I wish I'd thought of this when there were more than two games left in the season. But what the hell... you guys have been watching the Blue Jays all year long, right?

Here's a point for discussion ... what's the biggest surprise in MLB this season? As we wind down the entire season, we can start to draw some conclusions, rather than rely on projections, so speaking as an avowed fan of the interlocking NY and pinstripes, I would humbly suggest that the biggest surprise of 2005 ...

A Batter's Box Challenge

Here is the task before you. In a single sentence, write the most shocking thing about the 2005 baseball season so far; the only rule is that it must be true.

I'm going to set the bar pretty high to start off: "Aaron Small is 6-0, 2.42 and already tied for third on the Yankees in victories this season."

React to that statement or come up with one of your own. Who's next?

Nobody rides for free
Nobody gets it like they want it to be
Nobody hands you any guarantee

While preachers preach of evil fates
Teachers teach that knowledge waits
Can lead to hundred dollar plates
Goodness hides behind its gates
But even the president of the United States
Sometimes must have to stand naked

Here is the latest in what may seem like a never-ending series of monthly report cards for the Blue Jays. Enjoy (or, at least, tolerate).

The future's uncertain
and the end is always near

Comes out of the Virginia swamps
Cool and slow with plenty of precision
With a back beat narrow and hard to master

Louisiana, Louisiana
They're trying to wash us away
They're trying to wash us away

Now you swear and kick and beg us
that you're not a gambling man
Then you find you're back in Vegas
with the handle in your hand

I'll cop out to the change,
but a stranger
is putting the tease on.

She said "you don't understand what I said"
I said "No no no, you're wrong
When I was a boy, everything was right

I was all right for a while
I could smile for a while

The results of the current poll can be interpreted pretty clearly. In fact, those interpretations can even be set to music. With apologies to the legendary Alice Cooper (for whom the city of Cooperstown was most assuredly not named), we now present the new anthem of the 2005 Blue Jays. Crank it up to 11, put the speakers in the window and get your requests to Wilner; now here's the World (Wide Web) debut of ...

Lately it occurs to me
What a long, strange trip it's been