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Lind caps sweep of O's

ROBERT MACLEOD

From Friday's Globe and Mail

Latest comment posted at 6:38 PM EST 11/07/08

Left-fielder drives in Rolen for a come-from-behind win in the bottom of the ninth ...Read the full article

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  1. brad maddigan from Canada writes: Golfed with a buddy tonight before the game. He is ready to write this season off. I am not. There is an awful lot of baseball to be played, and if the hitters start hitting, August is still going to mean something. A sweep of the Yankees before the break would have everyone feeling really good about themselves before a couple days off. Go Jays.
  2. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Would writing off the season mean the Jays get a better draft pick ?
  3. W S G from Toronto, Canada writes: It may just be a little bit early to write off the season ... as far as I'm concerned. Blue Jays might be starting to show some life, here.

    When you think about it, there's certainly some talent on this team. Rios seems to like playing center-field and while no knock on ole Vern, it took one batter yesterday for Alex to again show off that arm of his. And a happy fielder often makes for a happy batter. We've got the best (the BEST) third baseman in the league (imo - did you see that throw Rolens made tonight, from his knees? And he does something like that, like, almost every game!), one, maybe two of the best pitchers in the league (on certain nights, maybe even ... ? ok, I'll hold that one), a bull-pen that has in stretches, shown it can be the best in the league ... and who knows? Maybe Cito can even lift the clouds from OB's outlook on things. He did promptly sac-fly in the tying run tonight ... and that's something we've (Blue Jay fans) pulled more than a few hairs out over, so far this year. Add in some of the many intangibles that are in the mix (there are many) ... and we just might end up having something goin' on. Like Brad said, a sweep in this next one would be nice ... but if they just win the series, I'll go into the break feeling ok.

    Baseball's a funny game. Things so often tend to average out over a season ... and if that is so, this team going on a streak or two, here and there over the next while would be fitting with all they've been through up to now and if we see a little of that balancing out that we so often see in baseball ... well, you just never know what's gonna happen.

    Call me an optimist ... but I still like this team.
  4. Gene Frankel from Milwaukee, United States writes: Wells at 18 million a year is a complete bust--talk about underperforming. The only guy underperforming worse is Rios. If JP is to get fired one has to look no further than those two signings. Both players should be EMBARRASSED at the money they are getting and the performances they have thus far given. Where is the power? 62 HRs for the team to date--Wells 9, Rios-4!, OB-6?? My God, I think I could hit 4 HR in half a season---and would come a lot cheaper than Rios. Makes you wonder if perhaps a few of the BJs were on the Vitamin S?? Brewers 2-3-4 hitters have 52 dongs between them (Hardy 13, Braun-22, Fielder-17) and 121 team HRs. Clutch hitting by the key run producers has eluded the Jays all year and will continue to do so in the future with Wells and Rios being the guys we're counting on to get the job done.
  5. Gerry Pankhurst from Westport Ontario, Canada writes: I was never a Cito Gaston fan. Even when they won the two championships I saw him as an emotionless individual, devoid of any real strategy, who was blessed with a roster of players that had it all. I am about ready to change my mind. I don't believe they will win it all this year but I believe he has made a difference and they will be a threat.
  6. Allan Wexler from Canada writes: Gene - I agree with you that Wells has been a bust since he signed his big contract and if he has value, I would trade him in a New York minute. While Rios has not had the power numbers that were expected he is still hitting over .280 and will end up with over 40 stolen bases as well as playing well in the field. I would not consider him a "bust" in any way but concede that I expected something around 20 homeruns which does not appear to be the reality for this year. I don't think this team has the strength to contend this year and would audition many of the young guys to see if they are the real deal. The positive element of a non contending year is that JP will be history and I don't believe they can move forward until there is a new management team in place. Say bye bye to Godfrey and Jp. Perhaps Cito becomes the President of the team, free to appoint a GM and manager. I still say hire Bobby Valentine as your manager.
  7. Randy Farrell from Canada writes: Agree completely with GF about Rios and Wells....whoever is responsible for their inappropriate contracts needs to go and, unless they improve markedly, I would not want to see either Rios or Wells on the team next year...they can surely be replaced by others, perhaps not better but less expensive.
  8. Billy Talon from Toronto, Canada writes: Gene Frankel from Milwaukee, United States writes: Wells at 18 million a year is a complete bust--talk about underperforming. The only guy underperforming worse is Rios. If JP is to get fired one has to look no further than those two signings. Both players should be EMBARRASSED at the money they are getting and the performances they have thus far given.

    ***

    Excellent post Gene.

    We can't hit HR's and we certainly can't hit with men in scoring position.
  9. Knowledge is True Opinion from Canada writes: Let's not get to carried away on two fronts here. For all those complaining about the Rios and Wells contracts, just about any team would have put up those figures. Wells was coming off great numbers and still is a Gold glove center fielder. He's struggling and still leads or is at the top in terms of Jays in most offensive categories (granted doesn't say much.) and a lot of teams would have shelled out big bucks for Rios potential. hind sight is 20-20 as they say, but those contract at the time weren't ridiculous.

    Second, I like the fight they have shown, and it's nice to have something to cheer about again, but by no means is the season "saved." I think they took WAY to long to make a move with the staff. They waited until they were all but sunk
  10. A Realist from Canada writes: Firstly, why fans get all bent out of shape over what a player makes is beyond me. I mean, who cares? Would you feel better if they were underpaid? I have about a dozen people that work for me, some are overpaid, others are probably underpaid, that's life.

    Secondly, Wells and Rios would certainly command those types of salaries on the open market yet if the Jays let them go, there would be the usual complaints from fans about the how Jays do not care about winning.

    They are both in the prime of their careers with lots of baseball (and contract) to go. Judging them now is simply ridiculous.

    I don't remember which coach or GM said this but "If you start listening to the fans, it won't be long before you are sitting with them".
  11. lance macdonald from Kelowna, Canada writes: Easy to get excited by a few wins (what a relief) but I think there has been a material change in the offence sinces Cito and companies arrival. The old see the ball hit the ball addage seems to be working more than not. The team has hit for average and gotten runners on all season, and now that they seem to be free to swing at a pitch they like, even if it is the first pitch, they are hitting the ball harder and more often. This team can win if they score up to the league average in runs because their staff is letting in less than the league average in runs. I hope the staff doesn' t fall apart with injury, as seems to be happening, because it would be fun to watch the whole team play well...I don't think they're in the post season hunt at all, it's just too many teams are ahead of them, but it would great to see them run hard through August and see what they can do.
  12. David F from Canada writes: Toronto`s only about 10 games behind and there is still plenty of time. Almost a whole NHL or NBA season left. They just need to start winning now while they still have a chance. Take advantage of these games against division rivals like NY, BOS, TB, and of course BAL who they just sweeped. Every loss to one of these teams puts them farther behind. And they definitely can`t lose to below .500 teams.
  13. Billy Talon from Toronto, Canada writes: A Realist from Canada writes: Firstly, why fans get all bent out of shape over what a player makes is beyond me. I mean, who cares? Would you feel better if they were underpaid? I have about a dozen people that work for me, some are overpaid, others are probably underpaid, that's life.

    ***

    I would feel better if they were underpaid - then I could more or less expect them to under perform.

    I get bent out of shape because I expect the higher paid players to produce more.

    The fact of the matter is that neither Wells or Rios have been very productive this year (based on their earnings).

    I still think they are great players, I guess I'm more frustrated at how this season has been so far.
  14. gordon foster from Canada writes: Nice to see the wins coming in. I'll be following the team more closely in August, and maybe even take in a game. Go Jays!

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