Terrible Baseball Station

I think that's what TBS stands for. Even as a loyal Jays fan, I cannot stand Buck Martinez. He was a catcher wasn't he? So doesn't that mean he should know a thing or two about baseball? These guys are BRUTAL. Again, as a fan from the American League, watching the National League Championship was that more exciting, due to seasoned veterans of the broadcast booth. And then they had that idiot with the wig (Craig Sager), and the horrible suit doing coverage at field level. What's he supposed to be? The Don Cherry of baseball? At least Don is amusing to watch, this guy is just amusing to look at. I never thought I'd get to the day where I prayed for something to be on the Fox network. At least they have good play by play guys. I started to listen to the games on the radio with Dan Schulman, or John Miller, or whoever ESPN had covering the games. Seriously, I don't care how much money TBS paid for those rights, please MLB, don't let them cover the playoffs.

Back to Buck.... he has horrible insight. Some of the pitches that he was predicting were hilarious - if he was behind the plate, the Rays would have got killed - for his lack of professional opinion to call a game. I'd shake off everything he gave me. What a tool.

What an idea, bring a guy, who to my knowledge hasn't done colour commentating, or hasn't done it long enough in Ron Darling, keep Buck on XM, he's better at taking phone calls, and Chip Caray? Who names their kid Chip? What flavour?

Happy Heckler

A few years ago I learned about this guy, and thought it was awesome. I've heard him on the broadcasts before, and when the Jays played the Rays they would sometime mention him. I read a bit on him in a local paper talking about how he was Canadian and a loyal fan to the Rays, but had a hard time deciding who to cheer for when the Jays were in town. Nonetheless, pretty cool to be known around the league as the happy heckler, Robert Szasz. Listen for him when the ALCS begins, you can hear him, even with the Trop full.

Good or bad?

Jays RELEASE this guy, in favour of a .212 average, and a shit arm in Shannon Stewart. Nice one JP

Baseball Salaries by Position

On my wonderful commute home I was thinking about this.....

Money doesn't buy championships right? But it does get you to the playoffs... Lets compare the Bluejays, by position, how much money these rich bastards make.....

Catcher

Jorge Posada: 13,000,000 per year
Greg Zaun: 3,500,000
Jason Varitek: 11,000,000

First Base

Doug Mientkiewicz: 1,500,000
Jason Giambi: 23,428,571
Combined 24,928,571
Kevin Youkilis: 424,500
Lyle Overbay: 1,350,000

Second Base

Robinson Cano: 490,800 (due for a big increase)
Miguel Cairo: 750,000
Combined 1,240,000
Aaron Hill: 395,000
Dustin Pedroia: 380,000

Third Base

Alex Rodriguez: 22,708,525 (WHO NEEDS THIS MUCH MONEY??)
Mike Lowell: 9,000,000
Troy Glaus: 10,500,000

Shortstop

Derek Jeter: 21,600,000
John McDonald: 750,000 (The Prime Minister of Defence)
Julio Lugo: 8,250,000
Alex Cora: 2,000,000
Combined 10,250,000


Outfield by team

Johnny Damon: 13,000,000
Hideki Matsui: 13,000,000
Melky Cabrera: 432,400
Bobby Abreu: 15,000,000
Yankee's Total: 41,432,400
(Higher than the total payroll of the Pirates, Nationals, Rays and Marlins)

Reed Johnson: 3,075,000
Vernon Wells: 8,787,500
Alex Rios: 2,535,000
Matt Stairs: 1,625,000
Bluejays Total: 16,022,500

Manny Ramirez: 17,016,381
Wily Mo Pena: 1,875,000
JD Drew: 14,000,000
Co Co Crisp: 3,833,333
Red Sox Total: 36,724,714
(That's not including Eric Hinske's ridiculous salary)

As you can see there are some contrasts.... This isn't counting designated hitters... David Ortiz vs Frank Thomas vs Jason Giambi or one of the Yankee's 4th outfielders.... or the pitching staffs... I'll save that for another day.

Yes, you can argue that 4 of the 8 teams last year don't have HUGE payrolls, BUT, how often does that happen? And do you really expect the Rockies to repeat? Or the Padres? Or the D'Backs? The Red Sox and Yankee's are there every year. I compared them to the Jays, not just because I'm a Jays fan, but because the Jays are in the middle of the pack when your looking at the least spending teams vs the Yankee's and the Red Sox. Not to mention, the Jays are in their division.

Another interesting note, ever since the birth of the wild card, there hasn't been another team that has won more games and not made the playoffs than the Toronto Blue Jays.

Yes, money may not buy you championships in the Yankee's case, but it sure as hell keeps the stadium full, and a playoff appearance every year.