"He's some kind of special."

Rueters photo, via Daylife.

"What he's able to do with that baseball, it's like playing a video game for me. You put that target down and away, or you put that target in, and you know the man is going to go out there and execute his pitches. He's some kind of special." -- Rod Barajas


A open letter to the half-dozen or so people who read this blog with any regularity

Thanks for reading, and so long. I've decided that I'll basically retire this portal, while leaving the possibility of the odd missive from time to time, simply due to time constraints . It's gotten to the point where posting here was more obligation than passion, and that's no good. I've long felt that, with the embarrassment of riches that is the Jays' blogosphere, I don't really have anything novel to contribute. So I'll revert to being a reader of all the great sites that obsessively cover all things Blue Jays-related (check the links on the right).

It's not as though I've stopped watching the games -- on the contrary, this nutty season has sparked in me an even deeper appreciation of the game and this team. Watching what Roy Halladay is doing this year is a gift to baseball fans, an incredible display that I'll enjoy seeing to its conclusion (in early November, obvs.). And somebody better be taking notes, because Doc's biography is a book I'm going to enjoy reading once it's written.

But while I'm very happy to watch and read and to be a fan, I'm no longer feeling that urge to relive every game on this page. If (when) the Jays make the postseason I might feel differently, if only to have a personal record of those heady days, but as a daily exercise, The Bottom of the Order is no longer.

Thanks for reading.

Go Jays.

Of Warnings Not Heeded

Told you. Anger Roy, get punished.


Elsewhere

• Manny who?

• I'm off for a few days of R&R, during which time I have no intention of checking in here or otherwise utilizing a computer. Kicking it old school. Pay phones and motels with actual keys. Paying cash for bottles of Genny. Etc. Anyway, enjoy the weekend, the games, and the weather (if applicable).

A Word of Advice to the Los Angeles Americans Base Ball Club

Do not anger this man. I mean, any more than you already have by deigning to step onto the same field.

If you choose to ignore my advice, ask yourself a simple question: Can I run faster than this stadium will fall?

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?

Ready For Your Close-Up, Mr. Cecil?

We knew moves were coming, and Bastien reports that Purcey is on his way down to Vegas along with Burres and Bullington, all to make way for Cecil, Robert Ray and Brian Wolfe. Cecil likely starts Tuesday, meaning Ray goes tomorrow. Fine, but I'm more anxious to see Brett Cecil (who's name always makes me think, unfortunately, of Poison, but that says more about me than it does about him) make his first start.

Now if you'll excuse me, I have in store a long afternoon of anticipation: firstly for The Tao's Friday Rock Out, and then for Halladay's start tonight against the O's.

Grindin'

Man, that KC offense is a real meat grinder for opposing pitchers, huh? After making Brian Tallet look completely awkward, they totally made Brian Burres appear to be a marginal pitcher with no business being on a major league roster. Lucky for Doc he avoids that whirring blade of humiliation and ERA inflation. I pity the next staff to face the mighty Royals bats, unless it's the Yankees.

I'm just brightsiding here, but hitting into six double plays and still score six runs will win you a game most of the time. Most of the time when Brian Burres isn't pitching.


Elsewhere!

• Because I'm a complete shut-in, I'm a little jazzed by the news that the Mariners will be paying tribute to the '39 Seattle Rainiers (PCL champs, dontcha know) on Saturday by wearing Rainiers throwbacks (they should be similar to the '41 version seen here). I want one.

• Related: Shame Lucky Lohrke won't be around to see it. Do yourself a favour and read Larry Stone's piece about Lorhke and his insane life. The things he survived are staggering; a movie made about this man's life would be a thousand times better than Benjamin Button (best Best Picture winner since Braveheart!).

• Quasi-related (to the first bullet): Hey, tomorrow's another Flashback Friday, right? Bring on the embarrassing pajama unis! Who looks the most uncomfortable in them things? Bajaras? Snider (who's too young to remember powder blue road uniforms)? Votes? Anybody?
  

• Completely unrelated: If I come across one more lazy journalist phoning it in with a story about "staycations," I'll be very, very displeased. Easily the most annoying and over-abused trope of 2009. Hell, it even made the list! Desist!
  

Alright, I'm On Board

I'm convinced. Scott Richmond is a quality starter, a fine addition to this largely ragtag rotation. A lot of question marks, but right now I feel great about Doc, and pretty damn good about both Richmond and Tallet.

As for facing the unhittable Zack Greinke, I think the Jays hitters welcome the challenge. It'll be a shame to put a dent in his Cy Young hopes, but we all know who the rightful owner of that piece of hardware is anyway.