The Blue Jays Thread: 2008 Season

[GGG]

Sweeping Boston on the way out would get them close but I don't see it happening this year. Hopefully Cito will continue his great work into next year.

[Jiggy_12]

What a great run they are on...just awesome to see. After all the miserable baseball played earlier this year, this is a treat to watch.

Probably too little too late, but who cares? its better than losing. let the streak continue!

[Gozer]

Playoffs!

[ShaolinFlame]

Gozer you SOB!

Heres a question for you all. Is cito making this a winning team, or was the Gib making this a losing team?
I am going with #2, and as much as I love Cito, I think someone who has managed in the past ten years might be able to do even better.

PLAYOFFS

[Sylvanfan]

^^^
I don't think Cito has hurt the team any. He isn't perfect, but any manager in Baseball makes mistakes, and Cito has made a few too. The one thing Gaston seems to do is instill a calmness and levity with the players that was really missing under Gibbons. I would tend to agree that Gibbons style was likely causing some issues with the team not performing moreso than Gaston is making them do things. Still I think Cito's demeanor and ability to deal with MLB players who tend to be among the biggest jerks in all of pro sports is a somewhat under rated skill.

[Gozer]

I don't think Gibby did much either way. He knew and followed the numbers - he expected the players to do the playing. They didn't do enough under him. I never railed against the guy because he wasn't holding anyone back they were just playing poopy.

I think that Denbo's strategies weren't working for a few of the guys, most noteably Rios - whose SLG has increased over 200 points since Tenace.

But I think it has more to do with a healthy Wells, Rios and Overbay making terrific (and expected) contributions, and the addition of Lind than it has to do with Cito.

I will give Cito credit for being a better manager of men than Gibby, but I preferred Gibby's pure strategies.

[troutman]

Why does Gerry Haworth alternate innings with some other announcer all the time? He used to do that with Tom Cheek too. Vin Scully does the whole game- by himself with no commentators.

[corporatejay]

Could they possibly pull this out?????

[Machiavelli]

What an odd mini comeback. Would be amazing if they could do it.

[ricoFlame]

great effort in the ninth, BAD at-bat for rios at the end there, but still good stuff.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by troutman

Why does Gerry Haworth alternate innings with some other announcer all the time? He used to do that with Tom Cheek too. Vin Scully does the whole game- by himself with no commentators.

It's an odd format to say the least. When Tom and Gerry would swap, the guy not on the call, wouldn't even say much as a 'color guy'. I don't know if any other teams do it - it's always been the way I listen to Jays games so I don't mind it - but it is strange.

They had the one year when they had Warren Sakew in there, and he was strictly a color commentator. But he was also awful.

[Super-Rye]

Originally Posted by ricoFlame

great effort in the ninth, BAD at-bat for rios at the end there, but still good stuff.

Lol the second I saw Rios up to bat with a runner on 3rd and 2 out in the bottom of the ninth I looked at a couple of my buddies, smiled and said "This game's over, Sox win."

[Bobblehead]

Originally Posted by Super-Rye

Lol the second I saw Rios up to bat with a runner on 3rd and 2 out in the bottom of the ninth I looked at a couple of my buddies, smiled and said "This game's over, Sox win."

Except that the previous trip up he belted a 2 run homer. But he didn't look good in that last at bat. The best pitch was the first one.

[Super-Rye]

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

Except that the previous trip up he belted a 2 run homer. But he didn't look good in that last at bat. The best pitch was the first one.

That his 14th homer of the season?

The mans been terrible this season outside of the last week and a bit. Good to know that he's still predictable as ever when the games on the line. :/

[moon]

Originally Posted by Super-Rye

That his 14th homer of the season?

The mans been terrible this season outside of the last week and a bit. Good to know that he's still predictable as ever when the games on the line. :/

He has been about the same as he always has been since coming into the league this year. In fact, a little better in some areas.

Now I agree that he is terrible in key situations, but I think the only way that he has been terrible this season overall is if you were under the impression that he was a great hitter or was going to turn into to something other than a .290-20-80 guy that he is.

[Super-Rye]

Originally Posted by moon

He has been about the same as he always has been since coming into the league this year. In fact, a little better in some areas.

Now I agree that he is terrible in key situations, but I think the only way that he has been terrible this season overall is if you were under the impression that he was a great hitter or was going to turn into to something other than a .290-20-80 guy that he is.

Oh goshes I didn't expect more than 25 home runs from the guy...but he has 14. His average is good...but not in key situations. His RBI's are ok...but not what one of the teams hitting leaders is expected to have.

This is definitely a disappointing season for Rios. He needs to find consistency and learn to drive runs in when the game's on the line.

[Machiavelli]

And he needs to learn how to run around the freaking bases properly!

[habernac]

Originally Posted by Machiavelli

And he needs to learn how to run around the freaking bases properly!

the wipeout and subsequent faceplant in the rundown the other night didn't impress you?

[Jason14h]

Rios, with 2 out and a RISP! Anyone else say "Game Over" when the first fastball went right down the middle.

Rios may have the worst game sense of any player in the majors. He makes more mental mistakes then anyone I have ever seen. Too bad since he has great talent

[JayP]

Originally Posted by moon

Now I agree that he is terrible in key situations, but I think the only way that he has been terrible this season overall is if you were under the impression that he was a great hitter or was going to turn into to something other than a .290-20-80 guy that he is.

It's too bad those are three of the worst stats to judge a hitter on.

Rios is a huge disappointment because he's followed up .865 and .852 OPS seasons with, currently, a .819 OPS season. At 27 he should be improving upon his numbers not having them drop off.