Jays sign Frank Viola III (another knuckeballer)

[wilko]

Reported.

[vic city]

http://storify.com/CDNbaseball/blue-jays-sign-another-knuckleballer-with-frank-vi?utm_campaign=website&utm_source=email&utm_medium=email

 

 

By April Whitzman (@Alleycat17)

 

During the 2013 off-season the Blue Jays traded some of their top prospects to receive reigning Cy Young winner and knuckleballer-extraordinaire, R.A. Dickey.

 

After getting a taste of the flutter-y pitch, the Blue Jays wanted more. So they got it.

 

During the off-season, the Jays signed Tomo Ohka and today they signed Frank Viola III.

 

But Dickey did more than just welcome him to the knuckleball team as he spent time earlier this month checking out what the righty had to offer.

 

"He was really impressed, and it's really cool to have a guy like him be even slightly impressed," said Viola to MLB.com. "I really do feel like I'm close. I really feel like in the next year or so it's going to be something special."

 

Viola's name should sound familiar, as his father - of the same name - finished his 15-year MLB career with the Blue Jays in 1996. He's presently a coach for the New York Mets.

 

The praise and kind words didn't stop with family, however, as his best friend and Detroit Tigers pitcher, Justin Verlander, was quick to send his love online.

 

"Congrats to my boy @FrankViola3 for signing with the Blue Jays. Nice to see all the hard work pay off. #knuckleball #cantcatchit"

 

And in an interesting turn of events, one of their mutual friends - model/actress Kate Upton - also shouted words of support online.

 

"Congrats Frank Viola," she wrote. "I can't wait to go to a game."

 

If Viola masters that butterfly pitch and makes the Big League team, I'd love to catch a game with Upton.

 

But then again - who wouldn't!

[vic city]

My bad!

[mitchf]

f*** this knuckleball movement. I hate it. We're not good enough to pretend to have found some type of inefficiency.

 

I realize this makes no sense.

[wilko]

Now all the Jays need is a catcher to catch it.

[Brenner]

Put Knuckle Catcher ad on kijjijii.

[Sammy225]

Put Knuckle Catcher ad on kijjijii.

 

Pretty sure that gets you a video with Jenna Jameson.

[bendera3]

I can understand why the Jays are doing this. They probably just want to get their catchers acclimated to catching knuckleballs so they don't have to go outside and get Thole or Blanco to do it, they can keep them in house

[wilko]

Pretty sure that gets you a video with Jenna Jameson.

 

That's craigslist.

[vic city]

Pretty sure that gets you a video with Jenna Jameson.

 

LOL well played sir.

[Muck Bartinez]

f*** this knuckleball movement. I hate it. We're not good enough to pretend to have found some type of inefficiency.

 

I realize this makes no sense.

 

Who cares if it means Kate Upton will come to a game and pack those sweater kittens into a tight Jays jersey?

 

*boing*

[Boxcar]

OK boys, you've each had a good dig at each other

 

Enough or infractions.

 

/ moderator voice

 

Gsnarls is a cheesefart

[Sammy225]

Gsnarls is a cheesefart

 

That's a ban worthy statement if I've ever seen one.

[Jim_Ackers_balls]

I used to have a Frank Viola poster mounted on a foam board in my bedroom in the 80s!

[Brenner]

I can understand why the Jays are doing this. They probably just want to get their catchers acclimated to catching knuckleballs so they don't have to go outside and get Thole or Blanco to do it, they can keep them in house

 

Right... they want to develop a pipeline of knuckle ball specialist catchers that will be ready for the MLB roster just in time for Dickey to retire.

[kgm1]

FFS guys it is just a minor league signing . 100,s happen every year .

[KSaw]

Knuckleballers, submariners and any pitcher with a really nasty curve ball get minor league hitters out. These guys are never a bad idea as organizational depth because they effectively eat innings and real prospects are able to just throw the innings they should throw.

[KSaw]

And if they find a freak who throws nothing but lob and palm balls, who has no hope of getting anyone out above AA, sign him too. Take those freaky outs in long A and AA. Winning is a nice habit for players to get into and no one is getting a sore arm due to work. Lots of doubleheaders in the minors.

[kgm1]

I believe most get this Ken, there's a lot of snark in this thread.

 

lot of unreasonable AA hate in this thread too Jay

[xposbrad]

FFS guys it is just a minor league signing . 100,s happen every year .

 

The Jays are only capable of signing minor leaguers, that's the problem.