A Few Things

Alright, yeah, you know what? I'd switch teams to get close to Aaron Hill. There, I said it. What the hell.

And yes, last night's extra innings loss -- after a couple of comebacks, mind -- fully sucked. But there's no overstating how awesome it was to see Tallet dealing like that after getting rocked like a hurricane in his last start.

And okay, I was largely absent from my spot on the couch this past weekend for the Baltimore sweep (in my defense, what could be more punk rock than eating tomatoes and eggplant that you yourself grew?!?). I did slide inside on Saturday afternoon just in time to see Barajas rumbling home like a runaway jalopy and Aaron Hill (see first item) just about blowing a gasket. Only later did I get the backstory. He was singing "Redemption Song!"

Also, I think it important that I mention this: Is there a sweatier human being than Fausto Carmona?

And finally, rumour has it that Brett Cecil makes his debut today, but since my TV listings make no mention of a Jays game, anywhere, I have to assume that rumour is bunk, and that Toronto has an off-day today. Right?

What Will It Take to Anger Alex Rios?

Notwithstanding tonight's decent performance, Alex Rios looks listless in '09. Maybe tonight's game will prove to be a turning point, but if it's not I have to wonder what it takes to piss this man off. Most of the time after he weakly grounds to short or lofts a lazy fly to centre with runners on and two out, he looks like he's thinking, "Whatevs, I'm pretty. And I will seek solace for my moderate shame in the beautiful arcs drawn in the sky by my expensive R/C helicopters." I can't help but think he needs some sort of motivation, and anger seems to work a treat for Roy "Don't Cross Me Twice" Halladay. Alex might be wise to emulate.

So get mad, pretty boy.


Also

Hey, let's get Aaron Hill voted into the ASG. Just for kicks.

Counting Our Blessings

First of all, that game was beautiful. Shame we couldn't watch it, Sportsnet, but at least we could listen (more on that in a minute). Purcey did about as much as you could ask (short of controlling a pair of nutty throws), and yes, I have accepted Scott Rolen as my personal Lord and Savior, with Aaron Hill as his favoured apostle.

Ryan? Well, "one bad pitch" (to Brandon Inge?) is what they're saying about BJ's performance. Er, we'll see.

But now, the reason for that image above... we're lucky to have Alan Ashby. I caught him briefly on The Fan with McCown yesterday, casually deferring the oportunity to offer a win total prediction for the Jays, and they man is all class, in addition to knowing his shit. I use the hell out of the MLB Gameday Audio, listening to games from all over the place -- Chicago, Seattle, Cincinnati, Cleveland, wherever -- and I have to say that in Jerry and Alan we've got about the best radio team in the game. Just a pleasure to listen to.