It is a holiday Monday in most parts of Canada today (sorry Quebec, Yukon, and Newfoundland and Labrador); it is called "Civic Holiday" generally, and various other names around the country, including "Simcoe Day" in Toronto. Since there really is no reason for this long weekend except the fact that summer long weekends are fantastic, I'll be celebrating today as Biogenesis Day. Finally, after months of rumour and innuendo, Major League Baseball is going to hand out suspensions to players who were caught having associations with the Miami-based clinic that allegedly served up steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs.
I am celebrating it not because the accused will finally receive their punishment, but I am just tired of having it as a distraction from actual baseball--the thing I am actually interested in. Beat writers, national writers, columnists, and bloggers all over have written about it, but I really don't care to read about the scandal or what everyone thinks about it, so none of those links will appear here today. Well none except for one: Edward Creech summarized the news in an easy-to-swallow four-paragraph piece over at MLB Trade Rumors. Basically, the only Blue Jays player linked to Biogenesis, Melky Cabrera, will not be punished a second time for their offense, which means that the club is still hooked for his salary for the remainder of the season.
Due to various other engagements, I have seen just two baseball games since last Thursday: the Bisons walking off against the Red Sox on Saturday, and the Blue Jays beating the Angels in the top of the ninth on Saturday, so I guess I am probably in a better mood than the few of you who stuck through all four games of the Angels series. I might be able to make you feel a bit better, though, if you have Rogers cable TV service. Digital cable subscribers have access to various radio stations on the cable box, including the FAN 590, which broadcasts Blue Jays games. I discovered that, unlike the terrestrial radio feed's delay, the digital cable feed of the FAN is actually synced with the TV broadcast on Sportsnet, so with the use of picture-in-picture, I am able to listen to Jerry Howarth, Jack Morris, and Mike Wilner call the game while watching it live. It means that half the screen is black (from the radio channel) but it works. Perhaps one of you can suggest a more elegant solution.
And now onto the links!
Blue Jays Related
Cafardo: Insanity On Morneau, Ricciardi, More - Drunk Jays Fans
In a rare weekend post, Andrew Stoeten responds to the Blue Jays-related parts of a Nick Cafardo's post in the Boston Globe. He also gives a link to Alex Anthopoulos's interview on the FAN 590, who said that Melky Cabrera was not placed on trade assignment waivers because he was disabled.
MLB drug scandal: Hammer Blue Jays for signing Cabrera, some players say - Toronto Star
In an AP wire story, Logan Morrison and Mark Ellis are quoted in saying that they would want clubs who sign should be penalized along with their players if they sign known steroid users. I really don't care--if a player has served his punishment, then he should be treated fairly and given a second chance. What do you think?
Blue Jays GM Anthopoulos looks ahead - TSN.ca
Scott MacArthur's story about Alex Anthopoulos's session with the media before Sunday's game. He assured that the Blue Jays will not be "going backwards" and that ownership knows of next year's salary commitment, and has not been "spooked" by the horrible season so far.
Upgrades to Jays' roster won't come easy - Sportsnet.ca
Shi Davidi uses the Anthopoulos interview to take a hard, close look at how the Blue Jays may be hard-pressed to upgrade seriously even with a bump in payroll.
Transcript of media scrum with Alex Anthopoulos - North of the Border
Gregor Chisholm gives us a 4,300-word full transcript of the long chat, in which Alex Anthopoulos addressed pretty much every conceivable topic about the Blue Jays.
Dreaming of Drabek (or anyone else who can help Toronto Blue Jays) - Jays Journal
Michael Wray writes about Kyle Drabek and he may fit in with the big club when he returns.
Acid Flashback Friday: Dave Winfield Hits a Seagull - The Blue Jay Hunter
Not a new link, but Ian wrote a bit about how Dave Winfield, then a New York Yankee, threw a ball at, and killed, a Toronto seagull at Exhibition Stadium 30 years ago Sunday. The Metro Police got involved, and was arrested and taken downtown before the charges of animal cruelty were dropped the next day. Torontonians and Blue Jays fans have not forgotten about this (although his heroics in the 1992 World Series may have got him some forgiveness) and clearly, neither has Winfield:
It was 30 years ago today In Toronto "The Fowl Ball" Incident. An accident became an international issue. pic.twitter.com/or4Adx1AkT
— Dave Winfield (@DaveWinfieldHOF) August 4, 2013
Down on the Farm
Before the links I am happy to announce that we will be featuring a guest post from one of the Blue Jays' minor league players this week. Be sure to look out for it!
Herd struggles in 8-1 loss to PawSox - Bisons.com
Instead of winning and overtaking the Pawtucket Red Sox for the Wild Card lead, the Bisons sputtered to a 8-1 loss against Boston's AAA affiliate. Like their parent club, the Bisons had trouble with situational hitting (manager Marty Brown mentioned his concern about that after Saturday's game) and defense behind their starter. Bad news for Buffalo: slugger Mauro Gomez, who leads the International League in homers, is going to be placed on the disabled list because of a strained oblique he suffered in Saturday's contest. Good news is that Anthony Gose continued his turnaround, getting two his in the loss.
Interview with Paul Quantrill, Toronto Blue Jays Pitching Consultant - Blue Jays from Away
The guy from Blue Jays from Away and Brian Woodson of the Bluefield Daily Telegraph interviewed Paul Quantrill, who is now working for the Blue Jays as a "consultant." He is in Bluefield to work with the organization's youngest pitchers, giving them advice and stories. In the interview, Quantrill reveals what he wants to teach these players and a bit about Tom Robson.
Minor League Archetypes: Part 1 – High Minors - Blue Jays from Away
Also from Blue Jays From Away, a piece about the different types of players one could find in the high levels of the minor leagues, and how I am a person (or so he thinks).
Organizational Filler (In) - Lansing Pitching Change - Jays Journal
Charlie Caskey has a disappointing outlook of the Lansing Lugnuts over at Jays Journal.
Shi Davidi confirmed that pitching prospect Roberto Osuna has indeed gone under the knife for Tommy John surgery, something that I think he should've done back in May when he first injured it. The 18-year old Osuna, who was already in his third professional season, tried to rehab the injury and pitched in five games in June and July, but was eventually shut down again.
#BlueJays prospect Roberto Osuna underwent Tommy John surgery last week. Could be pitching again by next July, AFL afterwards
— Shi Davidi (@ShiDavidi) August 4, 2013
Woodman wrote about how his delivery may actually have a biomechanical flaw that can cause repeated injuries.
Around Baseball
The Blue Jays are World Series Champions - OntarioBlueJays.com
Much congratulations! The Ontario Blue Jays 16 & Under team has won the American Amateur Baseball Congress (A.A.B.C.) World Series, beating the Gabriel Valley Arsenal, becoming the first Canadian to win the trophy.
John Kruk's memories from 1993 Philadelphia Phillies - ESPN (Video)
John Kruk recalls his time with the Philadelphia Phillies, who surprised everyone by going from last in 1992 to National League Champions in 1993. So I guess there is still hope for the 2014 Blue Jays!
Syndergaard, d'Arnaud team up in gem - MiLB.com
This might hurt a bit. Noah Syndergaard is doing really well in AA this season, boasting a 1.98 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP through 41 innings pitched. Travis d'Arnaud is now off the disabled list and is touring AA in a rehab stint. d'Arnaud may not be returning to Las Vegas after this stint with Binghamton--he may make his major league debut to replace John Buck who is expected to be placed on the parental list. R.A. Dickey starts tonight for the Blue Jays.
Renfroe passes runner, loses homer - MiLB.com
Down in Pasco, home of the Tri-City Dust Devils (the other two cities are Kennewick and Richland), the Eugene Emeralds won 6-1, but prospect Hunter Renfroe had his two-run homer turned into an RBI-single. Josh Jackson explains the weird play. Also: check out the Emeralds' graffiti-style uniforms...