Assemble Your Crew: Jays Drop Balls, Series vs Orioles
Well, that series happened. Two back to back loses on a passed ball by two different Blue Jays catchers has to be some kind of record book thing. A terrible and stupid record book thing.
There isn't much to say about the offense that hasn't already been said. I don't harbour deep-seated concerns about them, particularly Tulowitzki and Martin. I just think they aren't running on all cylinders yet.
But it was a reminder of the fundamental unfairness of this game we spend so much time with when Tulowitzki ' s deep fly ball in the first was caught. The Jays had Tillman on the ropes and a ball hit one more foot would've delivered the knockout. They ended up only scoring two runs and Tillman was allowed to junk ball his way through the rest of his start. No offense leaves the pitchers and defense with no margin for error. It also makes it difficult to relax. Stop leaving a village on base and maybe a ball game or two can be won.
It's a shame such a shittilly pitched and seemingly endless game was basically decided in the first. But the Blue Jays ran through the entire AL East and are 8-9. The meaning of that is still unclear, but those are the facts.
And now they get to play the Oakland Athletics who were kind enough to sweep the Yankees. Let's regroup.
Another day, another great John Lott article. This one, for Vice Sports, talks about the art of glove maintenance.
“If I let someone put their hand in my game glove, I check their hand size first. If it’s smaller than mine, I’ll let them try it out. If it’s the same size, maybe. If it’s bigger, I’ll tell them, ‘Fingertips only.’ I think everyone’s that way. None of us in the clubhouse are going to someone’s locker and throwing their glove on. We all respect what we’re doing and how important defence is, especially in this era.”
Here is a classic Cabbie (I believe he was still on the street) talking to ball players about their gloves. Look for a baby Russell Martin, because he is there.
A+ to Matt Kemp for Snoop Dogg reference.