David Laurila of RedSoxNation.net recently sat down with Portland (now New Hampshire) slugger John Hattig. Originally signed by the Red Sox in 1998, the 24-year-old Hattig was acquired by Toronto in a trade last month for Terry Adams and has an on-base percentage over .400 in the Eastern League this season, with 15 home runs. A switch-hitting third baseman, he is trying to become the first native of Guam to play in the big leagues. Shortly before the trade, David caught up with John at Hadlock Field in Portland and talked about his dream of some day wearing a major league uniform... a dream that now will be happening in shades of blue rather than shades of red.

Thanks so much to David and to RedSoxNation.net for allowing Batter's Box to print this interview, to let our readers get a little closer to Toronto's new prospect.

Just a pointer for everyone to our interview last year with new Jays manager John Gibbons.

If anyone has any advice for Gibby, feel free to talk about it here. I have a feeling that most of you do... :)

I'm on my way, I'm making it
I've got to make it Show, yeah

Hello to John Gibbons, farewell to Carlos Tosca, turn the page on another chapter in Blue Jays history. The airwaves were filled with analysis and accusations after the firing of Carlos Tosca yesterday afternoon. So break out your reading glasses; there’s a lot of links to digest today:

Sunday, August 15 is the deadline for that big deal that will push you over the top, get you into the playoffs or escape relegation.

It was a relatively uneventful week in the standings with no really lopsided scores; good news for those of us who like our positions. My Toronto Walrus beat Garces_not_on_roids 8-4 to remain 9.5 games in front, as second-place AGF defeated the Moscow Rats by the same margin. There were no changes among the next four clubs, all of whom won by 7-5 or 6-5 scores. Baird Brain and the SABR Magicians each moved up a notch.

Please share your *good* memories of Carlos Tosca with us in this thread.

Note : Please stay on-colour and at least moderately respectful of a man I like and admire. Anyone who wants to go all H. L. Mencken on Tosca is encouraged to do it elsewhere.

Please share your memories of Josh Phelps with us in this thread.

Earlier today we have heard from John Hattig who the Blue Jays acquired for Terry Adams. Now it is time to hear from the newest Blue Jay, Eric Crozier, who the Blue Jays acquired for Josh Phelps. Ed Gonser has once again provided speedy access to our minor league players. Last week Ed brought us the initial reaction to the trade. Now he has chatted with Eric Crozier, upon his arrival in Syracuse.

Thanks Ed.

While everyone was obsessing over the big boys, the junior teams must have been distracted too. Only Pulaski won, and that in extra innings. Francisco Rosario had another disappointing start.

In today's Game Thread, Spicol poses the opinion-question, "Esteban is the Spanish equivalent of Steve, which, Steve McQueen and Steve Austin aside, really isn't that cool. Or is it, and I've been Miles Davis all these years without knowing it?"

Well, let's see. What does our All-Steve Team look like?

Part 8: Win totals - Mercenaries 6, Blue Jays 1

Some Sunday-morning thoughts about baseball and the Yankees.

A couple of eighth inning rallies to break 3-3 ties and a Pulaski whitewash were the highlights of a 3-2 Saturday night for the farm affiliates.

In The Neyer/James Guide to Pitchers Bill James introduced a formula designed to pick the Cy Young award winner (not it should be noted necessarily the best pitcher in the league, but, the pitcher most likely to be thought the best by the Cy Young voters).

Where no one notices the contrast of white on white
And in between the moon and you the angels get a better view
Of the crumbling difference between wrong and right
I walk in the air between the rain through myself and back again
Where? I don’t know

Carlos Tosca has been fired. First base coach John Gibbons will replace Tosca on an interim basis for the rest of the season.

Discuss.