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05/10/01 - Ash is
to Ashes
Toronto GM Gord Ash was fired the other day. A replacement has not
been named yet, and will be done by commity until then. The Blue
Jays have a few games remaining, and will finish out of the playoffs for
the 7th straight year. Coincidentally, Gord Ash had been the
GM for 7 years. Hopefully with a new GM the team can pull together
and make a run at the post-season next year.
03/09/01 - The end
is drawing near...
With only a few weeks left in the season, the Jays are playing some of
their best baseball of the year. Last night they crushed the Tigers
11-0, led by Esteban Loaiza who pitched a complete game shut out allowing
only 4 hits. Darren Fletcher provided the offense, matching a career
high with 5 RBI's. However, they remain 13 games back in the
wild card standings. So we'll just have to look forward to next season!
In other Jays news, they recalled 6 players from the minors and Kelvim
Escobar is undergoing some tests to determine if he has an aneurysm in
his pitching arm. Escobar has had trouble with his arm on a
few occasions this season, and experienced numbness in his fingers the
other night. However, the chance of Escobar having some sort of aneurysm
is remote.
23/06/01 - Please,
Make it stop....
The Toronto Blue Jays go face Boston today, hoping to make up some ground
in the American League East. Troubles that have plagued the team
in the past month and a half are continuing, leaving the Jays 9.5 games
out of 1st place. Still sitting in third place, the Jays are trailing
the New York Yankees, and the Boston Red Sox, who are three games ahead
of their nearest competition. Hopefully, as the All-Star Break draws
closer, the sun will appear from behind the clouds, and the Jays can start
to make up ground and start to compete for a playoff birth.
25/05/01 - Bull
Pen slumping...
After starting off the season red hot, the Jays have crawled back down
to normal. They're sitting 3rd in the East, 2.5 games back
of the Boston Red Sox. Esteban Loiaza had a great start to the season,
but has now lost 4 in a row. Although going 8 2/3 strong innings
this evening, Loaiza was no match for Hideo Nomo who allowed just one hit
with no walks while retiring 14 Jays. Pitchers Chris Michalak
and Paul Quantrill have been playing great, with Quantrill's ERA a minuscule
1.26. Joey Hamilton and Steve Parris haven't been having great luck,
though, with ERA's of 5.40 and 5.59 respectively. Hopefully we can
get some consistency throughout the next few months leading up to the World
Series. In other news, manager Buck Martinez has taken
a leave from the team for 3 games to attend his mother-in-law's funeral.
Our condolences go out to the family.
11/04/01 - Hot Off
the Mark...
With only ten games gone in the 2001 season, it's too soon to plan the
return of the World Series to Canadian soil. However, with a 7-3
record, the Jays are lighting up the scoreboard, and shining in the American
League East. After taking two of out three from the World Champion
Yankees, the Jays are off to a great start against their divisions hottest
rivals. However, the going will only get tougher, as the season wears
on. However, with the new life injected by manager, and fan favourite
commentator, Buck Martinez, the season should prove to be entertaining
no matter what. The good news? If the season ended today, we'd be
heading to the post-season!
01/04/01 - Opening
Day in Puerto Rico
The Jays opened their 2001 season today in San Juan, Puerto Rico, with
an 8-1 win over the Texas Rangers. Shannon Stewart and Tony Batista
both hit home runs, and Esteban Loaiza struck out 9 in 7 innings to earn
the win. The capacity crowd of 19,891 erupted for each homegrown
star: Ivan Rodriguez, Carlos Delgado, Ricky Ledee and Jose Cruz Jr.
The win was the first for new manager Buck Martinez, and is hopefully one
of many to come this season!
19/02/01 - Spring
Training begins!!
The Jays took to the field for the first time yesterday in Dunedin, Florida.
This also marked the first time new manager Buck Martinez took to the field
wearing his familiar #13. Everyone seemed excited about the upcoming
season as they participated in their first team workout. Martinez
told his players, "We're here for one reason: We're here to win."
We hope so! The Jays haven't made the playoffs since they won the World
Series in 1993. In other Jays news, Mike Sirotka, acquired in the
six-player trade that sent David Wells to the White Sox, took part in all
the workouts except throwing. His daily routine has him in
rehab two hours before team workouts and back for another session after.
The prognosis of Sirotka's shoulder remains a mystery. He passed
one physical after the trade, but the Blue Jays announced last week that
a second exam revealed a complete tear of the labrum and the left-hander
would likely have to miss the whole season. What a good trade that
ended up being. Thanks a lot Chicago! :p
23/01/01 - Jays
sign Fullmer, Cruz and Esteban
The Jays announced that right-hander Esteban Loaiza, designated hitter
Brad Fullmer and outfielder Jose Cruz Jr. have all agreed to two-year contracts.
Loaiza, who was one of the more consistent pitchers with the team last
year after coming over in a trade from Texas, is guaranteed $10.3 million
over the 2 years. Fullmer, also playing in his first year as a Blue
Jay, is set to make $6.5 million, and Cruz, who set career highs with 32
doubles, 31 home runs and 76 RBIs last season, will make $6.3 million.
All 3 players are getting HUGE raises. Loaiza made $3 million last
year (he'll get $4.5 million in the 1st year of the contract), Fullmer
made $310,000 last season (he'll make $2.25 million in the 1st year of
his contract) and Cruz made $500,000 last season (he'll make $2.1 million
next season). I Guess they have a lot of money left over after dumping
David Wells' hefty contract :)
15/01/01 - Adios
Mr. Wells
David Wells was traded yesterday, but not to New York like he requested.
He's going to join Frank Thomas and the White Sox in Chicago.
Although it was not his first choice, Wells is happy to be going to a city
with great fans. According to him, Toronto fans suck.
I'm not from Toronto, but I don't think Jays fans suck!!!! Well,
I guess we should be happy we're rid of him because he didn't want to be
there... His 20 wins will REALLY be missed, but hopefully the 3 pitchers
we got from Chicago can help us out. The trade was Wells and
Matt Dewitt, for pitchers Mike Sirotka, Kevin Beirne and Mike Williams
and outfielder Brian Simmons. Wells is on his honeymoon, and wasn't
able for comment on the trade, but White Sox general manager Kenny Williams
seems to think he'll fit in just perfectly. So long, and good
ridence David Wells.