NYU classmates. As we emerged from under the Brooklyn Bridge, my friend Dan motioned toward the Financial District and observed, "Just think of the unimaginable resources we're looking at right now."

Last night, as I was perusing the Yankee roster (and, for that matter, disabled list) on my desktop on Rivington Street, I was struck with an analogous feeling. What an insane collection of accumulated talent and experience!

Nevertheless, Joaquin Andujar's "youneverknow" axiom remains as true as ever for the Jays in their two-day whistle-stop to the Bronx. The Yankees appear to be the class of the American League, but they're not without their flaws. Their starters have underperformed and/or been injured; their lineup features superstars, yes, but some of these superstars are declining, aging, slumping or hurting -- read all about it in this edition of the Scout. Plus, they might be looking ahead to Boston this weekend...

On to the Advance Scout!

I was reading last night's game thread on the train this morning and I saw that you have apparently abandoned your home run call, "What do you think about that". I would hate to think that it was because of the ribbing you get for it here on the Box.

"What do you think about that" was just starting to grow on me.

4 wins, a rainout, and a second-dip drubbing for the Toronto farm system on Walk-Single-Homer night.

Chance reflects on them a while
Love screams so quietly
Slipping back on golden times
Breathing with sweet memories

I haven't had a chance to see David Bush pitch in a big league game yet. During his major league debut, I was in Buffalo watching a AAA game, and I was out of the country when he made his last start.

Bush faces one of the most promising young Canadian pitchers to emerge since Ferguson Jenkins. I speak, of course, of Rich Harden.

TWiB takes a look at Chone Figgins, an interesting story in the Seattle bullpen and a new but familiar face in the Mets rotation.

Lee Sinins sends out a weekly e-mail that shows information on runs created above average for each hitter (RCAA), and runs saved above average for each pitcher (RSAA). These numbers are calculated using Bill James runs created formulas. Lee also distributes a daily report showing results, transactions and standings. These reports are reproduced at the Hardball Times. With this information we can look at the RCAA and RSAA for each Blue Jay. I had saved the final 2003 numbers so I decided to compare 2003 to a pro-rated full-season 2004. Lee's weekly report included the numbers up to last Saturday, so I multiplied the Saturday numbers by 1.8 (162/90 games).

Who will the Jays trade? Who will they trade with? Here's your chance to win fame and fortune by predicting what will happen over the next couple of weeks.

The abbreviated four-day "week" resulted in some lopsided scores and significant movement in the standings. Baird Brain (pounded 11-1 by the Horse Field Hammers to drop from third all the way to ninth in the standings) and Billie's Bashers (stomped 12-0 by the Gashouse Gorillas to fall from seventh to eleventh spot) were hardest hit, as the minimum 25 IP rule added insult to injury. When the innings requirement isn't met, I understand the automatic loss in the rate stat categories, but how can Yahoo justify wiping out a counting stat like saves?

Two other contenders were trounced; an 11-1 loss to the Austin Senators knocked the Moscow Rats from fourth down to tenth. Second-place AGF lost 9-3 to the Red Mosquitos, while my Toronto Walrus squeaked out a 6-5 decision over the Chatsworth Halos, extending our lead to 7.5 games. Mebion Glyndwr, by virtue of a 7-5 decision over the Eastern Shore Birds, moves into third, with seven teams now bunched within six games from fourth to tenth.

Three wins and two losses cap a rare losing week for the Jays farm teams. Brian Patrick failed to get a star despite having two hits and pitching a scoreless inning.

The Jays again face a finesse pitcher, but a young one in the form of Kirk Saarloos. A resounding victory today would help erase the bitter pill they had to swallow last night. It was going so well before the fateful 8th inning - the Jays were dominating in every aspect of play. That's an encouraging sign (at least to a lifelong optimist like me).

A few days ago, the team that will go to Athens in the hopes of winning a medal for Canada was announced.

As expected the Syracuse Skychiefs will lose 3 regulars to the Canadian team, and will likely lose a fourth to the Australian side. A few notable absentees: Shawn Hill, pitching with the Expos and Maxim St. Pierre of the Tigers organisation. Justin Morneau is up with the Twins now, but his presence on the roster indicates that the Twins may accomodate and send him down in time. Possibly the most intriguing player to make the team is one of the top pitching prospects in baseball - Jeff Francis.

It's been raining in the park but meantime
South of the river you stop and you hold everything
A band is blowing Dixie double four time
You feel all right when you hear that music ring

Simply put, the Jays will have to find strength in adversity. After following their rousing sweep of Seattle with consecutive empty series against the Angels and Rangers, Toronto finishes its whirlwind tour of the AL West with a two-game mini-set in the East Bay, starting tonight. Unfortunately, the Jays picked a tough time in the schedule to drop six straight; their next two series are in the toughest ballparks in baseball to steal wins -- Network Associates Coliseum and Yankee Stadium.

The Jays did, however, catch a small break: Tim Hudson is unable to pitch tonight, so Kirk Saarloos will spot-start. Read about Kirk in this week's Scout, which also includes a Canadian finding his groove, a rather public feud between a rising rookie and a combustible veteran, and an aging utilityman who always seems to give the Jays fits. Remember, tomorrow's ballgame is a 3:35 (EDT) matinee.

On to the Advance Scout!