There are, over the course of the long baseball season, defining moments for every team.
Rewind to the 2006 Blue Jays season, which saw Toronto finish in second place for the first time since winning the World Series. It was July 19th and the night of the Shea Hillendbrand fiasco. I tuned into the game and learned that Hillendbrand had been designated for assignment, his locker had been cleaned out and he'd been sent home. His career with the Blue Jays was over. Hillendbrand was a solid designated hitter and represented the Jays at the All-Star game in 2005. It was, needless to say, a significant blow to the team, especially with the way it all went down.
The Yankees were in town that night, and the mood around the team was sombre. Word spread about Hillendbrand's antics in the clubhouse and it was clear the Jays needed a win. In a tie ball game in the bottom of the 9th inning, Vernon Wells stepped up to the plate against the greatest closer in baseball history, Mariano Rivera. He promptly deposited Rivera's cut fastball over the wall in left field and gave the Jays a win they desperately needed. As Wells rounded first base with his fist pumped in the air, I knew things were going to be alright.
Tonight was one of the defining moments of the 2007 Toronto Blue Jays season. Toronto staged an incredible 9th inning rally against the woeful Devil Rays and are now one game away from returning to .500.
Let's get one thing clear, if there's a team that can blow an 11-6 lead in the 9th inning, it's the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. What makes the whole situation even more shocking is that Harry Halladay was on the mound for the Jays tonight, and he was lit up by the Rays. Doc only went three and a third innings tonight, giving up 12 hits and eight runs. Not exactly Halladay-esque. But for once, the Jays picked up their ace. The offense bailed out their stud pitcher Halladay, who's stolen his fair share of games for this team over his career.
Even Jamie Campbell and Pat Tabler thought this one was in the bag in the eighth inning. Tabler was calling for Curtis Thigpen to get an at bat in the ninth inning, because Thigpen is starting Wednesday night at first base. Thigpen was called up from Syracuse to fill the roster spot opened up by the injury to Lyle Overbay.
It had been a couple of weeks since a Blue Jay was injured, so I guess they were due. Overbay's the next regular to join the walking wounded and it's just comical the number of injuries the Jays have had to deal with in the first two months of the season. Overbay's left-handed bat will be sorely missed in a lineup full of right-handed sluggers. It's the first time in his seven year career that he's had to go on the DL. Typical. Another one bites the dust.
I've got faith in Matt Stairs though. I thought his signing was insignificant this past off-season but he's proven to be a pretty valuable cat off the bench (no pun intended to the departed Frank Catalanotto). Stairs can play some left field and first base.
Overbay's injury will also keep Sal Fasano with the big club for the next little while. Either he or Jason Phillips is going to have to go to the farm once Zaun comes back in the next two weeks. It would be hard to send Fasano back down as he's already made such a positive impression in only a few weeks. At the same time, Jason Phillips has been a reliable backup catcher who's called great games in the absence of Zaun.
I've got to admit though, I'm a huge Fasano fan. That moustache is just off the hook. He looks like a 70's pornstar. And how about that bunt single he dropped against the White Sox? That was awesome. Nobody saw that coming, and I've got to give him props for pulling that off. Although his batting average (.167) leaves a little to be desired - ok, a LOT to be desired - he's a great teammate and he's got Halladay throwing a new and improved cutter. It's no surprise that a journeyman backup catcher who can't even hit at the Mendoza Line has his own fan club called "Sal's Pals". Where do I sign up? He's obviously doing something right, and it ain't hitting.
Aaron Hill started and finished the rally in the ninth inning tonight. He walked to start the inning, and walked to bring in Stairs with the winning run. Hill continues to amaze me with his patience at the plate. Speaking of Hill, how about his steal of home plate last week? It got lost amid all the controversy surrounding A-Fraud. But that has got to be one of the most exciting Blue Jays plays, and plays in all of sports, I have ever seen. There's just nothing else like a straight steal of home. Great call by the Jays. Hill's dynamite.
Shout out to Vernon Wells who had one of the clutch hits in the rally, a one out double that plated Alex Rios and Jason Phillips and brought the Jays within a run. That's his second clutch hit in a few games, and hopefully it's a sign that he's coming around.
The resiliency of this team is what makes them easy to root for. There's just no quit in 'em. They refuse to lay down and die, no matter the circumstances. Man after man has gone down to injury and Overbay missed his first game tonight, but it doesn't matter, because someone always steps up and does the job. Adam Lind went 4-5 tonight with 5 RBI's, and was instrumental in the ninth inning rally. It's nice to finally see him contributing, and in back to back games to boot.
The bullpen was great once again tonight. They picked up Halladay and only gave up one earned run in over five innings. Josh Towers got the win and struck out four in only two innings. Yeah, seriously, Josh Towers!
A loss to the pathetic D-Rays, with their ace on the mound, and coming off winning three of four against the White Sox, would have been tough to digest. But this team would have none of it. Down 11-6 going into the ninth and seemingly left for dead, they sprung to life and came away with a thrilling victory that underlined the first two months of the season. No matter what the circumstances, and no matter who is on the field, this team will compete until the final out has been made. The Jays are only four games out of the Wild Card, my friends.
Adidas was right. Impossible is Nothing.
Believe.
June 06, 2007
Defining Moment
June 01, 2007
Doc's Back
Welcome back, Harry.
The Doctor returned to the Jays lineup last night, and cut up the Chicago White Sox with surgeon-like proficiency.
It’s good to have him back. Shout out to the Jays pitching staff though, for holding down the fort while Harry was gone for three weeks. Toronto went 11-7 and the pitching was off the hook. This is coming from the guy who said the Jays have no pitching. What can I say, I’m an idiot. But I’m enjoying being proven wrong. It’s the bats that are hurting the Jays this season.
If every baseball game was as quick as last night’s, I think there would be a lot more baseball fans out there. The game lasted less than two hours. Mark Buehrle pitched a heck of a ball game. Ace Ventura, the Pet Detective, taught me an important life lesson when I was a youngster – “In every case, there must be, a loser. LOOO-HOOO-ZUH-HER!” Buehrle gave up only two hits, but they were of the long-ball variety, and they were the only two hits the Jays would need. Two-nil was the final, with my favourite relievers Casey Janssen and Jeremy Accardo finishing up for Harry Halladay.
It was Halladay’s 100th career victory, in his 200th career start. He’s been a pleasure to watch. He spoils us, he really does. Congratulations Doc, here’s to 100 more.
Doc Halladay’s cutter was so nasty last night that Darin Erstad hurt himself just swinging at it. He rolled his ankle, was in considerable pain, and it wasn’t pretty. That’s the first time I’ve seen a pitcher injure a batter without actually hitting him with the ball. Now that’s the definition of a nasty cutter.
It was a good start to the weekend series with the White Sox, who look nothing like the team that captured the 2005 World Series.
Last night’s victory came on the heels of a series win against the Bronx Bombers – if you can still call them that. Folks round these parts are still talking about the exploits of one Alex Rodriguez, both on and off the field.
One thing is clear - $25 million a year certainly doesn’t buy you class, or sportsmanship, because A-Rod has got neither.
Heading over to Brass Rail, a prominent Toronto strip club, while his wife and young child are at home in New York. Nice. Stay classy, A-Rod.
As for his on-field antics, he picked his spot. He clearly yelled something as he ran past Howie Clark, the Jays third baseman who’s up from Triple-A. Clark claims A-Rod shouted “Mine!” It should have been called interference by the umpires, because anything done by the batting team that causes confusion is interference by the rule book. The umpires let the play stand, and the Jays should have taken things into their own hands at that point.
I love reading and respect the opinions of Dave Perkins and Richard Griffin of the Toronto Star, and Jeff Blair of The Globe and Mail. All three said that the Jays should have plunked Jason Giambi, the next batter, and then given A-Fraud a few shots once the benches cleared. I’m always down for a brawl, and it’s silly that the Jays, who were clearly pissed off, didn’t do anything about the situation. The next time the Jays and Yankees face each other is in July, but I’m hopeful the Jays will remember A-Rod’s antics. I know I will. A-Rod has a history of making bush-league plays, and that’s exactly what his play was Wednesday night. Bush-league. There’s no way Rodriguez pulls a stunt like that with Troy Glaus at third base. Like I said, he picked his spot.
You know what, I like saying bush-league.
On a side note, it’s nice to see the Yankees battling it out for last place in the AL East with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. The Devil Rays payroll is a whopping $27 million, while the Yankees check in at $195 million. Good times.
The Jays are treading water. Reed Johnson and Greg Zaun should be back in a few weeks, and going into tonight the Jays sit five games out of the Wild Card. The playoffs are by no means out of the realm of possibility for this team. All the injuries and all the drama have helped this team build character, and I really enjoy watching this team. They are my Jays, after all.
How great has Rios been this year? He’s blossoming into a star in front of our eyes, just like Tomas Kaberle did with the Leafs, and Chris Bosh did with the Raptors. It’s just fantastic to watch. Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. I’m like a proud parent, just gushing with pride when talking about Alex Rios.
It’s a shame the Jays best hitter is batting leadoff, though. Rios should be in the three-hole, currently occupied by Vernon Wells. Rios is hitting too many home runs and driving in too many runs to be at the top of the line up right now. I’m afraid he’ll stay there, though, until Reed Johnson comes back.
A.J. Burnett takes the mound tonight, and the Jays should be able to take three out of four from the struggling White Sox. It would be a great step towards getting back to .500.
Here are some random thoughts as we head into the weekend:
- How about that Lebron James fellow. King James, indeed. Game five on the road in Detroit – a tough place to play, to say the least – and the game goes into double overtime. James scored every Cavalier point in the overtime sessions, and got his team the win. Forty-eight points on the night, including 29 of Cleveland’s final 30 points. Ridiculous. Lebron is unconscious. He’s always been destined for greatness, but who knew it would come so soon.
The legend of Lebron James was born last night. He is, without question, the best player in the NBA. And he’s only 22 years old. There have been a lot of guys to come out of high school and dominate and play well, but none has taken the franchise on his back the way Lebron has. For my entire existence on this earth, the Cleveland Cavaliers have sucked. I’ve never known them to be anything but a laughingstock. Lebron changed an entire team, an entire organization, and an entire city. In the process, he’s changing the game. The NBA desperately needs something other than a Detroit/San Antonio final, and now the Cleveland Cavaliers are a game away from the final. All thanks to one man. Lebron James was simply born to play basketball.
- Mats Sundin is on the verge of signing a two year, $11 million dollar contract with the Leafs. It will save the Leafs about $2 million in cap space. I never expected Mats to go anywhere, so news that he is staying with the team is no surprise. I was, however, hoping the two year deal would come in at around $9 million. I think $4.5 million per season for Sundin is justified. A contract at that figure would also give the Leafs the money they need to sign free agents and get better. It would also prove Sundin’s desire to win a bloody Stanley Cup with the Leafs. I know Mats wants to win, but I’m starting to believe he doesn’t want to win as badly as I once thought he did. And that hurts…
- I like Sal Fasano’s moustache.
- I hope all the Ottawa Senators fans out there enjoyed the ride, because it’s all over. There’s no way in hell they are going to beat the Ducks four out of the next five games to win the Cup. The Cup is going to Southern California for the first time. As good as the Sens have been this post-season, Anaheim’s been better, and I don’t see them choking on their two-nothing series lead. Choking, it’s what the Senators do best!
- Kobe Bryant apparently wants out of L.A. The Lakers should grant him his wish and trade him to Denver. Wouldn’t that be something?
May 28, 2007
Jinxed Jays
The unhittable Casey Janssen and Jeremy Accardo are unhittable no more.
Oops, my bad.
I jinxed Janssen and Accardo. The two Blue Jays relievers who have been lights out this year were torched by the Twinkies on Saturday night, a mere 24 hours after I said I was simply waiting for their bubble to burst.
Tomo Ohka pitched a hell of a ball game for the Jays on Saturday night, and it came at an opportune time because his job is on the line. Roy Halladay's going to take the mound on Thursday night, so it's either Ohka or young'un Jesse Litsch who's going to be voted off the island.
Ohka handed the ball off to the dynamic duo of Janssen and Accardo with a 7-2 lead in the 8th inning. Fast forward to the bottom of the ninth and it was a tie game, seven a piece. Janssen gave up two runs, while Accardo gave up three in blowing the save. Accardo's shutout streak lasted a remarkable 21 innings.
The Jays picked up their bullpen though, for once, and managed to win the game in extra innings. God knows it would have been an excruciatingly tough loss to rebound from.
I've got to give props to Janssen, Accardo, and Scott Downs for their work this season. Pitching was obviously a concern coming into this season for Toronto, but these guys have carried the bullpen on their back, especially in the absence of BJ Ryan. It was only a matter of time until they got hit, but they've been a pleasure to watch. They are one of the few bright spots on this team.
The Twins took two out of three from the Jays on the weekend, and now the Yankees are in Toronto for a big three game set. A.J. Burnett put together another quality start Sunday afternoon, going eight innings and only giving up three hits. He took the loss, however, and saw his record go to 5-4. It was the 22nd time this season that the Jays scored three runs or less. That's simply not going to get the job done, fellas.
Two months of the 2007 season are pretty much in the books now, and they've been a rough two months to say the least. Baseball is a shadow of life, as in things don't always go the way they're planned. The Boston Red Sox are running away with the AL East division, and any talk of the playoffs could be over pretty soon. Reality is starting to set in, and it's bleak right now. The Jays need to put together a winning streak, and fast.
The Jays were supposed to have one of the more potent lineups in the American League this season. Yet here we are, 49 games in, and Alex Rios is leading the team in home runs, runs batted in and runs scored. Rios is great and only getting better, but he's not supposed to be the main man offensively on this team just yet. Wells, Glaus, Thomas and Overbay, I'm looking at you guys.
The Jays have a team batting average of .256, good for only 10th in the American League. Toronto was supposed to out slug most of their opponents, to make up for their lack of quality pitching. The Jays offense is comparable with the Kansas City Royals offense right now. That should be a crime.
Pitching wins championships. It's getting more and more evident every season. The Blue Jays own a team ERA of 4.44. The Red Sox, who have an 11.5 game cushion in the AL East, boast a team ERA of 3.64.
Pitching, my friends. The Red Sox have it. The Blue Jays don't.
May 26, 2007
Sundin or Alfredsson?
Now that the Ottawa Senators are on their way to the Stanley Cup Finals - wow, that actually hurts just writing it - an interesting question comes to mind.
Mats Sundin or Daniel Alfredsson. Who would you rather have as your captain?
The Senators, led by Alfredsson, are off to the place no Maple Leafs team has travelled in the modern era of the NHL. Sundin and the Leafs have never made it out of the third round of the grind known as the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Alfredsson has been a man possessed the last few weeks. He's playing, undoubtedly, the best hockey of his career and has been the driving the bus for his team. He's finally playing like a captain, something he'd never really done in the playoffs before. I thought it was fitting that Alffy was the man to score the game winner in overtime of game five to knock out the Sabres. It was Alffy who was burned by Jason Pominville, one year ago, in overtime of game five when Buffalo sent the Senators home. Justin Timberlake was right, the clever entertainer that he is. What goes around, goes around, goes around comes all the way back around.
Alfredsson is the first European captain of a team in the Stanley Cup Finals. Funny, I always believed Mats Sundin would hold that distinction. Alas, it has yet to be for Sundin and Toronto's beloved, but clearly cursed, hockey team. Will Alfredsson become the first European captain to win the Stanley Cup?
Alfredsson has turned it up a notch in the playoffs this time around. He's played solid two-way hockey, while racking up 10 goals and seven assists. Four of those goals have been game winners. The Sens have won 12 games in the second season, so Alffy's won a third of them for his team. That's clutch. He's even added a physical element to his game, something he certainly hasn't been known for before.
Statistically during the regular season over their respective careers, Sundin holds a slight edge over Alfredsson when it comes to points-per-game. Sundin has averaged 1.01 points a game over his career, while Alffy comes in at 0.97. Advantage Sundin.
Sundin is also the better playoff performer, averaging 0.89 points a game in 83 career playoff games. Alfredsson has played 94 career playoff games and averages 0.80 points-per-game. Advantage Sundin, again.
I'm not sure one solid playoff run, on a very talented and deep Ottawa Senators team, vaults Alfredsson past Sundin. Alfredsson is playing on a line with Dany Heatley and Jason Spezza right now, two all-world superstars. Mats Sundin goes to bed at night dreaming of playing with guys of that calibre. Other than the Alexander Mogilny days in Toronto, I'd say Alfredsson has always played with more talented players beside him.
All I know is that this city is full of Mats Sundin haters. The haters are saying Sundin shouldn't be resigned. That he's overpaid, and not worthy of the "C". I'll vouch with the overpaid part, but don't believe for a second that he isn't a superb captain and player. The Leafs need him, straight up.
The fact that Alfredsson is now playing for the most beautiful piece of hardware I have ever seen in my life, the Stanley Cup, is not going to help Sundin's cause, especially when he's on the verge of signing a new two-year contract with the Leafs.
Clearly, I'm no Sundin hater. I love the man. I'm going to give Alfredsson his props on his playoff performance right now, but I'll take Mats Sundin as my captain any day of the week over Alffy.
I'd love to know what you think.
---------------------------------------------------
Jesse Litsch, welcome back down to earth.
The Jays lost another close one tonight as youngster Litsch made his third start in the big leagues, against a tough Minnesota Twins lineup.
After his phenomenal start about ten days ago, Litsch has struggled in his last two outings. He's allowed to struggle, though. The kid is up from AA ball, after all, and he's only 22. It's not an easy transition, Casey Janssen can attest to that. Litsch gave up three runs and eight hits in only four and a third innings tonight. He's done a good job filling in, but it's time to get back on the bus and head down to Syracuse. Harry Halladay - I think I'm going to refer to him as Harry for the rest of the season - could return as early as May 31st, and Litsch will benefit from some time in Triple-A. It looks like he's got a bright future.
My main man Scott Downs took the loss tonight. He made a costly error in the bottom of the seventh when he couldn't handle Justin Morneau's nibbler. It was only the sixth run he's given up all year.
I've got to admit that I'm just waiting for the Jays' lights-out bullpen trio's bubble to burst. The trio of Accardo, Janssen and Downs. Downs looks like he's ready to pop, as he's given up three runs in his last two outings. Accardo is still going strong on his scoreless innings streak, and I'm still not sure how Casey Janssen is doing what he's doing.
Janssen hasn't been overpowering. He's given up 21 hits in 24 plus innings, while striking out ten. Yet he's only given up two runs. Those stats show that he's not getting fazed when runners get aboard. That's a great quality for a pitcher to have. Duh. Hard to believe Janssen was also pitching for New Hampshire in Double-A just a year ago.
This way of thinking - waiting for the bubble to burst - is the way I function. All negativity, all the time! Instead of enjoying the success of the Jays bullpen, I'm waiting for it all to come crashing down.
Peculiar decision by John Gibbons to let Scott Downs pitch to Torii Hunter tonight, with two outs and runners on the corners in a tie ball game. Hunter has been eating up left-handed pitching all year, and Jason Frasor was ready in the bullpen. This is what I mean when I say that John Gibbons makes some stupid decisions. Play the numbers. Bring in Frasor. Downs has been great, but you've got to respect Hunter's bat. Downs' first pitch was poked into right field, 4-3 Twins, and it turned out to be the winning run. Good call.
Random thought - it's hard to believe JP Ricciardi has been around for seven seasons, and John Gibbons for four, already. Wow. Time flies when you're finishing in third!
Tomo Ohka takes the mound for the Jays tomorrow. It's almost official, he sucks. If he loses tomorrow, it will be official. I'm off Ohka, huge.
-------------------------------------------------
I just saw Maggie the Monkey pick the Senators to win it all on Sportscentre. I'm not sure how Maggie's done with her picks this year, but I hope she's wrong. As much as I want a Canadian team to win the Stanley Cup, I would much rather it have been Calgary or Edmonton in the last few years. Not Ottawa. I can take them making it to the finals, but winning it is going to be a bit much for me to swallow. The fact that Alfredsson is the leading candidate for the Conn Smythe isn't sitting too well either.
It's true, I wanted the Sens to beat the Sabres. Ottawa's never beaten the Leafs in the playoffs, while Buffalo has. There's my justification. And a part of me likes to laugh at the inability of Buffalo's pro sports teams to get the job done. Buffalo is a city of losers, and I wanted that losing to continue. They did and I'm happy, but that's all now. Come on Ducks. Do the Flying V. Do whatever it takes, but don't let the Senators win it all.
Karma should be on the side of the Ducks. Scott Niedermayer didn't even come within a foot of the Western Conference Championship trophy. Half of the Ducks were already gone to the dressing room during the presentation. That's the way it should be done. Nobody cares about that trophy, nobody wants to touch it, and nobody wants to take a picture with it. That is not the trophy one plays for. Niedermayer did the right thing. If you want to win the Stanley Cup, it's known that you don't touch the Conference Championship trophy. As absurd as this tradition has become, I absolutely love it. There's no other trophy like the Stanley Cup and it's aura results in ridiculous superstitions like this.
Alfredsson, Wade Redden and the Senators, however, were all over the Eastern Conference Championship trophy. Redden even skated around with it! That's a no-no. It will cost the Senators, dearly.
Ducks in seven. Book it.
May 18, 2007
Apologies
Apologies are in store.
In the midst of the Jays' nine game losing streak, I lost sight of the bigger picture. And in baseball that bigger picture is, well, pretty damn big. 162 games big.
The baseball season is long and arduous. It's important to keep the highs and lows of the six month season in perspective. As fans, we have to maintain an even keel, and I didn't do that. I panicked. Big time.
There I was, calling for heads to roll and for people to get fired. A nine game losing streak in May isn't the end of the world. It certainly may do irrefutable damage to the 2007 Jays season, but by no means is the season over, as was written by me, and by several members of the Toronto media.
After taking some time to reflect on the state of Toronto's beloved Blue Jays, I realized that clearly it's not fair to fire anyone when approximately $29 million in Jays salaries are currently on the disabled list. Injuries are a part of baseball, what the hell can you do? Call it bad luck, or karma, or anything for that matter, it doesn't matter, because the Jays still have 120 odd games left to play. The games must go on. The team doesn't have the option of Jerry Seinfeld - "I choose not to run!"
The losing streak is now in the past. It's forgotten. The Jays have won six of eight and sit seven games out of the Wild Card. Daunting? Yes. Impossible? Certainly not. Crazier stuff has happened before. Two years ago, when the Astros made the final, they were 10 games out of it in July. So to say it can't be done, and that the Jays are done, is wrong, straight up. Sure, the Astros had Roger Clemens, Andy Pettitte and Roy Oswalt. That certainly helped their cause, but I'll be damned if I declare the Jays dead before June has even begun.
Before I get into my repentance, I learned, as George Costanza would say, an interesting nugget of information last week, after Doc Halladay went on the disabled list with acute appendicitis. His real name is Leroy Harry Halladay. When word broke that Doc was going under the knife, A.J. Burnett, who was pitching that night, sent his buddy a text message - "This one's for you, Harry."
They actually call him Harry! That's just strange to me, for some reason. He looks like a Roy!
First of all, I'm sorry A.J. Burnett. Burnett has really stepped up in the absence of Halladay. He's taken the job of staff ace to heart and has pitched two magnificent ballgames since Doc, err Harry, went down. In his last two starts Burnett has pitched 15 and 2/3's innings, given up only two earned runs while striking out 20. His last game, Wednesday versus the Orioles, was probably as dominant a performance he's had since donning the Jays uniform. His ERA is now a tidy 3.99 and he's stepped up when this team and organization has needed him the most. He's vocal in the club house, is the team's pie-in-the-face guy along with Vernon Wells, and is fast becoming one of the leader's of this team. A healthy and on-point Burnett is so important to salvaging this season.
I'm sorry Shaun Marcum. I said he didn't deserve to be put into the starting rotation. I even said he was a bit like Josh Towers. Ouch. When you get compared to Josh Towers, you know you've got problems. Marcum, in his two games since joining the rotation, has been lights out. Twelve inning's pitched and only two earned runs. Marcum's going to stay in the rotation, and he deserves to right now.
I'm sorry John Gibbons. You're the Manager, and just because the team is struggling and missing so many regulars doesn't mean you should lose your job. Like I said, I panicked. I like Gibbons, and although he does make questionable decisions at times, he seems to have the respect of his troops. A lot has been made about his public scuffles with Shea Hillenbrand and Ted Lilly, but I read an interesting column in the Star which said that if Gibbon's wasn't respected by the players, would Wells have signed his huge contract to stay in Toronto? It made me think. The Jays have for too long used a carousel of coaches. This is Gibbons' team and he's got to be given a chance to run with it.
I'm sorry JP Ricciardi. For the first time in seven years, since JP came aboard, did I ever question him. I hadn't seen the Jays go through such a tailspin in so long, I forgot how to handle it. If I'm frustrated by all the injuries, imagine what JP is going through? The life of a General Manager is a stressful one. Just when I was calling out JP on the lack of depth in the Jays system, up comes youngster Jesse Litsch, 22 years old and tearing up AA ball. He throws eight and two-thirds against the Orioles and gives up only one run, which came in the first inning when the kid was clearly nervous to be on the mound in the big's.
Litsch got his first big league win, and it came on his dad's birthday, who happened to be in the crowd all the way from Florida. Talk about a perfect debut. It was exactly what the Jays needed too. Injuries equals opportunities for other players, and Litsch seized his, that's for sure. What was supposed to be just a one-game call up has turned into a few more starts for the youngster. He's freaking almost three years younger than me. Ridiculous.
I also have to give JP his props on the Shea Hillendbrand for Jeremy Accardo deal last season. It's certainly looking like a steal. Shea was up for unrestricted free agency and was going to leave anyways, before Hillend-gate went down. JP swung him to San Francisco for Accardo, the young, hard-throwing right-hander. Accardo's been money this season. Eighteen innings pitched and nary a run has been scored on him. He's only given up nine hits, while striking out 19. Accardo has picked up three saves in the absence of BJ Ryan, and is the closer for the rest of this season. At this rate, Accardo's a shoe-in for the All-Star game. He's having a phenomenal season and has really stepped up in the absences of Brandon League and BJ Ryan. Another guy seizing an opportunity. Coming into training camp there were a lot of questions surrounding Accardo and his role on this team. Now he's one of the more valuable players on this year's team.
In light of all the struggles with the Jays, it's interesting to note that the Jays have three of the American League's top relievers in their bullpen. Really. I'm not lying. Casey Janssen, Scott Downs, and Jeremy Accardo. The three have pitched a combined 53 innings so far, and have only let up five runs, while striking out 46 batters. Lights out, baby. Justin Speier who?
Marcum, Litsch and Janssen are Ricciardi draft picks. Accardo is the product of a Ricciardi trade. Clearly, the farm is producing Major League talent, and Ricciardi is making good deals. I'm sorry to have doubted you JP. I was way out of line.
I've also got to apologize to Troy Glaus. I'm always complaining about how he's often injured, but the guy has been so clutch when he's been in the lineup that I'm not sure where the Jays would be without him. In the three-game sweep of the Baltimore Orioles, Glaus drove in the winning run every night. Game one - a moon shot of a home run in the 8th inning. Game two - a single to left field that drove in the winning run. Game three - another single that drove in Rios with the winning run.
Glaus is playing with a golf-ball sized bone spur in his right foot. That can't be comfortable. Especially for the hulking Glaus, who is 6-5" and weighs 240 pounds. That's a lot of weight coming down on that bone spur. Glaus has been a warrior and is playing through the pain, and will continue to do so for the rest of the season. You've got to admire his competitiveness. Atta boy, Troy.
I'm sorry Vernon Wells. I'd like to say I was drinking when I questioned whether the Jays should have signed Wells to the long-term deal. I was drunk, but it wasn't the alcohol. I was drunk off all the losing. It took its toll. Vernon Wells represents Toronto Blue Jays baseball. He made a commitment to this team and to this city, and although that commitment came with a few Brinx trucks full of money, I shouldn't be questioning that contract only 40 games into it. Once again, I was out of line. Wells is a fierce competitor and there's no way he's not giving his all out there in centre field, I just refuse to believe it.
V-Dubbs has been a notoriously slow starter in April, and that has been the case again this year. But, like I said earlier, it's a long season and I'm confident Wells will rebound and have a solid season. He's paid like a superstar because he is a superstar.
Last, but certainly not least, I'm sorry Blue Jays marketing department. I bought into what you've been selling the last couple of years, and no nine game losing streak is going to spoil years of hard work.
Seven games, that's it. The Red Sox are bound to go into a slump. I refuse to believe they can play .700 baseball all season long. They will have their injuries as well. Case in point, Josh Beckett has landed on the DL. Josh Beckett, he of the 7-0 record. Baseball season is not 40 games long.
I refuse to believe that the Jays will go quietly into the night. This team has heart. This team will not quit. The 2007 season still can be a special one. I can't throw in the towel. I don't have it in me.
Blue Jays Baseball, I still believe. I urge you to do the same.
May 10, 2007
Rock Bottom, Already?
May 05, 2007
Thank You, Raptors
What a tough way to go out, eh?
I also got to shout out AP. Anthony Parker was such a huge part of this team this year, and no one really expected that. This guy's got a sweet stroke and his jumpers when he comes off screens are beautiful to watch. I think the Raptors have got to make it a point to get Parker more touches next year. This guy can play.
May 03, 2007
The Senators Have Changed
I've got a confession to make.
I'm actually enjoying the Ottawa Senators' playoff run. They're an entertaining squad, and man oh man, these aren't the Senators of days gone bye.
The Senators have changed. The Senators are ready. They're on the cusp. As a man who bleeds blue and white, this is about as blasphemous as it gets, but I can't keep this inside any longer. A part of me likes Ottawa Senators hockey these days. A part of me is rooting for the Ottawa Senators. It's sick, I know.
This isn't easy, my friends, believe me.
Never would I have thought it would come to this. The Senators were always the lame chokers that I loved to laugh at. The team that just couldn't get the job done. The team that would dominate the Maple Leafs in the regular season but somehow manage to lose to Toronto in the playoffs. Four straight years. Ah, those were good times.
But times have changed. My worst nightmare has always been the prospect of Ottawa winning the Stanley Cup before the Leafs. If that happens, and it's looking more and more likely now, I've got nothing left. All us Leafs fans have left on Ottawa is those playoff beatings. The ones I'm still clinging on to til this day.
Forgive me father, for I have sinned. I'm jealous of the Ottawa Senators. It's true.
The Sens were always the laughing stock. I laughed at the inability of guys like Marian Hossa, Radek Bonk, Alexei Yashin, Andreas Dackell and Zdeno Chara to get it done in the playoffs. But not anymore. Those useless guys have all been shipped out of town.
Today, I'd kill for guys like Jason Spezza, Dany Heatley, Mike Fisher and Ray Emery to be in the blue and white. I've always had a soft spot for Fisher, and Emery is quickly becoming one of my favourite goalies in the league. It pains me to say that, because he wears the dreaded Senators uniform, but it's the truth, God dammit.
I figured the Senators totally screwed Spezza's development up, what with the constant trips back and forth to the minors, and the benching's and the 4th line duty. But under Bryan Murray he's blossomed into a bonafide star in this league. He's got tremendous vision and is one of the more underrated passers in the league. And the kid can dangle. Ask Sheldon Souray. He's been posterized by Spezza, twice.
When guys like Mike Comrie and Dean McCammond are dropping the gloves, you know the culture has changed over in the nation's capital. These simply aren't the Senators of old, the Senators I constantly ridiculed.
Ottawa's got it right, and they're one win away from another trip to the final four. I think they're the team to beat in the Eastern Conference. Ottawa has a good chance to win the Stanley Cup.
What the hell has the world come to?
I hope John Ferguson Jr. is taking notes, because Ottawa has put together one helluva team. I'm impressed. I'm a Leafs fan, how can I not be? It doesn't take much, after all.
I still can't believe I'm writing this. At least one thing hasn't changed, and that's my hate for Chris Neil. I want to kick him in his nuts.
I feel sick. I'm jealous of the Ottawa Senators! It's tough to swallow. I want Heatley. And Fisher. And Spezza. And Meszaros. And Volchenkov (this kid was BORN to block shots, he reminds me of Danny Markov, but better). Did anyone else see Alfredsson absolutely flatten a Devils player? Alfredsson! Unbelievable. How come Mats Sundin never lays anybody out like that? Sigh...
You know I've reached a new low when I'm comparing my Mats to Daniel freakin' Alfredsson.
I feel like Ace Ventura after he found out Finkle was Einhorn.
I'm gonna go put on "The Crying Game", burn my clothes, and stand in the shower crying uncontrollably.
I'm sorry Leafs Nation...
April 20, 2007
Return To Vinsanity
It's been a hell of a long time since I checked in. First of all, that picture right there is a beautiful one. It speaks for itself. Congratulations to the Toronto Raptors. These dinosaurs were on the brink of extinction, but a miracle took place this past season. The miracle known as Bryan Colangelo.
The party is just getting started, though. The man once known so fondly as "Air Canada" is set to touch down in Toronto Saturday afternoon at 12:30 pm.
Raptors and Nets. The past vs the future. Oh mommy, it's going to be a doozy!
I have to admit, I'm worried. All Vince Carter, the ungrateful whore, has ever needed to be one of the best players in the NBA is motivation. Twenty thousand fans booing his name, and calls for his head to be delivered on a stake to the Toronto fans, yeah, I'd definitely call that motivation. Carter has the talent to win a series by himself, and we all know there's nothing more he would love than to stick it to Toronto, yet again. He's a bastard, he gets off on pissing us off.
And the Raptors most experienced playoff player is Darrick Martin. Yeah, the dude who's half-coach, half-player. I love him, but the Nets have all the experience in the world.
I also stumbled upon a shocking statistic that blew me away. Vince Carter played every game for the Nets this season. All 82! He didn't miss a single game! It's the first time he's played a full season since the 1999-2000 season. In the past two years, Carter has only missed three games. It's been quite the turn around for the man, I mean whore, who went from being called "Half Man, Half Amazing" to "Half Man, Half Season."
I still think the Raptors are a better team and play a better game. But the prospect of Carter lighting it up and the Nets winning this series just scares me. But it's fitting. The Raps have to slay the demons that Carter left behind, and I believe this is a great team, one that could reach the NBA Finals. The East is wide open, and if the Raptors play the team game they have played so well this year, they should be able to beat the one man show known as VC.
I'm ready for playoff basketball. I don't even remember the last time the Raptors were in the playoffs. I think it was that time when Chris Childs thought the Raptors were down by 4 points, but were only down by three, and he jacked up a 2-pointer in the dying seconds. What a moron.
It's a good thing the Maple Leafs are already golfing. Had they been in the playoffs, the Raptors would have been overshadowed by lunatics like myself who inexplicably put a solid and exciting Raptors squad second fiddle to Maple Leafs hockey. It's all about the dinos in Toronto right now, and they deserve it.
Speaking of those beloved Maple Leafs, I have to admit that April, and the NHL playoffs, are just not the same with the Buds on the sidelines. I've watched a few games, but the excitement and passion levels just aren't the same, naturally. When the Leafs are in the playoffs the vibe in this city is just great. It's been a while since a playoff hockey game was played in the T Dot. I miss it, I really do.
On a side note, I've adopted the Vancouver Canucks as my defacto playoff team. I've always had a soft spot for that beautiful city on the west coast, and plus, they have Roberto Luongo. He's so dreamy. Sometimes, I just sit at my window, staring out at the city, daydreaming about him. What a magnificent goalie. Life just isn't fair...
Anyways, the Leafs' run to the post-season came down to the final day of the regular season, and it was fitting that they lost not only in the shootout, but on a poke check by that fellow known as Dubie.
It was a crazy run by the Leafs. Another mad dash at the end of the season to get a playoff spot, and it just fell short, like last season. The final game between Toronto and Montreal was one for the ages. The Leafs knew they had to win, and get help from New Jersey, in order to make it. They did their job, just barely. That was one of the craziest hockey games I have ever seen. It was brutally played, but boy was it entertaining. Leads were blown, saves weren't made, but at the end the Leafs were left standing. It was probably the biggest game between Montreal and Toronto in the last 50 years and the Leafs crushed the playoff dreams of the Montreal Canadiens.
The joy wouldn't last, as the Islanders crushed the Leafs' playoff dreams a day later. That was another ridiculous game. Brodeur got the day off for the Devils, which was no surprise, but the Devils still made a game of it, sending the match to overtime with only 0.9 seconds left. The Leafs needed the Isles to lose, any which way, but it wasn't to be. The Isles won their shootout, and capped a remarkable last week to their season, in which they won their final four games, including a decisive win over the Leafs.
The Maple Leafs had no one to blame but themselves. Had they beaten the Isles two days before the Habs game, they would have been in the playoffs. They just simply didn't get it done. It was telling that in the biggest game of the season, Raycroft got pulled for Aubin. This is the guy who is supposed to be our number one goalie! Pulled in the biggest game of his life. It was a pathetic display of goaltending, and pretty much was all year.
You suck, Andrew Raycroft.
What blew my mind even more was two days after finishing a point ouf of a playoff spot, and cleaning out his locker, Raycroft told the media he was really happy with his season, because he got to play a lot and won a lot of games.
It's good to know the players, especially guys like Raycroft, give a shit. Sure he won 37 games, but that doesn't make up for the fact that all his other stats were disgusting. Yet he was proud of himself for not making the playoffs. What does it matter to these guys? They get a longer vacation and more golfing time. There's a culture of losing that has surounded the Toronto Maple Leafs, and to see them smiling and happy after missing the playoffs was disgusting.
It was a good run. The last few weeks of the season, those were my playoffs. It was an interesting season, and guys like White, Colaiacovo, Pohl and Devereaux really stepped up. Sundin had a decent season, but really slumped goal scoring wise down the stretch. Antropov proved he can be a solid NHLer and Poni got 21 goals, much to the delight of me and my wallet.
Hands down, Kaberle was the Leafs' MVP this season. He's the man.
Raycroft blows. I know this bum will be back in goal for the Leafs next season, and it will just prove that nothing ever changes with the Maple Leafs. It's the same old bullshit, the same old lies that they are putting the best team together in order to win. It's all lies. If they were putting the best team together, they'd go and sign J.S. Giguere in the off season, who's a free agent.
For the first time in recent memory, the Leafs head into the off season without any questions on defense. The top six is set, and everyone is under contract. It's the offense that needs to be addressed. Guys like Devereaux and Battaglia and Antropov need to all be resigned.
See ya later, and thanks for nothing, Jeff O'Neill, Yanic Perreault, and J.S. Aubin. If the Leafs can get Peca's name on a contract for $1.5 million max, they should do it. Otherwise, say goodbye to him too.
As for Sundin, he needs to take a paycut. If he's serious about winning a cup in Toronto he needs to free up some cash so the Leafs can make a run at some serious free agents. I want to see one of Chris Drury, Scott Gomez, or Ryan Smyth in the blue and white next year. It simply has to be done. The Leafs need another legitimate goal scorer. I'd love to get Drury, but I know that's probably just a dream. Paul Kariya's also a free agent. In my wildest dreams, the Leafs would land Drury and Giggy, but I know that's not going to happen. We're stuck with that lame excuse of a goalie, and those free agents are going to get top dollar.
At the end of the day, Sundin isn't worth $6 million. He needs to be around the $4 million mark. Do it, Mats. You've made enough coin, lets try and win now.
As you can see, the Leafs have sucked forever, at least since I've been a fan, yet here I am, already making plans for next year. I have issues. Help me.
As for my Jays, the injury bug has already hit them, and hard. What the hell is going on in Toronto when it comes to injuries and our pro-sports teams? Throw me a freakin bone here! It's getting out of control.
Troy Glaus and Brandon League are on the DL. Reed Johnson's out for two months with back spasms and B.J. Ryan is out a minimum of six weeks with elbow issues. Unbelievable.
The Jays have a decent team, but I don't think they have what it takes to get to the playoffs, especially with all the injuries. Halladay's been awesome to start the year while Burnett has been his usual inconsistent self. It seems as though A.J. will just never be able to put it all together.
Tomo Ohka's been pretty bad, and I was counting on that Japanese cat. What a disappointment. Even Josh Towers has won a game, and he looked fantastic doing it, dominating the Detroit Tigers. Yes, freakin Josh Towers.
April 03, 2007
Still Alive
No, I'm not talking about the fan the Toronto Maple Leafs almost killed last Saturday night after they blew another 4-1 lead. I'm talking about their playoff chances. Somehow, someway, they're still in the race, and all signs are pointing towards a Hockey Night In Canada showdown with the Habs on Saturday to determine the eighth and final playoff seed in the Eastern Conference.
Bring it. That would just be, like the NWO used to say, too sweet!
First of all though, I've got to rewind. What a ridiculous few days it has been.
Friday night, Raps in Washington, and Mo Pete hits one of the most ridiculous shots on one of the most ridiculous plays I've ever seen in a basketball game. The Wizards player, Ruffin I believe it was, is obviously a moron. He threw the ball up in the air for some reason, but it came down to Mo Pete still in play with about a second left on the clock. If you're going to chuck the ball in the air, at least chuck it past the half-court line and into the opponents territory. What a guy, that Ruffin, and what a chuck.
Speaking of chuck, Swirsky went bananas when Mo Pete's shot dropped. Gotta love the Swirsk. The Raps were given a gift, and huge props out to Peterson for hitting his only shot of regulation time. He only played eight seconds!
That's what I call efficient MP3 downloading. High speed, please!
I've got to give Sam Mitchell props as well. He kept saying in the media that Mo Pete, although he was struggling, just had to be ready, because the Raps were going to need him. Sam Mitchell for Coach of the Year. Do it up.
The game went to overtime, Bosh took over and the Raps picked up another huge win. Money in the bank.
Interesting note. TJ Ford fouled out in overtime, and not for one moment was I the least bit concerned. Jose Calderon is the best backup point guard in the NBA, and I'm completely comfortable with this guy running the offense. It was a good feeling. It made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. I love that little Spaniard.
Rewind to Saturday night. Leafs and Pens. Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Jordan Staal, Marc Andre Fleury. All those bloody youths the Pens have rode to a hundred point season. The Leafs needing the two points to stay alive in the playoff race.
First of all, I hate, and I mean seriously hate, Gary Roberts. I'm not sure what the deal is, but he's clearly got some beef and loves to score against the Leafs. Hey Roberts, the Leafs wanted to sign you, you just wouldn't sign without your injured pal Joe Niewendyke. Roberts is a prick. I hate the fact that he gets up for games against the Leafs, because he wants to beat them so badly.
So the Leafs played a strong 50 minutes and were up 4-1. But of course, the wheels well off and with about 10 seconds left, with the Leafs up 4-3, Roberts ran McCabe into the boards on a questionable play from behind. McCabe, clearly peeved with Roberts as I am, gave him a shove and then a cross-check right in the numbers. It was a beauty of a cross-check. I want to see it again. Wait, I'm picturing it. There it is. Yes, beauty.
To make a long story short, the Leafs blew another 4-1 lead, this time giving up the tying goal with only four seconds left in the third period. We're going to overtime.
Amidst all the commotion of the tying goal, a fan had a heart attack in the stands. I guess the fan just couldn't take much more of the Leafs blowing huge leads. It was too much to handle. CPR was performed by a nurse and some doctors and they saved the man's life. Overtime was delayed ten minutes.
Not only was a life saved, but I think the Leafs season might have been as well. The Pens were all over the Leafs in the final five minutes and had all the momentum going into the extra session. However, the delay caused by the fan's heart attack benefited the Leafs and Kaberle found the back of the net in overtime to get the Leafs the win. Like I said, ridiculous. Kabby played a phenomenal game with two goals and an assist. But seriously, the Leafs are hammered. How they can blow 4-1 leads is mind-blowing. But they got the two points, and, I know it's a broken record, but that's all that matters.
Rewind to Sunday. I told you, it was a ridiculous weekend. Charlotte Bobcats in town to face the Raptors. Most obvious observation of the weekend - wow, the Bobcats seriously suck. The Raps dominated and in the process clinched a playoff spot. It's official, the Toronto Raptors are going back to the post-season. Credibility has been restored to this once-pitiful franchise. Thank you Bryan Colangelo, thank you. Like Tupac said, you are appreciated. You'll never really know how much you mean to me, and to all of us Toronto Raptors fans. You truly have been our saviour.
On a side note, how well is Bryan Colangelo always dressed? Dude's got an impeccable taste for fashion. Always looking fly on the sidelines. He just exudes confidence and charisma. BC is the man.
The playoffs are a lock, and the first-ever division title is soon to follow. Just a few more days. This is the best Raptors team of all time. I know, they haven't been around all that long, but that don't mean a thing to me.
The Leafs also had a Sunday affair, at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Straight up, they got spanked. It was a well-deserved beating, and honestly, the Leafs were due. It was their third game in four nights and they looked tired. Raycroft completely shit the bed, and that was bound to happen sooner or later. Sooner. Definitely sooner. I was telling some friends Sunday night, it was a good loss, because the Leafs got the losing out of their system. They had to win their three remaining games after all.
However, some good did come out of the beating. I'm proud to say, ladies and gentleman, that The Poni Express has reached its destination! Twenty-one goals! Poni tallied two goals over the weekend and made me $100 richer. It's been a great ride. Get it? Poni, ride? Oh come. Anyways, Poni, much to the chagrin of my main man 40, has proven himself to be a bonafide 20 goal scorer in the NHL. I couldn't be happier for the guy. He's proven me to be a pretty smart dude because I always knew he could do it.
Back to the spanking. It was the Leafs' game in hand on the Montreal Canadiens. The loss, although damaging, left them in the same position they were in after Saturday's dramatic overtime win over the Penguins. Still in 9th place, only one point out of 8th. Nothing changed. I don't know why everyone was going all buck wild saying it was all over, and that the Leafs were done. The Leafs certainly weren't going to win every game left on the schedule, and they never really play well at the Garden anyways. No worries.
Even if the Leafs had beaten the Rangers, and were then a point ahead of Montreal, in order to ensure themselves of a playoff spot, they still would have to win their remaining three games, including the finale against the Habs. Win or lose that Rangers game, nothing changed. It really didn't matter. So it's ok they got spanked. Leafs Nation, calm down.
I've been saying it for about a week now. The Leafs are going to make the post season, they're just making things really interesting. They never seem to do things the easy way anyways.
And now rewind to Monday. Amidst all the excitement of the Raps clinching a playoff berth and the Leafs playoff chase, freaking baseball season began with the Jays visiting the Detroit Tigers. That's right, the AL Champion Detroit Tigers. A good test for the Blue Jays right out the gate.
Doc Halladay against Jeremy Bonderman. It was a great game. A pitcher's duel. The Jays struck early in the first inning for three runs and really had me pumped, but the bats were silent for the rest of the match, until the 10th inning.
The Jays have the reputation of a team that doesn't steal a lot of bags, and I was pleasantly surprised to see both Reed Johnson and Vernon Wells swipe second base in the first inning. I think it shocked the Tigers. And they stole the bags off none other than Pudge Rodriguez. Great calls by John Gibbons. If you've got the reputation of a team that doesn't steal, by all means, start the runners. Like Young Jeezy, I love it.
Halladay went six solid innings. No need to tire him out in the first game. Only 161 more to go. Baseball season is way too long. And that is one valuable arm.
How about Casey Janssen? I heard he had a great spring and he came in for Doc in the seventh. I've got to admit, I was nervous. Janssen as a middle relief man? The dude retired all seven batters he faced, and looked good doing it. The Jays seem better equipped this year than last. Although I have my concerns about the bullpen, Janssen did well to calm my fears. If five inning wonders like Chacin and Towers struggle this year, which they certainly will, the Jays have guys like Marcum, Janssen and Zombrano to come in and stop the bleeding.
Still a bit surprised to see Towers make the team as the 5th starter. He did have a great spring though, and as of right now, I'm willing to give him another shot. He really did have a great 2005 and if he can somehow get back to that, the Jays could be banging on the door to the post-season. That's enough to make me give him another shot. But, it's certainly a short leash, like JP Ricciardi said. Two bad losses, and the plug has got to be pulled.
I can't believe its been 14 years since the Jays last played in the playoffs. That is a long time. I am getting old. I was too young to really celebrate the Jays' back to back titles of the early 90's. You know, really celebrate them. When the Jays won back then, I was all about having a second round of chocolate milk, not rum and coke's. It's been way too long, man.
And how good does Frank Thomas look in a Jays uniform? He's a beast. And I thought Troy Glaus was big.
And shoutout to Glaus for his timely hit in the 10th inning with the bases loaded. That got me out of my seat. It's all about Blue Jays baseball - You've gotta believe. Sick marketing.
That's it for the rewind. I wasn't kidding. It's been a crazy few days. Tonight was no different, as the Leafs managed to maintain a pulse in the playoff race. The Habs won, so the Leafs remain a point behind Montreal. The Leafs still control their own destiny. If they win on Thursday in Long Island, against the Rick Dipietro-less Islanders, and knock off the Habs in regulation Saturday, playoffs here we come! Here we come playoffs!
The task at hand is simple. Well, not simple. Hell, they needed overtime to beat the lowly Flyers. I was lucky enough to be at the game tonight and it was bedlam - back to bedlam, James Blunt style - when McCabe scored in OT.
Two more games. Two more wins. That's it. Thursday is going to be tough. The Nassau Colisseum is another building the Leafs simply haven't had a lot of success in over the years. Sundin didn't pot one tonight, although I was hoping my presence at the ACC would get a rise out of him. You know, he'd feel me there. Like he did the night in Edmonton when he got his 1000th point right in front of me. I can't even remember the last time he scored. But it doesn't matter, because, say it with me, we got the two points.
Last year it was Sundin who carried the Leafs on his back down the stretch. He ripped it in the last 15 games, but alas, it wasn't enough. This year, it is the Leafs who are finally carrying their Captain on their backs. Guys like Antropov, Gill and White are scoring goals and keeping the Leafs alive. It's fun to watch. Maybe, just maybe, this time Sundin will take the team on his back once the second-season begins.
They've just got to make it there. Because if they do, anything can happen. They've got to do it for Mats.
Til Thursday against the Islanders, in another do-or-die, goodnight Toronto...
March 29, 2007
Huge Dubyas
Big win for the Raptors tonight at home against the Heat. They went with a small lineup and simply dominated Miami, who just aren't the same without D-Wade in the backcourt.
Chad Kilger has finally found a permanent home with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Love the guy.
Kaberle is back and Kaberle is healthy. He's a genuis with the puck out on the ice. Simply adore the guy.
Jeff O'Neill, get comfortable in the press box my man. The Leafs are a much better team when O'Neill is out of the lineup. I'm tired of the guy.
Boyd Devereaux has earned a spot on the Leafs for next season. Great signing by JFJ. Everyone has got to love this guy because he's been just a pleasant surprise.
Another big game Thursday night against the Thrashers. The Leafs have six more games, they can afford to lose only one. They need to play just like they did Tuesday night - aggressive, assertive and hard. Leave it all out on the ice, boys.
March 27, 2007
The Injury Plague Strikes Again...
I can still hear Jorge Garbajosa screaming.
The MLSE Injury Plague has struck once again.
The Raptors lost last night to the pitiful Boston Celtics, but they lost much more, as Jorge Garbajosa is done for the year after breaking his leg.
The Raptors haven't said that Garbo is done, or that he broke is leg, but I saw it live, so believe me. He's done.
This was one of those freak injuries. I'm talking Carlos Beltran's face smacking into Mike Cameron's face at full speed; that type of freak injury. That's the last one I can remember seeing that left me feeling a bit queasy (like I just had a poutine from Burger King).
The ironic part is that the injury only happened because Garbo works so bloody hard. Damn him and his excellent work ethic. He raced down the floor after a Raptors miss and tried his hardest to contest a slam dunk by Al Jefferson. The Raps were down by eight and needed some stops, so Garbo was out there busting his ass. Anything less, for Garbo, would be uncivilized. Garbo went up, there was contact with Jefferson, and he came crushing down on his left leg.
It buckled.
It broke.
And, oh my, it was not pretty.
As soon as Garbo hit the floor he knew he was in trouble and signalled for the bench. Then he looked at his leg. Then he started screaming.
It's tough to pick up sounds off the court on tv, but I could hear loud and clear on my television that this man was in serious agony. Everyone in that arena could hear Garbo's shrieks. It was tough to watch.
Jose Calderon was the first one on the scene at Garbo's side and he knew his teammate, and fellow Spaniard, was in big trouble. He clutched Garbo's head and it was clear that Calderon was struggling with the fact that he couldn't help his fallen comrade.
Calderon did the right thing, however, by grabbing a towel from the towel boy to cover up Garbajosa's twisted leg. It was tough enough to hear Garbo's screams full of anguish. Nobody needed to see his leg lying twisted the wrong way.
To my astonishment, Sportsnet showed multiple replays of the injury. I don't know what the hell they're smoking over there, but really, no one needs to see that from multiple angles. We know it's bad. We get it. Thanks.
The depleted Raptors, who signed Luke Jackson (who?) to a 10-day contract on Sunday, are just getting clobbered with injuries right now. The ankle sprains are one thing, but this one is serious. Sam Mitchell and Co. just lost a key member of their starting rotation, surely for the rest of this season. When a guy goes down the way Garbo did, in such agony, you know he's not coming back anytime soon.
It was disturbing to watch Garbo practically go into shock and start screaming like a madman. Everyone on the Raptors bench had to turn away when they saw him come down. There's a feeling of helplessness like no other when you see a guy hit the floor like that. I thought the Raps might make a run and win the game for Garbo, but it just wasn't to be. The team played one of their weaker games all year, and after Garbo went down, the life went right out of them.
Garbo, although inconsistent most of the season, has been a true warrior for the Raptors. He plays hard every night and is one of the Raptors that hits the floor with regularity. He's always chasing down loose balls and doing whatever he can to help the team win. He doesn't know any other way. He could have jogged down the court last night and let Jefferson slam it uncontested, but that's not the Garbo way. He was going to do his best to block the shot, and that's why his season is over.
This is another tough pill for the Raptors to swallow, especially with the playoffs so close I can touch them. The ball club will address the media with the usual "it's time for someone else to step up," but this is a significant injury. The Raptors, remember, struggle at that thing called, what is it, rebounding. They just lost their second-best rebounder for the rest of the season, at 4.9 a game.
The Raptors have dealt with a lot of injuries this season - to pretty much all their top players (Bosh, Ford, Parker, Bargnani) - but this one, just the way it went down, man, it really hurts.
It sucks, but there's nothing that can be done about it. Someone really is going to have to step up and pick up Garbo's boards and his points.
The Raptors, like the Leafs, have proven to be resilient in the face of the MLSE Injury Plague. They've done a remarkable job and I am confident they will once again answer the call in the face of adversity. These aren't the Raptors of old; these guys are winners.
But please, no more injuries. The Raptors and Leafs have suffered enough. Damn you MLSE Injury Plague, damn you.
Goodnight, Toronto...
