Only If...

I have accepted that Halladay is gone and the resurgent Wells with his team are not going to the playoffs but this picture is a definite tear jerker. The Doc is doing his normal non-human attack on batters every 5th day and Wells is doing his best to keep the Jays rolling while trying to live up to his massive salary but the picture brings plenty of what ifs.

Wouldn't it be nice to see these two guys in the playoffs together throwing darts, intimidating batters, running down balls, and racking up the RBIs? It is always sad to see the face of a franchise leave but it kind of hurts, in a different way, when he comes back wearing foreign colours with foreign letters running across his chest.

Having Halladay pitching game 7 of the World Series at the Dome while Wells patrols the outfield would have a been a dream come true. I would put my paycheck on The Doc delivering a CG 3 hitter to earn MVP honours.

Reminiscing is great, too bad it's about something that never happened.

A Good Day

The whole Halladay storyline in Toronto has finally come to a close. The greatest pitcher in baseball is now officially not a Toronto Blue Jay and will not be found north of the border come 2010.

Thank you baseball gods!

I am ecstatic that the Jays finally dealt the one we call The Doc before the season started and have given him a legitimate chance at winning the World Series. For all those people who bitch and moan about what we are going to get in return I have one thing to say to you, "Fuck Off!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" This guy has done everything he has been asked to do while pitching at the Dome and didn't complain about what he had in the dugout when it was time to battle day in and day out. I wouldn't care if we just gave him a way. Seriously, giving him a way for free.

I have seen him a total of 4 times. The first time I saw him pitch I didn't really make note of him except it was a game that the Jays won. The second time I saw him I was one of those teenagers working behind the counter making pizza when he was running through the level 500 concourse before a game. I was in awe and the nice guy he was, he gave me a smile while my mouth was wide open. Oh yeah, did I mention he's a beast!!! Third/Fourth time I saw him was on the mound where he won another two games for the Jays. I didn't have the chance to see him live in his final year at the Dome but I'm praying I see him on TV pitching the clinching game in the 2010 World Series.

Thanks man, seriously, thanks for everything!

In Debt

Let's face it boys, Mr. Roy Halladay is not going to be a Blue Jay after the 2010 MLB season. He might not even put on a Jays jersey come Feb/Mar when spring training starts.

Before going on off on a few things that are on my mind, I would like to say something from the heart to Halladay.

I am sorry Mr. Halladay. I am sorry that the city of Toronto didn't give you what you deserve, a legitimate chance at the World Series. You signed on the dotted line and committed to the city of Toronto and in the end you gave us what mere mortals could only dream of doing. It is time for you to move on to another team in search of what you deserve, a beautiful world series ring. I just wish we had the resources, the luck, and/or anything that would keep you in town but in baseball and life, we all have to face a limited amount of anything and everything. I hope you have a great career and find what you desperately seek, a world series ring.

Reports are saying that Halladay will not sign with the Jays after his contract comes to a close after the 2010 season. Duuhhhhhhh! A man with talent like this who has reached a certain age is not going to sign with a team like the Jays. The Jays are headed for another losing season. Wow, that was kind of depressing to type out.

So, Mr. New GM, please trade Halladay before spring training and give him a chance to win a world series now. We owe it to Halladay. Look at what he has given us over the years. If the Jays decide to keep Halladay for another year, I am going to abandon the SkyDome in protest because I know there is a package out there that someone can offer that will allow The Doc to find a ring.

Please please please please, trade Halladay! We owe it to him!

Everyone in Toronto is going to miss you.

MLB Playoffs

Straight up the man

The 2009 baseball playoffs have started and it looks as if the Phillies are extremely happy to have traded for Cliff Lee instead of pursuing Roy Halladay. Halladay might have given the Phillies a complete game shutout instead of a complete game 1 earned run performance. Seriously though, I think the Phillies grabbing Lee instead of Halladay was a better deal. The asking price for Halladay was out of this world, which it should be considering Halladay’s stats, and grabbing Lee from the Indians was worth it. Being a die-hard fantasy player, I am happy to see Ibanez is out of his funk after landing on the DL a few months back. What a start to the season he had.

Derek Jeter is the man, PERIOD. After a great 2009 season he goes out and shows he is the true leader of the Yankees. Look at this line, 3Rs, 2RBIs, 2BBs, and 1HR. What else can you ask for in a lead-off hitter? The Yankees scored 7 runs and Jeter accounted for 3 of them. Man love baby! Man looooovvvveeee!!!


PS. Lee stole a base too. Not sure Halladay would have done that but you never know, he's not human.

Low Turnout

Browsing the sports sites, like usual, I happened to come across an article about another low for the Blue Jays. Apparently, in the history of the SkyDome there has never been a game that produced a crowd smaller than the one on Wednesday night.

Do your really expect people in Toronto to attend a game that doesn't have any sort of meaning to it? People in Toronto have other things to worry about. Kids have school, parents have to get the kids in bed, and university students have frosh. That cuts out a few people. What about the fact their opponent, the Twins, don't make fans line-up for tickets. Yes, we know there is a great Canadian on the team in Justin Morneau but that doesn't get me wanting to buy a ticket. Jeter, Lincecum, Fielder, Pujols, and the list goes on. These are guys that make me want to buy a ticket.

The Doc was on the mound so I guess I am a little disappointed that people didn't show but honestly, I don't blame people for not going. It's the Jays we're talking about. We're losing and the team sitting on the first base line has no one of importance.

If management expected a solid turnout for this game they should go back to business school because even a high school student could tell you that without a promotion of some sort people are not going to come out and watch the pathetic Jays play the mediocre Twins.

Only a few more games left until the misery is over...until 2010.

Another Jay Lost

He was once a Blue Jay...

Looking back at some of the great players who use to put on a Jays uniform and I always think about the guy pictured above, Chris Carpenter. Now that is he back from another arm injury, he's torn things up on the mound this year.

Just look at his stats when he was apart of the Blue Jays. Making his debut in 1997 and ending his tenure with the Jays in 2002, the Jays seemed to have made another huge mistake. His history of injuries and inconsistent play signaled a turning point in the view the Jays had of him.

After sitting out 2003 guess what he did after coming back from an arm injury. Guy goes out and puts up a 15-5 record with a 3.46ERA while grabbing the NL Comeback Player of the Year award in 2004. In 2005, wins the Cy Young Award and then has another huge year in 2006.

Oh how I wish he was still a Blue Jay. The thought of having him paired with Halladay and maybe if things still worked out back when AJ was still a Jay, that would be a pretty dirty starting rotation.

Hopefully Dustin McGowan doesn't turn out to be another Carpenter.

To the DL

Roy Halladay is officially on the DL and my The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly seems to have produced The Ugly. After reading and hearing about this through almost every sports writer out there, I was thinking how the Jays were going to handle this new DL stint. It seems every pitcher, player, or even bench coach is headed to the DL these days. In the end, maybe this is the best thing to happen to the Jays.

First, this is a great option to be safe than sorry. This is the franchise, leader, and straight up the man at the SkyDome. Putting him on the DL and having him recover and heal is better than having him go out there at 75-80% pitching and causing more damage to the groin or any other part of the body that is trying to compensate for the injury. I know a 75-80% Halladay is still better than almost 95% of the pitchers out there in the MLB when they are fully healthy but in the long run it's stupid to throw him out there.

Second, having Halladay on the bench recuperating might be what the Jays need to build some responsibility into the players and grow some hair on their chests. With their leader gone, players seem to know and understand that every single player on the team needs to contribute a little more. The little things that everyone puts in to try and make up for the loss of Halladay will in the end benefit the Jays. For every sacrifice bunt, legging out an infield hit, or throwing their body to catch that fly ball the Jays will be better off, not only now, but when Halladay returns. The loss of Halladay is not what the Jays need right now but it actually might be a good thing.

The DL is not a place where any player wants to be but if they put Halladay out on the mound instead of putting him on the DL, I would be a pretty disappointed in the Jays organization.

Good, Bad, & Ugly

The Good. Who doesn't love the throw back uniforms. Just classic!

The Bad. Halladay will miss his next scheduled start BUT is expected to start next Saturday against the Washington Nationals.

The Ugly. The groin strain is an injury that can linger and for a pitcher is one of the worst places to have an injury especially in the right groin for a right throwing pitcher like Halladay. If the injury turns out to be worse than initially thought, the Jays are going to be in rough shape. Halladay is the glue to this team.

I'm Alive

I am alive and back at the helms of this blog.

After a nice vacation in the Land Down Under, where I didn't bother using the internet and checking up on things except for the odd peep at the NHL/NBA Playoffs and a few scores in MLB, I feel great!!! It was nice to leave behind all the technology and kind of go back to an "old fashioned" life. Honestly, I didn't really miss using my computer and staying in the loop of everything that happens in sports. Anyways, on to something more interesting for you readers.

You see that guy with the Jays logo on his chest? Well, I'm disgusted by him. Every time I look at him it makes me sick. Every fifth day he walks onto the mound and basically does his thing, I just hurl at the thought of him.

For all of you who know me, I love this guy. So let me explain all the above. I'm disgusted by him because he's just too good. It just isn't fair that someone is that good at something and everyone who steps into the batters box has almost no chance of succeeding. Every time I look at him I just think, how come I couldn't have 1% of his skill so I could have had a chance to move past my university baseball career. Guy is just gold! Finally, the hurling comment. Well, it was said for more effect than anything else.

Anyone watch the Yankees visit the Skydome (aka Roy's Home, Halladay Inn, etc.)? Some dude who jumped ship, AJ Burnett, was back on the mound and he was throwing against Halladay. For those of you who thought it was just another game you were wrong. We all know the Jays wanted to kick the shit out of AJ for taking the money and leaving in the offseason.

The final stat line.
Roy - 9IP, 1ER, 0BB, 5Ks, and 0 HRs.
AJ - 7.2IP, 5ER, 4BB, 3Ks, and 1HR.

I am absolutely speechless at this moment. Roy is just too good. He reminds me of little leagues where there is always one kid who strikes out 15 guys a game because he's just too good. Halladay is in a league all of his own right now and describing this situation as "he's in the zone" doesn't do justice.

GO JAYS GO!!!

Bruuuuuuuuccccceeeeee

Ever look at a player and think he was born in that colour, that logo, and it would never ever change? This is how I felt about one of the deadliest WRs in NFL history, Isaac Bruce.

When the Greatest Show on Turf was tearing up yards and racking up points, Bruce and Holt were the two WRs that made everything happen. They were one of the greatest tandems in NFL history. With the likes of Mike Martz as the offensive coordinator and then head coach and QB Kurt Warner, the Rams put fear in defenses around the NFL.

Things have changed and I can't seem to wonder if it was for the better. Okay, Bruce was getting old and the Rams needed to get under the strict and sometimes restricting NFL salary cap. So, the Rams released Bruce and he eventually found a new home with the 49ers and old offensive coordinator/coach Mike Martz. I know it was a money move but it just seemed like Holt and Bruce still had the one two punch that Bulger could use to ignite the Rams offense.

Now, mid-way through the season the Rams and Bruce will finally meet again when the Rams visit the 49ers this Sunday. Just having Bruce and Holt on seperate sidelines just weirds me out.

Would it be the same if Derek Jeter was in anything other than pinstripes. What about Roy Halladay in anything but a Blue Jays uniform. What about Steve Yzerman in something other than a Red Wings jersey. And what about Brett Favre in a uniform...ok, I'll stop there.

Seeing some of these guys in a new colour and new logo just seems a little off.

I am a Rams fan first but Bruce, in my eyes, you will always be apart of the Greatest Show on Turf.


Photo Courtesy of Yahoo! Sports.