Downhill

Casey Janssen-3 runs in 6 innings.

Roy Halladay-0 runs in 7 innings.

Jays offense=first in the league.

Jays are in a 5 game losing streak.

You didn't expect to see those four lines mixed together, did you?

Well, it's happening right now and it's a bit painful to watch. We have led the high-octane AL East since day 1 and that lead is in serious jeopardy now. Both the Red Sox and the Yankees are just 0.5 back of the Jays. Fortunately, the Red Sox lost their second straight as well today.

The offense has been pathetic in the last 5 games. They were shutout yesterday, for what I presume to be the first time this season. They scored 3 runs today. They scored just 5 runs in three games in Boston. What happened to Aaron Hill's clutch hitting? What happened to Adam Lind's RBI machine?

Brett Cecil was shook up big time with 5 homers on Wednesday. He was sent down to AAA along with Robert Ray and Travis Snider. Overall, the rookies held the fort well and if Janssen and Romero return to form soon, we could still be playing .600 play through the summer, provided the hitting climbs out of this funk.

A losing streak was inevitable. It was a matter of time before the Jays slipped downhill for a while. Now, if they want to truly show baseball that the 09 Jays are contenders, they must get up fast. We can still win the next 3 of 4 games on this road trip and go home with a 30-20 record.

French Open's back!! Nadal's reign on clay has been challenged by Federer and Djokovic last week. Should be an exciting one. I'm rooting for Federer to make a breakthrough in this one, but Nadal's the prohibited favourite going into Roland Garros.

-D

Three!

So the White Sox have lost another to the Jays earlier this afternoon. Toronto's 24-14 now! Woot! I was down at the game last night and that was a blast!

I was downtown on a history field trip and got down to the Rogers Centre around 4:30. Got a bite to eat, slice of pizza with water for 3 bucks. Met my friend Kevin, negotiated with the scalpers to get 2 tickets for $20. Got in line at 5:15 and the gates opened right on time at 5:30.

I entered the stadium and ran down to the outfield baselines. There were 8 White Sox players playing catch. I asked Matt Thorton (or so I thought) for a ball and he said he'd hook me up one later. And he did. I gave that ball to Kevin and went up into the right field seats for BP home run balls.

There was a ball lying in the White Sox bullpen and I got a groundskeeper to toss it up. I chased a couple homers but couldn't get my hands on one. A couple Blue Jay fans kept asking DJ Carrasco to toss up a ball. DJ looked at them and asked them while smiling: "Where's your White Sox gear?" I waved my White Sox cap at him and he pointed at me to show: "Like that guy!" So that was number three of the day. At the end of BP, I tried unsuccessfully to get a couple autographs.

During the game, Kevin and I sat near the first base dugout, 32 rows back. The game itself was really exciting, especially when we pounded the Sox for 6 runs in the fourth. After the third out of that inning was made (flyout to CF Scott Podsednik), I sprinted down the steps to the camera bay with my White Sox cap and held out my glove. Scotty Pod ran in and tossed the ball to me just like that. It was nicely rubbed up and simply awesome.

At the end of the game, Kevin and I made our way down to the Jays dugout. I yelled for Vernon Wells to toss me the game ending ball but he gave it to a kid on my right. No biggie. I asked Brian Butterfield if he could give me the line up cards, but he said they requested the cards to be turned into the umps. So I thanked him and said no worries.

Fun night! Snagged four balls-personal record!

-D

Busted...Again

It was a long week for me. It was a long week for baseball.

Manny Ramirez got busted for steroids and has been suspended for 50 games. I wonder how many players would have tested positive if this type of punishment had been established in the 90's?

I've never liked the guy. He always struck me as an arrogant rich boy who thinks he can do anything he wants and get away with it. Some people say it's "Manny being Manny". Now that he's been caught for performance enhancers, I can only thank KARMA.

Jays lost another winnable game yesterday. We had runners on base, it seemed, every game, but we still walked away with a 5-3 loss. Richmond was solid save for that one rough inning. Otherwise, Tallet's going on the mound today, in 45 minutes time against Oakland again. We've got to win this series and bring some momentum going into a VERY IMPORTANT home series against the Yankees.

I'll be down at the Rogers Centre again next Friday.

-D

Sailing Right Along

Over the weekend, the Blue Jays swept their first series of the season, putting down the O's in three fabulous games that were won on basic baseball skills-pitching, hitting, defense.

But hold on a sec. Let me just say that I got TWO baseballs from Friday night's match. I got there for BP as usual. I asked the groundscrew in the bullpen to throw up a ball that was lying on the grass/turf. He tossed it up to my friend instead. No worries. That was cool.

For the next half an hour, there were quite a few homers that came to my section. One headed right for the first row. I lined myself up with it. I stuck my glove out, instead it zoomed by and richocheted off the second row. This other, older man and I struggled for it. I swooped it up blindly and the two of us made peace.

That was the only ball I received in BP. We wandered around for most of the game. The ushers let us go down to the Jays dugout with two outs in the ninth. I darted down to the dugout roof as soon as the ball was put into play. The Jays came out in celebration. Travis Snider and one other player had a ball in their hands. I yelled for it. Snider tossed it to another section. The other player tossed it in my direction, but being the short kid I am, I stood no chance against the taller, more aggressive, and may I say gloveless people behind me.

However, I made my way to the end of the dugout where the batboy was still cleaning up. I asked him if there was any chance of getting a ball. He said to wait up a sec. After he finished his business, he took some balls out of a bucket and handed to all the kids who he had promised. What a nice guy! This ball was nicely rubbed up with mud. It might've been game used as there was a little brown scuff.

Friday night was fun! And especially because earlier in the day, I had been declared the winner of my school's student council elections. So as of right now, I am the President-elect of the Student Leadership Council. There's a hell lotta work to do but when your hardwork pays off, it's an amazing feeling. I have alot of ambitious plans for next year and I'm really excited to start working with the new council.

-D

Lost Series #1

The Toronto Blue Jays have finally lost a series...it sounds weird, but after a close 8-6 defeat at the hands of the Kansas City Royals earlier today, the Jays 6-series winning streak. The difference this series was pitching. Kansas City had three solidly pitched games. We only had one. That was the difference and I think the injury bug might be starting to bite now.

Tomorrow, I'll be heading down to the Rogers Centre to see the Jays take on the Orioles. Halladay's on the mound, so that should be fun. I'm also looking forward to snagging a ball or two while I'm there.

We voted in our student council elections today. As I wrote in my last post, I have been really busy running a presidential campaign. I feel really good about my chances and I'm especially confident after the speeches yesterday. We're hoping for the results to come out tomorrow. Wish me luck. *Fingers crossed*

-D

So the Joyful Ride Continues

Eighteen games into their new season, the Toronto Blue Jays have the best record in baseball. As a Jays fan, is there any other statement that would make me happier? Last night at US Cellular Field, the Jays put on an offensive fireworks show, exploding for 21 hits and 14 runs. At the same time, Brian Tallet, Bill Murphy and Bryan Bullington combined for a 6 hit shutout. It came on the heels of the announcement that Ricky Romero and BJ Ryan were headed for the DL. With a slew of pitchers now on the DL, it gives you a smile to see the unlikely candidates stepping up to do a fine job and the offense picking them up big time.

They're playing again at US Cellular tonight and have already pounded Buerhle for 2 runs in the top of the 2nd. Brian Burres is making his first start of the season for the Blue Jays tonight. If they could keep up this consistency through the next 5 months, the Jays will be in the picture for October. But again, A LOT of things can happen, so just enjoy the good play while you can!

D'you know the NFL Draft was today??

I've been really busy at my school running for Student Council President. Last week was LONG and next week will be even more intense with the speeches on Wednesday and vote on Thursday. I'm really looking for a challenge by running for this position. It's a risk, I know, but I really want to make our school a better place. Wish me luck.

-D

PS: I snagged a ball last Saturday when I went to the game against Oakland!

How Bout 'Em Jays?!

If the Jays keep playing like this, they're going to make the playoffs no problem. With a record of 6-3 going into tonight's game, the Jays have once again broken out the bats in Minnesota. In the 8th inning, they're leading the Twins 10-2. I can't say enough about this team's offense. Everybody's contributing to the hit barrages too. Michael Barrett hit a homer tonight. Lind has a dozen RBIs. Snider was the difference in the game a couple night's ago. Hill's hot. Wells' doing well. It's terrific to see this team start off the year with a fabulous run, as I believe it sets the tone for the rest of the year.

I actually have hope that they can contend come September. There is a feeling that the 2009 Jays are an organized team. While our bullpen have not...excelled, but the bats are making up for it big time. It seems like every night, when somebody on the team's not doing so well, another player is stepping up to fill his shoes. That's the way the game is supposed to be played. That's the way that championships are won.

The Jays are not necessarily the most conventional contenders this year. We don't have $200 million to spend like some clubs. We have nights when the Rogers Centre is not even a quarter full. But with the way this team's playing, I doubt those days with 12 000 fans in the seats are going to last.

To be honest, I am a bit surprised with the way the Jays have roared out of the gate. The previous few years, it has always felt like they had no chance since the beginning. And now, there is hope. All I can say is that I will be there to support this team along the way, no matter what happens.

-D

PS: Happy Jackie Robinson Day!

MLB Predictions

Here they are, my predictions for the 2009 MLB Season:

AL West

Team Record GB

Los Angeles Angels 95-67 --
Texas Rangers 84-78 11
Oakland Athletics 80-82 15
Seattle Mariners 69-93 26


AL Central

Team Record GB

Cleveland Indians 90-72 --
Kansas City Royals 86-76 4
Minnesota Twins 85-77 5
Chicago White Sox 83-79 7
Detroit Tigers 74-88 16

AL East

Team Record GB

New York Yankees 94-68 --
Tampa Bay Rays 91-71 3
Toronto Blue Jays 88-74 6
Boston Red Sox 86-76 8
Baltimore Orioles 70-92 24

Wild Card: Tampa Bay Rays

NL West

Team Record GB

Colorado Rockies 87-75 --
Los Angeles Dodgers 83-79 4
San Francisco Giants 79-83 8
Arizona Diamondbacks 75-87 12
San Diego Padres 70-92 17

NL Central

Team Record GB

Milwaukee Brewers 97-65 --
Chicago Cubs 96-66 1
Houston Astros 88-74 9
St. Louis Cardinals 86-76 11
Cincinnati Reds 81-81 13
Pittsburgh Pirates 78-84 16

NL East

Team Record GB

Philadelphia Phillies 99-63 --
Atlanta Braves 91-71 8
New York Mets 89-73 10
Florida Marlins 82-80 17
Washington Nationals 64-98 35

NL Wild Card: Chicago Cubs

There you have it, let's see what happens 159 games down the road!

The Blue Jays are actually leading their division right now, with a record of 3-1!!! Woohoo!!

Last night, I was down at the Rogers Centre for the match against the Tigers. Brandon Inge's homer in the 6th inning landed in my section, 9 seats away, but I was impeded from making an attempt at grabbing it as I was seated near the aisle, on the other side of where the ball landed.

Also met Zack Hample last night! That was real exciting! Check out his blog, if you don't know who he is. He's authored 2 books, with a third coming, and has nearly 4000 baseballs in his collection. Got him to sign my ticket stub and we had a nice conversation together. You are so cool, Zack!

I wanted to comment on the fan behaviour at the Rogers Centre on Opening Night. If you haven't read the news, the Tigers were pulled off the field in the top of the 8th inning as several baseballs were thrown at the left fielder. There were other projectiles on the field, such as paper airplanes. Jim Leyland felt that the situation was dangerous enough that he decided to pull his team. The fans, who were uninformed of the situation, became rowdy and threw even more things onto the field. It was very chaotic and extremely embarrassing. It doesn't not represent Toronto as a city, and certainly does not represent the Blue Jays fanbase. To be honest, I was shocked at how long the delay was. It was really appalling, and I never hope to see such a thing happen in Toronto, ever again. It's just so immature!

In some sad news today, 22 year old Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart passed away in a car accident mere hours after he shut out the A's through 6 innings. I read the MLB story by Tom Singer and it was very heartbreaking. Think about it. This young kid, with a well-merited spot in the starting rotation of a major league team, comes out one night, shuts down the A's. The next thing you know, he's killed in a hit-and-run. It's beyond sad. May he rest in peace!

-D