Feel free to add suggestions, if you have any, on Hu -- um, that is, who -- else might be incorporated here.And seriously, don't just skim it. It's worth the time for a close, five-minute read!
Yes, yes, birthdays are celebrated on the date of the arrival -- so your Blue Jays will turn 35 this coming April. But did you know that it was exactly 36 years ago today, 2/6/76, that the AL granted expansion franchises to Seattle (to replace the departed Pilots, ever since brewing in Milwaukee) and to the first-time NLB city, Toronto, future home of your Blue Jays?
It's a little bit like celebrating a child's birthday on the anniversary of his or her conception, so let's make this day an official holiday to Blue Jays Nation, the Feast of the Torontonian Conception, with our patron saints of the holy shortstops, the only two men to reach the big leagues named Concepcion, All-Star Red Davey and later Royal reserve Onix. Netiher ever played for the Blue Jays, but thanks to today's goings-on in 1976, they could have!
Anyone remember hearing the news? Tell your story!
The inaugural episode of the "Boxcast", Batter's Box's official podcast (as opposed to all those imitations running wild out there) features Box scribes Anders Whist, Thomas Ayers and myself talking Jays, ZiPS, and Prince Fielder. More details inside.
Veteran Bauxite Mike Green, in the most recent Jason Returns thread, notes, finally, "This thread is a little long. Maybe a new one is in order for the new year. How about with a question: which NL team do you root for, and why?' And, he admits, "If Rogers continues on its current road, I need to find an NL team to root for. It was always the Expos, of course, but I just can't get excited about the Nats."
So a tri-level of questions:
- Which NL team do you root for, and why?
- Which (other) AL team do you root for, and why?
- How do you feel about the Washington Nationals?
As always, thanks Mike. Let's stir up the rabble!
(P.S. what else is going on? Anything else worth reporting or asking, let us know!)
New ... the conversation has taken an interesting turn and Bauxites are now sharing (and linking to) their first game ... join in!
As promised on Christmas Eve: don't worry, the annual New year's resolutions thread comes next week -- no need to commit early!
Okay, it's no longer "early" ... Today is New Year's Eve. So right here on Battter's Box it's time to comment and commit to a couple of different kinds of New year's Resolutions.
- Start a post here by taking on the persona of an MLB player (Blue Jay or otherwise, your decision) and post a note about what they should be resolving. Rules here -- keep it on-the-baseball-field related (e.g. no drug or marriage jokes) and keep them at least viable, RESolutions, not REVolutions. (e.g. don't post "I, Adam Dunn, resolve to stop striking out. Completely.") or post ridiculous projections (like "I, Ricky Romero, resolve to win thirty-five games and pitch eight no-hitters.") Keep it real!
- The other kind of post -- now, if you want to engage in REVolution-making this new year, here's your chance. Tell us, share with all of Da Baux, what your own personal resolution for 2012 will be. No mocking or taunting -- sometimes a resolution can be embarrassing ("I will finally lose that forty pounds that drags me down") or even downright humilating ("Since I turn 30 this year, I resolve to finally get a girlfriend.") So again, NO taunting, NO mocking -- just an opportunity to share with the internets what your goals are for the coming year.
Ready? Go!!!
We ask this every year as Christmas comes (and if I read my watch right, in Toronto this year, that's in about 20 minutes!) so ...
What'djaget???
That's right, we want to know ... was Baseball Santa good to you this year? You can brag on other non-great-game-related givts, too, but we are most interested in the cards, tickets, regalia and memorabilia (or whatever else) you received that would make Bill James smile and little Robbie Neyer insanely jealous. This is also a place to, if you really want to, post your Christmas holiday wishes to others on this site (don't worry, the annual New year's resolutions thread comes next week -- no need to commit early!) .....
On Monday, we will present the first-ever award recognizing the best post to the Christmas thread (this one), as selected by a committee of one (me) -- the selection criteria are as yet undetermined and likely will be just north of random, so get your creativity bootstraps a-working! That's right, on Dec. 26, someone will be the proud owner of the inaugural Batter's Boxing Day Award.
[12/26: and the winner is ... melondough!!! Congratulations. Official announcement in comments within ...]
Ready? Go!