That Hurts, Part 5

"I don’t know if we have the luxury of waiting two to three months for someone to kick in because we can’t let this league or this division get away from us." -J.P. Riccardi

Days since Frank Thomas was released : 56

Blue Jays' record since Frank Thomas last appeared in their lineup : 27-25

Number of times Blue Jays have scored more than 5 runs : 11 in 51 games

Frank Thomas's batting line since his release : .319/.417/.516 (OPS+ 164), same as it was last update. Right quadriceps tendinitis has kept him out since May 28 and for at least a few more weeks.

Shannon Stewart's batting line since Thomas's release : .241/321/.305

Stew's on a 2-for-27 kick after his three hits in the 12-0 game. Wilkerson's OPS+ of 83 is the highest among himself, Mench, and Stewart. The Jays scored six runs in three games against the league's worst team.

On the other hand, it gave Ernie Whitt something to do

"No doubt he injured himself"
- Rance Mulliniks

"He looks in considerable discomfort."
- Jim Hughson


Is this the wrong time to point out that I actually liked the decision to turf Reed for Stew?

Finally, a game on TSN

When you don't get Sportsnet, that adverb is appropriate. Random thoughts:

• Rod Black Moment of the Night: "Catching is Rod Barajas--there's A-Rod, but HOW ABOUT B-ROD?!?!"
• Only Shannon Stewart lets a Molina go first-to-third on a single to left.
• Pat Tabler, who barely played the field or threw a ball, is asked how misty rain affected his gameplay.
• Moose not happy with CB Bucknor. Moose's bad mood is justified for once.
  
• The first time Jesse Litsch retired the leadoff batter, three two-out runs scored.
  
• Rod Black Moment #2: "Derek Jeter: third-time [sic] all-time!"
• Felt bad turning off the game after Thigpen came in, because he'll probably never get to play again.
  
• Rod Black Moment #3: "Number two gets number three to pass number seven!"
  
• Pat Tabler, who only does like 128 Yankee games every year, says he can't think of anyone else who bends quite like Mussina does from the stretch, then after a pregnant pause says "except Ian Kennedy."
• Rios looks fine to me. Hooray for two plate appearances instead of 262!
  

There was also a game last night on whatever they call TBS now and it made me wonder what exactly a burke badenhop is. Still not sure.

Beware the Curse of the Titties

I still can't believe that poor Brant Colamarino's career may be over, only a few months after this blog was created. I am seriously considering renaming this place after Stewart now.

That Hurts, Part 4

A day early today.

“I don’t know if we have the luxury of waiting two to three months for someone to kick in because we can’t let this league or this division get away from us." -J.P. Riccardi

Days since Frank Thomas was released : 39

Blue Jays' record since Frank Thomas last appeared in their lineup : 19-17

Number of times Blue Jays have scored more than 5 runs : 7 in 36 games

Frank Thomas's batting line since his release : .319/.417/.516 (OPS+ 164)

Shannon Stewart's batting line since Thomas's release : .264/.331/.321

Stew was on a very impressive 11-game hitting streak until last night during which he hit .359, but with no power. Mench and Wilkerson are hitting a combined .183. The offense is beginning to pick things up but in their last 12 losses the Jays have scored 18 runs - 1.5 per game. 8 of those 12 losses have been by 1 or 2 runs, or in extras.

That Hurts - Part 3

“I don’t know if we have the luxury of waiting two to three months for someone to kick in because we can’t let this league or this division get away from us." -J.P. Riccardi

Days since Frank Thomas was released : 30

Blue Jays' record since Frank Thomas last appeared in their lineup : 15-14

Number of times Blue Jays have scored more than 5 runs : 4 in 29 games

Frank Thomas's batting line since his release : .269/.390/.343

Shannon Stewart's batting line since Thomas's release : .253/.321/.333

Stew's picked it up a bit lately, but not by much. Both players basically sat all weekend during that despicable sideshow of interleague play. Mench and Wilkerson haven't done much yet.

That Hurts - Part 2

“I don’t know if we have the luxury of waiting two to three months for someone to kick in because we can’t let this league or this division get away from us." -J.P. Riccardi

Days since Frank Thomas was released : 20

Blue Jays' record since Frank Thomas last appeared in their lineup : 8-10

Number of times Blue Jays have scored more than 5 runs : 1 in 18 games

Frank Thomas's batting line since his release : .267/.400/.356

Shannon Stewart's batting line since Thomas's release : .224/.283/.286

The decision looks worse than ever with the looming arrival of Brad Wilkerson and the lovely 0-for-6 Stew put up in the 2 hole last night.

Hooray, hooray, and all that

In the Devil Rays Era, here are the Blue Jays' records in April, total wins in the season, and expected wins if April were the entire year.

Year April W AprW Diff
2001 0.640 80 104 -24
1999 0.542 84 88 -4
2006 0.522 87 85 2
2005 0.520 80 84 -4
2007 0.520 83 84 -1
2000 0.462 83 75 8
2008 0.393 ??? 64 ???
1998 0.385 88 62 26
2003 0.357 86 58 28
2002 0.333 78 54 24
2004 0.318 67 52 16

Optimistic view: The team's been worse in April and has still finished with 85+ wins. The 1989 team (not shown) was worse than the 2008 team in April and played in October. This does not mean they should hire Cito. Go away, all of you.

Pessimistic view: The Jays haven't had more than 88 wins in ten years.

Another view: The best April in team history is 1992 (16-7, .696) with Cito (This does not mean they should...), then it's 1985 (13-7, .650) with Bobby Cox. So, two great Aprils, two great managers. Then in third place in 2001 is...Buck Martinez?

That Hurts - Part 1 of a long series

“I don’t know if we have the luxury of waiting two to three months for someone to kick in because we can’t let this league or this division get away from us." -J.P. Riccardi

Days since Frank Thomas was released : 10

Blue Jays' record since Frank Thomas last appeared in their lineup : 2-7

Number of times Blue Jays have scored more than 5 runs : 0 in 9 games

Frank Thomas's batting line since his release : .313/.476/.500

Shannon Stewart's batting line since Thomas's release : .143/.250/.190

We're doing this one all summer, boys.