View From The 500 Section: My First Year As a Blue Jay
Prior to arriving in Canada I was aware of the existence of the game of baseball, but being European I never quite grasped its appeal! The games seemed like 'The Never Ending Story' and I marveled at the fact that their main championship was named the World Series when in fact no other nations participated. But watching baseball films such as Bull Durham, Moneyball, Eight Men Out and Major League perked my interest in this game and I found myself reading more.
The Toronto Blue Jays were a franchise I had been aware of for some years as they were Canada's only MLB franchise who had not only claimed back to back World Series wins in 1992-93 but had also not reached the playoffs again since then. As I was facing a long wait until Hockey season rolled around and the 2014 World Cup really wasn't peaking my interest this time, I decided to immerse myself in the beautiful game that Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Honus Wagner, Mickey Mantle and Cal Ripken Jr have made so popular.
Arriving in Toronto, the Jays were on a hot streak and currently topped the American League East Division above the Yankees and the Red Sox! Everyone in Toronto seemed convinced that the long wait would finally be over. But as happy stories go, this one did not have one as our team gradually fell apart in the seasons latter half and it appears that we will have to wait another year for glory. But that didn't mean that the action on display was in anyway dull. This is my testimony to my time up high in the thin air of the 500 section at the Rogers Centre, the expensive beer that followed and my gradual conversion to the church of baseball!
23/06/2014 Toronto Blue Jays v New York Yankees (Rogers Centre)
Jays Starting Pitcher: Marcus Stroman
Yankees Starting Pitcher: Chase Whitley
On a rainy and miserable night in Toronto under the closed dome of the Roger Centre, I prepared myself for my major league debut. Seemed fitting that I chose one of America's most notorious franchises as the opponent. But my heart soon sank when upon announcing the team line up I learned that Yankees legend, Derek Jeter WAS NOT in the starting line up! Some of the sparkle for occasion had worn off, but there was still the batting talents of the seemingly ageless Ichiro Suzuki along with former Red Sox defector Jacoby Ellsbury, plus there was still a long game ahead. I was aware that New York was a shadow of the 2009 World Series winning team of before and that talented coach Joe Girardi was having to work extra hard to get them somewhere.
The Blue Jays managed by John Gibbons seemed to be a well oiled machine, and the difference in quality showed from the very beginning. Young pitching prospect Marcus Stroman had a magnificent game on the mount and prevented the Yankees from making any real damage! Chase Whitley on the other hand, had a shocker! In the second inning he gave up six runs, including an Adam Lind homer! After winning his first three games, this must have been a real come down for the young man and he learned how tough life in the majors could be!
Mark Teixiera homered off Stroman in the fourth, but was the only real threat that the Yankee posed throughout. But the end of the 4th, the Blues Jays held a commanding 8-1 lead and looked in complete control. Despite a couple of late runs in the 9th inning for Yankees to push the score to an 8-3 margin, the Jays still scored an impressive victory. As the victory horn sounded on home field, the fuse had not been lit and my addiction to this game was well underway. As I walk home amongst a sea of Blue and White, I found myself immediately wondering what game would be next?
Final Score
Blue Jays 8 Yankees 3
Winning Pitcher: Stroman
Losing Pitcher: Whitley
27/06/2014 Toronto Blue Jays v Chicago White Sox (Rogers Centre)
Jays Starting Pitcher: R A Dickey
White Sox Starting Pitcher: John Danks
For my next encounter I found myself discovering a future superstar of the game that unfortunately was wearing the grey away colours of the White Sox. Attending with my baseball loving (and White Sox supporting) friend Malcolm, once more I found myself high up in the 500's sipping on an $11 can of Alexander Keith! Unlike New York's finest, this game proved to be a more unpredictable affair and the Jays were unraveled in the 5th inning when star Jose Abreu hit an impressive dinger to put the Sox ahead! Dayan Viciedo soon followed suit as he homered to put Chicago further ahead!
The atmosphere in the stadium grew barren until back to back blasts from power hitter Edwin Encarnacion and plump catcher Dioner Navarro leveled the scores at 2-2! But Abreu wasn't done there and in the 7th he hit another sole home run to solidify his standing as one of more impressive rookies in White Sox recent history. Alexei Ramirez then followed his example and scored his own solo home run to put his side 5-2 up. Things were looking increasingly bleak for the Blue Jays until Colby Rasmus' late blast brought them a fighting chance at 5-3.
Jose Reyes' sacrifice grounder to allow Munenori Kawasaki to score to trim the score to 5-4 but the Blue Jays would get not closer than that as Sox relief pitcher Jake Petricka ensured that Chicago held on for a slender win. My defeat was out of the way and I was left with Malcolm nudging me saying "How you like Abreu's dingers!"
Winning Pitcher: Danks
Losing Pitcher: Dickey
Save: Petricka
22/07/2014 Toronto Blue Jays v Boston Red Sox (Rogers Centre)
Jays Starting Pitcher: J A Happ
Red Sox Starting Pitcher: Jake Peavy
There isn't a human being alive who isn't aware of the existence of the Boston Red Sox! The iconic red 'B' cap insignia is worn world even by non baseball fans. As they are regular visitors to Toronto, I decided the 2013 World Series champs would make a fine third game. My accomplice this time was my good friend Maria from Sweden. I had to dust up on my knowledge of the rules as I would be required to explain the complex terms such as Walks, Pinch Hits and Loaded Bases to her! The Red Sox after claiming glory the year before, were currently on a massive slide and sat 5th and last place in the AL East and looked a shadow of their former selves.
Previously, the home side had been ripped apart the night before in a lop sided 14-1 loss! Luckily there was little to cause the Blue Jays any concern in this fixture as J A Happ pitched solidly to keep the Red Sox scoring low. The game was a tense affair early on and when the ever impressive Melky Cabrera hit a double to allow Anthony Gose to score and put Toronto 1-0 up, that would remain the score for the next three innings. Jake Peavy wasn't having the greatest form for the Red Sox but had been pitching decently to keep the Jays stuck on a one run lead. But his work was to be undone as Toronto opened the flood gates in the sixth when both Jose Reyes and Dioner Navarro both homered to put the home side on their way!
Worse was to come to the seventh inning as Cabrera's quality shone through as he recorded another RBI single off relief pitcher Burke Badenhop to put his side 5-0 to the good! 38 year old veteran David Ortiz hit a tremendous solo home run to restore some Red Sox pride- his advancing years haven't affected his hitting quality and only Alex Rodriguez has homered more times at the Rogers Centre than Ortiz! In the eight inning though, the Blue Jays sealed the game with runs scored by Rasmus and rookie Ryan Goins.
The 9th inning provided a moment of rare tension as Blue Jays closing pitcher Casey Janssen almost immediately allowed a two run homer from Boston second baseman Stephen Drew to trim the score line to 7-3! Quickly the fans became increasingly restless as hit became more frequent and the bases were soon loaded and Ortiz was now due up! Luckily left handed reliever Brett Cecil was called to pitch and his final act was forcing Ortiz to ground out to third base to end the ball game.
So far I had seen two of America's finest ball clubs to chopped down in spectacular fashion and there was still hope in the air that the Jays would still make the Wild Card game.
Winning Pitcher: Happ
Losing Pitcher: Peavy
Save: Cecil
08/08/2014 Toronto Blue Jays v Detroit Tigers (Rogers Centre)
Jays Starting Pitcher: R A Dickey
Tigers Starting Pitcher: Anibal Sanchez
Detroit Tigers are always an unpredictable team to play against, especially when star first baseman Miguel Cabrera is involved, for this reason this made the perfect opposite for game 4. With Malcolm once again alongside me high up in the bleachers, we prepared for war!
At first the game began almost like a text book for the Blue Jays as Jose Bautista scored a run off a single by Jays new boy Danny Valencia. By the end of the second inning they had pushed their advantage to a 4-0 lead after scoring runs by Reyes, Goins and Kawasaki. With the Tigers offering little in the way of threat, things seems to heading for another home win. Despite Eugenio Suarez and Rajai Davis scoring off an Ian Kinsler single to make the score 4-2, the Blue Jays still looked good for glory.
When starting pitcher Anibal Sanchez exited in the 5th inning, a good 1 and 3/4 inning by Al Albuquerque kept the Tigers from being shut away in their cage- but there was to be a dramatic and heart breaking shake up in the 9th inning!
Emerging from the bull pen to his customary entrance 'DOA' by Foo Fighters, Casey Janssen came on to close the 9th inning. The man seemed confident and the fans appeared to share that with him because he had been a consistent closer in the last two years. But the mood would swiftly turn dark as he allowed a two run homer off Nick Castellanos to tie the game at 4-4, Janssen then gave up back to back home runs when Eugenio Suarez sent the ball 421 feet to push Detroit 5-4 ahead! Suddenly the once proud fans turned against their hero. Slightly drunk on several cans of beer, a sour taste on my tongue and lightning now fizzing in my veins, I found myself loudly shouting the immortal line "HEY JANSSEN- YOU FUCKING SUCK!!!!" which lead some approving nods nearby. After leading for so long, things fell apart like a wet piece of paper.
Tigers veteran closer, Joe Nathan came on to ensure his side stayed in front, the home crowd tried getting under his skin by mockingly chanting "NATTTHHHAANN!!!" by when you are 14 time All Star, not much fazes you! Batting for victory, the Blues looked like they may just snatch victory from the jaws of defeat as Bautista singled and Nathan then gave up walks to both Rasmus and Juan Francisco to load the bases! There would be happy ending to the drama as back up catcher Josh Thole weakly grounded out first base to leave the Jays empty handed.
As the annoyed fans fled to the exits, the air was full of only three words 'Bloody Casey Janssen' the man had a bad day at the office, we all have them but this one was a little difficult to swallow after such a good performance. So far my win/loss record stood at .500 with two wins and two losses.
Winning Pitcher: Albuquerque
Losing Pitcher: Janssen
Save: Nathan
26/08/2014 Toronto Blue Jays v Boston Red Sox (Rogers Centre)
Jays Starting Pitcher: R A Dickey
Red Sox Starting Pitcher: Rubby De La Rosa
The joy of seeing the Red Sox destroyed previously had yet to die in my system, so naturally I was more than ready for another bout. Seated high up in the clouds once more with expensive can in hand with Malcolm, his girlfriend Steff and my friend Sheryl, I felt sure that the Jays could see off the diminishing Boston threat.
But I was to have a rude awakening in only the first inning, as whilst queuing for a beer, I diverted my eyes to the TV screen above the booth to see Dustin Pedroia smash a two run homer almost immediately off Dickey! Cursing loudly in front of other bemused fans and children, the first inning was to be a painful experience as the leagues lone knuckleball pitcher seemed to lose his head! As Boston took a three- nil lead, I could only pray inside that things some how would take a turn for the better. Mocking first baseman Allen Craig however caused me and Malcolm no end of amusement as we picked on his limited abilities on throwing to second!
Eventually the Blue Jays would fight their way back into contention, but they had to do things the hard way as runs scored by Kawasaki in the 3rd inning, Francisco in the 4th and finally Cabrera scoring in the 5th off Encarnacion's fielders choice grounder finally tied things at 3-3! Yoenis Cespedes's single allowed Brock Holt to score to push Boston 4-3 in front in the 7th inning, annoyingly it seemed as if all the Blue Jays good work was about to be derailed! But Toronto wasn't to be denied as Jose Bautista hit a stunning solo home run to tie the ball game at 4-4!
From there the scoring appeared to dry up and for the first time in my short time in supporting baseball- we had an extra innings game. With scores still tied in the 10th inning and work looming the next day, we abandoned action at the conclusion and made for the exits. Upon reflection this proved to be a wise choice as in the 11th inning the Red Sox incredibly hit seven runs for an eventual 11-7 victory which included an unbelievable home run from Mike Napoli who hit the ball into the fifth deck of the Rogers Centre! Ironically it was Craig who, had suffered malicious mockery throughout each time he plausibly (and hilariously) attempted throwing, proved to be the hero hitting the game winning homer despite a late and brave rally from the home side. Guess you could say that I deserved that one!
I sat on my bed at home looking bewildered at the final score before me, I started to wonder whether my early good luck for this franchise had now expired?
Losing Pitcher: Janssen
Winning Pitcher: Junichi Tazawa
13/09/2014 Toronto Blue Jays v Tampa Bay Rays (Rogers Centre)
Jays Starting Pitcher: R A Dickey
Rays Starting Pitcher: Jeremy Hellickson
The Wild Card slot for the American League made have been gradually slipping away, but I was very much still addicted to the sport of Baseball. My first thought upon entering to Rogers Centre to see them take on the Rays was a slight dread at Dickey once more being starting pitcher. Each game I had witnessed this man it had resulted in a loss, this time I could only hope things would come good. Also Malcolm reminded me of an event earlier in the season when he saw Dickey claim a win against the Red Sox over Jon Lester! So all hope wasn't lost yet.
After dropping 1-0 in the first inning, this was to be a fixture that the Jays were rarely troubled in, the third inning would provide plenty of thrills when first Kevin Kiermaier put Tampa Bay 2-0 up off a wild pitch from Dickey. But then Toronto would respond in great fashion when off a risky bunt attempt from Jose Reyes, an error from Rays pitcher Hellickson allowed Ryan Goins to score to trim the score to 2-1! Shortly after Bautista's strong single hit allowed Anthony Gose to claim the tying run. More importantly Reyes would himself score off a fielder choice from Adam Lind to put the Jays 3-2 in front.
Evan Longoria's 400 foot home run tied the scores at 3-3 in the 6th inning, but Tampa Bay would get no closer than that. The ball game was effectively decided in the seventh when back to back home runs from Lind and Encarnacion and pushed the score to 6-3 which would remain until the conclusion. But an important event occurred in the 9th inning, the moment his walk up music sounded my nerves began to go haywire as Casey Janssen appeared! Malcolm proceeded to playfully nudge me joking "Oh no, Alex!!" This man had proved to be a worrying factor in so many games watched, despite notching up 23 saves. Luckily there was no cause for concern this time as Janssen effortlessly recorded the save by dispatching the remaining three hitters to win the game for Toronto.
This was my first win in two games and it finally meant that I had witnessed a winning game by Dickey and Janssen had begun to restore my faith.
Winning Pitcher: Dickey
Losing Pitcher: Brad Boxberger
Save: Janssen
26/09/2014 Toronto Blue Jays v Baltimore Orioles (Rogers Centre)
Jays Starting Pitcher: Drew Hutchison
Orioles Starting Pitcher: Chris Tillman
For the final time this season, I found myself sitting in the warm September air in my usual surroundings. The playoffs were now a forgotten dream in Ontario and the Blue Jays were now playing purely for pride (and to spite the Yankees by attempting to finish above them). The dense crowd that had turned out that evening seemed to reflect the cities disappointment and resignation that it would now be yet another year. But although there was nothing to play for, the team still had spirit and that night a bright new star would be lit up for all to see.
Drew Hutchison (who was winless in three games) made a slightly uneven start to the game and his pitching boarded on nervy and reckless in the opening innings. Fortunately he gave up only one run in the first as Delmon Young's RBI single allowed the Orioles to slip 1-0 in front. But in the second inning, the talents of young Ontario prospect, Dalton Pompey would prove to be the game's real difference. Big, imposing and playing with confidence that far proceeded his 21 years, Pompey hit a powerful triple of Orioles pitcher Tillman and later scored the tying run himself off a skillful bunt by Kawasaki- the crowd immediately rose to salute one of their own and finally it seemed like this was a ball game.
Pompey was again the hero at the bottom of the third as his hitting power brought an impressive double and allowed Adam Lind into score to put Toronto ahead. Despite Hutchison giving up a run to Baltimore at the top of the fifth, Pompey again hit a triple for Encarnacion to cross home plate once more to seal a 4-2 victory.
Marcus Stroman would relieve Hutchison in the sixth inning and proved to be an immaculate replacement as he pitched the final four innings without an incident to efficiently record a first ever career save. With his ongoing battle against a five game ban for previously striking Caleb Joseph deliberately in the face with one of his pitches, Stroman coolly demonstrated just why he is rated so highly by the Jays and finished his season with an 11-6 record! The young guns had shown the way on this evening of baseball, but I could only stand in an empty silence as I came to realize this would now be it until next April!
Winning Pitcher: Hutchison
Losing Pitcher: Tillman
Save: Stroman
From the undeniable heart and soul of Kawasaki, to the batting grace of Bautista and the excitement building over just what kind of careers that Pompey and Stroman could bring the Rogers Arena, this season has been one of the greatest experiences of my life. Baseball is not a hit and run game, it is one of patience, anticipation and unpredictability. Anyone in this game can be a hero, when you stand at the plate or on the mound facing lefty's or righty's, all you need is one true swing or fine pitch to make a difference.
Although there will not be a third World Series banner hanging next season in Toronto, I am proud that wherever life may take me, I will always tell people that I am a Blue Jay! Hi Baseball, my name is Alex and I am an addict.... Hello Alex!
The Toronto Blue Jays were a franchise I had been aware of for some years as they were Canada's only MLB franchise who had not only claimed back to back World Series wins in 1992-93 but had also not reached the playoffs again since then. As I was facing a long wait until Hockey season rolled around and the 2014 World Cup really wasn't peaking my interest this time, I decided to immerse myself in the beautiful game that Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Honus Wagner, Mickey Mantle and Cal Ripken Jr have made so popular.
Arriving in Toronto, the Jays were on a hot streak and currently topped the American League East Division above the Yankees and the Red Sox! Everyone in Toronto seemed convinced that the long wait would finally be over. But as happy stories go, this one did not have one as our team gradually fell apart in the seasons latter half and it appears that we will have to wait another year for glory. But that didn't mean that the action on display was in anyway dull. This is my testimony to my time up high in the thin air of the 500 section at the Rogers Centre, the expensive beer that followed and my gradual conversion to the church of baseball!
23/06/2014 Toronto Blue Jays v New York Yankees (Rogers Centre)
Jays Starting Pitcher: Marcus Stroman
Yankees Starting Pitcher: Chase Whitley
On a rainy and miserable night in Toronto under the closed dome of the Roger Centre, I prepared myself for my major league debut. Seemed fitting that I chose one of America's most notorious franchises as the opponent. But my heart soon sank when upon announcing the team line up I learned that Yankees legend, Derek Jeter WAS NOT in the starting line up! Some of the sparkle for occasion had worn off, but there was still the batting talents of the seemingly ageless Ichiro Suzuki along with former Red Sox defector Jacoby Ellsbury, plus there was still a long game ahead. I was aware that New York was a shadow of the 2009 World Series winning team of before and that talented coach Joe Girardi was having to work extra hard to get them somewhere.
The Blue Jays managed by John Gibbons seemed to be a well oiled machine, and the difference in quality showed from the very beginning. Young pitching prospect Marcus Stroman had a magnificent game on the mount and prevented the Yankees from making any real damage! Chase Whitley on the other hand, had a shocker! In the second inning he gave up six runs, including an Adam Lind homer! After winning his first three games, this must have been a real come down for the young man and he learned how tough life in the majors could be!
Mark Teixiera homered off Stroman in the fourth, but was the only real threat that the Yankee posed throughout. But the end of the 4th, the Blues Jays held a commanding 8-1 lead and looked in complete control. Despite a couple of late runs in the 9th inning for Yankees to push the score to an 8-3 margin, the Jays still scored an impressive victory. As the victory horn sounded on home field, the fuse had not been lit and my addiction to this game was well underway. As I walk home amongst a sea of Blue and White, I found myself immediately wondering what game would be next?
Final Score
Blue Jays 8 Yankees 3
Winning Pitcher: Stroman
Losing Pitcher: Whitley
27/06/2014 Toronto Blue Jays v Chicago White Sox (Rogers Centre)
Jays Starting Pitcher: R A Dickey
White Sox Starting Pitcher: John Danks
For my next encounter I found myself discovering a future superstar of the game that unfortunately was wearing the grey away colours of the White Sox. Attending with my baseball loving (and White Sox supporting) friend Malcolm, once more I found myself high up in the 500's sipping on an $11 can of Alexander Keith! Unlike New York's finest, this game proved to be a more unpredictable affair and the Jays were unraveled in the 5th inning when star Jose Abreu hit an impressive dinger to put the Sox ahead! Dayan Viciedo soon followed suit as he homered to put Chicago further ahead!
The atmosphere in the stadium grew barren until back to back blasts from power hitter Edwin Encarnacion and plump catcher Dioner Navarro leveled the scores at 2-2! But Abreu wasn't done there and in the 7th he hit another sole home run to solidify his standing as one of more impressive rookies in White Sox recent history. Alexei Ramirez then followed his example and scored his own solo home run to put his side 5-2 up. Things were looking increasingly bleak for the Blue Jays until Colby Rasmus' late blast brought them a fighting chance at 5-3.
Jose Reyes' sacrifice grounder to allow Munenori Kawasaki to score to trim the score to 5-4 but the Blue Jays would get not closer than that as Sox relief pitcher Jake Petricka ensured that Chicago held on for a slender win. My defeat was out of the way and I was left with Malcolm nudging me saying "How you like Abreu's dingers!"
Winning Pitcher: Danks
Losing Pitcher: Dickey
Save: Petricka
22/07/2014 Toronto Blue Jays v Boston Red Sox (Rogers Centre)
Jays Starting Pitcher: J A Happ
Red Sox Starting Pitcher: Jake Peavy
There isn't a human being alive who isn't aware of the existence of the Boston Red Sox! The iconic red 'B' cap insignia is worn world even by non baseball fans. As they are regular visitors to Toronto, I decided the 2013 World Series champs would make a fine third game. My accomplice this time was my good friend Maria from Sweden. I had to dust up on my knowledge of the rules as I would be required to explain the complex terms such as Walks, Pinch Hits and Loaded Bases to her! The Red Sox after claiming glory the year before, were currently on a massive slide and sat 5th and last place in the AL East and looked a shadow of their former selves.
Previously, the home side had been ripped apart the night before in a lop sided 14-1 loss! Luckily there was little to cause the Blue Jays any concern in this fixture as J A Happ pitched solidly to keep the Red Sox scoring low. The game was a tense affair early on and when the ever impressive Melky Cabrera hit a double to allow Anthony Gose to score and put Toronto 1-0 up, that would remain the score for the next three innings. Jake Peavy wasn't having the greatest form for the Red Sox but had been pitching decently to keep the Jays stuck on a one run lead. But his work was to be undone as Toronto opened the flood gates in the sixth when both Jose Reyes and Dioner Navarro both homered to put the home side on their way!
Worse was to come to the seventh inning as Cabrera's quality shone through as he recorded another RBI single off relief pitcher Burke Badenhop to put his side 5-0 to the good! 38 year old veteran David Ortiz hit a tremendous solo home run to restore some Red Sox pride- his advancing years haven't affected his hitting quality and only Alex Rodriguez has homered more times at the Rogers Centre than Ortiz! In the eight inning though, the Blue Jays sealed the game with runs scored by Rasmus and rookie Ryan Goins.
The 9th inning provided a moment of rare tension as Blue Jays closing pitcher Casey Janssen almost immediately allowed a two run homer from Boston second baseman Stephen Drew to trim the score line to 7-3! Quickly the fans became increasingly restless as hit became more frequent and the bases were soon loaded and Ortiz was now due up! Luckily left handed reliever Brett Cecil was called to pitch and his final act was forcing Ortiz to ground out to third base to end the ball game.
So far I had seen two of America's finest ball clubs to chopped down in spectacular fashion and there was still hope in the air that the Jays would still make the Wild Card game.
Winning Pitcher: Happ
Losing Pitcher: Peavy
Save: Cecil
08/08/2014 Toronto Blue Jays v Detroit Tigers (Rogers Centre)
Jays Starting Pitcher: R A Dickey
Tigers Starting Pitcher: Anibal Sanchez
Detroit Tigers are always an unpredictable team to play against, especially when star first baseman Miguel Cabrera is involved, for this reason this made the perfect opposite for game 4. With Malcolm once again alongside me high up in the bleachers, we prepared for war!
At first the game began almost like a text book for the Blue Jays as Jose Bautista scored a run off a single by Jays new boy Danny Valencia. By the end of the second inning they had pushed their advantage to a 4-0 lead after scoring runs by Reyes, Goins and Kawasaki. With the Tigers offering little in the way of threat, things seems to heading for another home win. Despite Eugenio Suarez and Rajai Davis scoring off an Ian Kinsler single to make the score 4-2, the Blue Jays still looked good for glory.
When starting pitcher Anibal Sanchez exited in the 5th inning, a good 1 and 3/4 inning by Al Albuquerque kept the Tigers from being shut away in their cage- but there was to be a dramatic and heart breaking shake up in the 9th inning!
Emerging from the bull pen to his customary entrance 'DOA' by Foo Fighters, Casey Janssen came on to close the 9th inning. The man seemed confident and the fans appeared to share that with him because he had been a consistent closer in the last two years. But the mood would swiftly turn dark as he allowed a two run homer off Nick Castellanos to tie the game at 4-4, Janssen then gave up back to back home runs when Eugenio Suarez sent the ball 421 feet to push Detroit 5-4 ahead! Suddenly the once proud fans turned against their hero. Slightly drunk on several cans of beer, a sour taste on my tongue and lightning now fizzing in my veins, I found myself loudly shouting the immortal line "HEY JANSSEN- YOU FUCKING SUCK!!!!" which lead some approving nods nearby. After leading for so long, things fell apart like a wet piece of paper.
Tigers veteran closer, Joe Nathan came on to ensure his side stayed in front, the home crowd tried getting under his skin by mockingly chanting "NATTTHHHAANN!!!" by when you are 14 time All Star, not much fazes you! Batting for victory, the Blues looked like they may just snatch victory from the jaws of defeat as Bautista singled and Nathan then gave up walks to both Rasmus and Juan Francisco to load the bases! There would be happy ending to the drama as back up catcher Josh Thole weakly grounded out first base to leave the Jays empty handed.
As the annoyed fans fled to the exits, the air was full of only three words 'Bloody Casey Janssen' the man had a bad day at the office, we all have them but this one was a little difficult to swallow after such a good performance. So far my win/loss record stood at .500 with two wins and two losses.
Winning Pitcher: Albuquerque
Losing Pitcher: Janssen
Save: Nathan
26/08/2014 Toronto Blue Jays v Boston Red Sox (Rogers Centre)
Jays Starting Pitcher: R A Dickey
Red Sox Starting Pitcher: Rubby De La Rosa
The joy of seeing the Red Sox destroyed previously had yet to die in my system, so naturally I was more than ready for another bout. Seated high up in the clouds once more with expensive can in hand with Malcolm, his girlfriend Steff and my friend Sheryl, I felt sure that the Jays could see off the diminishing Boston threat.
But I was to have a rude awakening in only the first inning, as whilst queuing for a beer, I diverted my eyes to the TV screen above the booth to see Dustin Pedroia smash a two run homer almost immediately off Dickey! Cursing loudly in front of other bemused fans and children, the first inning was to be a painful experience as the leagues lone knuckleball pitcher seemed to lose his head! As Boston took a three- nil lead, I could only pray inside that things some how would take a turn for the better. Mocking first baseman Allen Craig however caused me and Malcolm no end of amusement as we picked on his limited abilities on throwing to second!
Eventually the Blue Jays would fight their way back into contention, but they had to do things the hard way as runs scored by Kawasaki in the 3rd inning, Francisco in the 4th and finally Cabrera scoring in the 5th off Encarnacion's fielders choice grounder finally tied things at 3-3! Yoenis Cespedes's single allowed Brock Holt to score to push Boston 4-3 in front in the 7th inning, annoyingly it seemed as if all the Blue Jays good work was about to be derailed! But Toronto wasn't to be denied as Jose Bautista hit a stunning solo home run to tie the ball game at 4-4!
From there the scoring appeared to dry up and for the first time in my short time in supporting baseball- we had an extra innings game. With scores still tied in the 10th inning and work looming the next day, we abandoned action at the conclusion and made for the exits. Upon reflection this proved to be a wise choice as in the 11th inning the Red Sox incredibly hit seven runs for an eventual 11-7 victory which included an unbelievable home run from Mike Napoli who hit the ball into the fifth deck of the Rogers Centre! Ironically it was Craig who, had suffered malicious mockery throughout each time he plausibly (and hilariously) attempted throwing, proved to be the hero hitting the game winning homer despite a late and brave rally from the home side. Guess you could say that I deserved that one!
I sat on my bed at home looking bewildered at the final score before me, I started to wonder whether my early good luck for this franchise had now expired?
Losing Pitcher: Janssen
Winning Pitcher: Junichi Tazawa
13/09/2014 Toronto Blue Jays v Tampa Bay Rays (Rogers Centre)
Jays Starting Pitcher: R A Dickey
Rays Starting Pitcher: Jeremy Hellickson
The Wild Card slot for the American League made have been gradually slipping away, but I was very much still addicted to the sport of Baseball. My first thought upon entering to Rogers Centre to see them take on the Rays was a slight dread at Dickey once more being starting pitcher. Each game I had witnessed this man it had resulted in a loss, this time I could only hope things would come good. Also Malcolm reminded me of an event earlier in the season when he saw Dickey claim a win against the Red Sox over Jon Lester! So all hope wasn't lost yet.
After dropping 1-0 in the first inning, this was to be a fixture that the Jays were rarely troubled in, the third inning would provide plenty of thrills when first Kevin Kiermaier put Tampa Bay 2-0 up off a wild pitch from Dickey. But then Toronto would respond in great fashion when off a risky bunt attempt from Jose Reyes, an error from Rays pitcher Hellickson allowed Ryan Goins to score to trim the score to 2-1! Shortly after Bautista's strong single hit allowed Anthony Gose to claim the tying run. More importantly Reyes would himself score off a fielder choice from Adam Lind to put the Jays 3-2 in front.
Evan Longoria's 400 foot home run tied the scores at 3-3 in the 6th inning, but Tampa Bay would get no closer than that. The ball game was effectively decided in the seventh when back to back home runs from Lind and Encarnacion and pushed the score to 6-3 which would remain until the conclusion. But an important event occurred in the 9th inning, the moment his walk up music sounded my nerves began to go haywire as Casey Janssen appeared! Malcolm proceeded to playfully nudge me joking "Oh no, Alex!!" This man had proved to be a worrying factor in so many games watched, despite notching up 23 saves. Luckily there was no cause for concern this time as Janssen effortlessly recorded the save by dispatching the remaining three hitters to win the game for Toronto.
This was my first win in two games and it finally meant that I had witnessed a winning game by Dickey and Janssen had begun to restore my faith.
Winning Pitcher: Dickey
Losing Pitcher: Brad Boxberger
Save: Janssen
26/09/2014 Toronto Blue Jays v Baltimore Orioles (Rogers Centre)
Jays Starting Pitcher: Drew Hutchison
Orioles Starting Pitcher: Chris Tillman
For the final time this season, I found myself sitting in the warm September air in my usual surroundings. The playoffs were now a forgotten dream in Ontario and the Blue Jays were now playing purely for pride (and to spite the Yankees by attempting to finish above them). The dense crowd that had turned out that evening seemed to reflect the cities disappointment and resignation that it would now be yet another year. But although there was nothing to play for, the team still had spirit and that night a bright new star would be lit up for all to see.
Drew Hutchison (who was winless in three games) made a slightly uneven start to the game and his pitching boarded on nervy and reckless in the opening innings. Fortunately he gave up only one run in the first as Delmon Young's RBI single allowed the Orioles to slip 1-0 in front. But in the second inning, the talents of young Ontario prospect, Dalton Pompey would prove to be the game's real difference. Big, imposing and playing with confidence that far proceeded his 21 years, Pompey hit a powerful triple of Orioles pitcher Tillman and later scored the tying run himself off a skillful bunt by Kawasaki- the crowd immediately rose to salute one of their own and finally it seemed like this was a ball game.
Pompey was again the hero at the bottom of the third as his hitting power brought an impressive double and allowed Adam Lind into score to put Toronto ahead. Despite Hutchison giving up a run to Baltimore at the top of the fifth, Pompey again hit a triple for Encarnacion to cross home plate once more to seal a 4-2 victory.
Marcus Stroman would relieve Hutchison in the sixth inning and proved to be an immaculate replacement as he pitched the final four innings without an incident to efficiently record a first ever career save. With his ongoing battle against a five game ban for previously striking Caleb Joseph deliberately in the face with one of his pitches, Stroman coolly demonstrated just why he is rated so highly by the Jays and finished his season with an 11-6 record! The young guns had shown the way on this evening of baseball, but I could only stand in an empty silence as I came to realize this would now be it until next April!
Winning Pitcher: Hutchison
Losing Pitcher: Tillman
Save: Stroman
From the undeniable heart and soul of Kawasaki, to the batting grace of Bautista and the excitement building over just what kind of careers that Pompey and Stroman could bring the Rogers Arena, this season has been one of the greatest experiences of my life. Baseball is not a hit and run game, it is one of patience, anticipation and unpredictability. Anyone in this game can be a hero, when you stand at the plate or on the mound facing lefty's or righty's, all you need is one true swing or fine pitch to make a difference.
Although there will not be a third World Series banner hanging next season in Toronto, I am proud that wherever life may take me, I will always tell people that I am a Blue Jay! Hi Baseball, my name is Alex and I am an addict.... Hello Alex!
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