Wednesday, August 31, 2016

2016 Game 133 - Jays vs Os


Bye bye Camden Yards! See you next year! Hahahahaha...

Sanchez vs Gallardo. Welcome back, Sanchy! Offence, we know Gallardo is your kryptonite but how about getting the returning kid some runs?

House Rules


Board games, card games, parenting, blogs, forums, sports. All these things have their rules, written and occasionally obnoxiously, unwritten runs. We've all had moments where we've loved these rules and hated them, or broken them to our shame, or twisted them to our advantage. Baseball is one of those sports with plenty of rules and quirks. Much digital and real ink has been spilled over them, especially those pesky unwritten ones.

Tuesday, August 30, 2016

2016 Game 132 - Jays vs Os


Time for some blungeing.

Happ vs Jimenez. How about getting Happ some runs, offence? You owe him.

Bullshit post #6


It's 2:45am. 15 minutes ago I was about to go into blissful slumber after an evening of delightful debauchery when I realized I needed a post for today. Since no one sent me anything, this is what you get.

Which team sucks the most - Texas, KC, Sux, Yankees, Rays, Royals or Os? Discuss.

Monday, August 29, 2016

2016 Game 131 - Jays vs Os


Ah, Camden Yards. Prepare to be plundered.

Estrada vs Miley. Get Marco some runs, dammit! And welcome back, Dioner!

It's almost September, and the Jays are right in the thick of it

My feeling towards meaningful September baseball.

With three days left until the waiver deadline passes, it is safe to say that there will likely not be any more roster moves from Shapiro and Atkins. The only obvious upgrade seems to be another left-handed option for Gibbons out of the pen. They have had interest in Boone Logan, who may or may not have been put on revocable waivers. A list of potential August trade candidates can be found here. This is the team we are going to finish the stretch with.

Sunday, August 28, 2016

2016 Game 130 - Jays vs Twins


Bye Minny! It's been a blast. Catch you next year.

Gibson vs Dickey. Get the man some runs!

Saturday, August 27, 2016

Party weekend!


Every weekend is an open thread to shoot the shit. There will be a challenge each week but don't feel confined by it.

2016 Game 129 - Jays vs Twins


It's a beautiful day in the neighbourhood...
(Don't ask me why. It just popped into my head.)

Santana vs Stroman. More good Stro please! More runs please!

Friday, August 26, 2016

2016 Game 128 - Jays vs Twins


Welcome Minny! Feel free to continue your losing skid.

Dean vs Liriano. Francisco, here's your chance to stick it to the team who let you go.

Guide to the Twins blogosphere


The Twins have an impressive breath of blogs. There's some really well written ones and some odd-balls.

Thursday, August 25, 2016

2016 Game 127 - Jays vs Angels


Bye Angels! Hope you enjoyed your stay. Don't let the door hit you on the way out.

Weaver vs Happ. Weaver gave up 4 home runs to the Yankees his last start. Surely we can do better than that. After last night, it would be greatly appreciated.

Midweek party!


Ok, last night was shitty. The Cleveland series was shitty. There have been better days in Jaysland.

Wednesday, August 24, 2016

2016 Game 126 - Jays vs Angels


More home cookin'!

Shoemaker vs Estrada.Shoemaker's the reverse of yesterday's starter - been really good recently but we beat him up last time we saw him. So let's beat him up again!

CNE Ballpark memories


This is very much a filler post but rather than create a 4-word post, I'd love for those who remember seeing games during the Ex to share memories.

The Canadian National Exhibition (also known as the CNE or The Ex) was the site of Exhibition Stadium (duh!), the first home of the Blue Jays. It's been running for 137 years and it signifies the end of summer in Toronto. It opened last Friday and will run until Labour Day.

For those too young to remember, a Jays ticket would get you free admission to the Ex. I can remember many a day of grabbing lunch at the Food Building before going to an afternoon game. I never did it myself but I know that if you went up the Bulova Tower or rode the gondola you could see inside the stadium.


So any special Ex/Jays memories? Or late summer Jays memories in general? (Yeah, yeah, we know about last year.)

Tuesday, August 23, 2016

2016 Game 125 - Jays vs Angels


It was a rough weekend but it's time for home cookin'! And who better than the worst team in the AL? Can you believe we haven't seen the Angels yet this year?

Skaggs vs Dickey. Skaggs pitched well against us last time he faced us but his last 3 starts have been disastrous. May that trend continue.

Claiming Votto


This is a probably a pipe dream.

Probably.

Monday, August 22, 2016

Guide to the Angels Halosphere


There's some interesting quirks in the Angels Halosphere (as coined by long gone blog Purgatory Online). Angels Insider's owner aggregates beat writers (national as well as local) as well as his own writing and creates game threads where no one comments (sad monkey). 6-4-2 covers both Angels and Dodgers -  it hasn't been updated since spring training but has existed since 2004. The Halo Way is a mlb.com affliate photo blog that features the work of the team's photo services. Why don't we have one of those?

Here are the three more conventional blogs:

Sunday, August 21, 2016

2016 Game 124 - Jays vs Cleveland


Bye Cleveland. It's been a slice. See you in the playoffs!

Stroman vs Kluber. Kluber's in the Cy Young discussion, which means that despite all odds we're going to win today.

Saturday, August 20, 2016

2016 Game 123 - Jays vs Cleveland


And the ALCS playoff preview continues.

Sanchez vs Tomlin. Tomlin's just coming back from the family emergency leave list so I hope all is well in his personal life. His professional life needs to get messed up tonight.

Party weekend!


Every weekend is an open thread to shoot the shit. There will be a challenge each week but don't feel confined by it.

Friday, August 19, 2016

2016 Game 122 - Jays vs Cleveland


Ah, beautiful downtown Cleveland. Mark and Ross say hi and they're looking forward to the Rat Pack fireworks after the show.

Liriano vs Bauer. Yeah, you've got those arresting eyes, Bauer, but we're still going to rock you.

Guide to the Cleveland blogosphere


I have to say, Cleveland has the best names for their blogs. The DiaTribe, TribeVibe, Wahoo's on First, Burning River Baseball.

Thursday, August 18, 2016

Meet Me In St. Louis. Or Cleveland.


Back in the early ‘90s I was working predominantly night-shift. My “days-off” found me awake at my computer at 4am, chatting with strangers via mIRC. It was the perfect diversion for a night-owl such as myself. Chat rooms were a new frontier for most, and were very shady business indeed. If you were active in IRC rooms during that period, then you know what I’m talking about.

Wednesday, August 17, 2016

2016 Game 121 - Jays vs Yanks


Bye bidet. See you next month. It's been a slice!

Happ vs Sabathia. CC loses when he gives up a home run. The short porch is thataway...

Tuesday, August 16, 2016

2016 Game 120 - Jays vs Yanks


Just a reminder, the short porch is right there.

Estrada vs Pineda. May Pineda continue to struggle.

MLB Power Rankings - August 16th


Your Toronto Blue Jays are 5-5 over the last 10. So are Boston and Baltimore. Dog days! There is going to be some big games against these assholes in the coming 6 weeks...

Monday, August 15, 2016

2016 Game 119 - Jays vs Yanks


So we're back in the "bidet", as SOSH not-so affectionately calls it.

Dickey vs Green. Green has been riding the Scranton-Barres express this year. Let's do our part to continue to add to his mileage.

Requiem for A-Rod


So last week the Yankees forced A-Rod to retire. The final chapter in the sorry saga that was A-Rod's time with the Yankees.

Yes, there was the Little League antics against us. Yes, the steroid scandal has tainted his career. I do want to point out that he did his time, the longest suspension from baseball of any mlb player. A suspension that had as much to do with the Yankees wanting to get out of paying a year off his ridiculous 10-year contract (it was the first one, IIRC).

Thanks Yankees. That's what made me start to think of him sympathetically.

I started to look around at all the vitriol being sent his way and saw that so much of it came from resentment of his contract. A contract that the Yankees were arrogant enough to sign. (You want to talk about the evils of passionate fan ownership? Hello. Boras wasn't getting what he wanted from the FO so he went over their head to the owner and negotiated directly.) I've seen over and over again the statement about how he has all the money in the world so people don't feel sorry for him.


Studies have shown that once a person gets past a monetary threshold that means they are no longer in survival mode, the amount of money one has has no relation to happiness and in fact, having a lot of money can be detrimental. I won't argue that A-Rod doesn't have a good life. He does, in part (and this is one of the things I admire about him) because he indulges his flights of whimsy. Get a picture painted of him as a centaur? Why not? We all have our fantasies about a larger-than-life representation of ourselves. He had the means to do it. Kissing himself in a mirror? That was poking some fun at his reputation during a photo shoot. Want to share how baseball was a part of your childhood? Write a book! Lots of people share their stories. He just happened to have the profile to make a book deal.

A lot of it seems to come from envy more than anything else. He's attractive and talented and enjoys himself. For a lot of people who don't share this experience, rather than look upon him to see things you might want to emulate in your own life, it's much easier to try to tear him down to your level. That's something that the NY press has made into a science. Trashing A-Rod sold papers, so that's what they did.

What about the epic failures in the playoffs? Well, he wasn't the first star to not have great post-seasons, and he won't be the last. One can't deny that he was a large part of why the Yankees got there so often in the first place. The players who make an impact in the post-season so often are guys who just happen to get hot for a week or just happen to be really good against the particular opposition team.

Pat Borders, anyone?

I think he suffered from playing with the sainted Derek Jeter, who was an asshole for not moving off of shortstop when A-Rod arrive, since he was the better player. (Team captain my ass.) And he suffered from being compared to the great Reggie Jackson as a force in the playoffs. Without those influences I think we'd see him more for who he really is - one of the most talented players of his era, a man who made some mistakes and bad choices, but truly loved the game. You could see from his press conference how much it's hurting him to be taken away from the field.

The truly sad thing is that most other players would be able to continue on for another year or so. He's still got some in the tank. But because he had the huge contract and he's on the wrong side of the youth movement in New York, he's being forced out. That's gotta hurt.


Oh, and for you guys who love that moment when all the assholes flashed the pictures of Madonna? Fuck you for celebrating using a woman to shame a man. She had absolutely nothing to do with his performance on the field and was used by the NY press to sell papers. Thanks for celebrating taking away a woman's agency. Again.

*****************

If anyone can point me to vid of the pre-game ceremonies at yesterday's game I'd really appreciate it. I saw the short clip Sportsnet has up but I want to soak in the whole thing.

Sunday, August 14, 2016

2016 Game 118 - Jays vs Astros


Back in first and it feels so good!

Bye Houston. It's been a slice. Don't let the door hit you on the way out.

Fiers vs Stroman. Looking for good Stro today.

Saturday, August 13, 2016

Party weekend!


Every weekend is an open thread to shoot the shit. There will be a challenge each week but don't feel confined by it.

2016 Game 117 - Jays vs Astros


Welcome to Toronto heat, Houston.

McHugh vs Sanchez. Get the Cy Young candidate some runs!

Friday, August 12, 2016

2016 Game 116 - Jays vs Astros


Welcome to Toronto, Astros. Prepare to get your asses kicked.

Musgrove vs Liriano. Make us love you, Francisco! Score the man some runs!

The evolution of an owner - a defence of Rogers


This is the long-put-off post that is a rebuttal to Smasher's Rogered post.

Thursday, August 11, 2016

Who are YOU.



One of the commenters at the Drunk Jays Fans blog went by the username "Brent in Korea ". I was amazed that somebody in Korea, read and commented on a little known ( at that time) blog about the Blue Jays. In subsequent conversations, I found out he wasn't the only one in Korea who was a Jay's fan. There were many, and sometimes they would meet at a local watering hole, stream the games and cheer on the local nine. The image of a bunch of passionate Jays fans, a world away, sharing the same game I was watching back in Hogtown, was something I needed to wrap my head around. I had been conversing with him like he was in the same room, the same bar, with the same people.
As the Drunk Jays Fans comment section grew and grew, the characters became more eclectic and varied. Saber guys/gals, old school guys/gals, newbies and everything in between. What brought them together? How did they all become Blue Jays Fans?
There were many who came and went. There were lurkers who decided to enter the comment section and stayed. Some didn't make it through the various incarnations of Stoeten's blogs and left.
That made me wonder. Who were they?
Which leads me to the question that has me curious. Who are YOU?
I don't want private, personal details. No names, ages, martial status or anything like that. But I would like to know a little about your Jays fandom.

What is your first significant memory of Blue Jays baseball?
What is the story behind your username?
What is the one away ballpark where you'd like to see a Jays game?
What is your favourite Jays related twitter account?
Who is the best or worst Jays media personality?

You can copy and paste the questions above or use your own questions or ask a question about something you're curious and would like to ask another commenter.( ask me anything)

I'll start with asking about another commenter..
Hey Smasher, I know you play the game and live in the wild north. How long is the ball season, how many teams play in your league and how much alcohol does your team consume post game?

And for the copy and paste.
What is your first significant memory of Blue Jays baseball?
Opening Day 1977
What is the story behind your username?
Somebody else gave it to me. I played a lot of trivia at the bar and got a lot of answers correct, to them it was like I had RADAR.
What is the one away ballpark that you'd like to see a Jays game?
From what I've heard, it's gotta be Safeco
What is your favourite Jays related twitter account?
I have a few that I like for different reasons but @GideonTurk makes me chuckle.
And of course,@F_T_Smasher
Who is the best or worst Jays media personality?
Brunt or Lott are the best and does Marty York count for the worst?

Have fun with it, add questions, delete questions,or don't use the questions, tell us about yourself.
I also looking to hear from some of you lurkers.
Who are you?

Wednesday, August 10, 2016

2016 Game 115 - Jays vs Rays


We get to do this all over again next month!

Snell vs Happ. Score JA some runs!

Venting


So things got a little testy in the game threat last night. Here's your chance to let loose. Vent about the team, a player, or anything that's bothering you. Feel free to go over the top. Get it out of your system.

Pro tip: the funnier you make it, the more cathartic it will be.

If you disagree with the vent, leave it alone. This is a place to let off steam. There is no right or wrong in this thread. SSS does not matter. This is a correction-free zone. 

Tuesday, August 9, 2016

Monday, August 8, 2016

2016 Game 113 - Jays vs Rays


Last time the Rays were here, it was a miserable series, the low point of the season. After that, the offense went on a tear that lasted until the All Star break killed the momentum.

In my mind, this means that no matter how this series goes, good will follow.

Odorizzi vs Dickey. Today's a hot day, right? That's seems to be a good barometer for Dickey's effectiveness. And score him some damn runs!

Shufflin' off to Buffalo


So a few weeks ago, I was in Buffalo to watch the Bisons on Star Wars Night (box here, game write-up here). As an added bonus, Jose Bautista was there on rehab (as was Ryan Goins but that wasn't a big value add for me). I missed Colabello as he was in the process of being taken off the 40-man and re-assigned. Drew Hutchison was on the bump. The game was against the Braves affiliate, called the Braves.

So here's some sights from the day. Warning, this is image heavy so if you're on limited data, you might not want to click through.

Sunday, August 7, 2016

2016 Game 112 - Jays vs Royals


Our last day at this beautiful ballpark these punks don't deserve. See ya next year, assholes. Enjoy losing.

Stroman vs Ventura. Time to give Ventura payback by lighting him up.

Saturday, August 6, 2016

2016 Game 111 - Jays vs Royals


What is up with this bullshit Saturday night game? Oh right, Kansas City is a shithole with nothing better to do.

Sanchez vs Duffy. Duffy nearly threw a no-hitter his last start. Time to bring him back to earth.

Party weekend!


Every weekend is an open thread to shoot the shit. There will be a challenge each week but don't feel confined by it.

Friday, August 5, 2016

2016 Game 110 - Jays vs Royals


Back in the place that ended it all. Payback time!

Liriano vs Gee. Welcome to the Jays, Francisco. Now throw strikes and get outs!

Royals suck


When I was researching the Fenway post, I ran across a piece about why the K sucks written in that 2009 series. The piece actually likes the K and focuses more on the futility of the Royals then but it's priceless for this line:
That they let the Royals play there is akin to letting a kazoo band play the Sydney Opera House.
Those suckers may have rings but they're still trash not worthy of their park.

Thursday, August 4, 2016

2016 Game 109 - Jays vs Astros


Last day at MMP and its horrible lighting. See you next week in the dome, Houston!

Happ vs Fiers. Keep it going, JA!