2B Thomas Ayers
Bats: R
Throws: R
Born: Etobicoke, Ontario
Resides: Etobicoke, Ontario/Kingston, Ontario
Major-League Comp to Little League Career: David Eckstein at second base, with significantly more patience
Favourite Team: Toronto Blue Jays (and when they are inevitably eliminated the A's and the Padres)
Favourite Player (current): Reed Johnson (Honourable Mention: Doc Halladay, Jake Peavy, Carl Crawford, Justin Morneau, Rich Harden, Brendan Donnelly)
Favourite Player (all-time): Dan Plesac (HM: Dan Quisenberry, Rance Mulliniks, Cool Papa Bell)
Best Game Attended In Person: May 23, 2000, Jays at Fenway. The Jays bullpen pitches 3.1 scoreless innings as the Jays beat Pedro and the Sox 3-2
Baseball Book: Ball Four by Jim Bouton (HM: The Iowa Baseball Confederacy by W.P. Kinsella; Moneyball by Michael Lewis; Baseball Dynasties by Rob Neyer and Eddie Epstein; Bang the Drum Slowly by Mark Harris)
Favourite Play in Baseball: Suicide squeeze (HM: stealing home, triples, diving plays of any kind)
Favourite Ballpark: Camden Yards (HM: Wrigley)
Striding-To-The-Plate Music: "Kamera," Wilco; "El Scorcho," Weezer; "Brian Wilson," Barenaked Ladies, "Mr. Blue Sky," ELO
When He's In Da Box: Joe Morgan to everyone else's Rob Neyer, Jack-of-no-trades
When He's Out of Da Box: University student
Three Unshakable Baseball Beliefs: It’s a travesty Bert Blyleven isn’t in the Hall of Fame; World Series games must start an hour earlier; The A’s will reach the World Series under Billy Beane
Mick Doherty
PR guy/player wannabe
Bats: poorly and infrequently
Throws: enthusiastically but inaccurately
Born: Bowling Green, Ohio, USA
Resides: North Richland Hills, Texas (Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex)
Major-League Comp to Little League Career: Grantland Rice; Ring Lardner; Terry Cashman
Favourite Team: New York Yankees (AL); Cincinnati Reds (NL); Toledo Mud Hens (IL)
Favourite Player (current): Frank Catalanotto; Andy Pettitte; Greg Maddux; Andy Tracy (who grew up down the street)
Favourite Player (all-time): Ken Henderson; Ralph Garr; Joe Lis; Tom Seaver; Frank Pastore; Bill Gullickson; Alan Trammell. Don't make me pick just one or my head will explode.
Best Game Attended In Person: In an alternate universe, I didn't turn down the tickets to Tom Browning's 9/16/88 perfect game in order to opt for the 9/17 tickets.
Baseball Book: Whatever I'm reading next. (But try "Pafko at the Wall" for a gleaming intro to poetic baseball prose).
Favourite Play in Baseball: The potential final out of a no-hitter ... either way.
Favourite Ballpark: Texas' The Ballpark in Arlington, Cleveland's Jacobs Field (apologies to Yankee Stadium)
Striding-To-The-Plate Music: "Lonesome Loser" by Little River Band
When He's In Da Box: wry pundit, Hall of Names docent and custodian.
When He's Out of Da Box: writer, editor, communications professional; web writer and marketing manager, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.
Three Unshakable Baseball Beliefs: Pinstripes are slimming AND go well with championship rings; 1-0 games are more exciting than 11-10 games every time; Ernie Harwell is the greatest broadcaster who ever took up a microphone.
OF Joe Drew
Bats: L
Throws: R
Born: Oshawa, Ontario
Resides: Same, or Waterloo, Ontario
Major-League Comp to Little League Career: Nobody that bad has ever made the majors
Favourite Team: Toronto Blue Jays
Favourite Player (current): Greg Myers
Favourite Player (all-time): Darrin Fletcher
Best Game Attended In Person: The empty set. I am a curse on the home team.
Baseball Book: Moneyball, the only baseball book I've ever read
Favourite Play in Baseball: Strike 3 on a kneebuckling curveball
Favourite Ballpark: Comerica Park, though I've never been
Striding-To-The-Plate Music: Come and Get It by Spout
When He's In Da Box: Machine oil artist
When He's Out of Da Box: 3D Graphics Programmer. Seriously.
Three Unshakable Baseball Beliefs: Smarts beat stuff, chemistry beats money, and the average fan will return
IF Matthew Elmslie
Bats: L
Throws: R
Born: Montreal
Resides: CapCity, NCR
Major-League Comp to Little League Career: Uh… I had a knack for weaseling out of going up to bat in kickball in grade 3 gym class, but coming up in the bottom of the ninth and kicking a walkoff home run. Who's that like? Dusty Rhodes?
Favourite Team: Toronto Blue Jays
Favourite Player (current): Maybe Brandon Morrow
Favourite Player (all-time): Jimmy Key
Best Game Attended In Person: Sept 27, 2003. Halladay gets his 22nd win, Vernon Wells sets a team hit record, Brandon Phillips makes a fool of himself, Kevin Cash hits his first major league HR, and the crowd practically yelled the walls down. Honourable mention: final game at Exhibition Stadium; Dave Stewart's no-hitter; game 5 of the '93 ALCS.
Favourite Baseball Book: California Rush by Sherwood Kiraly. There are a lot of others that I like about as well, but I want to speak up for the one that's undeservedly obscure.
Favourite Play in Baseball: Called strike three to end the inning.
Favourite Ballpark: Haven't seen enough of them to judge. But I like SkyDome better than the Ex or the Big O.
Striding-To-The-Plate Music: "I Shall Be Released" by The Band .
When He's In Da Box: Guy who wants everybody else to calm down
When He's Out of Da Box: Anything ABAP cubicle monkey.
Three Unshakable Baseball Beliefs: If you don't change, you don't win; you're never as good as you look when you're going good and you're never as bad as you look when you're going bad; forever is a long time.
C Gerry McDonald
Bats: R
Throws: R
Born: Ireland
Resides: Ajax, ON
Major-League Comp to Little League Career: Ernie Whitt
Favourite Team: Toronto Blue Jays
Favourite Player (current): JP Arencibia
Favourite Player (all-time): Rodney Scott
Baseball Book: Dollar Sign on the Muscle, Kevin Kerrane
Favourite Plays in Baseball: Triples, CF making the catch after a long run, and double plays.
Favourite Ballpark: PNC Park, Pittsburgh
Striding-To-The-Plate Music: Born to Run - The Boss
When He's In Da Box: Minor League Database
When He's Out of Da Box: Finance dude
Three Unshakable Baseball Beliefs: You have to play loose; Leadoff walk scores; pitching and defense wins games
DH Daniel McIlroy (Magpie)
Bats: B
Throws: R
Born: Toronto
Resides: Toronto
Major-League Comp to Little League Career: Pat Tabler (line drive hitter, no walks, no power, no speed, no arm, no defensive position)
Favourite Team: Toronto Blue Jays
Favourite Player (current): Greg Maddux
Favourite Player (all-time): Tony Castillo
Best Game Attended In Person: Because of the STATS gig, I've been lucky enough to attend some of the games mentioned elsewhere, but the best was 4 August 1989. Dave Stieb's imperfect game. I was in the LF bleachers, the mood in the building was unbelievable, and the groan when Kelly's line drive fell in... I swear there were people crying.
Baseball Book: "Late Innings" by Roger Angell. But as Dudek said, the 1983 Bill James Abstract completely changed my perspective on the game.
Favourite Plays in Baseball: Chicks dig the long ball. Whatever makes them happy is fine with me. But really, those seconds when the ball is in the air and you're watching the outfielders move and wondering what's going to happen... so cool.
Favourite Ballpark: Yankee Stadium. I can't help it. You look out on the field and think "Babe Ruth, on that very spot..." Chills.
Striding-To-The-Plate Music: Smashing Pumpkins "Zero" - Coach already claimed the Neil Young guitar...
When He's In Da Box: Any magpie is a snapper-up of unconsidered trifles. This one knows a little about everything, and a lot about nothing...
When He's Out of Da Box: STATS game scorer, singer/songwriter
Three Unshakable Baseball Beliefs: 1) in baseball, you don't know nothing; 2) but you can win with pitching, fundamentals and 3 run homers; 3) and you must judge slowly. Very, very slowly. No, more slowly than that...
SP Alex Obal
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Born: Toronto
Resides: Toronto
Major-League Comp to Little League Career: Mel Queen
Favourite Team: Toronto Blue Jays
Favourite Players (current): Edwin Encarnacion
Favourite Player (all-time): Edwin Encarnacion
Best Game Attended In Person: July 20, 2006. Blue Jays 5, Yankees 4. Vernon Wells' walkoff homer off Mariano Rivera. First time I ever saw the home team win a meaningful game. Honorable mention to Johan Santana's no-hitter, first in Met history.
Favourite Baseball Book: Josh Ostergaard - The Devil's Snake Curve
Favourite Play in Baseball: Diving catch by any outfielder you wouldn't expect it from.
Favourite Ballpark: Target Field in Minneapolis. Honorable mention to the wildly underrated Oakland Coliseum, which is spartan and functional and unique and has great fans.
Striding-To-The-Plate Music: Janet Jackson - "Go Deep"
When He's In Da Box: Sandpaper for your convictions.
When He's Out of Da Box: Quizmaster.
Three Unshakable Baseball Beliefs: Lineup construction matters. Baseball needs a pitch clock and robot umps. Pace yourself - it's a long season.
PR Niall O'Donohoe (#2JBrumfield)
Bats: Left
Throws: Right
Born: Northern Ontario
Resides: Vancouver, BC
Major-League Comp to Little League Career: Danny Ainge (I was only slightly better at basketball!)
Favourite Team: Toronto Blue Jays
Favourite Player (current): Aaron Hill (anyone who wears #2 except for Derek Jeter!)
Favourite Player (all-time): Pat Hentgen/Roy Halladay
Best Game Attended In Person: April 10,1992. Toronto 4 Baltimore 3. First home opener I attended. The good guys rallied from 3-0 down thanks to a two-run rally in the bottom of the ninth. Eventual World Series MVP Pat Borders belted a solo homer to tie the game and Robbie Alomar singled home Devon White with the winning run.Pat Hentgen got the win in relief and just as importantly, O's starter and future Cito Gaston/Tom Cheek nemesis and total heartless bastard Mike Mussina was robbed of a "W".
Favourite Baseball Book: Moneyball, Michael Lewis. Honourable Mentions - Fantasyland, Sam Walker; Foul Ball and Ball Four, Jim Bouton; Baseball Prospectus Annuals, Baseball America Prospect Handbooks, Hardball Times Annuals.
Favourite Play in Baseball: Upper Deck Home Run.
Favourite Ballpark: Majors - PNC Park, Pittsburgh; Minors - Frontier Field, Rochester.
Striding-To-The-Plate Music: U2 - "Vertigo". To The Mound (for an emergency appearance like Frank Menechino): Dave Matthews Band - "Two Step".
When He's In Da Box: Minor League Updates/Correspondent/Photos
When He's Out of Da Box: Occasional Radio News Announcer/Commercial Producer/Web Designer wannabe!
Three Unshakable Baseball Beliefs: The Wild Card is the best thing to happen to baseball, teams that can't cash in leadoff triples don't deserve to win, and keeping score from the Upper Deck is the best way to enjoy the game.
C Gwyn Price
Bats: Poorly
Throws: R
Born: United Kingdom
Resides: Toronto
Major-League Comp to Little League Career: What Little League Career ?
Favourite Team: Toronto Blue Jays
Favourite Player (current): Orlando Hudson, Josh Phelps
Favourite Player (all-time): John Olerud, Shawn Green
Best Game Attended In Person: September 27, 1998 - Roy Halladay's near perfect game against the Tigers
Favourite Baseball Book: Why Time Begins On Opening Day by Thomas Boswell
Favourite Play in Baseball: Inside the park home run
Favourite Ballpark: Olympic Stadium
Striding-To-The-Plate Music: Digeredoo by Aphex Twin
When He's In Da Box: Designated Geek
When He's Out of Da Box: Software Consultant
Three Unshakable Baseball Beliefs: There should be more knuckleballers, Barry Bonds is not human, strikeouts are not fascist.
SS/3B Anders Whist
Bats: R
Throws: R
Born: Toronto, Ontario
Resides: Montreal, QC/Toronto, ON
Major-League Comp to Little League Career: Chris Woodward
Favourite Team: Toronto Blue Jays
Favourite Players (current): Roy Halladay, Grady Sizemore, Pedro Martinez
Favourite Player (all-time): Carlos Delgado, Honus Wagner, Bob Gibson
Best Game Attended In Person: Roy Halladay's end of year 1 hitter against the Tigers in 98.
Favourite Baseball Book: Bill James New Historical Baseball Abstract
Favourite Play in Baseball: Baserunner kill at the plate.
Favourite Ballpark: The Skydome.
Striding-To-The-Plate Music: Anything by Audioslave
When He's In Da Box: Too analytical by far despite sucking at math.
When He's Out of Da Box: University student, leader of men.
Three Unshakable Baseball Beliefs: Bunting is almost never a good idea, the stolen base is an underutilized weapon, and ground ball pitchers are saints.
2B Marc Hulet
Bats: R
Throws: R
Born: London, Ontario
Resides: London, Ontario
Major-League Comp to Little League Career: Russ Adams
Favourite Team: Toronto Blue Jays, Atlanta Braves
Favourite Players (current): Too many to mention
Favourite Player (all-time): Pat Borders, Mark McLemore, Tom Lampkin, Bill Pecota
Best Game Attended In Person: Two straight weeks of spring training games 2007
Favourite Baseball Book: BA Prospect Handbooks
Favourite Play in Baseball: All-out, diving outfield catch
Favourite Ballpark: Wrigley Field has character
Striding-To-The-Plate Music: Old School Metallica
When He's In Da Box: Minor League Coverage
When He's Out of Da Box: Prospect Analysts for FanGraphs, Bank Employee
Three Unshakable Baseball Beliefs: Every team needs a reliable utility player, Umpires need to be more consistent (or implement better technology), and People need to remember that baseball is fun.
CF Dave Rutt
Bats: R
Throws: R
Born: London, Ontario
Resides: Toronto/London, Ontario
Major-League Comp to Little League Career: Tim Lincecum body with Troy Glaus go-for-broke swing, Reed Johnson speed with Bengie Molina base running instincts, Juan Pierre defense with Juan Pierre arm. Also, I don't know if anyone has ever bunted for a home run in MLB, but I'd be that guy.
Favourite Team: Toronto Blue Jays
Favourite Player (current): Orlando Hudson (honourable mentions to Manny Ramirez, Chris Young (pitcher), Micah Owings, Brian Bannister and Reed Johnson)
Favourite Player (all-time): Babe Ruth, mostly because his name sounds like mine, and is in fact 62.5% of mine.
Best Game Attended In Person: May 31, 2007 - Jays win despite having no base runners for the first time in history. Halladay and Buehrle ensure the game is over in 1:50 - unfortunate for me, since I'd finagled my way into a seat in the buffet-included Sightlines Restaurant!
Baseball Book: to be honest, Moneyball is the only baseball book I've read in recent years.
Favourite Play in Baseball: starting the clap that leads to the K and taking all the credit.
Favourite Ballpark: Of the three I've been to, Fenway
Striding-To-The-Plate Music: "Spring (from the Four Seasons)" - Antonio Vivaldi
When He's In Da Box: Claustrophobic
When He's Out of Da Box: University student for another month, and then unemployed bum
Three Unshakable Baseball Beliefs: Pitch F/X is the next big thing; concessions are overpriced; the BBWAA contains quite a few idiots.
LF John Northey
Bats: R
Throws: R
Born: Toronto
Resides: London ON
Major-League Comp to Little League Career: McDonald's bat with Frank Thomas defense
Favorite team: Jays, backups are anyone but the Yankees/both Sox.
Favorite player: Current is Vlad, former is Tony Fernandez followed by Mark Eichhorn (love throwing sidearm).
Best Game Attended In Person would be closing day Exhibition stadium, the only game I went to with my grandmother (she smoked so that was the last chance) with the Bell HR to win it at the end, #2 is my only game at Olympic Stadium where in 94 Grissom hit an inside the park HR to win in the 10th.
Baseball Book: I really enjoyed the one about the '84 season - Jay's - A Fan's Diary.
Favourite Play in Baseball: inside the park home run (saw Marquis Grissom do that to end the only Expos game I saw in person).
Favourite Ballpark: Tiger Stadium (closed), Fenway Park (open).
Striding-To-The-Plate Music: no idea, hrm, probably would shift depending on what movie I just watched
When He's In Da Box: number freak
When He's Out of Da Box: stats/reports/web surveys/web implementation
Three Unshakable Baseball Beliefs: Stolen bases are fun but not that valuable, walks are valuable but not that fun, games are better on the radio than TV
UT Braden Hunt
Bats: R
Throws: R
Born: Burlington, Ontario
Resides: See above
Major-League Comp to Little League Career: Billy Jo Robideaux
Favourite Team: Toronto Blue Jays
For more members, see the Retired Roster page.
Batter's Box Interactive Magazine
https://www.battersbox.ca/staticpages/index.php?page=roster