Far be it from me to point out when someone is wrong, considering I'm, uh, not right 98.2% of the time, but the National Post's Bruce Arthur rained all over my optimism/pennant parade with his column on Tuesday, so I've no choice but to let him have it.
Here's some of what Arthur wrote yesterday (my emphasis in bold):
"... Of course, it's like this every Opening Day, even in Toronto, when Roy Halladay is pitching in front of 48,000 fans, and first place in the American League East is not yet conceded. If you could imagine that a healthy Dustin McGowan was following Halladay tonight, and Shaun Marcum was going tomorrow, and more promising young arms would follow after that, then you would be a happy Blue Jays fan, indeed.
"Instead the rotation turns to butter for the rest of the week, and the crowds will probably melt along with it. As one long-time Jays observer put it, 'the worst part about tonight is tomorrow.'"
Well, Bruce, butter David Purcey most certainly is not.
Toronto's new number two starter was certainly up to the task last night. He went seven strong on 101 pitches, striking out five, and giving up three runs - two of them earned - on five hits and three walks.
Yeah, he erred in the 7th inning when he failed to hit catcher Rod Barajas on an intentional walk attempt (the fuck?), and then threw the ball into centre field after the fact, but Scott Rolen and Aaron Hill picked up their pitcher in the home half of the 8th. Because they are heroes. And that's what heroes do - hit home runs.
Speaking of Hill, if he stays healthy this season, it will soon sink in, if it hasn't already, just how significant his loss to injury last season truly was. It gets me all hot and bothered to see him back on the field, and back at the plate. Hill's special.
I know, I know, B.J. Ryan blew the save. Let's not talk about it. Not right now, at least. The Jays picked up the win. Wins in April matter.
Anyway, here's hoping Bruce Arthur shows Purcey some love in his column today. Something along the lines of "I can't believe it's not butter!" would be suffice. He earned a no-decision, but Purcey was effective, even if he did rely almost solely on his fastball. Should the Jays have a prayer in 2009, that's how our friend David will have to pitch. Period.
And I don't know about you, but I'm looking forward to tonight; Jesse Litsch, baby. And tomorrow afternoon; the Major League debut of one Ricky Romero. More promising young arms. Well, whatta ya know ...
Pennant.
15 comments:
If he includes the line "I can't believe it's not butter" as a follow-up, I will become a Bruce Arthur fan. If he doesn't, he's fired and you get his job;).
butter me up! after watching these last 2 jays games and gerber's performance last nite, anything is possible! c'mon jays, lets bust outta the gate!
I would like nothing butter than the Jays to Win it all, However, The Red Sox and Yanks are Butter than us and there is nothing we can do unless we spend thier type of dollars....I know, i know, "what bout Tampa", we aint Tampa, we are the 4th largest market in NORTH AMERICA, its time for dis-interested owners to sell these Toronto Teams to INTERESTED owners, that want to put out a winning team, mind you the Raps & Leafs spend to the cap, so now its the Jays turn to start spending and winning.....winning = more Unrealalitic buts in the seats = mo' money mo' money mo' money, why cant the INVESTMENT be made?, because these owners dont believe in the Jays Fans.....was that a little more positive....damn, i wish i grew up in Boston....
Pennant. I also look forward to a 30 win season by the Doc.
I believe that the Jays could win the American League Central. We're geographically challenged.
Andrew: That sounds like a fair deal. And thanks for the comment, buddy.
Woodpeck: Butter me up as well! A walk-off come-from-behind win, and Gerber makes 47 saves? Ridiculous. Pennant, too.
Bhatti: The Red Sox and Yankees were butter than the Rays last year too. I think the Jays have a great offense. And I think our arms can surprise, just like the Rays' did last year. That's the thing about baseball, you can spend, spend, spend, such as the Evil Empires do, but nothing is guaranteed. Our payroll was $100 million last year, nothing to sneeze at. That's spending. And it could go up to $120 million in 2010. That doesn't sound like apathetic ownership to me. And you know as well as I do that you do not wish you grew up in Boston. You'd rather be a Masshole? I don't think so. And, if you don't join us for hockey, let me know, I'll have to arrange your jersey-retiring ceremony. And I shall now refer to you as Mats.
Nathan: Welcome to these parts, ain't no better way than dropping your first comment with "Pennant." If Doc gets run support like he did on Monday, anything is possible.
Scott: We'd easily OWN the National League West, too. Oh, geography.
Yes, but how sweet would it be to knock off the superpowers for one season, or maybe two, or BEYOND?
Hey, what was the bet you made with that guy from Searching for '93?
Dave, there are a number of parameters. Over/Unders on the following categories:
1. Blue Jays O/U wins: 80.5
2. Vernon Wells O/U games played: 125.5
3. Home opener O/U number of fans: 49,500
4. Roy Halladay O/U wins: 17.5
5. Lyle Overbay & Scott Rolen O/U combined home runs: 35.5
6. Alex Rios O/U home runs: 22.5
7. B.J. Ryan O/U saves: 31.5
8. Total attendance O/U for the season: 2,000,000
I took the over on all of them. So, I'm losing 1-0 right now, b/c the home opener had less than 49,500. I'm confident in most of the others. I need B.J. to step up. Hopefully that blown save last night was not a pre-cursor of things to come.
12 runs, come-from-behind-walkoff? whats next? litch is pitching a no-no tonight and rios is hitting for the cycle on thurday!
oh, and Bob McCowan predicted 90-95 wins this year...
I am nit retiring, not yet, it looks as if i will be able to make Early Sunday games....but i am still working on it..u know i cant leave my team
Kush: McCowan is wise. And I can't believe I said that.
Bhatti: Attaboy. We still have to get our hands on that video of you scoring that ridiculous goal. I will post it. That shit was epic.
There's a video, damn...i didnt even know that....
Post it, i amazed myslef
Looking forward to Romero's outing this afternoon. A lot of people are overlooking Purcey, but he has what it takes to be a solid #3 (maybe even #2)?
Bhatti: I'll work on getting it. I'll talk to Prince.
Ian: After Doc, the rotation is completely wide open. Litsch doesn't have the number two spot locked up. Purcey can grab it, for sure. I think Romero will stay in the four slot until Janssen returns. Then, it all depends on who's pitching worse. I'm thinking Richmond, your boy, is the one most on the bubble. And I imagine his leash will be rather short. Two bad starts for him, and he could be back in the 'pen as the long man, or viva-ing down to Las Vegas.
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