Who's my favourite Toronto baseball writer today? Richard Griffin! The latest in a series of palatable Star columns from a pen noticeably void of poison looks at the man I consider the Jays' unsung hero -- coach Brian Butterfield.
Since I never tire of repeating myself, let me assert (again) that the turning point in Toronto's 2002 season was the firing of Buck Martinez. Not just because Carlos Tosca was able to -- and inclined to -- stand up to Raul Mondesi's childish behaviour; J.P. also got the best possible candidate to replace Tosca in the 3B coaching box. Like Tosca, and hitting coach Mike Barnett, "Butter" didn't play big-league ball, but he's a dedicated student of the game, and a fantastic teacher.
Since I never tire of repeating myself, let me assert (again) that the turning point in Toronto's 2002 season was the firing of Buck Martinez. Not just because Carlos Tosca was able to -- and inclined to -- stand up to Raul Mondesi's childish behaviour; J.P. also got the best possible candidate to replace Tosca in the 3B coaching box. Like Tosca, and hitting coach Mike Barnett, "Butter" didn't play big-league ball, but he's a dedicated student of the game, and a fantastic teacher.
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