https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/43902038/vladimir-guerrero-jr-blue-jays-fail-reach-contract-extension
Guerrero, a four-time All-Star and son of Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero, said he had set a deadline of 9 p.m. Monday, but the last call from the Blue Jays came at 10:30 p.m. When asked if the team was close to what he was asking, Guerrero simply said, "No."
― NoTimeBeforeTime, Wednesday, 19 February 2025 08:14 (seven months ago)
They could have signed him to a Tatis Jr.-like extension years ago. After striking out on the big-time free agents like Soto and Ohtani, they come crawling back to Vladdy with a lowball offer in his walk year. Well played, Jays front office!!
― NoTimeBeforeTime, Wednesday, 19 February 2025 08:16 (seven months ago)
I don’t really know if that’s true, he doesn’t need the money and he wouldn’t have signed coming off a down season. If he turned down the guts of half a billion, what are you going to do? He’s very very good but he’s a first baseman and we just saw the market laugh at Pete Alonso for asking for a much smaller sum of money - and Pete is older but he’s also a power hitter in a defensively unimportant role.
― triste et cassé (gyac), Wednesday, 19 February 2025 10:22 (seven months ago)
You can dissect things and engage in both sides-isms, but the big picture is this: they signed him at age 16 and spent years grooming him to be the cornerstone of the franchise, and they're not even *remotely close* to signing him.
― NoTimeBeforeTime, Wednesday, 19 February 2025 12:00 (seven months ago)
I might amend that verb choice there lmao
― triste et cassé (gyac), Wednesday, 19 February 2025 12:49 (seven months ago)
Haha point taken
― NoTimeBeforeTime, Wednesday, 19 February 2025 17:06 (seven months ago)
Where are you seeing this was a low ball offer?
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Wednesday, 19 February 2025 18:08 (seven months ago)
@KeeganMathesonMark Shapiro on the #BlueJays’ negotiations with Vladimir Guerrero Jr: “We were emotional. We did value the player deeply, and even went past our value because we cared so deeply about him and wanted to have him here.”
what an off-putting statement
― mookieproof, Wednesday, 19 February 2025 19:19 (seven months ago)
Lol i’d tell the first journo i could find that i want a trade if i heard that
― Its big ball chunky time (Jimmy The Mod Awaits The Return Of His Beloved), Wednesday, 19 February 2025 19:56 (seven months ago)
“We have tenses in spanish dawg…”
I'm assuming it was a low ball offer due to the reactions of the two sides. It's clear they're nowhere close to an agreement.
― NoTimeBeforeTime, Wednesday, 19 February 2025 22:03 (seven months ago)
i'm not a fan of this front office, but i'm not ready to put the blame 100% on them just yet. ortiz was saying Vlad should be getting 3 years, $585m; which seems crazy to me (which obviously doesn't mean thats what vladdy was asking for, but if those are the numbers some people are putting in his ear, that's not good).
i do agree they had a long time to lock him and should have done so a long time ago. i would love it if he were to be a Jay for life – but he's also been frustrating to watch at times too (the base running errors especially). and sorry to both sides this, but i wouldn't be surprised at all if that was the case. i just can't see the FO, knowing their jobs are on the line, putting all that work into guys like Soto and Ohtani etc and then phoning in the Vlad negotiations.
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Wednesday, 19 February 2025 22:37 (seven months ago)
If they couldn't (or wouldn't) sign him then they could have traded him like the Nationals did with Soto. Letting him walk for essentially nothing (we're not there yet, but it could happen) is indefensible and will lead to firings (although Atkins and Shapiro's contracts are nearly up too). I'm not saying it's an easy situation, but these are franchise-altering decisions and it's up to the FO to make them. What's their plan? I haven't a clue.
― NoTimeBeforeTime, Wednesday, 19 February 2025 22:52 (seven months ago)
I also think it's disingenuous of the FO to not sign him when he was underachieving (because it was too risky) and to not sign him once he breaks out again (because he's asking for too much money). There's always risk involved, you can't play "wait and see" forever. And if you don't want to take the risk, you trade him and move the club in a different direction.
― NoTimeBeforeTime, Wednesday, 19 February 2025 22:58 (seven months ago)
Feels like given the money they spent they should see how the season plays out.
― triste et cassé (gyac), Wednesday, 19 February 2025 22:59 (seven months ago)
especially with our anemic minor league system... if Vlad and Bo are gone, we have an expensive pitching staff / outfield and not much to fill the shoes in 2026. they got some decent fliers at least years trade deadline, but them and guys like Barger, Orelvis and Roden aren't going to be enough.
xpost
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Wednesday, 19 February 2025 23:04 (seven months ago)
i mean - who's to say Vlad was open to discussing an extension after his off years tho
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Wednesday, 19 February 2025 23:05 (seven months ago)
3 years, $585m; which seems crazy to me
i assume you/they meant 13 years? that's obviously a ton of money, especially considering his body type and defensive limitations, but $45m/yr doesn't seem beyond the pale in this day and age
― mookieproof, Wednesday, 19 February 2025 23:32 (seven months ago)
“ There's always risk involved, you can't play "wait and see" forever. And if you don't want to take the risk, you trade him and move the club in a different direction.”
Skywrite this over camden yards
― Its big ball chunky time (Jimmy The Mod Awaits The Return Of His Beloved), Wednesday, 19 February 2025 23:34 (seven months ago)
Rogers can definitely afford that money without blinking but I don’t really get why they spent all those…loonies…? on the stadium and not the marquee star to poster it with.
― triste et cassé (gyac), Wednesday, 19 February 2025 23:42 (seven months ago)
ya 13 years. but paying a guy that much until he's 38 – an inconsistently decent-to-great hitter who routinely makes me cringe at horrible base-running blunders. even with rogers stupid money, i'm not making that commitment.
anyways, fun fact: i am very good friends with the guy who prints those posters! and yes, he has given me 6 foot vinyl banners, one of which hands from my deck (yes i am a giant dork)
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Wednesday, 19 February 2025 23:53 (seven months ago)
the miguel cabrera deal got pretty ugly at the end, but i'd be surprised if many tigers fans regretted it. vlad's top similar batter through age 25 is eddie murray, and there just aren't too many guys like that around. picking up a few wins cheaply on the margins won't help if there's no foundation
(tbf, his no. 3 similar batter through age 25 is prince fielder, so yeah it's a risk!)
― mookieproof, Thursday, 20 February 2025 00:39 (seven months ago)
I'm still halfway. 1) Secretly happy that someone else is going to overpay him wildly for a couple of good-to-great seasons followed by a prolonged decline and all the frustration TT talks about; 2) embarrassed by how badly Shapiro and Atkins have handled everything--"it's disingenuous of the FO to not sign him when he was underachieving (because it was too risky) and to not sign him once he breaks out again (because he's asking for too much money)" is exactly right. I can throw up my hands and say I don't know what to do, but I'm not management.
― clemenza, Thursday, 20 February 2025 03:15 (seven months ago)
Apparently offered Vlad half a billion dollars!
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Tuesday, 11 March 2025 23:57 (six months ago)
Are you sure? First thing my bowling friend told me tonight was he asked for that much.
― clemenza, Wednesday, 12 March 2025 00:01 (six months ago)
Heyman is saying that was the offer. So grain of salt
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Wednesday, 12 March 2025 00:32 (six months ago)
You’re both right but the difference is deferrals vs present value - he wants present value and Jays offered deferrals
― triste et cassé (gyac), Wednesday, 12 March 2025 00:55 (six months ago)
The inability to strike a deal is the latest blow for the 2025 Toronto Blue Jays.
― clemenza, Wednesday, 12 March 2025 00:59 (six months ago)
Fucking hyped the Roden might crack the team!
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Saturday, 22 March 2025 17:15 (six months ago)
He has cracked the team!
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Sunday, 23 March 2025 17:07 (six months ago)
Had to look him up. That's some kind of spring, if you put any stock in that (did get him on the roster): .423/.556/.731.
― clemenza, Sunday, 23 March 2025 17:13 (six months ago)
He was taken 3rd overall but went very much under the radar for a while. but slashing .298/.407/.453/.860 over his minor league career, people started taking note some time in 2023
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Sunday, 23 March 2025 18:13 (six months ago)
I watched some of his spring training highlights, he looked really good from what I saw. Quick, compact swing. Jays outfielders were awful on offense last year, Roden can only improve things.
― NoTimeBeforeTime, Sunday, 23 March 2025 18:47 (six months ago)
Third HR for Giménez tonight.
― clemenza, Tuesday, 1 April 2025 02:10 (five months ago)
Best cleanup hitter of our lifetime
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Tuesday, 1 April 2025 04:08 (five months ago)
I too was in first place three days ago (in the ILX fantasy league) and have fallen to sixth before blinking. So keeping the bandwagon at arm's length for a little longer.
― clemenza, Thursday, 3 April 2025 17:34 (five months ago)
Only the 10th game, but Toronto seems to be settling into something close to what they've been the past couple of years: weak offense (under four runs per game), relying on winning close games through pitching and defense. They're got a winning record and a negative run differential. This doesn't bode well. Their starters are good, but the '71 Orioles they're not; they look to have a better closer this year, but it's not enough.
― clemenza, Sunday, 6 April 2025 18:22 (five months ago)
Guess the thread needs a new name. When I watched him weakly ground out to end the game today, somehow I knew. I knew this guy was about to get half a billion dollars.
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Monday, 7 April 2025 05:05 (five months ago)
Congrats to all.
― NoTimeBeforeTime, Monday, 7 April 2025 05:40 (five months ago)
bless
― mookieproof, Monday, 7 April 2025 05:53 (five months ago)
There you go. Good work from Shatkins.
― triste et cassé (gyac), Monday, 7 April 2025 07:02 (five months ago)
The ability to strike a deal is the latest blow to those who want to complain about the Jays
― Michael F Gill, Monday, 7 April 2025 15:07 (five months ago)
lol Thermo. I'm definitely in that kinda headspace on this
― francisF, Monday, 7 April 2025 15:43 (five months ago)
lol thermo XD
― imperial frfr (Steve Shasta), Monday, 7 April 2025 15:56 (five months ago)
Have you never heard Joe Walsh's "Life's Been Good"?
Was in Toronto today, so got two hours of Blair & Barker on the way home. Fans calling in, very excited. The best thing about it, I think, is what one of their guests said: you don't spend this much money unless you're ready to spend more money. So it's a big first step, but only--hopefully--a first step.
― clemenza, Monday, 7 April 2025 20:39 (five months ago)
I wonder how long it is till there will be enough contenders to create a “worst contract out of these $500 million contracts” poll
― omar little, Monday, 7 April 2025 20:49 (five months ago)
Link may or may not work (Facebook): Jeff Blair from this afternoon's show.
https://www.facebook.com/watch?v=1313033066439396
(Kevin Barker unusually subdued--his schtick is usually unbearable.)
― clemenza, Monday, 7 April 2025 21:09 (five months ago)
4-4 for Springer, now .455 with 8 RBI.
― clemenza, Tuesday, 8 April 2025 03:26 (five months ago)
and tied for 2nd on the team in Home Runs! ;)
― francisF, Tuesday, 8 April 2025 19:40 (five months ago)
First place at 7-5!
― NoTimeBeforeTime, Wednesday, 9 April 2025 04:26 (five months ago)
Surprisingly solid pitching performance from Lucas today!
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Wednesday, 9 April 2025 04:37 (five months ago)
I admit to being morbidly fascinated in Davis Schneider's active 0/33(!)
what is this dude doing in the MLB? it's not the summer of '23 anymore
― francisF, Wednesday, 9 April 2025 16:11 (five months ago)
Bit of a mystery, isn't it?
― clemenza, Wednesday, 9 April 2025 17:15 (five months ago)
Barger is ripping up AAA, the don’t need schnider for 2b, so I’d imagine he’s on borrowed time
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Wednesday, 9 April 2025 18:57 (five months ago)
I guess they feel they need a RH bat, with Wagner & Roden being lefties (and Barger also being a LHB). But this team conflates matchups with being good too much. Matchup doesn’t mean shit if the guy sucks.
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Wednesday, 9 April 2025 19:00 (five months ago)
He had a great spring from what I hear, so maybe they're basing hopes on that. i hope he gets going (quickly)
― francisF, Wednesday, 9 April 2025 20:24 (five months ago)
Ya. I like the guy and he had a hell of a first impression. My gf bought a t shirt of the mlb logo with schnider as the batter from his dad!
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Wednesday, 9 April 2025 20:27 (five months ago)
wow! haha, amazing. he's one of the most marketable players, even still
― francisF, Wednesday, 9 April 2025 20:39 (five months ago)
jesus the ump scorecard from yesterday is brutal. +2 runs for Boston. holy hell
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Friday, 11 April 2025 15:31 (five months ago)
ABS can’t get here soon enough
― triste et cassé (gyac), Friday, 11 April 2025 15:46 (five months ago)
Bassitt for Cy, you heard it here first.
― imperial frfr (Steve Shasta), Friday, 11 April 2025 16:24 (five months ago)
Two years ago, I posted more than once on how schizo he was. His by-decision split in 2023:
Wins -- 16 starts, 111.2 IP, 1.13 ERANo Decision -- 9 starts, 48.2 IP, 4.62 ERALosses -- 8 starts, 39.2 IP, 9.30 ERA
That 8-run+ swing between wins and losses struck me as unusually dramatic at the time, and sure enough, last season it was only a 5-run swing (1.94-6.85). Not sure what the league-wide differential is.
― clemenza, Friday, 11 April 2025 19:23 (five months ago)
You can look that up...last year, league-wide in the A.L., it was a 6.5-run swing between wins and losses:
Wins -- ~5100 IP, 1.63 ERALosses --4350 IP, 8.18 ERA
So Bassitt was extreme in 2023, but not as extreme as I thought.
― clemenza, Friday, 11 April 2025 19:27 (five months ago)
But possibly extreme for an established starter.
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Friday, 11 April 2025 19:45 (five months ago)
Good point--that gap would be undoubtedly be narrower if you elimated spot starters, call-ups, and bullpen days.
― clemenza, Friday, 11 April 2025 20:04 (five months ago)
First big league home run for Roden!!!
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Wednesday, 16 April 2025 00:24 (five months ago)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4vWPddJRH0
thoughts Jays fans? Anything symptomatic here?
― H.P, Thursday, 17 April 2025 01:29 (five months ago)
Jomboy sounds as surprised as I am that he’s defending Vlad. One thing that is a personal ax of mine to grind, is Vlad can be prone to baserunning mistakes and he really enjoys wasting video reviews to prove he is was very much out. So me, as a guy sitting at home on his couch, figured he was probably out - and I feel like Schnider was of a similar mind. JB summed it up well, Schnids saw Vlad start going, didn’t see his foot was still on the bag and was probably like “sure Vlad, sure.”
I also love that this is being called the “pyjama game”
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Thursday, 17 April 2025 04:06 (five months ago)
i chalked it up to canadian politeness
― 龜, Thursday, 17 April 2025 14:35 (five months ago)
Davis Schneider joins Munenori Kawasaki in the Hall of Improbable Jays You Will Never Forget. Maybe he'll be back, I don't know; if not, I suspect he won't be the last Schneider cut loose this year.
― clemenza, Saturday, 19 April 2025 05:54 (five months ago)
zzz
https://i.ibb.co/J1Qs8tn/q6wj50v9gbwe1.jpg
― francisF, Tuesday, 22 April 2025 15:40 (five months ago)
I got really put off by Saturday's game, the one where they went into extra innings. They had a runner on third with one out (after a perfect bunt), Bichette/Vlad/Santander coming up, and a chance to go 13-8. Bichette strikes out on a terrible pitch, they walk Guerrero, Santander makes out. I know Seattle had a ace closer in there, but it just seemed so typical of the Jays whenever they walk right up to the precipe of getting an actual streak going.
― clemenza, Tuesday, 22 April 2025 15:51 (five months ago)
Jays should follow the A's & Rays lead and move back to a minor-league bandbox so they can relive that COVID-era glory imho.
― imperial frfr (Steve Shasta), Tuesday, 22 April 2025 15:57 (five months ago)
That chart's perfect. Pretty sure you can find me somewhere around that time posting that I was tired of home runs, I wanted a pitching-and-defense team...Jesus.
― clemenza, Tuesday, 22 April 2025 16:12 (five months ago)
Their hitting with risp has been terrible. Getting hard to watch.
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Tuesday, 22 April 2025 18:03 (five months ago)
Just looked it up...right in the middle for BA (15th), but way down the list for SLG (28th) and OBP (27th). Now and again, someone hits a single.
― clemenza, Tuesday, 22 April 2025 21:38 (five months ago)
Down 3-0 tonight...not to panic (by which I mean, time to panic), I think they need to package together one of their front four starters, an everyday lineup filler (no idea who that would be), and a prospect (no idea who that would be) and get another bat into the lineup. The imminent return of Varsho is hardly anything to get excited about. They're anemic once again.
― clemenza, Wednesday, 23 April 2025 00:49 (five months ago)
ostensibly that’s why we signed Santander
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Wednesday, 23 April 2025 02:15 (five months ago)
I suppose things would look less dire if he were doing something. Wait till Springer comes back down to Earth.
― clemenza, Wednesday, 23 April 2025 02:21 (five months ago)
Knowing that Thermo and francis (and maybe NoTime) devote more time to actually watching the Jays than I do, it's not my place to say this, but I will anyway: sad.
― clemenza, Thursday, 24 April 2025 02:18 (five months ago)
in the nyt crossword today: dave STIEB
― mookieproof, Thursday, 24 April 2025 20:46 (five months ago)
Wow! Question (I'm guessing) something to do with no-hitters lost on the last out?
― clemenza, Thursday, 24 April 2025 20:56 (five months ago)
Clue, I should say...can't think of any other earthly reason for him to be there. (I guess that's far too wordy for a clue, though.)
― clemenza, Thursday, 24 April 2025 20:58 (five months ago)
sadly not!
52D: Dave ___, seven-time All-Star pitcher for the Blue Jays
― mookieproof, Thursday, 24 April 2025 20:59 (five months ago)
And you knew right away Lemanczyk didn't fit.
― clemenza, Thursday, 24 April 2025 21:01 (five months ago)
Vlad just hit a HR. Something I noticed when I looked up his (very good) career numbers in Yankee Stadium; he's even better in Camden Yards and Fenway. For the three parks combined:
602 PA, 41 doubles, 33 HR, .338/.404/.599. He probably would have done well to sign with one of those three teams.
― clemenza, Saturday, 26 April 2025 01:13 (four months ago)
53 pitches is a lot to get two outs
― mookieproof, Sunday, 27 April 2025 20:10 (four months ago)
The inability to hit a round ball with a square bat is the latest, etc.
― clemenza, Sunday, 27 April 2025 20:31 (four months ago)
(Botched a well-known Pete Rose quote there: "It's a round ball and a round bat, and you got to hit it square." I kept thinking, "Square? How are bats square?")
― clemenza, Monday, 28 April 2025 01:58 (four months ago)
(QuoteFancy) "The hardest thing to do in baseball is to hit a round baseball with a round bat, squarely.” — Quote by Ted Williams.
(Brainy Quote) Willie Stargell Quotes: "They give you a round bat and they throw you a round ball and they tell you to hit it square."
Maybe we'll put authorship on hold there.
― clemenza, Monday, 28 April 2025 02:02 (four months ago)
this is why i've been getting back into soccer
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Monday, 28 April 2025 02:17 (four months ago)
Tell me more about this thing soccer.
― clemenza, Wednesday, 30 April 2025 00:21 (four months ago)
https://www.mlb.com/news/daulton-varsho-falls-then-makes-behind-the-back-catch
― imperial frfr (Steve Shasta), Wednesday, 30 April 2025 01:28 (four months ago)
This fucking team
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Wednesday, 14 May 2025 01:44 (four months ago)
I swear to god
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Wednesday, 14 May 2025 01:47 (four months ago)
Your post got me to check mlb.com, and those doubles got me to--wait for it--turn on the TV and watch. Glad I didn't invest more than those three minutes. (Seriously: I have posted many, many times about the Jays' complete inability to get something going and then keep it going. Sweeping Seattle and getting to .500 virtually guaranteed some kind of ugly loss tonight.)
― clemenza, Wednesday, 14 May 2025 02:12 (four months ago)
Sweeping Seattle and getting to .500 virtually guaranteed some kind of ugly loss tonight.
I wanted to post something to this effect after the Seattle series, but didn't want to seem pessimistic.
― NoTimeBeforeTime, Wednesday, 14 May 2025 10:34 (four months ago)
I'd have a hard time describing it, and often wonder if I've gotten to where I'm just hypersensitive to something that's normal plexiglass/return-to-mean stuff. So it's good to hear that someone else notices too.
― clemenza, Wednesday, 14 May 2025 13:17 (four months ago)
it's the Toronto team syndrome. very good at getting your hopes up, elite all-time great at brutally dashing those hopes
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Wednesday, 14 May 2025 16:08 (four months ago)
which, by the way, we may see more of tonight. also i will be at the jays game.
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Wednesday, 14 May 2025 16:15 (four months ago)
Well the jays came though for me today! Pretty empty, especially for a giveaway day, but really great/fun game. Springer even waved to me lol
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Thursday, 15 May 2025 04:48 (four months ago)
Jays scaling the heights! All credit due--sweeping the Padres is something, especially after falling behind in extras today (when I switched off, of course).
― clemenza, Thursday, 22 May 2025 20:54 (four months ago)
First the 14-0 shutout, now coming back twice in extras to win. What's happening? I feel like they were energized by Varsho's return, he's been part of a lot of big moments.
― NoTimeBeforeTime, Thursday, 22 May 2025 21:15 (four months ago)
I have no idea who #4-9 are and I'd like to think I'm pretty up on MLB teams/players.
― imperial frfr (Steve Shasta), Thursday, 22 May 2025 21:31 (four months ago)
Clase was a quasi prospect the Jays got from seattle last year for Garcia and Barger was one of the better hitting prospects in the jays (low bar) system. Barger has looked solid lately and was good to see Clase finally have himself a day (and put that speed to use)
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Thursday, 22 May 2025 22:00 (four months ago)
this lineup is majority AAAA's most of the time. am i wrong?
― francisF, Friday, 23 May 2025 00:10 (four months ago)
Noooo… Kirk, Vlad, Gimminez (currently injured), Bo, Varsho, Springer & Santander… that’s just two lineup slots being filled by AAAA types.
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Friday, 23 May 2025 00:40 (four months ago)
of course not, i was speaking from my emotional mind there (reinforced by pre-varsho lineups/tony and andres having bad years)
1. SS Bo Bichette2. 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr.3. DH Daulton Varsho4. 3B Addison Barger5. 2B Ernie Clement6. RF Nathan Lukes7. LF Jonatan Clase8. CF Myles Straw9. C Tyler Heineman
but given my weakened constitution, you're throwing this at me? hahaha
― francisF, Friday, 23 May 2025 14:14 (four months ago)
i mean, they beat the pads with this lineup, and i'm not saying there's not real talent in there
― francisF, Friday, 23 May 2025 14:15 (four months ago)
Lukes, Straw & Heineman all AAAA/cast-off types that've been doing much better than expected so far to say the least. Roden has absolutely been destroying AAA since getting demoted too.
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Friday, 23 May 2025 15:05 (four months ago)
Their performances have been great, no denying. I think my posts are more about how (unduly!) sure I am that the whole structure cannot maintain itself without better.. names, i guess.
― francisF, Friday, 23 May 2025 15:16 (four months ago)
Yimi hitting the IL now - not gonna be easy without him. they were kinda making implications of his overuse on the broadcast, but from what I can tell the bullpen seems to have been pretty evenly spread out.
― francisF, Sunday, 25 May 2025 00:04 (three months ago)
Took all that momentum from the Padres series and exploded for two runs over three games in Tampa Bay.
― clemenza, Sunday, 25 May 2025 20:35 (three months ago)
The blue jays way.
Also, why is Brandon lowe so full of hate for the blue jays?!
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Sunday, 25 May 2025 20:40 (three months ago)
not bad, managed 2/3 in Tampa 😎
― francisF, Sunday, 25 May 2025 23:18 (three months ago)
Hope you can access this--kind of amazing from today's game:
https://www.facebook.com/reel/948327367287963
― clemenza, Friday, 30 May 2025 03:28 (three months ago)
It would be churlish to complain about the Jays getting blown out at home tonight (by a really good team) when they're just coming off a four-game sweep, right? I shouldn't do that, right?
― clemenza, Wednesday, 4 June 2025 01:31 (three months ago)
Especially if we still got treated to a Barger moon shot
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Wednesday, 4 June 2025 01:42 (three months ago)
Does he have a nickname yet? I vote for Sonny.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonny_Barger
― clemenza, Wednesday, 4 June 2025 01:56 (three months ago)
Well, scanning that, maybe not.
― clemenza, Wednesday, 4 June 2025 01:57 (three months ago)
I don’t think I’ve ever seen Kirk so excited! Weirdly emotional win beating our much beloved old closer
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Thursday, 5 June 2025 02:27 (three months ago)
Part of me is of course caught up in the excitement of this latest tease, while the draggy skeptic looks at Bo's resurgence and sees them about to repeat Vlad's fantasyland contract all over again.
― clemenza, Friday, 6 June 2025 23:42 (three months ago)
xps how about Mayor McBarge
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McBargeThe McBarge, officially named the Seaborne II (formerly the Friendship 500), was a former McDonald's restaurant, built on a 187-foot-long (57 m)[1] barge for Expo '86 in Vancouver, British Columbia
maybe my links will work!
― francisF, Saturday, 7 June 2025 01:53 (three months ago)
Watching them lately hasn’t been this much fun since the Bautista years! 5 series wins in a row with two sweeps. Every game entertaining as hell. Two things I’ve noticed about them this year that they sucked at before - they are not making bad outs on the base paths and they are suddenly amazing at getting down bunts
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Thursday, 12 June 2025 03:08 (three months ago)
I'm still wary, but getting there--tuning in in the car regularly. One possible good thing is that this surge has been without Santander and Varsho, you could maybe add Scherzer and Manoah, plus Vlad has been just so-so. (Or Vlad has just been Vlad, but that's another topic.) So when Kirk and some of the others come back down to the earth, there are openings to make up for that.
― clemenza, Thursday, 12 June 2025 13:56 (three months ago)
Kirk has to be top five or so for MVP right now (behind another catcher, obviously).
― clemenza, Thursday, 12 June 2025 15:02 (three months ago)
Well...top 10 for sure.
― clemenza, Thursday, 12 June 2025 15:05 (three months ago)
That is a thing I’m concerned about. The back of our order is not likely to be able to keep carrying us. Clement, Straw, Lukes, Heineman… they can’t all keep hitting out of their minds. And then what happens when they come back down to earth?
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Thursday, 12 June 2025 15:29 (three months ago)
That's where I think there's realistic hope, though--that that inevitability will be countered by the return of Varsho and Santander, and also a more productive Vlad (and maybe a better Bo, who's also just "pretty good" right now). Santander seems key.
― clemenza, Thursday, 12 June 2025 15:36 (three months ago)
Still hoping Roden pans out! Dude was destroying AAA. Was a little annoyed he didn’t play more when they called him back up
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Thursday, 12 June 2025 21:28 (three months ago)
Everyone is hitting it hard, no one less than Springer, who's great to watch right now. Keeping up on fastballs and launching pitches. He's always had a low whiff rate, but it seems he's having particularly good at-bats. Best he's been since year one with us.
― francisF, Friday, 13 June 2025 18:40 (three months ago)
low chase* rate
― francisF, Friday, 13 June 2025 19:50 (three months ago)
I guess they flew too close to the sun on wings of pastrami.
― clemenza, Sunday, 15 June 2025 22:58 (three months ago)
I’m glad I stuck with this game!!!
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Wednesday, 18 June 2025 02:06 (three months ago)
Miracle of miracles--got home from tennis, tuned in for the bottom of the 9th. I saw it all!
― clemenza, Wednesday, 18 June 2025 02:08 (three months ago)
Jesus Barger is getting fun as hell to watch
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Wednesday, 18 June 2025 02:09 (three months ago)
Addison Barger really is a cool name.
― clemenza, Wednesday, 18 June 2025 02:10 (three months ago)
ESPN ranked MLB lineups and the Jays are 8th!
https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/45525740/mlb-2025-midseason-lineup-offense-rankings-dodgers-yankees-cubs-mets
If you'd told me that a month ago I would have said you were high, but at the moment I really do think it's a top ten offense. Nobody is exactly mashing, but there aren't many easy outs either. I think they have more comeback wins already than all of last season.
― NoTimeBeforeTime, Wednesday, 18 June 2025 10:11 (three months ago)
yeah, I also watched the bottom of the 9th yesterday. Contrary to last year where every time they were behind it felt insurmountable, I felt like they legitimately had a chance to come back here and this win wasn't a total surprise. They have suddenly become a fun team to watch.
― silverfish, Wednesday, 18 June 2025 13:53 (three months ago)
Barger snuck in a nice little bat flip.
― clemenza, Wednesday, 18 June 2025 14:55 (three months ago)
One actually useful bit of information I learned from Blair and Barker yesterday: Vlad thrives in the third spot. For his career:
Batting 3rd (2188 PA): .300/.377/.538Anywhere else (1665 PA): .271/.348/.449
I don't know the psychology there, or if there is any, but that's a pretty decent sample size.
― clemenza, Thursday, 19 June 2025 00:29 (three months ago)
Was there for the giveaway today. Fun game - got a seat in the new bleachers and got tossed a ball before the game started
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Thursday, 19 June 2025 02:26 (three months ago)
broadcast was saying Kirk has the highest Hard Hit % in the AL
via Savant
Kirk 56.3Judge 55.5Devers* 55.2Vladdy 55.1
― francisF, Thursday, 19 June 2025 15:37 (three months ago)
Wow
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Thursday, 19 June 2025 20:13 (three months ago)
Will absolutely be the second AL catcher into the ASG.
― clemenza, Thursday, 19 June 2025 22:02 (three months ago)
Berríos halfway to his best season ever.
― clemenza, Saturday, 28 June 2025 17:56 (two months ago)
Three back, Yankees coming in for four.
― clemenza, Sunday, 29 June 2025 21:16 (two months ago)
Max vs. the Yankees, 40,000 in the dome--actually excited to watch a game (TV for me).
― clemenza, Monday, 30 June 2025 23:07 (two months ago)
Classic Scherzer-Judge AB: 10 pitches, including a 500-level foul HR, ending with a called third strike on the corner that froze Judge. All for naught--Max grooves the next pitch and Chisholm hits a two-run homer.
― clemenza, Tuesday, 1 July 2025 00:13 (two months ago)
Top of the 5th, down by a run, one out, runner on first, 2-0 count to Judge; Jays called for an IBB. I wasn't against it...we'll see what Chisholm does.
― clemenza, Tuesday, 1 July 2025 00:39 (two months ago)
And scherzer hurt maybe?
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Tuesday, 1 July 2025 00:43 (two months ago)
And now Springer...If they hold on, may be a costly win.
― clemenza, Tuesday, 1 July 2025 01:13 (two months ago)
I'm going to question this: 8th inning, 5-4 lead, no one out, IBB to Judge.
― clemenza, Tuesday, 1 July 2025 01:28 (two months ago)
Almost blew up in their face, but two good catches by the CF and it worked out.
― clemenza, Tuesday, 1 July 2025 01:37 (two months ago)
I was at tonight's game. It was a lot of fun.
― silverfish, Tuesday, 1 July 2025 03:13 (two months ago)
oh awesome! looked like a great one to be at!
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Tuesday, 1 July 2025 03:35 (two months ago)
Backfired this time: Jays IBB'd Judge to put runners on first and second, none out, ahead 4-2. Game now tied...Rogers is going in and out, so I'm not sure how the Yankees got their runs. Anyway, I didn't post, was on the fence. So second-guessing now would be too easy.
― clemenza, Tuesday, 1 July 2025 21:33 (two months ago)
Yay!!!
― clemenza, Tuesday, 1 July 2025 21:50 (two months ago)
Worked out in the end! This “walk judge at all costs” game plan is interesting. Wonder if the jays are the only team going this crazy with the IBB
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Wednesday, 2 July 2025 04:33 (two months ago)
https://i.ibb.co/MySCxN8V/pzrhbirrbcaf1.jpg
― francisF, Wednesday, 2 July 2025 17:00 (two months ago)
Of course I'm getting way ahead of myself--don't watch when they're losing, turn into a 10-year-old when they're winning--but right now it feels like a new team to me, and I'd even say it feels like Clement/Barger/Kirk's team (rather than Vlad/Bo). They almost feel...scrappy!
― clemenza, Wednesday, 2 July 2025 17:17 (two months ago)
"Feel" three times in a 50-word post--heavily into the feeling now.
― clemenza, Wednesday, 2 July 2025 17:18 (two months ago)
they're always scrappy, but sometimes the s is silent?
― WmC, Wednesday, 2 July 2025 17:20 (two months ago)
True enough.
― clemenza, Wednesday, 2 July 2025 17:21 (two months ago)
Should have walked judge
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Thursday, 3 July 2025 01:49 (two months ago)
This is so painful.
― clemenza, Thursday, 3 July 2025 01:52 (two months ago)
Everyone age a decade or two? First place!
― clemenza, Thursday, 3 July 2025 02:18 (two months ago)
Wild. NEver would have predicted this. Just nuts.
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Thursday, 3 July 2025 02:28 (two months ago)
Clem is right, they've "felt" like a different team for a few weeks now. It's not a stars and scrubs team anymore, the role players are stepping up too, and we finally have a real offense as a result.
Not to complain too much because we won and all, but why give IBB's to Judge multiple times in the series (early innings, runners on, bases empty, game not on the line), and then pitch to him when he represents the tying run in the 8th? This reeks of Ned Yost/Grady Little "I had a good feeling" managing.
― NoTimeBeforeTime, Thursday, 3 July 2025 06:56 (two months ago)
That's the most exciting thing to me, this new "scoring runs" twist, where--like in 1985 and 1993 and 2015--it never feels like you're out of the game. In 2023 and 2024, falling behind 3-1 always felt insurmountable.
― clemenza, Thursday, 3 July 2025 07:01 (two months ago)
At the same time, not waiting around for the home run--great when it happens, but they score other ways too.
― clemenza, Thursday, 3 July 2025 07:02 (two months ago)
Ya I’m 100% with you on the judge thing. That was an ideal situation to walk the guy. Reason I guess is Yimi is one of the best arms in the pen. But even before the hr I was thinking a) he just came back from the dl and b) it’s fucking Aaron judge. They did almost get away with it tho; until they didn’t.
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Thursday, 3 July 2025 13:28 (two months ago)
Amazing: first-ever four-game sweep of the Yankees at home, sole possession of first. Springer for the four games: 8-14, 4 HR, 7 runs, 11 RBI.
― clemenza, Friday, 4 July 2025 02:50 (two months ago)
Springer was unreal this series. I was hoping for a split - did not expect us to be in 1st today. This is just wild.
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Friday, 4 July 2025 03:10 (two months ago)
My team sucks so I'm adopting y'all's.
― WmC, Friday, 4 July 2025 03:37 (two months ago)
Welcome! Your Rance Mulliniks poster is in the mail.
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Friday, 4 July 2025 12:49 (two months ago)
I for one welcome our new disaffected-American overlord.
― clemenza, Friday, 4 July 2025 14:36 (two months ago)
For the first time in forever, planning a Saturday around today's game (starting soon).
― clemenza, Saturday, 5 July 2025 18:59 (two months ago)
Garcia's out again. Pretty clear they'll have to pick up a key bullpen arm at the deadline.
― clemenza, Saturday, 5 July 2025 19:30 (two months ago)
Sounds like Schnider might have Mark Prior’d him with over using him to start the season (if the announcers are to be believed)
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Saturday, 5 July 2025 19:38 (two months ago)
Springer (again)!
― clemenza, Saturday, 5 July 2025 19:59 (two months ago)
Starting to wonder if there's someone inside the dome banging a trash can.
― clemenza, Saturday, 5 July 2025 20:01 (two months ago)
dont even joke dude!
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Saturday, 5 July 2025 20:05 (two months ago)
They're saying Garcia is an ankle injury, so that would seem to preclude overuse? (I guess there could be a connection if he altered his delivery at some point.)
― clemenza, Saturday, 5 July 2025 20:29 (two months ago)
Hopefully someone will tell Barger that cracking bats over your knee is not really advisable.
― clemenza, Saturday, 5 July 2025 21:53 (two months ago)
Barger can do whatever he wants -- another crazy win in extras!
― NoTimeBeforeTime, Saturday, 5 July 2025 22:25 (two months ago)
Oh, man--letting that one slip away would have hurt. Amazing! (I just don"t want him to injure himself with stuff like that.)
― clemenza, Saturday, 5 July 2025 22:27 (two months ago)
How beautiful was that bunt by Lukes?
― clemenza, Saturday, 5 July 2025 22:38 (two months ago)
It was amazing. I cannot believe how they’ve turned their bunting game around since last year. Just a perfect push bunt to the perfect spot - clearly Angles weren’t ready for that
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Saturday, 5 July 2025 22:48 (two months ago)
(Jiménez's ineptitude the inning before notwithstanding--can't have everything.)
― clemenza, Saturday, 5 July 2025 23:18 (two months ago)
Ha--the Twins walk-off over the Rays today was also on a bunt. The ghost of Billy Martin taking over baseball.
― clemenza, Sunday, 6 July 2025 02:18 (two months ago)
Jeff Blair was funny yesterday between innings (paraphrase): "Folks, the Yankees are losing to the Mets, the Twins just walked off the Rays, and the Angels just walked Addison Barger to pitch to Alejandro Kirk. We're in a brave new world here."
― clemenza, Sunday, 6 July 2025 15:20 (two months ago)
another one-run W!
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Sunday, 6 July 2025 20:33 (two months ago)
Had to duck out after the Angels tied it 2-2...Only the second 7-game homestand sweep ever.
― clemenza, Sunday, 6 July 2025 22:18 (two months ago)
Just caught the 9th inning on repeat--Addison Robinson over at third.
― clemenza, Monday, 7 July 2025 04:02 (two months ago)
They need a laugher--I hope they don't fritter this lead away. Helps that it's the White Sox.
I can't remember a Jays team where so many different players contributed up and down the lineup. Going into tonight's game, their Top 10 in oWAR range from Springer's 2.3 down to Varsho at 0.3. Tonight, it's Joey Loperfido.
Bank all these wins, please. They'll need them when they come down to earth.
― clemenza, Tuesday, 8 July 2025 01:19 (two months ago)
First nine-game winning streak since the bat-flip year (two 11-game streaks).
― clemenza, Tuesday, 8 July 2025 02:30 (two months ago)
>Bank all these wins, please. They'll need them when they come down to earth.
my thinking too!
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Tuesday, 8 July 2025 17:05 (two months ago)
They were a batter or two away from turning last night into a game...I know I shouldn't complain about anything right now, it's just weird that they keep doing this.
― clemenza, Tuesday, 8 July 2025 17:10 (two months ago)
Berríos, "La Maquina":
2021 - 32 GS, 3.522023 - 32 GS, 3.652024 - 32 GS, 3.602025 - 34 GS, 3.53
Wasn't very machine-like in 2022.
― clemenza, Tuesday, 8 July 2025 20:45 (two months ago)
(2025 projected, of course.)
― clemenza, Tuesday, 8 July 2025 20:46 (two months ago)
10...one more to tie the team record.
― clemenza, Wednesday, 9 July 2025 03:13 (two months ago)
They had Chelsea Gaines from the Washington Post on the FAN this morning, pointing out some affinities between this year's Jays and the 2019 Nationals.
― clemenza, Wednesday, 9 July 2025 15:29 (two months ago)
I can't stand the losing.
― clemenza, Wednesday, 9 July 2025 22:45 (two months ago)
Vlad is going to end up as a 5-6 WAR player this year, and he's the starting first baseman in the AS game. He's also, still, Vlad, very much on display today.
― clemenza, Wednesday, 9 July 2025 22:49 (two months ago)
Ya, the old Vlad that used to pound the ball down way too often. He doesn’t come out much at all these days at least.
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Friday, 11 July 2025 00:05 (two months ago)
Going to throw this out there, with the usual caveat that I know nothing about the business side of the game: would it be a good (or even feasible) move to look for a big trade involving Bo in the next month or two? Could they get a decent middle infielder and a solid bullpen arm for him? Would it be needlessly tinkering with "team chemistry"?
― clemenza, Friday, 11 July 2025 14:48 (two months ago)
I keep hearing that twenty something teams are still in contention, meaning that almost everyone is a buyer and nobody wants to sell. I don't see any team willing to pay the price that the Jays would want. If they want a bullpen rental there are other ways to get one. I'm sure they'll offer Bo a QO in the off-season, and he'll walk, and neither side will be disappointed.
― NoTimeBeforeTime, Friday, 11 July 2025 15:32 (two months ago)
In a perfect world, he and Vlad actually become the foundation of the offense down the stretch, instead of afterthoughts.
― clemenza, Friday, 11 July 2025 15:44 (two months ago)
I'm not worried about Vlad. All the metrics show that he's killing the ball (line drive rate, barrel rate, etc.) I think he'll have a big second half, like last year.
― NoTimeBeforeTime, Friday, 11 July 2025 15:51 (two months ago)
I'm never not-worried about Vlad.
― clemenza, Friday, 11 July 2025 15:58 (two months ago)
This is so funny: Scherzer strikes out two A's, and then the third guy, with two strikes on him, is called out for a clock violation. The hitter was upset, but Scherzer was even angrier!
― clemenza, Saturday, 12 July 2025 02:53 (two months ago)
The sun is about to set in West Sacramento and it's 105F.
― imperial frfr (Steve Shasta), Saturday, 12 July 2025 02:56 (two months ago)
(same temp as Las Vegas fwiw)
― imperial frfr (Steve Shasta), Saturday, 12 July 2025 02:57 (two months ago)
This is not really happening, is it?
― clemenza, Saturday, 12 July 2025 05:04 (two months ago)
Somehow they now own the third best W-L record in MLB, and are just a half game behind the Dodgers for second.
― NoTimeBeforeTime, Saturday, 12 July 2025 05:40 (two months ago)
I’ve been wondering if Yariel is more suited for the closer role at this point. Yimi and sandlin are hurt and Swanson is cooked/in AAA - not a lot of options right now, but I just can’t with Hoff’s inconsistency
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Saturday, 12 July 2025 18:21 (two months ago)
I find this winning-a-blowout/suddenly-facing-the-tying-run trend puzzling (three or four times in two weeks). I dohave a feeling that it's an omen of how we win or lose the division. To win, it'll have to be from in front--taking a decent lead into September and then holding on.
― clemenza, Saturday, 12 July 2025 20:31 (two months ago)
Stayed with that game till the end last night. A lot of LOB.
― clemenza, Sunday, 13 July 2025 12:46 (two months ago)
Watching Schnider get ejected today over the non-home run call and then having the other Schnider just blast the next pitch over the fence was the most entertained I’d been in a while
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Sunday, 13 July 2025 22:47 (two months ago)
Playing tennis, missed all that. Glad the Yankees lost, but again, I keep thinking about needing to stockpile wins; this weekend was a perfect opportunity squandered.
(I will say, I'm impressed with the A's offense--they've got guys up and down the lineup with 10-20 home runs and hitting .270. If they had any pitching, they'd be probably be a contender.)
― clemenza, Monday, 14 July 2025 00:00 (two months ago)
Ya. Surprisingly strong lineup
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Monday, 14 July 2025 02:50 (two months ago)
Actually four runs below league average, right in the middle; thought they'd be higher.
― clemenza, Monday, 14 July 2025 03:04 (two months ago)
This is so ridiculous...
https://www.bluejaysinsider.com/mlb-team/toronto-blue-jays/trade-proposal-announced-with-the-toronto-blue-jays-landing-two-all-star-from-the-kansas-city-royals
Headline: "Trade proposal announced..."Article: "On Sunday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post floated a blcokbuster trade idea..."
― clemenza, Thursday, 17 July 2025 00:53 (two months ago)
Some huge kids tournament in St. Marys this weekend. I was in front of a kid (9 or 10) in a jersey with his dad in Tim Hortons; they were from Mississauga, the kid was a catcher, and when I asked him if he liked Alejandro Kirk, big smile. Dad: "Kirky's his guy."
― clemenza, Friday, 18 July 2025 16:59 (two months ago)
Awesome
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Friday, 18 July 2025 23:47 (two months ago)
Poking my head in to say good luck the rest of the way, team looks good. A team with a bunch of punching Judy's can work in modern baseball.
― maybe the bee is OK? (Bee OK), Sunday, 20 July 2025 23:38 (two months ago)
Thanks--we are pesky.
― clemenza, Sunday, 20 July 2025 23:56 (two months ago)
Something I'm not oblivious to: speaking pythagorically (an actual word, I checked), the Jays should be eight games behind the Yankees, rather than three up. That's an ominous disconnect.
― clemenza, Monday, 21 July 2025 00:04 (two months ago)
ya, it's wild the difference there. reminds me of those mid 2010 Orioles teams that also had a big gap between real w/l vs pythag w/l. but they did it for like 3 seasons or so iirc. so who know if eeking out close wins is a kind of skill set. the jays def look a lot better at doing the "little things", they haven't been so great at past seasons.
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Monday, 21 July 2025 01:18 (two months ago)
I started trying to rationalize it with all those should-have-been-blowouts where they ended up close, but I think that's the whole point of the Pythagorean forumla, that those things all even out in the end. So I don't know--maybe they're due for some actual blowouts.
― clemenza, Monday, 21 July 2025 01:38 (two months ago)
Or due for the other equalizer, but we won't think about that.
ya that's another thing i was considering, the pen regularly making things interesting but hanging on
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Monday, 21 July 2025 02:14 (two months ago)
Comparing RS/RA for the entire season is misleading here. Through the end of April, the Jays were actually outplaying their expected W-L record. They'd been outscored by 34 runs. Santander and Giminez were stinking up the lineup, Barger and Clement hadn't gotten going yet.
Since then, they're +60 in run differential, which is more in line with their actual W-L record. Over three months, that's not a fluke. I think we need to look at the team they're putting on the field right now, rather than lumping the early season version together with the current version.
They absolutely need to grab a couple of bullpen arms at the deadline (at the very least) because I don't trust most of their current guys come September/October.
― NoTimeBeforeTime, Monday, 21 July 2025 08:21 (two months ago)
Better record than the Dodgers now.
― clemenza, Monday, 21 July 2025 15:03 (two months ago)
Nice moment: after an epic 14-pitch AB that ended in a flyout (runner on second), Carlos Rodon tipped his cap to Davis Schneider. His reward? Two quick run-scoring errors from his defense.
― clemenza, Tuesday, 22 July 2025 00:51 (two months ago)
this team has a knack for these crazy long at bats. wish i'd caught that head nod lol
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Tuesday, 22 July 2025 02:35 (two months ago)
I only caught it on replay--video will turn up tomorrow.
― clemenza, Tuesday, 22 July 2025 02:40 (two months ago)
The Brewers are getting lots of (deserved) attention right now, but I will point out that the Jays are only a game behind them for the best record in baseball (and within half a game of the Tigers for best in the A.L.).
― clemenza, Tuesday, 22 July 2025 15:42 (two months ago)
Rodon-Schneider:
https://www.mlb.com/yankees/video/carlos-rodon-in-play-out-s-to-davis-schneider
― clemenza, Tuesday, 22 July 2025 15:44 (two months ago)
love it
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Tuesday, 22 July 2025 15:53 (two months ago)
I’m enjoying these occasional drone shots
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Tuesday, 22 July 2025 23:28 (two months ago)
Missed tonight for tennis...11 men left on--Jesus.
― clemenza, Wednesday, 23 July 2025 02:04 (two months ago)
did a bunch of yankees put money down on the jays or something?! that was some terrible baseball on their end. not just the errors themselves, but sloppy backing-up work and just jogging after the balls after they fuck up. wow.
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Thursday, 24 July 2025 05:18 (two months ago)
Yankees committed 7 errors and gave up 4 unearned runs for the three games.
― clemenza, Thursday, 24 July 2025 12:27 (two months ago)
11-4. wow.
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Friday, 25 July 2025 01:40 (one month ago)
Got home for the 7th inning. Too good to be true right now.
― clemenza, Friday, 25 July 2025 02:11 (one month ago)
Something they'll mention on broadcasts, still true: the Jays have struck out fewer times than any team in either league. I think they've finally turned into the 2015 Royals. A.L. rankings:
2015 Royals: 6th in runs scored, 14th in HR, fewest strikeouts, .269/.322/.4122025 Jays: 4th in runs scored, 12th in HR, fewest strikeouts, .262/.333//412
― clemenza, Friday, 25 July 2025 21:16 (one month ago)
That’s an unexpected comparison
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Friday, 25 July 2025 23:01 (one month ago)
Best record in baseball.
― clemenza, Saturday, 26 July 2025 01:56 (one month ago)
never would have predicted this. never in a million years.
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Saturday, 26 July 2025 02:42 (one month ago)
Best record in MLB for the first time since 1992??
Hardly seems real.
― NoTimeBeforeTime, Saturday, 26 July 2025 04:30 (one month ago)
Just going berserk now that Skubal is out of the game
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Sunday, 27 July 2025 00:30 (one month ago)
PEAKING TOO SOON amirite
― mookieproof, Sunday, 27 July 2025 00:50 (one month ago)
Listened to most on the game on the car radio, and was sitting in my driveway when Bo got his big hit, afraid to miss something from the car to the TV--been years since that happened.
― clemenza, Sunday, 27 July 2025 01:12 (one month ago)
that is awesome
― mookieproof, Sunday, 27 July 2025 01:24 (one month ago)
my weekends with the kids, normally we do a movie in the evenings - but it's been baseball the last month now and they are loving it
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Sunday, 27 July 2025 03:07 (one month ago)
The radio people are pushing hard for the Jays to pick up two solid relievers. They also kept making the comparison to the 2015 Royals...I hadn't heard that when I posted, and I was just thinking about the offense. The huge difference, I now realize, is that the Royals had an awesome bullpen that year.
― clemenza, Sunday, 27 July 2025 15:47 (one month ago)
I could be reading too much into two games, but these last two would seem to underscore the idea that two solid bullpen arms is indeed the way to go.
― clemenza, Tuesday, 29 July 2025 13:41 (one month ago)
By the time I got home yesterday, the game was out of reach; just finding out about Springer now. God, I hope he's okay.
― clemenza, Tuesday, 29 July 2025 14:04 (one month ago)
i didn't see it, but sounds like it looked pretty bad – but maybe not out long (knock on wood)
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Tuesday, 29 July 2025 14:12 (one month ago)
Bank all these wins, please. They'll need them when they come down to earth.― clemenza, Monday, July 7, 2025
The 2025 Toronto Blue Jays, Part II: The Debanking.
― clemenza, Tuesday, 29 July 2025 18:54 (one month ago)
*checks L10 in division*They're still banking.
― WmC, Tuesday, 29 July 2025 19:12 (one month ago)
That's three blowout losses in a row, what in the f is happening here.
― NoTimeBeforeTime, Tuesday, 29 July 2025 19:41 (one month ago)
The frustrating thing is that they scored 4 runs in every game--not great, but they should have won one of them, maybe Scherzer's start. Again, the bullpen; they've got the starters that can at least keep them in the game through 5 or 6, and they finally have an offense that seems to be able to manufacture some runs when they're not hitting HR. What they don't have is a reliable bullpen.
― clemenza, Tuesday, 29 July 2025 20:49 (one month ago)
From one clubhouse to the other--good start!
https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/dominse01.shtml
― clemenza, Tuesday, 29 July 2025 22:10 (one month ago)
Got home just in time to authoritatively say "Pathetic."
― clemenza, Wednesday, 30 July 2025 01:16 (one month ago)
that last strike was enraging
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Wednesday, 30 July 2025 01:35 (one month ago)
Bo leads the majors in clutch hitting this year, so I know I should cut him some slack, but I'm a disguntled, unappreciate fan hitting the panic button, so I think he needs to cut me some slack.
― clemenza, Wednesday, 30 July 2025 01:39 (one month ago)
disgruntled, unappreciative--I'm so agitated, I can't even type.
― clemenza, Wednesday, 30 July 2025 01:40 (one month ago)
The excruciating drama of caring about baseball.
― clemenza, Wednesday, 30 July 2025 19:21 (one month ago)
That game was a roller coaster. Glad we got good Hoffman today.
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Wednesday, 30 July 2025 22:13 (one month ago)
Glad I spared myself the agony of watching them immediately fall behind 3-0; they were up 6-5 by the time I caught up with the game (didn't even realize it was a day game).
― clemenza, Wednesday, 30 July 2025 22:46 (one month ago)
Trade deadline is so psychological. If the Jays come out of today without another deal, the players will say all the right things--like it's a vote of confidence in the team they have--but I'm sure many will internalize the message that management is content to drift into another WC spot and then hope for the best.
― clemenza, Thursday, 31 July 2025 12:21 (one month ago)
Uhhhhh Athletic reporting Bieber to jays
― Its big ball chunky time (Jimmy The Mod Awaits The Return Of His Beloved), Thursday, 31 July 2025 13:48 (one month ago)
For Khal Stephens?
― from…Peru? (gyac), Thursday, 31 July 2025 13:48 (one month ago)
Long-term, I guess that's good, but I'm not sure how much that helps them now--he's rehabbing in double-A and has only pitched two MLB innings since 2023? (Which I'd forgotten till I checked.) I hope they're still looking for bullpen help.
― clemenza, Thursday, 31 July 2025 14:09 (one month ago)
He’s about to finish his rehab assignment so I guess they see what they get from him down the stretch
― from…Peru? (gyac), Thursday, 31 July 2025 14:13 (one month ago)
i think he should be ready to come up soon. 4 innings, 58 pitches in his most recent (4th) rehab stint at AA. one or two more at AAA and i think he should be gtg with some degree of workload management.
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Thursday, 31 July 2025 16:56 (one month ago)
also, i thought you couldn't trade guys who were injured??
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Thursday, 31 July 2025 16:57 (one month ago)
You can’t dfa them I’m pretty sure they can be traded though
― from…Peru? (gyac), Thursday, 31 July 2025 17:11 (one month ago)
i looked it up and seems like it is (or was?) that they had to be on a rehab assignment to be moved. i remember when they sent Donaldson to the Clevelands there was a rush (IIRC) to get him rehabbing so he could be moved before the deadline
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Thursday, 31 July 2025 17:18 (one month ago)
Watching Blair and Barker, and their guest--forget his name; used to be president of the Marlins, hosts a podcast now--is doing Atkins' work for him, formulating the "We're comfortable with the group that got us where we are now" argument/defense.
― clemenza, Thursday, 31 July 2025 20:42 (one month ago)
Will Wagner for Brandon Valenzuela...who I'm going to assume is Fernando's son, because there's no way Toronto trades a son for a not-son.
― clemenza, Thursday, 31 July 2025 21:01 (one month ago)
Okay, we got a second bullpen guy: Louis Varland. Great stats this year, previous three seasons, not great.
― clemenza, Thursday, 31 July 2025 22:09 (one month ago)
Rolled the dice on a starter, two seemingly solid relievers, and a backup catcher to mitigate Kirk being out; overall, I'd say that's perfectly fine.
― clemenza, Thursday, 31 July 2025 22:10 (one month ago)
i really don't get why we had to trade away wagner for a AAA backup catcher and then had to replace him with france by trading away roden. he hadn't hit his stride in the majors yet, but was slashing .331/.423/.496/.918 at AAA!
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Thursday, 31 July 2025 22:57 (one month ago)
Great interview with David Price on Blair & Barker today about the 2015 deadline frenzy. One of my favourite players to listen to ever.
― clemenza, Friday, 1 August 2025 02:00 (one month ago)
The Athletic has the Jays as deadline "losers"...I really don't see it that way. I would have loved getting Mason Miller, but clearly the Jays didn't have as much to offer as the Padres. I think they addressed their #1 need, and we'll see if Bieber works out.
― clemenza, Friday, 1 August 2025 15:14 (one month ago)
I'll post a couple of pictures later...Was down for an excellent game today. Not wild-great, but crisp, well-played, and the kind of game the Jays need to win now with their reinforced bullpen. And saw vintage Max Scherzer, for the first time I think.
― clemenza, Sunday, 3 August 2025 01:02 (one month ago)
Four photos: 1) Max on the mound warming up; 2) Max on the scoreboard; 3) my friend Callum and I; 4) Vlad doing his Gatorade thing to Davis Schneider (with Hazel Mae in red ducking out).
https://i.postimg.cc/nz9b68pk/IMG-5233.jpghttps://i.postimg.cc/ht4FKQKh/IMG-5234.jpghttps://i.postimg.cc/MG4g0sVj/IMG-5238.jpghttps://i.postimg.cc/8CF0Ch9k/IMG-5242.jpg
Callum's had a bit of a baseball career--either semi-professional or just on the cusp of semi-professional. He still plays (pitcher) in London. This might be of interest to mookieproof: he told the only pitcher he ever faced who played in the majors was this guy.
https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/davidda01.shtml
― clemenza, Sunday, 3 August 2025 02:08 (one month ago)
Dan Schulman's trying to figure out rotations and thinks there's a good chance of Scherzer-Kershaw on Friday.
― clemenza, Sunday, 3 August 2025 18:30 (one month ago)
Joey Loperfido's hitting .387! (May come down to earth at some point.)
― clemenza, Sunday, 3 August 2025 19:14 (one month ago)
Felt like Varsho epitomized this lineup last year; now he sticks out like a sore thumb.
― clemenza, Sunday, 3 August 2025 20:08 (one month ago)
We're supposed to be the 2015 Royals. The whole system's breaking down.
― clemenza, Sunday, 3 August 2025 20:53 (one month ago)
Not sure if a three-game sweep in Colorado is too much to expect, but with the Dodgers up after that, I sure hope the players expect it. Being on the wrong end of these blowouts lately almost has their run differential down to even.
― clemenza, Monday, 4 August 2025 14:47 (one month ago)
I'd be happy with 2/3 in Colorado, honestly. Jays are only 1 Home Run Allowed better than the Rockies, who at least have excuses (Coors/are bad).
Lauer's kicking it off tonight with a Coors Field history of: 7 starts, 23.1 IP, 33 ER. 0-6 with a 12.73 ERA.
Ideally they sweep a terrible team, of course, but I wouldn't bet on it myself as it looks particularly unpredictable
― francisF, Monday, 4 August 2025 15:39 (one month ago)
That's horrible! No one else they could give the start to? I guess they're hoping for three or four decent innings from him.
― clemenza, Monday, 4 August 2025 16:08 (one month ago)
Gotta go with your guys.
Lauer's peripherals aren't the most encouraging either (he's been terrific, but seemingly lucky: .239 babip and 82.2 LOB%)
looking forward to this one, I'm keeping the faith
― francisF, Monday, 4 August 2025 16:28 (one month ago)
but yes lauer should've pitched the last KC game, you would think
― francisF, Monday, 4 August 2025 16:29 (one month ago)
One thing we were talking about at that game on Saturday--would be interested to hear from the other three Jays regulars here--was comparing Devon White to Pillar to Kiermaier in CF. The latter two were human highlight reels, but--selective memory, perhaps--we both thought White was the best. Not as many circus catches because his instincts were so good; as the cliche goes, he made everything look easy.
― clemenza, Monday, 4 August 2025 16:38 (one month ago)
White's first three seasons in Toronto were 2.2, 3.9, and 2.1 dWAR; Kiermaier's one full season was 2.2; Pillar's three best were 2.9, 2.7, and 1.7. Kiermaier has a 4.4 season for the Rays.
― clemenza, Monday, 4 August 2025 16:44 (one month ago)
It's hard to judge! Those guys could make routine plays on the most out-of-reach balls, so yeah, looks easy.
how reliable are defensive numbers in Devo's time?
― francisF, Monday, 4 August 2025 23:29 (one month ago)
Starting at first for the Rockies tonight: Warming Bernabel. Now that's a name. (32 AB, hitting .438.)
― clemenza, Tuesday, 5 August 2025 00:20 (one month ago)
Bo sure is going to cash in, isn't he?
― clemenza, Tuesday, 5 August 2025 01:46 (one month ago)
Nice reverse jinx on Lauer, Francis.
― clemenza, Tuesday, 5 August 2025 12:56 (one month ago)
Felt like Varsho epitomized this lineup last year; now he sticks out like a sore thumb.― clemenza, Sunday, August 3, 2025
Trust me, that was a very insightful post two days ago.
― clemenza, Wednesday, 6 August 2025 03:21 (one month ago)
Our Rod Carew/Tony Gwynn is okay: https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/blue-jays-joey-loperfido-x-rays-clean/
― clemenza, Wednesday, 6 August 2025 15:38 (one month ago)
phew, yeah that looked bad.
― francisF, Wednesday, 6 August 2025 21:00 (one month ago)
what a crazy game/series. just... wow. franchise scoring/hit record for a 3 game series.
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Wednesday, 6 August 2025 22:01 (one month ago)
most hits in a three-game going all the way back to 1901.
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Wednesday, 6 August 2025 22:03 (one month ago)
The 1901 Jays were awesome...Honest to god, this has been amazing. (Been out all day and was only following on the computer--just the score, still have to see how they scored all those runs.) The main thing is--and for me this is a big deal--the Jays did exactly what they were supposed to do. They did more than they needed, but generally speaking, you expected them to sweep Colorado and score a lot of runs. And they did.
― clemenza, Wednesday, 6 August 2025 22:36 (one month ago)
i don't think it's fair to ever expect a sweep, but they def needed to take the series after looking out of sorts for a bit there.
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Wednesday, 6 August 2025 22:53 (one month ago)
I really was--expecting a sweep, that is. Really good teams--which this one may or may not be--regularly do that, they take control. Even if math says 2/3 was more likely.
― clemenza, Wednesday, 6 August 2025 23:08 (one month ago)
From what I can see online, a .585 team playing a .285 team is expected to win about 73% of the time. I guess you can knock that down a bit for home-field advantage...anyway .73 x .73 x .73 is approximately 38% for a sweep. So even mathematically, a sweep wasn't all that unlikely.
― clemenza, Wednesday, 6 August 2025 23:17 (one month ago)
math!
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Thursday, 7 August 2025 00:02 (one month ago)
I was promised there wouldn't be any!
― clemenza, Thursday, 7 August 2025 01:00 (one month ago)
A little breathing room--back to 4.0.
― clemenza, Thursday, 7 August 2025 01:58 (one month ago)
Just watched the Blue Jays in 30...That last half-inning was surreal; I think they were at 15 runs with 2 out, then they tacked on five more.
― clemenza, Thursday, 7 August 2025 03:01 (one month ago)
Jays' 1-4 hitters in this game: a combined 13 for 27, 12 runs scored, 5 HR, 11 RBI. And no walks (too busy crushing the ball).
That's like an all-time great stat line for the AL player of the week. But in a single game!
― NoTimeBeforeTime, Thursday, 7 August 2025 03:57 (one month ago)
Vintage COVID VladJr with those park factors.
― imperial frfr (Steve Shasta), Thursday, 7 August 2025 16:50 (one month ago)
For all the complaining I do about this very thing (their inability to go for the jugular)...
https://i.postimg.cc/rpjvjyzs/sweep.jpg
― clemenza, Thursday, 7 August 2025 19:50 (one month ago)
Who could ask you to give up the pleasure of complaining, though?
― WmC, Thursday, 7 August 2025 20:22 (one month ago)
The Joe Walsh in me would find such a request unacceptable.
― clemenza, Thursday, 7 August 2025 20:23 (one month ago)
Made me laugh: Buck Martinez's old-guy exasperation with Blake Snell checking his notes in the middle of an AB. ("Don't you go over that before the game?")
Meanwhile, Vlad continues to be the best hitter in baseball who never gets a game-changing hit.
― clemenza, Sunday, 10 August 2025 01:52 (one month ago)
I skipped a screening of Yojimbo for that. (The samurai film would have been more genial.) I'm just not meant to watch baseball on a Saturday night.
― clemenza, Sunday, 10 August 2025 12:20 (one month ago)
Promising: five good rehab starts for Bieber, 2.75 ERA, 28/3 K/BB ratio.
― clemenza, Sunday, 10 August 2025 16:38 (one month ago)
Life!
― clemenza, Sunday, 10 August 2025 22:42 (one month ago)
About time
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Sunday, 10 August 2025 22:44 (one month ago)
Pathetic.
― clemenza, Sunday, 10 August 2025 23:00 (one month ago)
Yeah well luck of the batting order to have conforto up there, always surprised to see his obp is above .000; fooled me
― H.P, Sunday, 10 August 2025 23:04 (one month ago)
There ya go
― H.P, Sunday, 10 August 2025 23:06 (one month ago)
Our "closer" just walked five guys in 2/3 of an inning.
― clemenza, Sunday, 10 August 2025 23:22 (one month ago)
Fluherty's stuff looked good for the ERA he's rockin'. Good game
― H.P, Sunday, 10 August 2025 23:28 (one month ago)
To balance that, some guy named Mason Fluharty just got two first-ballot HOF'ers out with the bases loaded to win the game, ensuring he will be remembered forever.
― clemenza, Sunday, 10 August 2025 23:28 (one month ago)
i was yelling at my tv when i saw hoffman coming back out for the 9th. i can't deal with this guys roller coaster bullshit. thank god for Ernie Clement. blown away they got out of that mess.
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Sunday, 10 August 2025 23:35 (one month ago)
I feel exactly the same way about Hoffman. He's more of a Romano than Romano was.
― clemenza, Sunday, 10 August 2025 23:36 (one month ago)
13 walks and they somehow won. In 55 years of watching baseball, I don't think I've ever seen a team walk 13.
― clemenza, Sunday, 10 August 2025 23:37 (one month ago)
Looks like 11 walks, but ya. What a sloppy win.
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Monday, 11 August 2025 00:22 (one month ago)
"Jeff Hoffman is the first pitcher since at least 1901 to surrender 5+ walks in less than an inning of work and get credited with a win."
― clemenza, Monday, 11 August 2025 01:17 (one month ago)
hahaha, holy shit
― Strange New Wordles (WmC), Monday, 11 August 2025 01:23 (one month ago)
Who recorded the last save which saw 2 former MVPs (Bonds, Kent) retired with the bases loaded? August 2002. It wasn’t a guy named Fluharty
― francisF, Monday, 11 August 2025 02:03 (one month ago)
Wouldn't even know how to cheat and look that up (short of going through boxscores from that month).
For me, the Ohtani-Betts combination is even more impressive than Bonds-Kent (the difference between Ohtani and Bonds is more than countered by Betts vs. Kent).
― clemenza, Monday, 11 August 2025 03:16 (one month ago)
It was Hoffman, Trevor
― francisF, Monday, 11 August 2025 14:17 (one month ago)
Although the Mason Fluharty legend has yet to be written, I'm giving the edge to Bonds/Kent/Hoffman as a threesome.
― clemenza, Monday, 11 August 2025 14:44 (one month ago)
https://i.imgur.com/3WbUZkc.jpeg
― from…Peru? (gyac), Monday, 11 August 2025 16:13 (one month ago)
I'm going to feel really stupid when you tell me, gyac, but who is that?! (Just saying here that the career value of Bonds/Kent/Hoffman will probably exceed the career value of Ohtani/Betts/guy from yesterday.)
― clemenza, Monday, 11 August 2025 17:04 (one month ago)
(Posnanski)
"In the game, the Dodgers had 10 hits and 13 walks.
And I immediately thought: WHOA, I’ll bet that has NEVER happened before.
Wrong. There have been 215 games in baseball history where teams have had at least 10 hits and 13 walks in a game.
Huh. Two hundred and fifteen, you say? That’s a lot. Well, fine, but I’ll bet no team has ever LOST a game when having 10 hits and 13 walks in a game.
Actually, teams have lost such games 27 times through the years."
― clemenza, Monday, 11 August 2025 17:55 (one month ago)
Ken Griffey Jr! Specifically from this video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73b_FkesrZw
― from…Peru? (gyac), Monday, 11 August 2025 18:24 (one month ago)
Honestly, I did think of Jr.--but I had an image of young Jr. in my mind, Jr. Jr., and wasn't 100% sure.
― clemenza, Monday, 11 August 2025 18:25 (one month ago)
The guy with the mic's funny: "I don't even know what that means."
― clemenza, Monday, 11 August 2025 18:55 (one month ago)
I'm down Thursday afternoon to see the Cubs, Scherzer (again) vs. Matthew Boyd. Don't know anything about Boyd, but having a great season. Will also be there for the Orioles on the 14th, and then Thermo and I have tickets to see the Rays in the last game of the season. I don't know what I want there in terms of the game being meaningful or not. If I had to choose between meaningless (because they've secured a playoff spot) or they need to win for a WC, I'd go with meaningless. If it's meaningless (WC clinched) vs. a game that decides whether they win the division or settle for a WC, I'll opt for the second. Not even entertaining meaningless-because-they're-out.
― clemenza, Tuesday, 12 August 2025 18:55 (one month ago)
Boyd is interesting as he's only pitched more innings than he has this season twice, and both times were 6-7 years ago.
I imagine he'll fatigue out with the workload, but I said the same thing about Chris Sale last season and he pitched almost until the end of the season, only breaking down to miss his final 3 starts (and sit out the playoffs).
― imperial frfr (Steve Shasta), Tuesday, 12 August 2025 19:05 (one month ago)
Ha--I now see he pitched (horribly) for the Jays in 2015, the bat-flip season. As soon as I saw he also pitched for the Tigers that year, I suspected right away what was indeed the case: he was the third guy in the trade that brought David Price here.
― clemenza, Tuesday, 12 August 2025 19:09 (one month ago)
Was there for a classic game today: weekday sellout, 2-1 win, two hours and six minutes (the two starters had thrown 97 pitches and given up no runs through five complete innings--we saw some version of a Maddux), face of the franchise gets the big hit with a two-run HR (for all of his many virtues, something he hardly ever does), second and third with none out for the Cubs and Little/Seranthony strike out the side. And I got to be part of a standing ovation for a HOF'er when Scherzer got pulled mid-inning ahead 2-1.
― clemenza, Friday, 15 August 2025 01:08 (one month ago)
Could have been watching deGrom-Grom tonight--stupid Apple TV.
― clemenza, Saturday, 16 August 2025 00:58 (one month ago)
Came back from 5-2!
― clemenza, Saturday, 16 August 2025 02:11 (one month ago)
Ya what a game. Kirk getting handed the base after his first career sb (no clue why in the fuck he was running there or how/why they didn’t try to throw him out) (and he was offering no details in the post game interview) was awesome
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Saturday, 16 August 2025 03:04 (one month ago)
Awesome is the word--watch Max.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfC7I9BSNjw
― clemenza, Saturday, 16 August 2025 13:07 (one month ago)
Kirk doesn't crack even a trace of a smile until the base is handed to him.
― clemenza, Saturday, 16 August 2025 13:09 (one month ago)
glad i stuck with this one! classic '25 Jays.
― francisF, Saturday, 16 August 2025 15:49 (one month ago)
I have nothing to complain about. This feels altogether wrong.
― clemenza, Sunday, 17 August 2025 00:03 (one month ago)
Off to the game today for both my kids birthday. along with 30 (I am serious) friends and their fams. Will be my youngest’s first game (along with 3 other kids and one adult). Pretty excited. Hope the weather doesn’t affect the outdoor pre game jr jays events
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Sunday, 17 August 2025 13:24 (one month ago)
Great pitching match-up.
― clemenza, Sunday, 17 August 2025 14:19 (one month ago)
Yesterday's game:
"For the first time in the modern era, a team's starting outfield has reached based at least 4 times AND hit a home run in the same game."
Not sure what counts as the "modern era."
― clemenza, Sunday, 17 August 2025 14:29 (one month ago)
If I'm Max Scherzer, I'm sending Myles Straw an expensive case of something tomorrow. (Two fantastic catches tonight.)
― clemenza, Wednesday, 20 August 2025 00:39 (one month ago)
If I'm Max Scherzer, I'm staring into the mirror admiring my beautiful eyes for hours on end...
https://kenneltocouch.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/iStock-877106678-1080x675.jpg
― imperial frfr (Steve Shasta), Wednesday, 20 August 2025 06:22 (one month ago)
What a return for Bieber: 6 IP, 2 H, 0 BB, 9 K, 1 run (HR). Marlins are below league average offensively, but not drastically.
― clemenza, Saturday, 23 August 2025 00:54 (one month ago)
still great to see. looked good, loved those Ks
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Saturday, 23 August 2025 04:09 (one month ago)
Bieber was great, next year's rotation should all be former CY winners that most teams gave up on, this seems to be our specialty.
― NoTimeBeforeTime, Saturday, 23 August 2025 04:17 (one month ago)
Not sure if I want the Yankees and Red Sox to split all their remaining games--logically, the best thing--or if I'd rather see Boston bury the Yankees. Whatever superstitious dread I have is reserved for the Yankees.
― clemenza, Saturday, 23 August 2025 04:25 (one month ago)
If they have to drop someone from the rotation, that really is a tough call: Bassit, Berrios, or Lauer? How do drop Lauer, who leads all Jays pitchers with 2.7 WAR? One of the other two, I would think. They've both had one horrible start in their last five; their pitching lines for the year are more or less interchangeable.
― clemenza, Saturday, 23 August 2025 17:23 (one month ago)
It appears to be Lauer, for the time being. Bassitt and Berrios' stats are amazingly similar.
― francisF, Saturday, 23 August 2025 18:31 (one month ago)
I guess seniority/stature trumps all. But Lauer's been so good--hope he can transfer that to long relief.
― clemenza, Saturday, 23 August 2025 18:33 (one month ago)
I just looked, mlb.com has Lauer starting the 27th. It was the off-day that affected the decision to skip one. Yeah, my first thought was the politics of it (or the conditioning involved), because he's been perhaps their best starter.
― francisF, Saturday, 23 August 2025 18:39 (one month ago)
These are nice problems to have. Would they go to a six man rotation until the end of the regular season?
― NoTimeBeforeTime, Saturday, 23 August 2025 19:59 (one month ago)
I see they have a day off before and after they play NYY in the bronx. That gives 7 days off instead of the usual 4 for some of the SPs if they stuck with a 6-man
― francisF, Saturday, 23 August 2025 21:36 (one month ago)
Casey Stengel might have called Berrios's performance today "creative anxiety"--he may not have used those exact words.
― clemenza, Saturday, 23 August 2025 22:02 (one month ago)
As far as six starters go, I have no idea how the rest-vs.-staying-sharp equilibrium would play out. I have no recollection of any winning team ever trying that--must have been someone in there.
― clemenza, Saturday, 23 August 2025 22:08 (one month ago)
God this game has been painful
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Saturday, 23 August 2025 23:34 (one month ago)
We are loaded with great relievers but also an unreliable bullpen
How excruciating was that? I was so put off by Hoffman, I actually went for a walk and missed all the lead-trades in extra innings. Got back in time for Bichette's great play in the 12th. Between that, the relay, and the four hits, I think Bo made himself and extra 5 or 10 million today.
― clemenza, Saturday, 23 August 2025 23:50 (one month ago)
Can we sweet-talk the other Hoffman out of retirement?
― clemenza, Saturday, 23 August 2025 23:51 (one month ago)
A Sisyphus-like extra innings.
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Saturday, 23 August 2025 23:55 (one month ago)
For all you highbrows, yeah--I call it a Wild Things extra innings, with lots of false endings.
― clemenza, Saturday, 23 August 2025 23:57 (one month ago)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XU0_aaqgHTI
― francisF, Sunday, 24 August 2025 00:41 (one month ago)
Volpe earlier today with the same play Bichette pulled off in the 12th ^
― francisF, Sunday, 24 August 2025 00:42 (one month ago)
Never happy, I know...Today feels like a reminder that Gausman is one of the best second-tier starters in the game. Not first-tier, though--he needs to go out and lock that game down.
― clemenza, Sunday, 24 August 2025 22:10 (one month ago)
I know that Hoffman has pitched better than his ERA would indicate, but I really think he's the ceiling on how far they go; I can't see any team winning a World Series with him as their closer, not unless it's a team that has an offense so explosive they play very few one- or two-run games.
― clemenza, Wednesday, 27 August 2025 01:57 (four weeks ago)
I actually posted the above when the score was 4-4, about 15 seconds before the three-run homer.
― clemenza, Wednesday, 27 August 2025 01:58 (four weeks ago)
When they brought Dominguez in, I was hoping he was going to stay in for the 9th. I’ve been done with the Hoffman ride for a while
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Wednesday, 27 August 2025 02:21 (four weeks ago)
Doubtful the Jays will place anyone inside the Top 10 for MVP, but I'm curious how Vlad/Bo/Springer will finish. Springer will be hurt as a DH, but he's clearly the Jays' best hitter this yea.
― clemenza, Wednesday, 27 August 2025 15:38 (four weeks ago)
...year.
Vlad is easily highest WAR. I’d expect him and Bo to do better
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Wednesday, 27 August 2025 20:22 (four weeks ago)
Vlad will, not 100% sure about Bo; Kirk will probably get a down-ballot vote or two. It's hard to construct an MVP argument for a 35-year-old DH who's missed 20 games. But he is, across the board, the team's best offensive player: first in HR, SB, OBP, SLG, and OPS+, and second in runs, BA, and bWAR. I sometimes feel like he's the "heart and soul" of the team, or at least right there will Vlad. Both guys are really exciting when they're fired up and playing well.
― clemenza, Wednesday, 27 August 2025 20:55 (four weeks ago)
i love springer so much. the only guy on that astros team i really loved
― Tracer Hand, Wednesday, 27 August 2025 21:16 (four weeks ago)
Dan Schulman said something funny the other night: that he's convinced that Springer thinks Vlad and Dalton Varsho are the two funniest people on earth. (Wish I could embed a YouTube link of one of the commercials Springer and Vlad have done together, but can't find any--this is related to a great one they do for Smucker's.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRQHbWq8CAc
― clemenza, Wednesday, 27 August 2025 21:24 (four weeks ago)
Huge himbo energy. I actually have two videos on my phone, one I made and one you sent, of him feeling up various Red Sox players when he got on base.
― from…Peru? (gyac), Wednesday, 27 August 2025 21:28 (four weeks ago)
Also I should tell this thread about An Incident I experienced the other day.
I was flying, as I often do, London-Dublin and there was a man wearing a Blue Jays cap on board as I was going to my seat. I usually take a passive count of hats I saw (LHR count this time: 1 Jays, 1 Angels, 2 Dodgers, 1 White Sox). I don’t bother counting Yankees caps cos everyone wears them and I doubt most people wearing them are ball fans.
Anyway I was passing this Jays fan and I was like, oh man I have to greet clemenza’s fellow fan if he’s going to the homeland
- Hello, sir?- Yes?*gestures at cap with eyes* Can you believe the season they’re having?*face cracks open with HUGE smile* I KNOW, ISN’T IT GREAT?*slight nod* Sure, if you’re a Jays fan, I’m not.- This is the season to be a fan!- Ah another AL East team, you understand…
I bid him adieu and moved to my seat as the aisle had cleared.
It wasn’t even the standard Jays cap, it was some limited edition one that they give away for special days but I can’t remember which one now…all I can tell you is it wasn’t Canada Day cos that one’s red, right?
I also talked to the White Sox fan but that conversation wasnt worth reporting.
― from…Peru? (gyac), Wednesday, 27 August 2025 21:36 (four weeks ago)
Unbelievable...whatever I've said here, I think I would have felt as bad for Hoffman if he'd blown that as I've ever felt for any player ever.
― clemenza, Thursday, 28 August 2025 02:16 (three weeks ago)
Vintage Springer here scoring the ninth (and winning) run last night around 11:15:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGdWy1HLs-g
https://i.postimg.cc/7LQ6wDhS/springer.jpg
― clemenza, Thursday, 28 August 2025 15:37 (three weeks ago)
Friday night could be something: Milwaukee, Peralta, Shane Bieber's home debut, and guaranteed not an empty seat.
― clemenza, Thursday, 28 August 2025 19:41 (three weeks ago)
Four in a row for Boston, five for NY; unnerving.
― clemenza, Friday, 29 August 2025 03:12 (three weeks ago)
well now you know how it feels!!
― Tracer Hand, Friday, 29 August 2025 07:24 (three weeks ago)
Great pitcher's duel last night for five innings. Goddamn Toronto bullpen.
― clemenza, Saturday, 30 August 2025 11:59 (three weeks ago)
was watching the Bad Guys 2 with my kids and then switched to the game after just as Bieber got pulled and got to watch the other bad guys give the game away.
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Saturday, 30 August 2025 13:41 (three weeks ago)
I don't know the right answer to the question of how long you stick with someone, but it feels like continuing to throw out a closer who now has an ERA over 5.00 is more or less in line with the last two playoff debacles. We've got a plan, we're staying with it come hell or high water.
― clemenza, Saturday, 30 August 2025 21:38 (three weeks ago)
Dude should have lost the 9th job weeks ago. Honestly was glad to hear the boo’s today. Maybe schnider will get the message
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Saturday, 30 August 2025 22:38 (three weeks ago)
I realize this is a low-leverage situation with a four-run lead, and that you could argue this is a good situation to Hoffman to get some of his confidence back. But honestly--why the fuck would you tempt fate by sending him out for the ninth today?
― clemenza, Sunday, 31 August 2025 20:13 (three weeks ago)
One circus catch, one double, and one infield hit later--and a pitch that I swear Contreras just missed for a three-run homer--Jays win. Managerial malpractice.
Raleigh Schmaleigh--Myles Straw for MVP.
― clemenza, Sunday, 31 August 2025 20:25 (three weeks ago)
If the Jays exit, I will definitely root for the Brewers. They're a really impressive team, emphasis on team.
― clemenza, Sunday, 31 August 2025 21:18 (three weeks ago)
They’ve been my NL team for a while now. Hopefully we can get them in a rematch in an about eight weeks!
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Monday, 1 September 2025 03:38 (three weeks ago)
Was in a pub after tennis and half-watching the monitor. Might be time to take a break for a couple of days.
― clemenza, Monday, 1 September 2025 20:48 (three weeks ago)
Hope Schneider got an earful afterwards: if he hadn't pointlessly thrown out Hoffman for the 9th yesterday, he could have used him today...which, seeing as Hoffman is so lousy, probably nets the same result anyway, I know. This is just a terrible bullpen. (I thought their two pick-ups at the deadline were solid, so I'm a little puzzled.)
― clemenza, Tuesday, 2 September 2025 00:51 (three weeks ago)
I don’t even know what schneider does with a pen that is determined to implode no matter who we throw out there. Agreed on taking a break from watching them. I can’t deal with this anymore
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Tuesday, 2 September 2025 02:43 (three weeks ago)
FWIW, the Jays reached their peak on July 26, after winning three in a row in Detroit. They led the division by 6.5 and were the #1 seed in the AL. Since then, they're 16-17. Needless to say, I have no confidence in their bullpen being consistent enough to sustain a long playoff run. But nearly every year, the eventual WS winner leans on a few no-name relievers who get hot at the right time in October. I'm still trying to be optimistic.
― NoTimeBeforeTime, Tuesday, 2 September 2025 11:37 (three weeks ago)
Use your imagination...bear with me here...desparate situation: assuming they manage to hang on for the post-season, approach either Max or Beiber about closing.
― clemenza, Tuesday, 2 September 2025 12:57 (three weeks ago)
Looking around, I didn't realize the Scherzer idea has indeed been thrown around (including by Eric Hosmer, of all people). I know it's far-fetched, but we do have two more starters than we need for the post-season.
― clemenza, Tuesday, 2 September 2025 13:02 (three weeks ago)
Because there's some actual research here, I'll cut-and-paste something I posted on FB today:
To anyone who remembers, we're basically re-living 1983 right now with the Jays, the first year they ever contended, and two seasons before Henke arrived. The Summer of Joey.
1983 Jays: 36 saves, 26 blown saves - 55% conversion.2025 Jays: 38 saves, 23 blown saves - 62% conversion.
Much to my surprise, though, we’re not that much worse than the other division leaders (and the Phillies are just as bad).
Tigers: 36 saves, 18 blown saves - 67%Astros: 40 saves, 14 blown saves - 74%Phillies: 38 saves, 23 blown saves - 62%Brewers: 39 saves, 19 blown saves - 67%Dodgers: 37 saves, 22 blown saves - 63%
Weird: Aroldis Chapman has saved 28/30 (93%) for the Red Sox--he’s back to being unhittable this year--but as a team Boston’s 40/64 for 63%...the rest of the team is 12/34?! That can’t be right.
Anyway, at this point, I’d seriously consider approaching either Max or Bieber about closing. You don’t need six starters for the post-season; you don’t even need five. If pitch counts and innings are of paramount concern to a 41-year-old and a guy coming off Tommy John surgery, why not have one of them go out there and air it out for an inning two days out of three? Not sure if either would agree to, but I’d give it a try.
(Joey being Joey McLaughlin, who over time has become the poster boy for the Jays' failed procession of would-be closers before Henke's arrival.)
― clemenza, Tuesday, 2 September 2025 15:24 (three weeks ago)
I thought that was Bill Caudill (IIRC, the first ever free agent signing for the Jays)?
― NoTimeBeforeTime, Tuesday, 2 September 2025 18:38 (three weeks ago)
Caudill was definitely part of that procession--he began '85 as the Jays' high-priced acquisiton to close--but I think he's largely forgotten now, whereas everyone I talk to (locally) seems to remember Joey. In '82 and '83, he saved 17 and blew 17 (10/11 in '81, though).
― clemenza, Tuesday, 2 September 2025 19:15 (three weeks ago)
Jays fans: put aside that we know this almost certainly won't happen, but am I way off here?
― clemenza, Tuesday, 2 September 2025 19:27 (three weeks ago)
If Scherzer's back is acting up again, all my wild speculation is for naught.
― clemenza, Wednesday, 3 September 2025 01:03 (three weeks ago)
I'm glad I was playing tennis tonight instead of watching the Jays turn an 8-1 lead into another save situation for Jeff Hoffman. Now that I'm home, I get to watch that. If he blows another one, I will quite probably start running through the streets of St. Marys screaming obscenities.
― clemenza, Wednesday, 3 September 2025 01:39 (three weeks ago)
What do you know--not only did he get the save, he looked really good doing it.
― clemenza, Wednesday, 3 September 2025 01:49 (three weeks ago)
After another big game last night (2 HR), Springer is now--if you don't count Kurtz, who's short on AB but qualifies anyway--second in the league in OPS behind Judge.
― clemenza, Wednesday, 3 September 2025 15:55 (three weeks ago)
This is ridiculous...does anybody play normal baseball games around here?
― clemenza, Thursday, 4 September 2025 01:27 (two weeks ago)
We were down 5-0, then up 12-6, now it looks like we get to take another joyride with Jeff Hoffman.
― clemenza, Thursday, 4 September 2025 01:38 (two weeks ago)
Caught the last couple of innings of the Yankees/Astros last night, and their bullpen is obviously the same train-wreck ours is. The series this weekend: 15 total runs scored in innings 1-5, 45 in the last four.
― clemenza, Thursday, 4 September 2025 12:20 (two weeks ago)
Excellent. One more win in NY would of course be great (and two amazing), but they've avoided the disaster scenario. Jays have four of the top seven in the batting race (Bichette, Springer, Guerrero, Kirk), and Bichette might just win it.
― clemenza, Saturday, 6 September 2025 02:07 (two weeks ago)
Great way to start the series! Was too worried to even watch and then the gf tells me the bases are loaded in the first and I was in
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Saturday, 6 September 2025 04:43 (two weeks ago)
Today seems doubtful--Bassitt's been just terrible on the road this year. (Good career record against the Yankees, though.) Vlad was born to play for the Yankees; just kills it in Yankee Stadium.
― clemenza, Saturday, 6 September 2025 17:15 (two weeks ago)
Better in Fenway, but (195 PA): 16 HR, .299/.364/.627, double today.
― clemenza, Saturday, 6 September 2025 17:18 (two weeks ago)
What a nervy appeal (and great play) by Vlad.
― clemenza, Saturday, 6 September 2025 18:40 (two weeks ago)
Fuck, no--possible Bichette injury (play at the plate).
― clemenza, Saturday, 6 September 2025 18:53 (two weeks ago)
Entire country breathes sigh of relief: Bichette back after a rain delay.
― clemenza, Saturday, 6 September 2025 20:27 (two weeks ago)
probably just got bonked on the knee cap or shin, which will hurt a lot for a bit but thats the worst of it.
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Saturday, 6 September 2025 20:56 (two weeks ago)
Mr. Panicky here hardly ever says this, but losing today doesn't seem like a big deal. They got a good start out of Bassitt, which I didn't expect. Just couldn't hit, and they've been hitting so much lately, that was bound to happen. Will now stay on tennis--been flipping back and forth.
― clemenza, Saturday, 6 September 2025 21:46 (two weeks ago)
Was just able to see the first four or five innings before tennis; that inning where they had second and third with none out and couldn't score was deflating.
― clemenza, Sunday, 7 September 2025 21:49 (two weeks ago)
Bichette placed on the 10-day IL...Damn good thing they picked up IKF.
― clemenza, Tuesday, 9 September 2025 20:30 (two weeks ago)
I'm psychic!
― clemenza, Wednesday, 10 September 2025 02:02 (two weeks ago)
Craig Kimbrel has washed up on shore in Houston...c'mon, Toronto, get this #$%^ run in.
― clemenza, Wednesday, 10 September 2025 02:17 (two weeks ago)
I'm down there Thursday afternoon; I'll be all hopped up on cinnamon swirls if they win again tomorrow. Fantastic finish tonight--shirtess Heineman was hilarious, IKF sounded like a guy who just got a death-row reprieve.
― clemenza, Wednesday, 10 September 2025 02:34 (two weeks ago)
A little penance for all the times I knock him...Vlad's September line thus far (30 AB/33 PA): .567/.606/.867.
― clemenza, Wednesday, 10 September 2025 22:39 (two weeks ago)
Really? We're going to lose to someone named Jason Alexander? Clemenza is getting frustrated.
― clemenza, Thursday, 11 September 2025 00:44 (one week ago)
it's the summer of George!!
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Thursday, 11 September 2025 00:52 (one week ago)
fucking. Hoffman.
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Thursday, 11 September 2025 01:43 (one week ago)
It's so dispiriting...I got lulled into forgetting about him for a few games.
― clemenza, Thursday, 11 September 2025 01:45 (one week ago)
They have to do something about Hoffman. They can't put him out there in a tie game during the playoffs -- you can bank on him surrendering the game winning HR. I don't know what the answer is, but it isn't him.
― NoTimeBeforeTime, Thursday, 11 September 2025 05:05 (one week ago)
Their (meaning Schneider/Atkins/Shapiro's, I suppose) loyalty to him baffles me. It's not like he's been their closer for a few years, which makes any kind of break a little tougher. He doesn't, comparatively, make some ungodly amount of money, which might make them dig in. And there are alternatives--there are always alternatives. Even those '83-'85 teams kept running out different guys till they eventually found Henke.
― clemenza, Thursday, 11 September 2025 12:41 (one week ago)
If this is primarily Schneider's call--doubtful--maybe he's living inside some fantasy whereby Hoffman catches fire for the postseason and he's seen as the guy who stuck by him when everybody was screaming for his demotion. Again, baffled.
― clemenza, Thursday, 11 September 2025 15:07 (one week ago)
part of it is that old school magical thinking - that if they "stick with their guy" he'll come around. i think it's also partly to do with the fact that our entire pen has struggled lately and with Swanson, Green and Garcia all gone for various reasons, there aren't a ton of options. but at this point either Siranthony or Varland should be getting the chance to close things out at this point. should have done it weeks ago. it's possible that losing his role might also cause hoffman to get in his own head and struggle more - and then we're stick with a costly reliever - who still has good stuff – that we can't use at all.
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Thursday, 11 September 2025 19:54 (one week ago)
Hoffman's a grown-up, he can handle it. And if he can't, then who cares? Every player wants to be the star, but management has to decide who to trust and who to relegate to a supporting role. That's team sports for you. If they want to win, somebody has to make some tough decisions, and fast.
― NoTimeBeforeTime, Thursday, 11 September 2025 21:57 (one week ago)
Gausman missed throwing a maddux by going one pitch over! what a performance.
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Thursday, 11 September 2025 22:35 (one week ago)
I was there! (Will post a couple of photos tomorrow.) That will almost certainly be the last CG shutout in the entire history of baseball, and I was there to see it. Even if, as always, I talked so much I needed a little help to keep up. Me: "If he gets out of this inning, I wonder if they'll actually send Gausman out for the ninth?" My friend Steve: (points at scoreboard).
― clemenza, Thursday, 11 September 2025 23:51 (one week ago)
I really hope the Jays pay attention to this in the postseason:
Bassitt (home): 8-0, 2.76Bassitt (away): 3-8, 5.42
And again pitching very well at home tonight.
― clemenza, Saturday, 13 September 2025 00:24 (one week ago)
Okay, might be hurt now--carry on.
― clemenza, Saturday, 13 September 2025 00:25 (one week ago)
Every Blue Jay fan's worst nightmare: leading 2-1 going into the 8th.
― clemenza, Saturday, 13 September 2025 01:03 (one week ago)
3-1 now, but still worrisome
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Saturday, 13 September 2025 01:31 (one week ago)
Looks like the human t-ball stand is going to come out at some point in the 9th
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Saturday, 13 September 2025 01:32 (one week ago)
Jays' success right now seems to hinge so much on dodging Hoffman: Gausman yesterday, big 8th inning tonight.
― clemenza, Saturday, 13 September 2025 01:45 (one week ago)
And, to state the obvious, you can only get away with that for so long.
― clemenza, Saturday, 13 September 2025 01:49 (one week ago)
Another come from behind! Back of the order just chipping away. Love it
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Saturday, 13 September 2025 21:50 (one week ago)
Had our big tennis tournament today, but caught the last two innings in a pub. First time in ages I've been demonstrative about a Jays game in that kind of setting in years.
― clemenza, Saturday, 13 September 2025 22:11 (one week ago)
So many seeing-eye hits! It was a lucky win, but we'll take it.
― NoTimeBeforeTime, Sunday, 14 September 2025 07:19 (one week ago)
Our saviour:
https://www.sportsnet.ca/mlb/article/blue-jays-set-to-promote-trey-yesavage-to-majors/
Kidding--but I do hope he pitches well enough to find a spot on the postseason roster (unless they've already decided that won't happen regardless).
― clemenza, Sunday, 14 September 2025 16:09 (one week ago)
kinda surprising to hear he's going to start a game, after they just moved lauer to the pen
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Sunday, 14 September 2025 16:31 (one week ago)
Here’s my picks: https://postimg.cc/fJ41ZgNW
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Sunday, 14 September 2025 19:43 (one week ago)
Jesus Christ. Wrong thread somehow
I'm 4-0 for the year now, just crushing it. (If they lose when we're down, Thermo, it won't be my fault.) Of course I missed Springer's home run when I was on my way back with popcorn (and not looking at a monitor.) You really have to watch other teams to fully appreciate how good our outfield--CF in particular, obviously--defense is.
― clemenza, Sunday, 14 September 2025 21:34 (one week ago)
I totally forgot we have that game coming up!
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Sunday, 14 September 2025 21:57 (one week ago)
And here I thought it was the highlight of your 2025 social calendar.
― clemenza, Monday, 15 September 2025 00:51 (one week ago)
Gausman on Thursday (we were up high):
https://i.postimg.cc/zfqvv7CZ/IMG-5277.jpg https://i.postimg.cc/7Zk01g3X/IMG-5280.jpg
Today (almost field level):
https://i.postimg.cc/XvvZxxpK/IMG-5288.jpg
Plus some expert game footage I shot of Barger's bases-clearing double (all the the inane bellowing is not us--I can be heard at the end: "I'm now officially one of those people...").
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKiB-dmyxAI
― clemenza, Monday, 15 September 2025 01:52 (one week ago)
Great seats!
― Tracer Hand, Monday, 15 September 2025 05:25 (one week ago)
Lmao that video is great
― Marsee playground (gyac), Monday, 15 September 2025 07:15 (one week ago)
I'm available for weddings and bar mitzvahs, too...meanwhile, Vlad likes to toss baseballs into the crowd, and the guy two rows down managed to catch one while holding two extra-large hot dogs in his left hand.
― clemenza, Monday, 15 September 2025 11:16 (one week ago)
Yesavage gets the start tonight against the Rays...If you don't know him, he was our first-round pick in 2024; his combined 2025 line (A/A+/AA/AAA):
5-1, 3.12, 98 IP, 54 H, 8 HR, 41 BB, 160 K, 0.969 WHIP
― clemenza, Monday, 15 September 2025 19:42 (one week ago)
A 14.7 K rate! (Walks are a little high tho)
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Monday, 15 September 2025 19:58 (one week ago)
Had trivia tonight, so I just caught from the 8th on; assume he was awesome, though.
― clemenza, Tuesday, 16 September 2025 02:39 (one week ago)
Caught up with the highlights..Such an unusual delivery; was is Palmer who threw straight overhand?
― clemenza, Tuesday, 16 September 2025 15:00 (one week ago)
Don’t know about Palmer - but that debut was wild. At one point missed an immaculate inning by one missed call!
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Tuesday, 16 September 2025 17:32 (one week ago)
Not life or death, but that was a terrible call (Jeffrey Maier-type play).
― clemenza, Wednesday, 17 September 2025 00:38 (one week ago)
https://www.mlb.com/gameday/blue-jays-vs-rays/2025/09/16/776305/live/live
― clemenza, Wednesday, 17 September 2025 00:51 (one week ago)
There's a clip of the play in here--should have been fan interference.
https://www.sportsnet.ca/mlb/article/rays-awarded-home-run-vs-blue-jays-after-confusing-fan-interference-review/
― clemenza, Wednesday, 17 September 2025 04:33 (one week ago)
The ruling was that the fan didn't (conclusively) reach out into the field of play. To me it looks perfectly clear that he did. Bad call. At least it didn't cost them the game.
― NoTimeBeforeTime, Wednesday, 17 September 2025 09:18 (one week ago)
If we end up losing the bye, would have hated having that play lurk in the background. Lukes might have caught it, he might not have--but who knows, he never got the chance.
― clemenza, Wednesday, 17 September 2025 13:56 (one week ago)
As of today, the Jays are a .500 team all-time: 3850-3850.
― NoTimeBeforeTime, Wednesday, 17 September 2025 18:26 (one week ago)
Is that actually the first time ever? I thought maybe they would have hit .500 sometime in the '92 or '93 season.
― clemenza, Wednesday, 17 September 2025 18:37 (one week ago)
well they are 27 games over .500 this year, last year they finished 14 under .500, but in 2023 they were 16 games over .500, so they would have been slightly over .500 at the end of the 2023 season at least
― silverfish, Wednesday, 17 September 2025 19:03 (one week ago)
They've probably been there a few times then.
― clemenza, Wednesday, 17 September 2025 19:10 (one week ago)
wait, rereading my post I am realizing that my math is totally wrong, they would have been at 13 games under 500 at the end of the 2023 season, so yeah, maybe first time
― silverfish, Wednesday, 17 September 2025 19:17 (one week ago)
Did a quick plus/minus in my head from their BRef franchise page, and if my math is correct, they edged above .500 at the end of the '93 season.
― clemenza, Wednesday, 17 September 2025 19:29 (one week ago)
Very detailed explanation from Dan Schulman of the non-interference call last night--complicated.
― clemenza, Wednesday, 17 September 2025 22:27 (one week ago)
Starting with the fact that NY agreed there was interference, at which point it becomes a case of three questions.
― clemenza, Wednesday, 17 September 2025 22:31 (one week ago)
I feel like with Lucas so close to the ball there - it’s fucking insane to give the batter benefit of the doubt when they acknowledge there was interference.
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Thursday, 18 September 2025 00:14 (six days ago)
Thinking of how anemic last year's offense was, these last two games are a little ominous.
― clemenza, Thursday, 18 September 2025 21:23 (six days ago)
Depending upon how the weekend goes, I may be moving over to the doomposting thread.
― clemenza, Friday, 19 September 2025 13:37 (five days ago)
Yankees has six left against the Orioles and three with the White Sox; depending upon how engaged the Orioles are, could easily see them taking seven.
― clemenza, Friday, 19 September 2025 13:38 (five days ago)
This is what keeps older Jays fans awake at night (I think the other regular Jays posters are younger than me but old enough to remember):
https://i.postimg.cc/MHY1FffP/collapse.jpg
― clemenza, Friday, 19 September 2025 16:39 (five days ago)
The kindness of strangers...The one huge difference between this year and '87 is that we have no games left with the Yankees. I'm sure the math is more complicated than this, but intuitively it feels like the Yankees needing to make up three games by winning while we lose to someone else is twice as difficult as three head-to-head games.
― clemenza, Saturday, 20 September 2025 01:58 (four days ago)
Geez--I bailed when it was 7-1, and it was 10-1 last time I looked. Had no idea about anything after that. That is an ugly, concerning loss (because of Scherzer and because of the three hits--two runs in three games--more than the score).
― clemenza, Saturday, 20 September 2025 03:24 (four days ago)
The Tyler Heineman game. Ten runs given up by a catcher isn't something you see every day.
― NoTimeBeforeTime, Saturday, 20 September 2025 05:54 (four days ago)
holy shit. last night did not go well.
also Berrios is getting moved to the pen!!
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Saturday, 20 September 2025 13:02 (four days ago)
Obviously they've basically clinched a playoff spot, but in terms of winning the division, today feels important. Don't want this to snowball, and with Scherzer suddenly looking like the 41-year-old he is and Berrios in the bullpen, Bieber needs another good start.
― clemenza, Saturday, 20 September 2025 15:42 (four days ago)
The Donna Chang Seinfeld is starting to creep into my thoughts: "You know, you're not really a good baseball team."
― clemenza, Sunday, 21 September 2025 00:01 (three days ago)
I’m watching the game and I think I know what stresses Jays fans out so bad — I’d be climbing the walls too if I had to listen to Buck Martinez’s voice on the reg
― Noob Layman (WmC), Sunday, 21 September 2025 00:49 (three days ago)
No we’ve been conditioned. We get stressed when we *don’t* hear his voice. The winter months are tough.
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Sunday, 21 September 2025 01:16 (three days ago)
Between the agony of watching a closer who can't close or an offense that scores two runs in four games (when trying to clinch), I think I'd rather have the former. A hapless offense is just the worst thing to watch when you have a rooting interest in baseball.
― clemenza, Sunday, 21 September 2025 01:23 (three days ago)
xp oh no
― Noob Layman (WmC), Sunday, 21 September 2025 01:30 (three days ago)
Another dreadful fucking call. There was no doubt Varsho caught that ball.
― clemenza, Sunday, 21 September 2025 19:38 (three days ago)
HOW THE FUCK WAS THAT OVERRULED
― Marsee playground (gyac), Sunday, 21 September 2025 19:45 (three days ago)
So many of these calls come down to the original call on the field (it was the same thing with the non-interference call the other night). I sometimes think they need to rethink the idea that New York must be 100% sure before they'll overturn something. It's like the difference between a civil case (preponderance of the evidence) and a criminal case (unanimous jury)--with the assistance of 10 different replay angles, preponderance of the evidence ought to be enough.
― clemenza, Sunday, 21 September 2025 19:52 (three days ago)
I am fucking seething. Starting to buy into some of the conspiracy theories with the replay office at this point
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Sunday, 21 September 2025 19:52 (three days ago)
Yanks just hit a go-ahead GS in extras in Baltimore, and we have a three run lead in the 9th in KC, with Hoffman coming in to pitch. I am not relaxed.
― NoTimeBeforeTime, Sunday, 21 September 2025 20:49 (three days ago)
What kind of delay were you on?!
― Marsee playground (gyac), Sunday, 21 September 2025 20:52 (three days ago)
Clinched!!!
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Sunday, 21 September 2025 21:06 (three days ago)
Thank god for that. Went out to play tennis when it was 6-5--I'd suffered enough for one weekend--game was done when we finished. Now they need that bye.
― clemenza, Sunday, 21 September 2025 22:14 (three days ago)
Not sure how they make room, but I'm hoping Yesavage is on the playoff roster. He pitched better than his line today: two infield hits created the two runs in the fourth, and the botched call led to the runs in the fifth. (Conceding that he would have otherwise benifitted from an amazing catch.) The starting pitching is shaky past Gausman right now, and even he can run hot and cold.
― clemenza, Monday, 22 September 2025 02:43 (two days ago)
he's our #3 best starter at the moment!
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Monday, 22 September 2025 04:24 (two days ago)
What a difference a week makes. His first start was a fun moment, let's see what the kid can do. Now it's "please save our season ww need this bye."
― NoTimeBeforeTime, Monday, 22 September 2025 05:16 (two days ago)
MLB.com's last "power rankings" have the Jays 4th (top 3 obvious). Maybe slightly generous, in that they do carry some historical baggage into the postseason--many of these players were around for the Gausman/Berrios debacles. They also list an MVP for each team, and for the Jays they've got Vlad. Maybe, but for me it's Springer.
― clemenza, Monday, 22 September 2025 20:20 (two days ago)
Vlad leads in bWAR, 4.7-4.4, which you'd expect because of GG defense vs. mostly-DH. But I'm going touchy-feely intangible old-school here, and I do believe it's Springer who most fires up the team, and who more than anyone else "makes things happen."
― clemenza, Monday, 22 September 2025 20:42 (two days ago)
Wow: Alek Manoah DFA'd. (To make room for Anthony Santander, no less.)
― clemenza, Tuesday, 23 September 2025 23:17 (yesterday)
Another possibly terrible call--need to see it again--followed by a defintely terrible strike call. Jays should be up 2-1.
― clemenza, Tuesday, 23 September 2025 23:48 (yesterday)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WImjV3Uz7JM
Literally--Springer's sitting in the dugout seething.
― clemenza, Tuesday, 23 September 2025 23:52 (yesterday)
Put aside Sunday, four runs in five games.
― clemenza, Wednesday, 24 September 2025 02:19 (two hours ago)