The 2016 Toronto Blue Jays Thread

[TheAlpineOracle]

Originally Posted by puffnstuff

From the rule I read, his hand reaching out is not covered by the rule. The only thing he didnt do was stay in contact with the bag.

The runner must begin the slide -- i.e., make contact with the ground -- before he reaches the bag.
The runner must slide within reach of the bag and not change direction in order to make contact with the pivot man.
The runner must not only make contact with the bag with his hand or foot but also remain in contact with the bag for the duration of the slide.


Tough to change after youve been playing to take out the player for the last 20 years.

Bautista physically grabbed the guy's leg. That could have been rules interference even under the old rules.

[savemedrzaius]

Originally Posted by TheAlpineOracle

Incredibly selfish play by Bautista. I may not agree with the rule, but that is the rule and Bautista should be well aware of it.

That said for the second night in a row Gibbons shows he should not be in charge of a championship team. With Goins on first with no outs and down by one, you bunt with Pillar every single time. Had they bunted with Pilar, Goins score on Donaldson's broken bat single.

Stupid? Maybe. But how is it selfish? He wanted his team to win and reached out his arm a little. Now he knows and they won't do it again. I think it was the right call. Just win tomorrow and it will be a great start to the season.

[Yoho]

Originally Posted by Skaloper

He did just slide into second without trying to hurt himself and bend his arm to avoid the second baseman...

Horrible call and will be changed because that is simply just playing baseball.

No it's interference and cheating. Can't believe you are seriously interpreting that as "bending his arm to avoid the second baseman"

[Karl]

Originally Posted by TheAlpineOracle

99.99% of the major league coaches bunt there. I like the guy, but Gibbons decisions are a clown show.

I already said I would've wanted Gibby to have Pillar bunt too so that sucked, but you're missing the point. There's no way we can guarantee Donaldson would've got the same result or even not hit into an out. So you can't say that absolutely cost Donaldson from driving in Goins or that cost the Jays runs.

[KelVarnsen]

I can't say I missed TAO.

[Roof-Daddy]

That's a fricken brutal rule, and a stupid a$$ call, but why for the love of pete does JB feel the need to grab the guys leg there?

[You Need a Thneed]

By the wording of the rule, whether Bautista intentionally reached out his hand is irrelevant.

By the definition of a "bona fide slide", Bautista's slide fits, and therefore, the play cannot be interference.

Bautista very clearly, IMO, reaches to bump/grab the foot. My interpretation of the rules says that's irrelevant, and I don't see how you could read the rules otherwise.

[Jiggy_12]

All I can say is I am thankful that happened in game 3 of the regular season. There is literally no better time to lose a game in that way. Move on. Forget it. Tons of season left.

Also. Sanchez.

[Inferno]

I guess players are suppose to tuck their arms into their chest like they're going down a waterslide now.

[TheAlpineOracle]

Sanchez looked amazing tonight. If him and Stroman prove to be the real deal the Jays have two legitimate aces under team control for many years.

[dino7c]

Its either a bad call or a dumb rule...no way a team should lose a game like that

[mrkajz44]

I think the call went against Jose because he slid past the bag, and therefore it wasn't a bona fide slide (ie no one would try to slide past second base).

I'm disappointed if this is how the rule will change plays at second base. Instead of instituting a blanket "nanny state" type rule, just come out and say they are watching for dirty slides and start handing out suspensions when guys are being dirty/dangerous.

And don't say it doesn't really matter because it's game 3. This division will likely be tight and a game or two might make the difference at the end of the year.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Originally Posted by Karl

I already said I would've wanted Gibby to have Pillar bunt too so that sucked, but you're missing the point. There's no way we can guarantee Donaldson would've got the same result or even not hit into an out. So you can't say that absolutely cost Donaldson from driving in Goins or that cost the Jays runs.

There's no guarantee, I agree, but that's a no-brainer play all day long. Guy on first, none out, you move him over into scoring position. I mean, even if the Jays do nothing and lose it would've still been the right play. I really hope that's not the strategy going forward. I was pretty shocked Pillar was swinging away there. I don't get it.

[Cortez]

The thing that gets me is the the throw to first wasn't even THAT bad. The first baseman had a play on it but looked like he just flat out missed it. I've seen tons of guys at first scoop that throw up.

Stupid rule though. That game was intense in the 9th inning there and for it to end like that just plain sucks.

[TheAlpineOracle]

Rays are serving up a mediocre left handed pitcher in Matt Moore tommorow. The Jays should feast.

[browna]

Terrible. That said, they better be calling that like that in every game.

Waiting for the PC patrol to take offense to Gibby's post game rant.

[Jiggy_12]

Originally Posted by mrkajz44

And don't say it doesn't really matter because it's game 3. This division will likely be tight and a game or two might make the difference at the end of the year.

Never said it didn't matter, said I was thankful it happened in game 3. If this happened in September during a pennant race it would be much more crushing. Disagree?

[Derek Sutton]

IMO Pillar should've been bunting, heck he could tried bumting for a base hit and still advanced the runner. Nothing is ever a guarantee but with the small bats you have to play small ball, Pillar is not prone to the dp but staying out of the dp does not get the runner to second. As for the "slide" I think the right call was made, JB had only one reason for reaching with his hands and that was to cause interference. Proper feet first sliding, your hands are in front of you and in the air, unless you are reaching for the bag. Even though he barely grazed the player, he certainly caused interference.

[mrkajz44]

Originally Posted by Jiggy_12

Never said it didn't matter, said I was thankful it happened in game 3. If this happened in September during a pennant race it would be much more crushing. Disagree?

Sorry - my comment was not directed at you, just the general sentiment of most fans that say the games in September matter more than those in April. Completely agree that this was a better time to happen, and likely easier for the team to move on from, rather than in a tight pennant race.

Really hope they can bounce back today, but the Tropicana House of Horrors may have something to say about that. At least its a day game, so I have 3+ hours of baseball to listen to at work. Always love that.

[TheAlpineOracle]

Originally Posted by KelVarnsen

I can't say I missed TAO.

Why? Because I actually know a thing or two about baseball and am not going to blindly support anything Blue Jay?

That was the right call regardless of what rules regime is in place (this year or last), and a stupid play by Bautista.

Not bunting was a ridiculous decision by a manager who has a history of making some pretty poor decisions.

That said, who really cares? It's 1 game. We win tomorrow and we take 3 of 4 in Tampa which is a notorious Blue Jays slaughtering ground. I would have been happy with a split to start the season in Tampa.