A solid debut, a celebration and, of course, a song

We rush to judgement these days, don’t we?

Need to make definitive assessments too quickly in this hurry-up age of 24-hour news, opinion, thought.

Well, here’s one:

Brett Lawrie’s gonna be good.

I know. One game and I’m not a real Seamhead so what do I know anyway but there really is something about this kid that makes one think extremely good things are coming.

The new Jays third basemen just has an air about him that makes you stop and notice.

He swings rather violently, plays hard all the time and, I tell you, when Butterfield held him rounding third in the second inning last night, the third base coach might have done O’s catcher Matt Weiters a favour because there was a collision for the ages coming – one I think Lawrie would have relished.

I, like you, had heard all the hype about the kid from B.C. from the spring and when he was tearing up the PCL before he broke his hand and the feeling one gets is maybe it was justified.

The game’s cruel and he’s going go through some rough patches because everyone does but in the short period of time I’ve had to interact with him and from talking with those who know him better, I bet he’s equipped to handle it, mentally and physically.

It’s not often a guy like Lawrie comes and meets the expectations of fans dying for someone to idolize.

This kid could very well do it.

Now, of course, catching the ball was an issue.

Charged with an error on the first ball hit to him, should have been charged with a second later in the game, delivered a too-low throw to Aaron Hill at second that cost ‘em a double play but that’ll probably come.

His manager, John Farrell, said it might have been jitters:

“If he didn’t have nerves tonight he wouldn’t be human. I’m sure there was some anxiety, some emotion running high and rightfully so. He’s going to get his reps there, he’s going to get a chance to get his feet set under him and settled in.”

-

Let me get this straight:

All kinds of people are excited by the fact Kevin Durant had 66 points in a game at Rucker Park this week?

Um, isn’t one of the top half dozen basketball players on the planet supposed to do that?

Yes, I know. Playing basketball outside in the middle of the summer when you’re a bit out of shape and the atmosphere is entirely different from pretty much everything you’ve seen and everyone’s gunning for you to make their name might not be easy.

But, really, if he didn’t dominate, that would have been a story. That he did? Yawn.

-

Sign of creeping age?

Lucille Ball would have turned 100 today.

Yeah, a century.

Now, I know there are a gaggle of highly-talented female standup comics working today and there are other comedic actresses who are hugely skilled.

But I’m putting Lucy at the very top of the all-time list of female comics. No, not standup but physical comedy, sitcom comedy, the whole gamut.

The lady had the goods and those of us of a certain again know it.

Check this out.

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I thought this interweb thing was powerful?

As I type, the Mighty Rockies are playing an early Saturday playoff game and I can’t find live streaming of it anywhere.

Right. Internet. Strong. Sure.

Anyway, we’re two wins into the a double-knockout post-season tourney and if we beat The Dastardly Other Team this morning, we play for a title next weekend.

So I’ve got to get this done so I can get to texting the boys back home to see how we’re doing.

-

Yes, this normally would have been a mail day but the Lawrie thing and the fact I had some other items rattling around in my head scuttled those plans.

Maybe tomorrow (depends on how the afternoon goes) or maybe Monday since I have an early flight and Sunday night free to putter around.

Here’s one for those who miss it; there isn’t an awful lot for me to do so if you’ve got something on your mind, please let me know. I like how your minds work, most of the time.

Click. Write. Send.

Q: Hey Doug, what’s with Baseball players and Chewing tobacco?

Time honored tradition, helps their game?

Nice to see Rasho doing good.

Bob W, Winnipeg

A: Oh, we hardly see anyone any more with big old chaws in their cheeks, that seems to be something of a habit that’s disappeared. I do know the leagues – minor and major – have all kinds of education programs on the dangers of smokeless tobacco and that’s probably got a lot to do with it.

A confession: Back in the day – and I’m talking a very long time ago – there used to be a bag of leafy Red Man in my baseball bag; glad it’s not there any more.

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The things you see.

A fivesome are sitting around a table at the Pratt Street Ale House (highly recommended Camden neighbourhood joint) dissecting a game and decompressing – you can get a cold Yeungling in this village and I don’t mind that at all – and what do we spy on one of the TVs in the corner?

The Saskatchewan-BC CFL game.

Really.

And, upon closer inspection, there’s actually a fellow sitting at the table right below it wearing, yes, a Green Riders sweater.

Couple that with the gaggle of Jays fans in baby blue 1977 jerseys sitting outside and it was like being back home.

-

We’ve got Danielle Lawrie and Brett and Lauren Bay and Jason and what the hell are we doing in Canada where we grow brother-sister baseball duos?

And now all I have to do is watch Jason play in the majors in person and I’ve done ‘em all, seeing how I did more women’s softball at the Beijing Games than almost anyone.

-

Camden Yards is a fine little ball park, great sightlines, tight seating that makes it feel cozy and there’s nothing like real grass.

And I’m sure this is a tradition after Take Me Out To The Ball Game and I dare you not to either sing, clap or smile.

Dare ya.

-

 

Comments

[doug]

I am impressed with Lawrie's intensity....I think it may rub off on his teammates in time as I feel at times their is too much high fiving, joking around for a team that is hovering around .500....the team that is the surprise in the baseball world are the Diamondbacks who made the best hire of a manager I have seen in awhile and it shows in their performance ...Kirk Gibson, who was a intense player but also had the respect of his teammates, Lawrie in time may develop into that type of player....I hope Farrell and AA don't try to temper that intensity, as that's what fuels a guy like Lawrie....I think Pat and Buck enjoyed Danielle's time in the booth last night, as visitors to the booth are usually there for a 1/2 or full inning she was there for a 1 1/2 innings, I think they enjoyed the scenery, just saying.....I remember the first and last time I tried chewing tobacco (as I never have smoked) my buddy had some so I threw some in my mouth, went out to center field, and started "chewing" it, well I started getting a buzz on, my head was floating, and I was thinking if someone hits a ball to me I am screwed , so spit it out...thankfully no one hit a ball my way that inning, told my buddy and he cracked up and said yea should have warned you as first time you try it you do get a buzz especially since i was a non-smoker..now I never was one to complain about getting a buzz but not well standing in center field, so to steal from a fav Seinfeld character ..no more chew for me...I just checked the Score's ticker no sign of the Mighty Rockies playoff game score there either, what's going on? so much for all this new fangled electronic stuff:))...

[Lorie]

Hi Doug!
Great TV memories! And one of the best episodes ever, too. And the music had the toe tapping. But here's a bit of trivia for you...The Nitty Gritty Band backing John Denver in that video also backed and arranged the music for this thespian-cum-bango-player-extraordinaire-cum-comedian on his landmark hit, which I think would also be a cool tune to play at a ballgame. Can you see 45,000 at Skydome (I know, I still call it that) singing and dancing and grooving to this number? Cheers! And Go Mighty Rockies!
http://youtu.be/Bl5dZxA-rZY

[Richard Y]

Lucy was definitely number 1 and I would put Carol at number 2.

Given the regular reference to Irregulars of a certain age, I wonder if you ever get any demographic data about your audience. Perhaps a summer poll would be in order given that in the off season most here would be the aforementioned Irregulars.

Potential question on your survey

Your childhood cartoons were:
a) Thunderbirds
b) Bugs Bunny
c) He Man
d) Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
e) Power Rangers
g) Pokemon

Blogger's note: No firm data but I'd be shocked if Bugs didn't win

[D-Mac Ottawa]

Being of uncertain age, which is older than of a certain age, I am certain I can say that I've seen exactly one from your list, Richard Y, and that would be the one Our Fearless Grunt has referred to. Meanwhile, am in entire agreement with Lucy as #1 and Carol as #2.
Now, there's quite a lineup in play for that #3 slot, no? Gilda, Whoopi, Ellen D, Lily T, Tina Fey, Margaret Cho, Elaine Benes, maybe Bette Midler as a long shot...
Not on my list, personally – does anyone consider Joan Rivers, Phyliss Diller, Tracy Ullman, Roseanne Barr, Kathy Griffin, Rita Rudner funny?
Okay, go TOD. Welcome to the bigs, Mr. Lawrie! No pressure, kid... Cheers.
P.S. Doug – how'd it go for those Rockies this morning?

Blogger's note: Glorious Rockies victory, details in the morning

[Kevin Murray]

Hi Doug,

I thought you were going with the IGBT for Saturday and Sunday. Is it on for Sunday?

Blogger's note: Sorry, can't. Expect long rain delay and I'll be hiding out of open-aired press box protecting machine. Will do it back in the comfort of home this week.

[m]

"Now, there's quite a lineup in play for that #3 slot, no? Gilda, Whoopi, Ellen D, Lily T, Tina Fey, Margaret Cho, Elaine Benes, maybe Bette Midler as a long shot."
Which one of these is not a real person?