Regardless of the sport, and in this case I am talking about baseball, there are winners and there are losers. There have to be both or else the game is no longer a competition.
In that respect, I believe that teams not only compete against other teams, but against themselves.
It is easy to sit on the sidelines and talk about how a team cannot win. Blue Jays fans are not the only ones to be disapointed season after season. The Atlanta Braves (minus this year) have won something like 9 straight division titles. How many times have they won a world series in those years. I could list many teams in baseball that don't make it to the playoffs, regardless of how hard the players actually play. You can only do you best, and sometimes the competition is better. Sometimes there are injuries, that are unavoidable. It doesn't help that in baseball there is a ridiculous discrepency between how much money some teams have to put into a roster than others. But I don't blame our lack of making the playoffs on that. It's way too old of an argument, especially since teams with smaller payrolls have made it past the Yankees to the world series time and time again.
But I don't think losing has anything to do with players not caring. I think it's a weak argument to make on any account in any sport. I would like to believe that all athletes play to win. As an athlete I know that desire runs deep. Even in the worst of situations, when you know there is no gold medal or world series ring, or division titles in reach, you still play your hardest, because that is why you are there. It becomes more than a competition against other teams, it becomes a competition with past seasons, and with testing how hard you can go.
It is the end of the season, and it isn't the first time that the Blue Jays have come out winning their last games when they aren't expected to. I like to think of it as the team playing to its competition's level. If you are playing against an easier team, or a team that you believe you can beat, sometimes you bring yourself down to that level and end up losing. Again, not a definitive statement, but an explanation about the hard balling that has been going down the last week. They are making Boston and the Yankees fight for the division title, which I think is admirable.
There are also many contributing factors to the losses this season. By no means will I blame any of that on pitching. There have been some games, most notably Roy Halladay's two last no decisions where he pitched 8 and 2/3rds and did not end up getting the win because the relief could not finish it off.
But other than that, considering out of our starting five this year, two actually played the season in the Majors in starting positions, one was sent to the bullpen, one was let go and one is indefinitely injured. Same thing with the three guys signed this season who were supposed to make a big impact on the club, Okha, Zambrano (who blew it and was picked up by Boston), and Thomson, who never made it passed AAA ball.
The young guys really stepped it up this season to fill in the spots, and totally changed our pitching around. McGowan and Marcum both stand now with over ten games won and winning records. They were not even expected to make it into the starting rotation. Although Marcum did not have a great September, (he went 5-1 in August and 0-1 in September with 3 no decisions) he was also battling a knee injury, which he is now having surgery for. Jeremy Accardo has 28 saves this season, and also was not expected to be our closer. But B.J. Ryan was injured before the regular season even started. Jesse Litch, who is my age, came up from the minors, and has pitched decently (7-9), not amazingly, but has made a better 5th guy than Towers.
Bottom line is, there is no way this pitching staff have not worked hard.
Especially considering the category the blue jays have suffered in is offense, not defense.
The run support behind all of these pitchers has been nothing but small for the season. There have been some odd great games, where we rack them up in the first inning, and continue to add on throughout, but overall, none of our big hitters have been performing where they were expected to. (which is just what happens in baseball)
If there is a testament to this it is the past series against the yankees, where the majority of the run support has come from the bottom of the order.
Again, the Jays really fought back against the Yankees, but none of the games were out of the park.
I am reading a great book now called "The Thinking Fans Guide to Baseball"
I put sports non-fiction on hold since 2004 when I went on a binge, but decided to pick this one up as my sports illustrated book really wasn't doing it for me. Anyway, back to the book, something it pointed out is that baseball is not just about skill, it's about the execution of that skill in various circumstances (as is with any sport, right Eve not revolutionary thinking)
But a lot of it is luck. It's how far the ball is pulled, its what kind of a slump a hitter is stuck in from getting into bad habits at the plate. And most of all for the Jays this season, the thing that you cannot predict about your players is how many of the them and how badly they will get injured.
Now I know that I have played the injury card before, and by no means am I blaming our performance this season on injuries, but I believe it is a large contributing factor to the moral of the team.
Injuries:
There will be 11 Toronto Blue Jays who have had surgery this season.
That is not including those who were put on the DL, without getting surgery.
Let's start with our starting lineup.
Zaun, Overbay, Johnson, Glaus, Wells. might as well mention Sal Fasano (handle bars, our back up back up is also injured, although he didn't play much this season)
Moving on to pitching
B.J Ryan, Marcum, Burnett, Chacin, Halladay, Downs, League.
I believe we fielded a strong team this season and it is unfortunate our offense did not perform to where I thought it would. I never once thought we were strong enough to surpass Boston and New York, but still a stronger third place team.
And at this point, as I have been for many many many years, I am satisfied with that third place. I am satisfied with the effort put out by the Jays this year. I think that rowing has helped me relate to that. No matter how hard you play and how much effort you put it, there is only going to be one winning team, and a lot of losing teams. I have had a season where I worked so hard, but our boat just never came together and we came off an OUA championship, not to medal at OUA's at all. Even thought in passed regattas we were the stronger team. Circumstance plays a role.
The organization has brought up many prospects, Rios, Wells, Thigpen, Lind, Hill, Adams, McGowan. Halladay just to name a few, who have or will make a big difference for this team in the future.
Contrary to what people think, Halladay is not going to leave the Jays. He wants to win a world series, but he wants to win it with his team.
That is my baseball rant for the day.
On a much less serious note. Mat and I spent the night playing catch at Ryerson, grocery shopping and I spent the rest of the night singing Kareoke (without Mat). It was great, I tried to pick the longest songs in order to adequately annoy him into singing with me, but I failed.
I got one "hold me closer Tony Danza" out of him, not even the right lyrics, but who's judging.
Less than two weeks till I'm off to France, which should be exciting and a real test of my job skills.
To Bed I Said
Monday, September 24, 2007
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Let the post-season injury recovery begin!
http://tsn.ca/mlb/news_story/?ID=218792&hubname=
So I just couldn't stop.
Let's add to the surgery/big injury list.
Scott Downs: Gout
Lyle Overbay: Still recovering from broken hand
Vernon Wells: Shoulder Surgery
Glaus: Planter Faciaitus, and bone spur in his ankle
Even more injuries- Chacin, Reed Johnson, B.J. Ryan, Zaun...
But hey...
At least we have the Canadian Ass of Matt Stairs. You can't beat that Canadian 24.
So I just couldn't stop.
Let's add to the surgery/big injury list.
Scott Downs: Gout
Lyle Overbay: Still recovering from broken hand
Vernon Wells: Shoulder Surgery
Glaus: Planter Faciaitus, and bone spur in his ankle
Even more injuries- Chacin, Reed Johnson, B.J. Ryan, Zaun...
But hey...
At least we have the Canadian Ass of Matt Stairs. You can't beat that Canadian 24.
so
It's been a while eh?
Baseball Season is almost over. I think it is more then the lack of light that gives me season affect disorder.
It's the lack of baseball, lack of rowing, lack of freedom to run a muck around the city.
I love the summer. Truly. And even thought I didn't row this summer, it was still a blast. Playing kickball allowed me to meet some really great people and I got to go to SOOO many Jays games without having to worry about getting up at 4:30am the next morning.
But who am I kidding, I miss rowing. I miss it like a mother misses their child on that first day they go to school.
I miss the smell of the air, the sounds of the boathouse, even the goose shit on the doc. I always loved coming earliest to practice and running across the dock screaming profanity at the geese as they vacated the dock.
I would give anything to get on the water again before the end of the season, but I have no partner to row with at this point, and no way of rowing rec because I can't sweep.
In other news...The Jays swept the Red Sox this past beginning of the week. Mat and I went to all three games, and I was pretty pumped about the wins considering I sat through 12 innings on Sunday afternoon only to leave unsatisfied with a loss. Frank Thomas hit 3 home runs in one game, it was beautiful. If only he performed that way all season.
It's amazing if you look at their stats from last year. Our starting nine, all had better stats last year (except for J-MAC), so going into this season, I was really expecting a lot. Who are we kidding, I always expect a lot, but it seemed realistic this time.
In the Jays defense we got to see some really great guys this season because of the injuries (which are inevitable). At least it wasn't as bad a June 2004.
Jeremy Accardo really stepped up to take on the closer role, banking in 28 saves as of yesterdays game.
Casey Jansen also continued to perform in relief, acting as the set up man for Accardo on many occasions. It will be interesting to see what Gibby does next year when B.J. is back and healthy.
Adam Lind is also making himself out to be a hard hitter, give him a couple of years and he could be pulling an Alex Rios. So the Johnson injury allowed us to see how much he could do. And since Johnson has been back, Gibby has been pulling the same show that he did with Catalanotto last season.
I have spoken to many people who have recently decided to become baseball fans. Some again, some new, and bottom line is, I think it is great. It is interesting to note the reasons though.
I think the Jays Organization, especially the Marketing Department has worked to popularize baseball. It helps that there were some bigger names playing for us in the last years, since Rogers upped their budget contributions, but I think a lot of it has come from marketing baseball as cool again. Reaching out and giving the fans more privileges, rewards programs, season passes, ladies nights.
Even though I hated the first new logo that they came out with in the 2004 season, and hate the new T/J logo even more, the rebranding has helped them sell not only merchandise, but a fierce image for the team. I would argue that this has been a huge contribution to the popularity of the Jays.
In 2003 we had three guys who played for the ALL STAR TEAM. Vernon, Carlos and Roy. Roy also won the Cy. This was a huge kickstarter in the "campaign for baseball in Toronto." And I'm almost positive we won 96 games. (too lazy to actually check, I will get better at this blogging thing by actually looking up links)
This year based on our stats right now, we are on track to finish .500. I always like to be the optimistic (not always realistic fan) and say that we will finish over .500, my prediction is 84 games. (again, not realistic, but optimistic) And i'm no sports reporter, so frankly I can think what I want.
So much more to write about this season in particular. It was great to see Hinske get crushed this weekend. I almost made a sign (if I wasn't working all day) that said "I cheered for Hinske and all I got was his stupid bobblehead! (which is sitting on my entertainment centre in my living room, his ear broke off in my third year move)
Also got to see Bobby Kielty, managed to yell I want Shannon Stewart back.
I realize that only those who know about recent Jays history will get my ridiculous cheers. But all in good fun.
By the way, his hair in his picture was ridiculous.
I've managed to go to about 30 games this season, and score half of them.
Scoring the game makes it so much more enjoyable. By far my favourite this season was the game we won 15-? (4 I think, again to lazy to get up and look at the score book) against the Yankees. I coloured in all of those diamonds with pride. Looking at it gives me tingles.
Ok, so much more to write about, more baseball, about work etc etc.
But baseball seems to always take priority. I listening to the Bat Boys on my way to work this morning and had the biggest smile on my face!
Keep Smiling,
Eve
It's been a while eh?
Baseball Season is almost over. I think it is more then the lack of light that gives me season affect disorder.
It's the lack of baseball, lack of rowing, lack of freedom to run a muck around the city.
I love the summer. Truly. And even thought I didn't row this summer, it was still a blast. Playing kickball allowed me to meet some really great people and I got to go to SOOO many Jays games without having to worry about getting up at 4:30am the next morning.
But who am I kidding, I miss rowing. I miss it like a mother misses their child on that first day they go to school.
I miss the smell of the air, the sounds of the boathouse, even the goose shit on the doc. I always loved coming earliest to practice and running across the dock screaming profanity at the geese as they vacated the dock.
I would give anything to get on the water again before the end of the season, but I have no partner to row with at this point, and no way of rowing rec because I can't sweep.
In other news...The Jays swept the Red Sox this past beginning of the week. Mat and I went to all three games, and I was pretty pumped about the wins considering I sat through 12 innings on Sunday afternoon only to leave unsatisfied with a loss. Frank Thomas hit 3 home runs in one game, it was beautiful. If only he performed that way all season.
It's amazing if you look at their stats from last year. Our starting nine, all had better stats last year (except for J-MAC), so going into this season, I was really expecting a lot. Who are we kidding, I always expect a lot, but it seemed realistic this time.
In the Jays defense we got to see some really great guys this season because of the injuries (which are inevitable). At least it wasn't as bad a June 2004.
Jeremy Accardo really stepped up to take on the closer role, banking in 28 saves as of yesterdays game.
Casey Jansen also continued to perform in relief, acting as the set up man for Accardo on many occasions. It will be interesting to see what Gibby does next year when B.J. is back and healthy.
Adam Lind is also making himself out to be a hard hitter, give him a couple of years and he could be pulling an Alex Rios. So the Johnson injury allowed us to see how much he could do. And since Johnson has been back, Gibby has been pulling the same show that he did with Catalanotto last season.
I have spoken to many people who have recently decided to become baseball fans. Some again, some new, and bottom line is, I think it is great. It is interesting to note the reasons though.
I think the Jays Organization, especially the Marketing Department has worked to popularize baseball. It helps that there were some bigger names playing for us in the last years, since Rogers upped their budget contributions, but I think a lot of it has come from marketing baseball as cool again. Reaching out and giving the fans more privileges, rewards programs, season passes, ladies nights.
Even though I hated the first new logo that they came out with in the 2004 season, and hate the new T/J logo even more, the rebranding has helped them sell not only merchandise, but a fierce image for the team. I would argue that this has been a huge contribution to the popularity of the Jays.
In 2003 we had three guys who played for the ALL STAR TEAM. Vernon, Carlos and Roy. Roy also won the Cy. This was a huge kickstarter in the "campaign for baseball in Toronto." And I'm almost positive we won 96 games. (too lazy to actually check, I will get better at this blogging thing by actually looking up links)
This year based on our stats right now, we are on track to finish .500. I always like to be the optimistic (not always realistic fan) and say that we will finish over .500, my prediction is 84 games. (again, not realistic, but optimistic) And i'm no sports reporter, so frankly I can think what I want.
So much more to write about this season in particular. It was great to see Hinske get crushed this weekend. I almost made a sign (if I wasn't working all day) that said "I cheered for Hinske and all I got was his stupid bobblehead! (which is sitting on my entertainment centre in my living room, his ear broke off in my third year move)
Also got to see Bobby Kielty, managed to yell I want Shannon Stewart back.
I realize that only those who know about recent Jays history will get my ridiculous cheers. But all in good fun.
By the way, his hair in his picture was ridiculous.
I've managed to go to about 30 games this season, and score half of them.
Scoring the game makes it so much more enjoyable. By far my favourite this season was the game we won 15-? (4 I think, again to lazy to get up and look at the score book) against the Yankees. I coloured in all of those diamonds with pride. Looking at it gives me tingles.
Ok, so much more to write about, more baseball, about work etc etc.
But baseball seems to always take priority. I listening to the Bat Boys on my way to work this morning and had the biggest smile on my face!
Keep Smiling,
Eve
Friday, April 13, 2007
Time for some HALLADAY
Can you say best game ever.
well not ever, but what a man
If he can pitch 10 innings, imagine what he can do in bed.
No I did not just say that.
But seriously, great game, great win, great day.
Today I watched two of my western films that I am writing my LAST UNIVERSITY PAPER on.
The Searchers and The Man from Laramie.
I'd already seen The Searchers, classic John Ford, but fell asleep at all of the parts that explain why Ethan was so upset about the Comanche burning down his brothers farm.
Clarification is a wonderful thing.
Anthony Mann, such an interesting director. He works the landscape dynamically and I love it. All about the diagonal camera movements.
Ash and I went to Stooley's for dinner and chatted about life, jobs, school, and how nutty it is that we are about one week away from being finished school.
I have sooo many movies to watch for my religion class. A four hour bollywood film is the next on my list, then Earth and Jesus of Montreal.
Then onto Star Wars: Episode V, Lord of the Rings 1 and Twelve Monkeys, if I can get my hands on it!
I'm going to miss K-town big time.
well not ever, but what a man
If he can pitch 10 innings, imagine what he can do in bed.
No I did not just say that.
But seriously, great game, great win, great day.
Today I watched two of my western films that I am writing my LAST UNIVERSITY PAPER on.
The Searchers and The Man from Laramie.
I'd already seen The Searchers, classic John Ford, but fell asleep at all of the parts that explain why Ethan was so upset about the Comanche burning down his brothers farm.
Clarification is a wonderful thing.
Anthony Mann, such an interesting director. He works the landscape dynamically and I love it. All about the diagonal camera movements.
Ash and I went to Stooley's for dinner and chatted about life, jobs, school, and how nutty it is that we are about one week away from being finished school.
I have sooo many movies to watch for my religion class. A four hour bollywood film is the next on my list, then Earth and Jesus of Montreal.
Then onto Star Wars: Episode V, Lord of the Rings 1 and Twelve Monkeys, if I can get my hands on it!
I'm going to miss K-town big time.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Watching the third home game, KC series. Mat and I had a great 12 hour trip to and from Opening game. It was packed, and we had the absolute WORST seats in history. We were behind the green Section 508 sign (all other signs/entrances to the dome have stairs behind them) but we had the seats!
Wow, cannot explain our adventure. Chacin is doing ok, we are into the fourth and KC is leading 2-1. Venun just got a base hit, which makes me happy. So crazy seeing Frank Thomas play for the Blue Jays. I still haven't gotten used to seeing such a big guy up there. Wooh. Bases loaded baby. Waiting for the Rios gram slam.
Tonight is the wrap party for our t.v. show, which I still haven't seen the final cut for. I have to finish this women's studies paper though. Such bad planning getting extensions for nights I have drinking opps.
YEah!!! Rios, not a grand slam, but 2 RBIs, because Troy Glaus went for home and got thrown out.
Oh well. Still a great play. Way to swing at the first fast ball!
Did I mention I'm happy that baseball is back.
Yus!
Ok, off to work through my hair in the shower, and work through the paper after that!
Wow, cannot explain our adventure. Chacin is doing ok, we are into the fourth and KC is leading 2-1. Venun just got a base hit, which makes me happy. So crazy seeing Frank Thomas play for the Blue Jays. I still haven't gotten used to seeing such a big guy up there. Wooh. Bases loaded baby. Waiting for the Rios gram slam.
Tonight is the wrap party for our t.v. show, which I still haven't seen the final cut for. I have to finish this women's studies paper though. Such bad planning getting extensions for nights I have drinking opps.
YEah!!! Rios, not a grand slam, but 2 RBIs, because Troy Glaus went for home and got thrown out.
Oh well. Still a great play. Way to swing at the first fast ball!
Did I mention I'm happy that baseball is back.
Yus!
Ok, off to work through my hair in the shower, and work through the paper after that!
Thursday, March 29, 2007
I'm sitting in Mat's livingroom watching the Jays spring training against the Yanks. I am so pumped to be in Toronto for baseball season this summer. We are going to try to make it out to at least 50 games, which should be do-able considering I will be living downtown.
No matter how excited I am about baseball season, graduation is still looming over me.
Spending four years and two summers in Kingston and being told that at the end of the month I have to pack up and ship out, has turned me into my nostalgic self.
Nostalgic Eve first appeared at the end of grade 8.
My father would drive me past Baythorn all summer, just to make me sad. He thought it was hilarious that I could be so attached to a place. Nostaligic Eve returned on my last day at sleepover camp. The summer after that I found myself thinking what I would be doing at different times of the day if I were at camp. 7:45am, morning music; July 24th, colour war!
The last time I became nostalgic to this point was at the end of Highschool. So it is only natural that now at the end of university I start to think everytime I'm in a specific building that it might be my last time there.
The are large differences between the past changes in my life and this one to come. September 2007 will be the first September since I was four years old that I will not attend a school. I won't go to buy new notebooks or wonder who will be in my first class of the day, or what my profs will be like.
I have taken my last grad pictures, participated in my last QFA recruitment. Tomorrow will be my last ninnies, last Ha-wine party and last regular day working at the Market. I may have already had my last row at KRC. Over the next month campus will slowly become deserted as people head home for the summer. The only difference is, I won't be coming back.
Needless to say I'm getting sad, and sentimental. I spent four years making friends, joining clubs, rowing, laughing and learning, and I won't ever forget what Queen's has given me.
So although this might not be my last sentimental rant, I feel that it is one that many can relate to, especially when living out their last days as a university student.
No matter how excited I am about baseball season, graduation is still looming over me.
Spending four years and two summers in Kingston and being told that at the end of the month I have to pack up and ship out, has turned me into my nostalgic self.
Nostalgic Eve first appeared at the end of grade 8.
My father would drive me past Baythorn all summer, just to make me sad. He thought it was hilarious that I could be so attached to a place. Nostaligic Eve returned on my last day at sleepover camp. The summer after that I found myself thinking what I would be doing at different times of the day if I were at camp. 7:45am, morning music; July 24th, colour war!
The last time I became nostalgic to this point was at the end of Highschool. So it is only natural that now at the end of university I start to think everytime I'm in a specific building that it might be my last time there.
The are large differences between the past changes in my life and this one to come. September 2007 will be the first September since I was four years old that I will not attend a school. I won't go to buy new notebooks or wonder who will be in my first class of the day, or what my profs will be like.
I have taken my last grad pictures, participated in my last QFA recruitment. Tomorrow will be my last ninnies, last Ha-wine party and last regular day working at the Market. I may have already had my last row at KRC. Over the next month campus will slowly become deserted as people head home for the summer. The only difference is, I won't be coming back.
Needless to say I'm getting sad, and sentimental. I spent four years making friends, joining clubs, rowing, laughing and learning, and I won't ever forget what Queen's has given me.
So although this might not be my last sentimental rant, I feel that it is one that many can relate to, especially when living out their last days as a university student.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Oh how happy you have made me...
Tomorrow is Valentine's Day. Now I know so many are bitter about how this is a holiday invented by Hallmark and all those that love the colour pink, but who cares!
Any holiday with the mandate to spread the love is ok by me.
Why not celebrate friends, family, significant others?
I have only had a boyfriend three valentine's days out of my 21 years of life, and I can honestly say that I have enjoyed each and everyone of those days without a boyfriend.
Dress up in Pink and Red (Clash and be fashionable!)
Buy chocolate, rent sappy movies, go out on the town dancing with your friends.
have a fondu party.
Throw cinnamon hearts at randoms!
Enough said.
I've been applying for jobs like crazy and have three things lined up (By things I mean interviews/tests)
so we shall see how I do with the rest of my resumes circulating in cyberspace.
I bought Mat a wicked awesome gift for Valentine's, and not because it was Valentine's Day, but because I found something I think he will Love. A book about the history of the Montreal Canadiens! It was uber expensive, but he makes me dinner at night, so I think he's worth it ;-)
Many would say I've become my mother in this sense, because she is constantly buying people "chutchcas" without needing an occasion to do so. (Today at work when I said "chutchcas" *clearly the wrong spelling* no one knew what I was talking about, I had to find a plastic pig to explain my term)
Oh, so I have to write a grammer test. Anyone want to explain when to you affect and effect. I always think I know but I'd hate the reason for me not to get a job being this grammatical error.
To affect something and the effect??
Any holiday with the mandate to spread the love is ok by me.
Why not celebrate friends, family, significant others?
I have only had a boyfriend three valentine's days out of my 21 years of life, and I can honestly say that I have enjoyed each and everyone of those days without a boyfriend.
Dress up in Pink and Red (Clash and be fashionable!)
Buy chocolate, rent sappy movies, go out on the town dancing with your friends.
have a fondu party.
Throw cinnamon hearts at randoms!
Enough said.
I've been applying for jobs like crazy and have three things lined up (By things I mean interviews/tests)
so we shall see how I do with the rest of my resumes circulating in cyberspace.
I bought Mat a wicked awesome gift for Valentine's, and not because it was Valentine's Day, but because I found something I think he will Love. A book about the history of the Montreal Canadiens! It was uber expensive, but he makes me dinner at night, so I think he's worth it ;-)
Many would say I've become my mother in this sense, because she is constantly buying people "chutchcas" without needing an occasion to do so. (Today at work when I said "chutchcas" *clearly the wrong spelling* no one knew what I was talking about, I had to find a plastic pig to explain my term)
Oh, so I have to write a grammer test. Anyone want to explain when to you affect and effect. I always think I know but I'd hate the reason for me not to get a job being this grammatical error.
To affect something and the effect??
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