baseballtourist

Uhhhg! Tallet gets roughed up, but the Jays do score on Greinke (jays drop to 15-8)

Brian, Brian, Brian....wow! 11 hits and 10 runs...not much to say, except that Cito had to let you remain in the game, as he has no real alternatives right now. On a more positive note, another famous Zack, was finally scored on...after an incredible 43 shutout innings dating back to last year.

The Jays can't win this series, and so ends the streak of success.

I am off to San Fran in the morning to hang out with "Wally" but unfort. not "Little Wally" (also known as Grant and Brett...shown above at a Buffalo Bisons AAA game from a few years ago. We plan to check out 2-3 Giants vs Rockies games. The 'Unit" should pitch one of the 3 as he inches his way to 300 career wins.

Let's hope that no birds are injured this weekend.

Jays Bats Die in KC / 4 No-Hitters in a Row / Hammerin' Hank Gets His Own HOF Room

The hits just keep on coming, but not last night, as the Jays mustered only 2, in a 7-1 loss to the surprising Kansas City Royals. Rookie pitcher David Purcey hasn't looked very comfortable out there this year and my biggest fears are being realized - that Jays hitters can't always make up for the weak (injury depleted) starting pitching.

 

An 18 year old Florida high school hurler pitches 4 no hit games in row and comes up short in his bid for 5.

Former Vancouver Canadians pitcher Tom Drees had 3 in one AAA season (including 2 back-to-back). I found 3 partially-team-signed baseballs at an antique show here in Vancouver. Each is from 1989, the year of Tom's feats and each has Tom's autograph on it.....I will post some pics later (note to self, this blog is too heavy on current themes and too short on vintage ones).

 

Great news if you are planning to tour the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown NY this summer - they have dedicated a room to one on my hero's, MLB's "real" all-time homer champ - Hammerin' Hank Aaron. This has only been done before for one other player - The Babe. I will post some of my Aaron stuff soon too...really.

Jays win 6th straight series with 4-3 victory / Lead league at 14-6

 I picked up Adam Lind recently on my fantasy team. He gave the Dr. a lead in the first and the Jays kept on plugging to earn their 6th series win in a row.  Lind has helped me to hold a slim lead going into the night games this week, against Mr. Dallas "Stubing" Stoltz.

Jays Pound ChiSox and then get Pounded (after 2 in the Windy City they are 13-6)

 

On Friday, Brian Tallett's mustache pitched well in his second 'emergency' start and the Jays pound out a season high 21 hits and 14 runs, while blanking the Sox. Jays take over first in the majors with a 13-5 record. Brian has a really unfortunate 1970's trucker-thing going on...I think he should have stuck with the mullet.

Saturday, it was a reversal of fortunes - as Brian Burres just called up from AAA Las Vegas, made his Jays debut and took the loss. Chitown smacked out 13 hits and took the game 10-2. Jays  drop to 13-6 overall.

BC Boy does good - Jays win 5th series in a row (12-5 to start season)

Nicely done Mr. Richmond!

Scott goes 6 strong, striking out 8. Rios hits one yard (just this week looking comfortable at the plate) and the Jays win 5-2,  moving to 12-6 on the young season. This is the first time since 2001 that a MLB team has won 5 straight series right out of the gate.

The Jays brass must have read my last entry, as closer BJ Ryan has been placed on the 15 day DL. Alongside him is the Aliteration Man, who strained his oblique muscle...sneezing...which I didn't see coming. I am curious as to who the team may bring up to start in his place?

BJ..what's up? Millar saves his bacon as jays move to 11-5 / Pitcher gets no respect

BJ Ryan is a huge man...I met him in the SkyDome Hotel when he first came to the team, so I wouldn't want him to hunt me down and stomp me....but, he sucks right now!

Handed a 3 run lead in the 9th, he coughed it up and was saved by Kevin Millar in the 11th, and 2, 2-run homers by Rod Barajas.

Weird moment for a new Rangers call-up...pitcher, Darren O'Day was added to the big club today and just made it to Toronto tonight, in time for the game. As the game went into extras, he was called upon and it was so unexpected, that the Rangers didn't even have a jersey made up for him. He had to wear #30, not his #56.   Adding insult, he gave up the hit that lost it for the Rangers too....talk about a rough night.

Jays lose when they really had a chance to win and drop to 10-5 on the season

The Dr. coughs up a rare loss. can't win 'em all. 

This pic was taken in the summer by our housemate, Erin. Erin and Andrea came to visit me at a antique show I set up for (and brought me a muffin!)

I was able to visit some of my sold memorabilia, unexpectedly today. I met a marketing partner in sunny New Westminster today and afterward I toured through a row of second hand/antiques stores in the "Royal City". In one, I saw several old jerseys that I sold at a sports show in Vancouver approx. 6 months ago. A gent from Kelowna bought my entire table from me and apparently some of the items have made it to New West (including a 1950's era minor league baseball uniform that I originally purchased in New West!.

The stuff really does get recycled.

This is why I Junk (Part 2) / The Jays Win a Squeaker vs. Oakland

There is still treasure waiting out there to be found.

A rare, 1889 baseball card advertising poster, with an estimated auction value of over $100,000, has been discovered at an estate sale in upstate New York, and will be auctioned in May.

The poster advertises “The Goodwin Round Album,” a nine-page premium album of full-color round baseball card portraits of the leading players of the day. It was available by mail order by sending in coupons packaged with Goodwin Tobacco.

This poster is a one of a kind piece as the two others known are both a different format. One of the two was also heavily restituted. The other was once in the collection of super collector Barry Halper.

This poster is unrestored and in very good condition. It features such future Hall of Fame players as Cap Anson, Mike “King” Kelly, Charles Comiskey, Mickey Welch, Tim Keefe, Roger Connor, John Ward and “Orator Jim” O’Rourke and Charles Comiskey. The poster states “Presented Upon Return of 75 of our Certificates to the Smokers.”

The poster was discovered by a family combing through an estate sale near Albany, NY in March. Two other dealers had been through the estate but had either missed the poster or failed to recognize its value. This family recognized that a 19th century baseball item might have auction value, discovering it atop a dresser, and atop some books, rolled up.

Alliteration Man pitches well......Lyle Overbay offers more than just his bobblehead......and the Jays win a close one, 1-0 over the A's...moving to 10-4 on the season.

 

1923 Babe Ruth Bat/ Another Cycle/ Shef Hits 500/ Jays Win One, Lose One and Win Another (9-4 on season)

I'm a little behind.....

The Yankees open their new stadium on Thursday and brought out a vintage, 1923 Babe Ruth game used bat...the one that he used to hit the first home run in the old stadium. The Bambino's lumber didn't help them, as they lost to the Indians.

Thursday night....the Doc and and a slam by Kevin Millar help the Jays pound the Twins again...moving the team to 8-3.

Friday...the Jays carried on the recent tradition of breaking out the retro baby blue uniforms for their Friday home games. Despite the cool rags, they lost to the Oakland A's.

ANOTHER cycle was hit...this time, by Jason Kubel of the Twins (had to get TO out of town first though).

Gary Sheffield hits his 500th career home run as a Met (in his first at bat) and the guy that grabbed it gave it back for nothing. Shef gave him 5 signed replica jerseys and some bats, but the ball may have been worth up to $100K. I would have held on to it for a while, at least.

On Saturday, while Kates, Agnes, Mark and I were biking the blossoms (I know....I missed a good game) Brian Tallet made his 'emergency" start and pitched very well and Lyle Overbay hit a timley 2 run dinger in the 12th...to take the Jays to 9-4.

Jackie Robinson Day....the Jays Beat Up on Twins to move to 7-3 and 1st in the East....& Another Cycle?

 

Tonight, MLB celebrated Jackie (one of my hero's), on the 62nd anniversary of his brave appearance on the field as the first African-American to play in the Major Leagues.

Also, a  12-2 thrashing including 16 hits (4 of them home runs) was laid upon the Twins tonight.

Scott Richmond from North Vancouver, or as Don Taylor calls him "Scott North Vancouver of Richmond" pitched very well, earning his first win of the year.

And for good measure, following in the O-Dog's steps just two days later, Ian Kinsler of the Rangers has his own massive night...going 6 for 6 and hitting for the cycle to boot. It only happened 4 times in 2008 and 3 times in '07 and here we are with two cycles in April!

Jays and 'rook' Romero Lose a Heartbreaker in the 11th to fall to 6-3

 

The Jays hadn't lost to the Twins in 10 straight games coming in to this game and almost extended that run to 11. 

No fault of Ricky Romero, as the rookie (I'll call him Alliteration Man from now on - get it? - Rookie Ricky Romero) had an excellent outing  only to see his work undone by the Twins...much of the damage caused by a great player, and local hero - the pride of New Westminster BC, Justin Morneau, who scored the winning run.

I met Justin and his significant other on my last day of work at the SkyDome hotel in Toronto in 2007 (the couple were in the hotel for Baseball Canada year end gala events). They both were very nice and Justin was kind enough to sign my Team Canada cap.

Busy Weekend ! Jays Win 3, Lose 1 & Move to 6-2 - The "O-Dog" Hits for the Cycle

Wow...you go away for the long weekend and some good (and ugly) baseball is missed!

First..on Friday, hard luck pitcher Scott Richmond weathered the rain and a team record 3 hour and 47 min delay, ultimately pushing him from the game. Good thing it was the Indians' home opener or if may have been called off before it became "official". Paced by Adam Lind's two doubles and his 3rd homer of the young season, the Jays see-sawed their way to a 13-7 victory and a 4-1 season record.

Saturday saw a battle of former Cy Youngs (Halladay vs. Lee). Doc dominated Cliff, but almost had his work erased by a a wild BJ Ryan. Fraser  came in to end the bleeding and the Jays hung on win 5-4 to go 5-1 for the campaign.

Sunday, while Kates and I were on Bowen Island, David Purcey struck out 10 Indians but took took the loss (8-4) due to inconsistancy. The Indians first win of the season adjusted the Jays downward, to a 5-2 record.

Monday.....I caught some of this game...another see-saw affair, this time amidst the baggies of the Metrodome. Rookie, Travis Snider smacks two dingers, including one that looked like Dallas seeking a beer at the upper deck concessions, as it rocketed out of the seating area through a tunnel and disappeared; and the Jays come from behind to beat the Twinkies 8-6. Litsch left the game early on with a forearm strain and BJ Ryan earned his first save of the year. The blue-birds move to 6-2 overall.

I enjoy the game for the records and a few interesting feats were achieved today...Konerko and Dye of the ChiSox each reached 300 career homeruns in the same game, on back-to-backs at bats no less and a former Jay, Orlando Hudson hit for the cycle in the Dodger's home opener - this is the first LA cycle in 51 years!. I always enjoyed the O-dog's defense but never really though much of his hitting.....I guess I was wrong.

Rookie Rick Romero's Solid MLB Debut takes the Jays to 3-1

Two rookies made their MLB debut in Toronto today.

Romero came out on top, despite his pregame jitters, scattering 2 runs and 7 hits over 6 innings.

This quote from the Jays.com story "Adding to the day was the fact that Romero's entire family -- his parents, two sisters and brother -- were in the stands after a long flight from their home in Los Angeles." reminded me of the game I attended with Jimmy O, when we saw Alex Rios (easy Kates!) get his first hit in his first MLB game.

Alexis' family were in the row in front of us, and it was cool to watch their excitement. Jimmy and I got Alex to sign our tickets that day. Where did I put that stub?

Now its off to Cleveland, where Vancouverite, Scott Richmond gets his first start of the season, after a hard luck situation with Team Canada in the World Baseball Classic.

(photo from Jays.com)

Jesse gave up 3 homers (stand @ 2-1) Zack tours my old haunts

Jays drop one.....falling to 2-1 for the season.

They haven't opened a season with 3 straight wins since 1996.

Zack is staying at the Hotel I worked at for 10 years and snagging his baseballs for charity.

Two and oh.....print the World Series tickets please!

I wasn't at this game (this was taken a few years ago..hence the rather smallish and uncool frames), but it was so warm and sunny today in Van. (sorry Juney) that I felt like I might have been.

If I had been soaking in the rays at Rogers as opposed to Port Moody, I would have witnessed a nice little nail biter of an 8th inning comeback by the Jays.

Yes, I believe I will blog about each and every Jays game this year. I am up for the challenge.

Keep your head in the game.

Jays Pound Tigers 12-5 - Doc gets some run support

Halladay doesn't typically need more than a run or two to beat the opposition, and the offense doesn't usually give him much more......but tonight it was a very different mix.

 Lots of hits and runs and Roy was little off...giving up 6 hits and all 5 runs over 7 innings. Lind pokes one out and cranks in a career high 6 ribbies, and the rookie,  Snider goes deep too.....in fact, everyone in the lineup got at least one hit. Just the kind of offense Cito was looking for.  Check out the recap.

I like the added touch of the red maple leaf on the right sleeves of the jerseys. Apparently, this was Beeston's idea.....reminding the fans that with the Expos gone to Washington, the Jays are Canada's team...oh, and also, please buy more jerseys from the team store and online :)

Play Ball, The Dr. is in......Opening Day 2009

Roy Halladay gets the nod today against the Tigers.

Katie, stop drooling please :)

Zack is in Toronto and upgraded to a viewing suite thanks to Jenny!