The Changeup: Baseball Junk for the Week Ending December 1, 2017

December 1, 2017 Joanna Cornish

The List is a (hopefully) weekly collection of my thoughts about the stuff I read and maybe enjoy in the world of baseball.

Zaun Fired for "Inappropriate" Behaviour

In news that surprises exactly no one, Gregg Zaun was fired by Sportsnet for "inappropriate behaviour", behaviour that is believed to be sexual harassment. The report from Sportsnet says that it's neither "physical or sexual assault."

It surprises exactly no one because Zaun has made a broadcast career of saying ridiculous things on the air for almost as long as he has been at Sportsnet. His public comments about Marcus Stroman this past summer confirmed Zaun's persona of being a firm believer in "old school" baseball, where players are hard-nosed and don't show off, and rookies get bullied into submission.

The firing brought out some classics:

I'll put aside the appalling spelling and grammar (Lol, indeed) and just focus on the content: the wrongheadedness of this is amazing. First- sexual harassment often consists of comments. For these women to come forward like this is plenty evidence to support the fact that they have plenty of spine.

Second, testosterone is not an excuse for people to behave in a way that is disrespectful and hostile. And sexual harassment is never really about sex, it's more often about exerting power over someone else. The gratification comes from that. Objectifying them, making them feel uncomfortable is all about keeping people in their place.

People are asking how men like Zaun can behave as they do. The reason is that no one has ever held them accountable.

And maybe now they are starting to.

His possible replacement?

He's telegenic (ie handsome) and well-spoken. He spoke out in support of Stroman during the season. He'd diversify the "panel of experts" Sportsnet runs out there.

I wouldn't be mad at it.

A Donaldson Trade Proposal

In this glacial offseason, a lot of talk has been circling about what the Jays should do with Josh Donaldson*. In October, Donaldson expressed a desire to stay long term with the Blue Jays. The front office has said nothing (obviously.)

Naturally, people want to speculate to fill the void.

My friend (and yours) Darragh McDonald pinch hit for Stoeten over on Blue Jays Nation this past week and laid it out.

It is , of course, total blasphemy. Hey, Darragh? Slap yourself because I can't reach you from here.

*What should the Jays do with Donaldson? They should love him, of course.

Otani Would Like to Visit Philadelphia

The Shohei Otani Sweepstakes continue unabated. MLB teams can now formally woo the Japanese superstar who some in the Japanese media call the "baby-faced assassin".

The assassin part appears true, as he killed the Philadelphia Phillies back in February:

Japan Times journalist Kaz Nagatsuka was interviewed by the New York Daily News .

Nagatsuka describes Otani. It's basically baseball porn:

1. How would you describe Otani’s skill set on the mound? He’s got picture-perfect mechanics. Great pitchers usually have great mechanics and I think that is one of the things Otani has been aware of. And his phenomenal pitching performance has a lot to do with the flexibility of his body. He’s got really flexible shoulder blades and hip joint. And it genuinely makes it possible for him to do what he does. Obviously his fastball is great, and he’s got superb slider and forkball. His best pitch is his fastball. But he can’t win just with it. In fact, many times, hitters often made contact with 100-mile fastball as they anticipated it. He is going to need to learn more about how to mix his pitches up with his breaking balls. And he’s also going to have to have better, consistent command of them, so he won’t get behind in the count. But forkball wise, he didn’t rely on it too much this year. I think because he missed a big chunk of this past season due to ankle injury and did not have time to work on it. But instead he improved his slider this year and that was his best breaking ball. I mean, it was really biting better than previous years. His slider from a right-handed pitcher usually works effectively against right-handed hitters, but his slider can work against left-handed hitters as well. I think that his slider even works better against the lefties. I don’t know how quickly and well he will adjust to the major-league ball, but I’m personally looking forward to seeing him surprise the big leaguers.

BTW, the New York Daily News has naturally decided that Otani will be a Yankee.

Gordon to be Honoured by Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame

The Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame announced this week that they would be honouring the late Alison Gordon with the Jack Graney Award for her contributions to Canadian baseball. She will be the first woman to win it.

Given the struggle female sportswriters have right now, one could imagine what Gordon went through in 70s and 80s when she was Blue Jays beat writer for the Toronto Star.

The Star acknowledged the award this week with a piece featuring quotes from her family as well as this money quote from Lloyd Moseby, spoken at the time of her death:

Word, Shaker. Word.

Attending Winterfest 2018

I got my ticket on Monday morning. I was acknowledged by the Mother Ship:

I've been saying for a few years that the Jays should have a Winter Fest and have it in the Rogers Centre (as opposed to the Eatons Centre, as they did in the past.) I consider this an important step.

So if you will be attending, look for me. I'll be the tall one escorted out for telling one too many that one stop in Vancouver is not a "Winter Tour." It's a "Winter Fest West."