Talk is cheap and sometimes not necessary

So, this was a first.

Blown off by a pitcher.

The post-game drill at the TOD is routine, we go into an interview room to here John Farrell’s dissertation on what’s just transpired, ask him a few questions and toddle off to the clubhouse where we wait in a central area for them to bring us the guys we need to talk to.

Last night, of course, it’s Brandon Morrow and as we gather, he’s sitting over at his locker next to Ricky Romero and Brett Cecil with his back to us and body language suggests he’s less than happy.

It’s rather awkward, standing there with him knowing we’re waiting and no one’s going to approach him. Finally, he stands up, we figure we’re going to get some insight and, thankfully, deadline won’t be a problem.

Except he walks to the off-limits area, looking part dejected and part angry and we’re told a minute or two later that the “respectfully declines to speak to the media.”

Now, I have no real issue, I don’t think, with players not wanting to talk immediately after a game. Their emotions are running high, they may just want some time to decompress but that was the first time in my few instances with the Jays this season that the guy we wanted to talk to didn’t want to talk to us.

I’m told It’s not a common occurrence – might be the first time ever that Morrow hasn’t spoken following a start, one guy told me – and I’ll give him a pass.

Besides, what’s he going to say?

“I didn’t pitch well.”

“They hammered me.”

“Who cares what pitch it was the guy hit for a homer, it was a homer.”

The reliance we have on often milquetoast quotes sometimes irks me but I wait and get them anyway, and use them in stories.

I guess it’s traditional and readers come to expect it but the true talent in our craft is painting a picture with words, words that should be our own.

It’s something that’s bugged me for a little while; not sure I’ll ever be able to totally overcome the habit but I should work at it.

As we all should, really.

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Speaking of the baseball, a guy poaches a couple of ball games from an over-worked staff and gets:

Brett Travis Snider’s return from the minors.

Colby Rasmus being obtained in a trade.

Brett Lawrie’s debut and his grand slam a few games later.

Roberto Alomar Day.

The departure of the iconic John McDonald and Aaron Hill, too.

The spy in the stands.

Wonder what awaits me this weekend when Tampa’s in or the weekend after in New York?

I tell ya, other writers are going to run from the stadium like their hair is on fire when I show up if this continues.

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You know, I don’t care what they call it or how they dress it up, gas station coffee is still gas station coffee and the 5:15 a.m. trip to Niagara is tough to take when that’s the only convenient beverage available.

Someone at my Starbucks has to change the opening time to 5 a.m., please and thank you.

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But you know what makes a drive a wee bit better?

Listening to Q107 to get the adrenaline flowing and as you pass Hamilton and this song comes on from a band that’s local to the area.

Timing, as they say, is everything and what better than Teenage Head blaring as you mosey on down the highway.

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Oh, this is quite irksome.

Apparently, unbeknownst to me, someone or something has hacked into my Twitter account and if there’s anyone I know out there who got one from me suggesting they take some weight loss thing, that wasn’t me talking.

Honest.

Guess first order of business when I settle at my Starbucks here this morning is a password adjustment.

I know nothing about the inner workings of hacking or social networks or what have you but I do know that I’d never suggest publicly that friends need to lose weight.

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Canada gets Brazil, Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic in a basketball tournament down in Brazil starting (here’s a tiny item we had in the paper in case you missed it) and the one salient point I keep getting from Leo every time I talk to him is this:

They need to be healthy before the Olympic qualifier next week.

Sure, the addition of Cory Joseph and return to health of Jesse Young, Carl English and Andy Rautins, all hurt at the worlds last year, does deepen the pool significantly but the simple fact is Canada needs everyone at 100 per cent to have any chance to earn a London berth next week.

They might be able to sneak into the top five with a few people banged up but even that’d be a large task and if they have to live in bubbles between now and then to assure no one gets injured, then that’s what they’ll have to do.

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I see Canada’s Little Leaguers were eliminated by Japan yesterday at the World Series.

Had to read about it because, as you know, I have issues with it being on TV.

Too bad, but I imagine the kids had a blast and when you’re that age, it’s the experiences and the friendships developed that should count more than wins and losses. And that will be what endures.

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Mail?

Sure. Let’s start the whole process, again. Click here, please.

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And, finally.

Johnny Mac.

I tell you, I don’t know that I’ve seen a guy in Toronto – and certainly not a Blue Jay – more loved by the fans for the way he handles himself as a man far more than the way he handles himself as an athlete.

We appreciate – and we should – a guy who comports himself with class and dignity, a guy who doesn’t cheat the game or the fans or his family or himself and I can tell you unequivocally that McDonald was like that.

He wasn’t, and isn’t, blessed with the greatest of talent but he had a knack for the big play and he never, ever gave less of himself than 100 per cent.

He was respectful of his teammates and the people he came in contact with on a daily basis and, really, we need more like him.

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Comments

[Ari]

Greetings Doug from a silent Irregular. Love the baseball stuff, as it is my first love before the Raps. And as my basketball knowledge is limited compared to the likes of you and the Irregulars, I hope I can contribute a little bit with some baseball lore...

Indeed Dennis Lamp went 11-0 in 1985, the 7-0 fellow you might have been thinking about was a guy named Tom Filer. He was the #5 starter that year for a bit (behind Stieb, Key, Leal, and Clancy I think), competing with the likes of Ron Musselman... I could Google all this of course but it's much more fun to reminisce about the first championship year...

Cheers

(p.s. Travis Snider, not Brett)

Blogger's note: Tom FIler!!!!! Yes, indeed. That's the guy. Thanks

[Matt M]

I'm sure five people have mentioned this but I'm sure you meant Travis Snider in place of Brett Snider.

Blogger's note: Got it. No idea why I make that mistake all the time

[Tony]

Hey Doug!
Great blog as always!
Travis Snider's return, not Brett...
We still love you anyway!
Tony

Blogger's note: Got it fixed

[sam]

It's good to be upset after a poorly pitched game. Loosing to KC isn't a crime but it can be a bit disheartening to a guy who for the most part has been going pretty good this season.
You're right about Johnny Mac - he seems like a great guy and I'm sure he will be missed by the team for the rest of the season - I don't think we've seen the last of him though. Good for the D backs! I hope they go deep into the playoffs

Did I hear right? Joel Anthony has joined the National Team?

Blogger's note: You heard right

[Phil Roof]

I have to disagree with Sam. Losing to KC is a crime unless you are a T-ball team.

[Niels]

I noticed that the games in Brazil will be broadcast free on FIBATV for those that need a basketball fix!
http://www.fibaamericas.com/en/noticiasread4.asp?r=E17C72DEC99149DF95A6082E9A8B74BA

[Lorie]

Hi Doug!
About the quotes from athletes post-game, it may be my "Mom" factor here, (and the memories of all those teary drives home with daughters from the ballpark, pitch, auditorium, pool, track after disappointments....) but for me there's a real cringe factor when reading quotes or worse, watching athletes being interviewed, after a bad outing. (Unless they're "Oak-ish".) I'd rather read your take on what happened, with maybe some additional insights from the coaches, than hear from less-than-eloquent-at-the-best-of-times athletes who aren't going to be able to explain what happened anyway. Or just generally entertain you. :)
And @Niels, thanks for the link to the FREE broadcast of the Brazil tournament. Looking forward to watching some of our game tonight!
Cheers! Go Canada!

[Mark]

In one move I've been forced to hate AA with all my living baseball heart and soul :( I miss JM already. He was my favourite Jays player in... ever. I'm simply the kind of baseball fan that will take seeing a great defensive play over a big hit any day of the week. And he was a great guy. I wish he could've stayed as a utility player for the Jays until retirement.

[doug]

was there any reason given by Farrell for why Rasmus was pinch hit for??..as it seemed really peculiar...I agree about players post-game quotes not very often do they say anything insightful it reminds me of that commercial where the rec league player is being "interviewed" leaving the ice and gives the standard pat answers...good old Tom Filer, where is he now and whats he doing I wonder??..and good to see some emotion from Morrow, maybe it's a good sign, he needs to have a fire lite under him...

Blogger's note: Yes, Rasmus hurt his wrist diving for that ball in right-centre; had one at-bat with it but couldn't handle a second. Made my second edition story after we talked to the manager

[john]

RIP Frankie Venom. To this day the only performer I have seen barf on stage. He was classic!

[Mat]

I disagree that Johnny Mac wasn't blessed with the greatest talent.
IMO dedication and determination, hustle and passion, are talents that too few people (let alone athletes) have these days. And those attitudes are very hard to "develop" in people, while Johnny Mac has them down pat, and I consider that one of the greatest talents of all.

[D-Mac Ottawa]

Good to hear... well, not good, injuries aren't ever, really, 'good'... but good to hear there was something more than 'benching' or 'playing hunches' behind pulling Rasmus for the final at-bat.
Also, good for you for not taking umbrage with a pitcher who's upset about a pretty lousy, long, losing night out there on the mound.
I'm not too worried about Morrow at all. In fact (and I may be out to lunch here, but, hell, that wouldn't be a first), I tend to think he may be the true #1 ace on this squad. I'll take it one further: I think Morrow has a shot to be a Cy Young candidate before any of the current Jays pitching staff. Yeah, I know, last night... but hell, even Doc has an off night every year or two (and you remember how he started out, with a juicy 10.64 ERA in 2000 and a big boot to Dunedin in 2001...).
Cheers. And Go Canuckle-hoopsters!

[doug]

watching Prime Time Sports and Grange was just speaking about Humphries and it was good stuff...Faulds is hosting for the next couple weeks and I can't watch it and not have a reaction to him...now Faulds is a excellent golfer, always has been and many years ago in London,Ont we were in a foursome together in a stroke play tourney, and I had a 20 foot putt or so and he questioned me on how I marked my ball....at first I was taken aback then I said to him "get real what I am gaining a 1/8 of a inch on a 20 foot putt, unreal" and for someone to insinuate to me I was/am cheating is going to get a reaction....he backed off seeing I was ticked..I am the antithesis of a country club golfer, he to me was the opposite end of the spectrum but he was a fine amateur golfer...memories of competition, so seeing him on tv all these years, raises my ire at times....