It was getaway day for the Blue Jays and Rays. The matinee (so called 'Camp Day') was scheduled to begin at 12:37 PM. A few friends and I reached the Rogers Centre way before that, at around 10:20 AM. In downtown Toronto, like it has been for about 40 of the last 50 days, rain was sheeting down from the sky. Not only that, there were flashes of lightning and as we stood in line anticipating the gates to open at 11 AM, we got soaked.
Once we were inside the stadium, we saw that there was no BP, hence practically no chance to snag baseballs. But hey, what can you do? So, we decided to hang around the dugouts hoping some player or coach, anyone in uniform would wander over and sign some autographs. And soon enough, Shaun Marcum meandered from the outfield, took the pen and started signing. 
From there, we navigated down to the Rays dugout, waited for about 15 minutes and got Al Reyes' autograph and the incredible pitching coach Jim Hickey's signature. It was then that the Canadian Olympic Baseball Team, who are setting out for Beijing in a few days, emerged from the visiting dugout. Looking all so fine in their matching red jackets and black track pants and of course, the Canada caps, the players chatted and occassionally came over to the stands and socialized with fans. Our fourth and final autograph of the day came at the hands of Mike Saunders, 22 year old outfielder for the Canadian team. The game itself was quite dramatic, but it was painful to watch the Blue Jays strand runners in scoring position inning after inning. Scott Richmond was making his Major League debut for the Blue Jays, becoming just the 14th Canadian to put on a Jays uni. It's always exciting to see a hurler come up to pitch for the first time in the Show. Richmond was solid as a rock through 5 1/3 innings, fighting the jitters to surrender 3 mere runs which the Jays struggled to counter. In the end, it was Richmond's loss, but he deserved and received a cheering standing ovation as he straddled off the field in the 6th. And like any classy athlete would do, he tipped his cap to a sizeable crowd of 40 322.
The Jays lost 3-2, but I had lots of fun. Four autographs ain't bad for a day's worth and hey, you don't get to see the entire Olympic Baseball Team every day.
Now to the hyped up trade deadline in which the Blue Jays don't look poised to make any improvements (typical JP). Yankees acquired Ivan Rodriguez from the Tigers in exchange for Kyle Farnsworth. Two nights ago, Mark Teixeira moved out west again to the Los Angeles Angels for Casey Kotchman and others.
Today, rumours are afly with Manny possibly packing his bags for Florida. Griffey could be visiting ChiTown soon as that deal is very close to completion.
The deadline is 4 PM EDT today. Keep it here for any breaking updates!
-D
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