Blue Jays/MLB 2024

[syz]

Believe this is what the kids call "folded."

 

[Barrsy]

Wut a horrific team. I mean one can complain all you want about management, but when you have your 2 best hitters (or close enough) barely hitting over .200, you're screwed.

 

[Stoneman89]

Wut a horrific team. I mean one can complain all you want about management, but when you have your 2 best hitters (or close enough) barely hitting over .200, you're screwed.

Some people were saying there was too much goofing around in the dugout and during games, especially during the Montoya era, so they traded a couple of the prime suspects in Gurrel Jr. and Hernandez, who subsquently went to indivdual and team success with other organizations. But yes, the 2 guys that are expected to produce are simply not doing it, and I'm not sure what management can do about that.

 

[bellagiobob]

 

[GOilers88]

Wut a horrific team. I mean one can complain all you want about management, but when you have your 2 best hitters (or close enough) barely hitting over .200, you're screwed.

There's obvious deficiencies with the team, but Vladdy and Bo being complete non factors is still the biggest factor this year imo.

I actually quite like some of the new players they used to fill internal roles. Love Schneider and Clement. Varsho has been playing well lately, especially with KK on the shelf. JT has been great so far. Biggest real gripe for me was was Falafel. Not because he isn't a serviceable utility guy, but just that they seemingly have an abundance of them already. Wanted to see a big bat added there instead. But even he is out doing the two biggest players on the team.

Bo and Vladdy are not even close to carrying their weight here. It's still early, and i do think they'll come around, but so far I think it's the biggest issue.

 

[Drivesaitl]

Not a baseball question but how can anybody in Canada not in GTA be a fan of a Toronto based team. Even if I liked Baseball I wouldn't get beyond that aspect. Back in the day I tried to watch the Expos. Didn't get into it.

Don't watch the Raptors or cheer for them either.

In Canada, jmo, the way the country is run makes me anti anything Toronto.

nobody else feel this way?

 

[GOilers88]

Not a baseball question but how can anybody in Canada not in GTA be a fan of a Toronto based team. Even if I liked Baseball I wouldn't get beyond that aspect. Back in the day I tried to watch the Expos. Didn't get into it.

Don't watch the Raptors or cheer for them either.

In Canada, jmo, the way the country is run makes me anti anything Toronto.

nobody else feel this way?

Been a jays fan my whole life because they're the only Canadian team.

I'll always root for Canadian teams over everyone else with the exception being the Maple Leafs.

 

[Stoneman89]

Can't believe they don't have a screen or netting there. Getting the beer knocked out was funny. Next time someone gets a 90 mile an hour backspinning shot to the head, it might not be so funny.

 

[brentashton]

Can't believe they don't have a screen or netting there. Getting the beer knocked out was funny. Next time someone gets a 90 mile an hour backspinning shot to the head, it might not be so funny.

It’s Arkansas. He already doesn’t have teeth to lose.

 

[HockeyGuy1964]

Can't believe they don't have a screen or netting there. Getting the beer knocked out was funny. Next time someone gets a 90 mile an hour backspinning shot to the head, it might not be so funny.

What?
You actually think there is no screen there?

 

[rboomercat90]

Not a baseball question but how can anybody in Canada not in GTA be a fan of a Toronto based team. Even if I liked Baseball I wouldn't get beyond that aspect. Back in the day I tried to watch the Expos. Didn't get into it.

Don't watch the Raptors or cheer for them either.

In Canada, jmo, the way the country is run makes me anti anything Toronto.

nobody else feel this way?

To make a long story short I started cheering for the team decades ago before the Toronto media (while still ridiculous back then but could be easily tuned out) became overbearingly obnoxious. IMO, things never got out of hand until Roger’s and to a lesser extent Bell bought into all their sports teams and then had a vested interest in ramping up their bullshit to promote their teams. I never cared about the Leafs one way or another before that, they were just another team. Now I take just as much joy in watching them fail as I do watching the Oilers win. All because I am bombarded with their bought and paid for promotions every time I turn on a sports channel.
It is bad with the Jays as with the Leafs. I hate being told every year how good these players are when I can see they aren’t. It is a turn-off and makes it more difficult to watch but they’ve been my summer hobby for a long time so I’m still watching. I think the one saving grace with the Jays is they have a limited number of media covering that team compared to the Leafs so it’s easier to tune out that noise.
As far as the Raptors go. I’ve tried following that team over the years but it doesn’t stick for long periods. I find the NBA to be a very “fan un-friendly” league. The players have too much control, contracts mean nothing and small markets even less. I’ve found it unwatchable since the end of Covid.

 

[brentashton]

Not a baseball question but how can anybody in Canada not in GTA be a fan of a Toronto based team. Even if I liked Baseball I wouldn't get beyond that aspect. Back in the day I tried to watch the Expos. Didn't get into it.

Don't watch the Raptors or cheer for them either.

In Canada, jmo, the way the country is run makes me anti anything Toronto.

nobody else feel this way?

New York Yankees fan and proud Western Canadian approving of this message.

 

[joestevens29]

To make a long story short I started cheering for the team decades ago before the Toronto media (while still ridiculous back then but could be easily tuned out) became overbearingly obnoxious. IMO, things never got out of hand until Roger’s and to a lesser extent Bell bought into all their sports teams and then had a vested interest in ramping up their bullshit to promote their teams. I never cared about the Leafs one way or another before that, they were just another team. Now I take just as much joy in watching them fail as I do watching the Oilers win. All because I am bombarded with their bought and paid for promotions every time I turn on a sports channel.
It is bad with the Jays as with the Leafs. I hate being told every year how good these players are when I can see they aren’t. It is a turn-off and makes it more difficult to watch but they’ve been my summer hobby for a long time so I’m still watching. I think the one saving grace with the Jays is they have a limited number of media covering that team compared to the Leafs so it’s easier to tune out that noise.
As far as the Raptors go. I’ve tried following that team over the years but it doesn’t stick for long periods. I find the NBA to be a very “fan un-friendly” league. The players have too much control, contracts mean nothing and small markets even less. I’ve found it unwatchable since the end of Covid.

It's sad because the guys that cover it know that they can't speak their opinion or the gravy train might be gone.

It is however better when some of those guys that cover the Jays are just on local shows. They tone it down quite a bit. But if you want actually non bias baseball coverage on the Jays you have to tune to someone from out of market talking about them. Otherwise you get the whole "It's the Jays year". And then when it's over the 3 million excuses come out.

 

[Stoneman89]

Huge surprise - Mike Trout to undergo knee surgery. The guy is a living, walking band-aid. A talented band-aid, mind you, but a band-aid nonetheless.

What?
You actually think there is no screen there?

Not the way the ball hit his hand holding the beer.

 

[rboomercat90]

Huge surprise - Mike Trout to undergo knee surgery. The guy is a living, walking band-aid. A talented band-aid, mind you, but a band-aid nonetheless.


Not the way the ball hit his hand holding the beer.

He’s not holding the beer, it’s sitting on the ledge. His hand is elsewhere. If you look at the wide angle view you can see the ball hit the can and then go straight up in the air. I can’t see the screen either but if it wasn’t there then the ball should have hit that guy too but it didn’t. Instead it travelled up like there was something preventing it from following its natural path.

 

[HockeyGuy1964]

Huge surprise - Mike Trout to undergo knee surgery. The guy is a living, walking band-aid. A talented band-aid, mind you, but a band-aid nonetheless.


Not the way the ball hit his hand holding the beer.

What are you talking about? He's not holding the beer.
It's on the ledge next/too close to the screen/netting.
Hard to believe a hard-core sports guy like yourself would think there's no netting there because you can't see it in some shi**y twitter video.

 

[Sra1974]

Not a baseball question but how can anybody in Canada not in GTA be a fan of a Toronto based team. Even if I liked Baseball I wouldn't get beyond that aspect. Back in the day I tried to watch the Expos. Didn't get into it.

Don't watch the Raptors or cheer for them either.

In Canada, jmo, the way the country is run makes me anti anything Toronto.

nobody else feel this way?

Nope, been a jays fan since the late 80’s, didn’t care about Toronto back then, don’t really now. Like the team and will always cheer for them.

 

[Stoneman89]

What are you talking about? He's not holding the beer.
It's on the ledge next/too close to the screen/netting.
Hard to believe a hard-core sports guy like yourself would think there's no netting there because you can't see it in some shi**y twitter video.

Thanks for the clarification. Apparently my eyesight isn't what it used to be.

We are talking hicksville U.S., so you never know.

 

[Stoneman89]

Rod Black calls son's MLB debut from stands: 'There's a base hit for my boy'​

Rod Black calls son's MLB debut from stands: 'There's a base hit for my boy'

Tyler Black, 23, who grew up in Stouffville, Ont., was a first-round pick by the Brewers in 2021 and was called up earlier in the day.

canoe.com

Pretty cool moment for long time Canadian sportscaster Rod Black and his son.

 

[Drivesaitl]

To make a long story short I started cheering for the team decades ago before the Toronto media (while still ridiculous back then but could be easily tuned out) became overbearingly obnoxious. IMO, things never got out of hand until Roger’s and to a lesser extent Bell bought into all their sports teams and then had a vested interest in ramping up their bullshit to promote their teams. I never cared about the Leafs one way or another before that, they were just another team. Now I take just as much joy in watching them fail as I do watching the Oilers win. All because I am bombarded with their bought and paid for promotions every time I turn on a sports channel.
It is bad with the Jays as with the Leafs. I hate being told every year how good these players are when I can see they aren’t. It is a turn-off and makes it more difficult to watch but they’ve been my summer hobby for a long time so I’m still watching. I think the one saving grace with the Jays is they have a limited number of media covering that team compared to the Leafs so it’s easier to tune out that noise.
As far as the Raptors go. I’ve tried following that team over the years but it doesn’t stick for long periods. I find the NBA to be a very “fan un-friendly” league. The players have too much control, contracts mean nothing and small markets even less. I’ve found it unwatchable since the end of Covid.

Thanks for the detailed answer. I tried with the Expos years ago but my approach was due to the 3 TV channel universe of the time I figured watching the Expos who always seemed to be on would give me another sport to follow or be interested in. Just never took with me. I'm too ADHD for either playing or watching. I can't do golf either.

I've never noted that its limited media carrying the Blue Jays. In contrast I've always been annoyed they get first billing. Case in point the other night they do 20mins of Blue Jays game in the Snet newscast BEFORE they get to the NHL playoffs. In Canada. No way Blue Jays should pre-empt or go before recapping NHL. Especially with Canadian teams in playoffs.

 

[Behind Enemy Lines]

Huge surprise - Mike Trout to undergo knee surgery. The guy is a living, walking band-aid. A talented band-aid, mind you, but a band-aid nonetheless.

Phenomenal ballplayer. But I think band-aid seriously misrepresents this guy's game and an epic career on an absolute trainwreck franchise. He was trending historic career numbers playing a hard, physical style that caught up to him. I thought he would likely fall off with how incredibly difficult it is to sustain such super elite play but didn't bank on covid cutting into his games played.

I have a ton of respect for Trout. Low maintenance supreme talent never shorting on effort. Really a shame he only knows one gear to play this game. Huge loss for baseball imo.


"The 32-year-old Trout’s talent and passion still shine when he’s on the field, but they haven’t kept him healthy in his second decade in baseball.

Since the start of the 2021 season, Trout has played in 266 games. The Angels’ meeting with Philadelphia on Wednesday will be the 251st game he has missed in that stretch.

Trout had 285 career homers when he won his third AL MVP award in 2019. The Angels' center fielder has hit just 93 homers in the four-plus seasons since then, with COVID-19 shortening his 2020 campaign and injuries doing the rest."

Trout had 1,324 hits after the 2019 season, but he has compiled just 324 since, greatly slowing his march toward 2,000 or 3,000. His batting average (.277) and OPS (.958) since 2019 are also significantly below his career marks.

Injuries cast shadow over Mike Trout's superb career | TSN

Mike Trout never had a significant injury in his charmed baseball career until May 2017, when he tore a thumb ligament sliding headfirst into second base.

www.tsn.ca

 

[Stoneman89]

Phenomenal ballplayer. But I think band-aid seriously misrepresents this guy's game and an epic career on an absolute trainwreck franchise. He was trending historic career numbers playing a hard, physical style that caught up to him. I thought he would likely fall off with how incredibly difficult it is to sustain such super elite play but didn't bank on covid cutting into his games played.

I have a ton of respect for Trout. Low maintenance supreme talent never shorting on effort. Really a shame he only knows one gear to play this game. Huge loss for baseball imo.


"The 32-year-old Trout’s talent and passion still shine when he’s on the field, but they haven’t kept him healthy in his second decade in baseball.

Since the start of the 2021 season, Trout has played in 266 games. The Angels’ meeting with Philadelphia on Wednesday will be the 251st game he has missed in that stretch.

Trout had 285 career homers when he won his third AL MVP award in 2019. The Angels' center fielder has hit just 93 homers in the four-plus seasons since then, with COVID-19 shortening his 2020 campaign and injuries doing the rest."

Trout had 1,324 hits after the 2019 season, but he has compiled just 324 since, greatly slowing his march toward 2,000 or 3,000. His batting average (.277) and OPS (.958) since 2019 are also significantly below his career marks.

Injuries cast shadow over Mike Trout's superb career | TSN

Mike Trout never had a significant injury in his charmed baseball career until May 2017, when he tore a thumb ligament sliding headfirst into second base.

www.tsn.ca

I was never doubting his talent and commitment level and stated as such. Based on how often the poor guys has been hurt the last few years, band aid is a very appropriate description of him unfortunately. I'm not sure how anyone can deny that.

 

[Behind Enemy Lines]

I was never doubting his talent and commitment level and stated as such. Based on how often the poor guys has been hurt the last few years, band aid is a very appropriate description of him unfortunately. I'm not sure how anyone can deny that.

Sounded pejorative in your original post calling him 'bandaid' set me off. Your reply post gives context and some empathy for the player that I can agree with. All baseball fans lose when an elite tracking, hard working talent can't take the field.

 

[Stoneman89]

Sounded pejorative in your original post calling him 'bandaid' set me off. Your reply post gives context and some empathy for the player that I can agree with. All baseball fans lose when an elite tracking, hard working talent can't take the field.

Yah, wasn't a slight at the man's talent or passion for the game, which for some reason set you off on that tangent. If band-aid is too harsh a description for you, then perhaps "oft injured" might soften the blow.

 

[rboomercat90]

I’ve been more focused on the NHL playoffs the last couple weeks and in that time haven’t watched the Jays as much as I normally do. I am watching today and I’m surprised to not only see Monoah has been called up but that he’s today’s starter. How did that happen? I know his starts in Buffalo didn’t go well. For those still following closely, why did the team call him up? Every decision involving this guy makes less and less sense. I’d love to know the real story here.