New Blue Jays fan - Thoughts and advice

[scottishbluejay]

Hello all, I'm originally born and raised in Scotland and moved to Toronto last June. As you can imagine Baseball isn't really popular in Scotland. I watched a few games passively and enjoyed it before spending a summer in Philadelphia in 2009 where I watched a really good Phillies team play. After returning from the USA to Scotland I didn't really follow the sport due to time difference and appalling coverage on UK TV.

Since moving to Toronto in June, I've been following the Blue Jays and have been to a few games. I've already been to 5 games this year and actually considered as season ticket. However I felt I'd bankrupt myself with the price of beer at the Skydome.

 

As I mentioned I'd previously followed a really good Phillies team in 2009. One thing occurred to me when walking to the Skydome for the first Phillies game.... I'm much more interested in this Jays team than the Phillies team that went to the world Series. I feel much more emotionally invested (please excuse the cliché). Maybe it's the city, maybe it's the player or the fact that the Blue Jays seem more of an underdog, but I honestly feel a growing connection to the Jays which I didn't expect to feel for a North American sports team.

 

I'm pretty new to the sport so my knowledge is limited. I've been listening to sportsnet radio every day at work to hear the baseball coverage and read info online when I can. Sadly none of the guys at my work are really into sports, if they are it's hockey and my friends away from work are mostly Irish and English guys that consider baseball "boring".

 

I signed up for the forum to learn a little more from the hardcore fanbase and hopefully I'll pick up a little.

 

My main questions are this:

 

1) would anybody recommend any books or media to learn more about the Jays and baseball in general.

 

2) I've been going to the games on my own, which is fun and all... but is there any fanclub or something similar to a British soccer "supporters club" where you can meet up with other fans for games? Would be great to watch a game with some insight from guys who've been following the team for a while.

 

Any info or advise would be great. Go jays!

[Angrioter]

Welcome to the jungle!!

 

btw Amaro is a moron.

[jaysblue]

Hello all, I'm originally born and raised in Scotland and moved to Toronto last June. As you can imagine Baseball isn't really popular in Scotland. I watched a few games passively and enjoyed it before spending a summer in Philadelphia in 2009 where I watched a really good Phillies team play. After returning from the USA to Scotland I didn't really follow the sport due to time difference and appalling coverage on UK TV.

Since moving to Toronto in June, I've been following the Blue Jays and have been to a few games. I've already been to 5 games this year and actually considered as season ticket. However I felt I'd bankrupt myself with the price of beer at the Skydome.

 

As I mentioned I'd previously followed a really good Phillies team in 2009. One thing occurred to me when walking to the Skydome for the first Phillies game.... I'm much more interested in this Jays team than the Phillies team that went to the world Series. I feel much more emotionally invested (please excuse the cliché). Maybe it's the city, maybe it's the player or the fact that the Blue Jays seem more of an underdog, but I honestly feel a growing connection to the Jays which I didn't expect to feel for a North American sports team.

 

I'm pretty new to the sport so my knowledge is limited. I've been listening to sportsnet radio every day at work to hear the baseball coverage and read info online when I can. Sadly none of the guys at my work are really into sports, if they are it's hockey and my friends away from work are mostly Irish and English guys that consider baseball "boring".

 

I signed up for the forum to learn a little more from the hardcore fanbase and hopefully I'll pick up a little.

 

My main questions are this:

 

1) would anybody recommend any books or media to learn more about the Jays and baseball in general.

 

2) I've been going to the games on my own, which is fun and all... but is there any fanclub or something similar to a British soccer "supporters club" where you can meet up with other fans for games? Would be great to watch a game with some insight from guys who've been following the team for a while.

 

Any info or advise would be great. Go jays!

 

1) Listen to Mike Wilner's post game on the Fan 590. He is the best!

 

2) Keep reading the board on here. A lot of insightful posters and discussions which will help you learn more about baseball.

 

3) Join a fantasy baseball league. It's a good start to get familiar with other players and teams as well.

 

4) Anytime you want to go to a game, I suggest you go to a game with Spanky, who is a frequent poster on these boards. Going to a game with him is priceless.

 

5) xFIP is the best pitching stat. So Brandon Morrow and Sergio Santos are really good pitchers who have had an extraordinary amount of bad luck this season. But this issue is put to rest since both are on the DL for an extended period of time.

[scottishbluejay]

Hey thanks for the quick response. Yeah I listen to 590 post game and also Jeff Blair and Baseball central.

I'm actually in a fantasy league and believe it or not I'm top of a 12 team league, which I'm fairly proud of considering my limited knowledge.

Picked up Jose Reyes on a waiver and drafted Burhle and Dicky Late. Seems like I'm playing mostly guys from the USA who don't seem to acknowledge the Jays.

 

Yeah does the board have meet ups for games? Been looking for online meet up groups on meetup.com etc but can't see anything.

[HERPDERP]

If you want to get into advanced statistical metrics, I normally would recommend fangraphs.com, but it's not exactly user/noob friendly. Your best bet is to ask those questions here, although it's very likely you would get some biased responses here (this site heavily favors advanced metric baseball as opposed to fanboy/casual baseball)

 

If you want to get into general baseball info, then I suggest you visit the trifecta of sports websites

si.com/mlb

espn.com/mlb

foxsports.com/mlb

 

http://www.nbcsports.com/mlb is good too

 

In the front pages of these websites you will always see the typical day-to-day stuff, such as boxscores, but you will always see a lot of nice featurettes about the ins and outs and the whos who in baseball. I also strongly suggest you sign up on twitter and follow the esteemed reporters in the baseball reporting industry. Such notable individuals include Ken Rosenthal, Jon Morosi and Buster Olney. (BTW I do not suggest you sign up to those pay-wall sites, like ESPN insider)

 

Also I suggest bookmarking this subreddit as it has a lot of interesting tidbits from around baseball:

http://www.reddit.com/r/baseball/

 

edit: Oh and welcome to the community. Some people here are very passionate about their club which sometimes leads to quite negative interaction. Just suck it up and move on

[The_DH]

There's a number of singles clubs and such that go to games. You might want to google around for one. They usually sit in the cheap seats.

Where in Scotland are you from? I'm from the Stirling area.

[scottishbluejay]

I'm from Linlithgow, so not far from you probably. You living in Toronto or do you follow from back home?

 

Also thanks for the info herpderp. I'll defo check those out

[Olerud363]

I would highly recommend anything by Bill James from teh 1980s or early 90s. He wrote a series of abstracts which basically combined stats and little essays to tell the story of the previous season. It is like the ground work for the modern analytics. The guy was a genius. He wrote programs to simulate entire seasons on a commodore 64 or something. He came up with all kinds of cool ways to evaluate hitters and defense and pitchers. He was really revoluationary. It seems obvious in retrospect but he came up with all this stuff by himself... no internet to look up this stuff.

 

Take anything anybody says about Mike Wilner or another guy "Stoeten" with a grain of salt. Those two aren't really respected around here. Most of the media isn't. Media is sort of viewed as sell-outs. I guess they have to be "respectful" to the Jays management in order to get interviews and their jobs in the first plays and such... But most of the media people are viewed as coorporate sell-outs around these parts.

 

John Lott and Shi Davida are the best media guys. They wrote a decent book called "Great Expectations" which was critical of the Jays 2013 season. Obviously they had the benefic of retrospect. Jeff Blair wrote a book calling AA a genius (Full Count) before the 2013 season... thus he is viewed as a bit of an idiot.

[jaysblue]

You keep poking fun at this like isn't true.

 

ERA and W-L record are the most important

 

I'm not poking fun at that stat - giving him some baseball advice. I prefer SIERA over xFIP, just my own opinion. Both stats are extremely useful and are definitely ranked at the top of my books along with some others as well.

[The_DH]

Pretty close I live here in Toronto. As you mentioned baseball isn't important there.

[scottishbluejay]

I had a glance at Jeff Blairs book but didn't buy it.

 

What would be most useful is a baseball book charting recent years where the author doesn't assume he is recapping for someone that watched it all unfold.... as obviously I wasn't there. Not sure if I'll be able to find something like that.

The books charting the early days of baseball or teams from the 70s etc don't serve as a great entry point as obviously I have little point of reference to attach myself to the narrative.

What I really need is to learn more detail about the current Jays team and work my way backwards towards the world series wins.

[eastcoastjaysfan]

Hello all, I'm originally born and raised in Scotland and moved to Toronto last June. As you can imagine Baseball isn't really popular in Scotland. I watched a few games passively and enjoyed it before spending a summer in Philadelphia in 2009 where I watched a really good Phillies team play. After returning from the USA to Scotland I didn't really follow the sport due to time difference and appalling coverage on UK TV.

Since moving to Toronto in June, I've been following the Blue Jays and have been to a few games. I've already been to 5 games this year and actually considered as season ticket. However I felt I'd bankrupt myself with the price of beer at the Skydome.

 

As I mentioned I'd previously followed a really good Phillies team in 2009. One thing occurred to me when walking to the Skydome for the first Phillies game.... I'm much more interested in this Jays team than the Phillies team that went to the world Series. I feel much more emotionally invested (please excuse the cliché). Maybe it's the city, maybe it's the player or the fact that the Blue Jays seem more of an underdog, but I honestly feel a growing connection to the Jays which I didn't expect to feel for a North American sports team.

 

I'm pretty new to the sport so my knowledge is limited. I've been listening to sportsnet radio every day at work to hear the baseball coverage and read info online when I can. Sadly none of the guys at my work are really into sports, if they are it's hockey and my friends away from work are mostly Irish and English guys that consider baseball "boring".

 

I signed up for the forum to learn a little more from the hardcore fanbase and hopefully I'll pick up a little.

 

My main questions are this:

 

1) would anybody recommend any books or media to learn more about the Jays and baseball in general.

 

2) I've been going to the games on my own, which is fun and all... but is there any fanclub or something similar to a British soccer "supporters club" where you can meet up with other fans for games? Would be great to watch a game with some insight from guys who've been following the team for a while.

 

Any info or advise would be great. Go jays!

 

Advice: Don't become a Blue Jays fan

[The_DH]

The major league team has been pretty rudderless over the last few years. There used to be a good little yearbook which helped. I think it's included in the press guide.

[Smedley Butler]

"Abandon all hope, ye who enter here"

[Boxcar]

Any info or advise would be great. Go jays!

 

Pick a different team to watch while you're still new to the sport and before you develop an attachment to the Jays.

[Boxcar]

WTF, lol......dumbass!

 

I want a copy of the video where you started that chant. YANKEEES SUUCCCK FARTS!

[GD]

1) would anybody recommend any books or media to learn more about the Jays and baseball in general.

 

2) I've been going to the games on my own, which is fun and all... but is there any fanclub or something similar to a British soccer "supporters club" where you can meet up with other fans for games? Would be great to watch a game with some insight from guys who've been following the team for a while.

 

Any info or advise would be great. Go jays!

 

Hey man! Welcome aboard! It's.. going to suck, but uh, yeah! Go Jays!

 

First thing I could recommend is to pick up some light reading on baseball. Give this site (link) a read. It gives you a good idea about the basics of baseball.

 

After getting comfortable with that, I would pick up a few books like some autobiographies or novels on the sport. There are a LOT of good ones.

 

When you're comfortable with the basics of baseball, check out Fangraphs. Here's the glossary section (link). Someone in this thread said that fangraphs isn't easy to understand for people who don't know the stuff but that's just not true. I spent a good two hours reading that site one afternoon when I had nothing to do and it explained everything for me. My view on baseball changed. Some of the stuff on fangraphs is incredible.

 

Shameless plug: Breakingblue.ca is a great baseball blog that you should absolutely check out. Fangraphs, BlueBird Banter, Tao of Stieb, and Sportsnet all have great blogs.

 

Buy MLB.tv. It lets you watch games anywhere, any time, for just $100. It's incredible. HD, split screen, quad screen, everything. It's great.

 

Play some of the sport, too. I'm actually heading out for a game in an hour. It's a very fun sport to play and it'll help you learn.

 

To answer your questions directly, some good books include:

 

The Book - Tom Tango

Moneyball - Michael Lewis

Shoeless Joe - W.P. Kinsella

Ball Four - Jim Bouton

The Bullpen Gospels (and the two sequels) - Dirk Hayhurst

I Never Had It Made - Jackie Robinson

Calico Joe - John Grisham

 

Movies:

 

Field Of Dreams (based on Shoeless Joe)

Bull Durham

A League of their Own

Bad News Bears

The Sandlot (1 is mandatory, 2/3 are optional and terrible)

The Natural

Eight Men Out

Pride of the Yankees

Major League (1 is mandatory, 2/3 are optional and terrible)

For Love of the Game

Moneyball (movie form of the book)

Rookie of the Year

 

That should keep you busy.

 

And about question 2, I guess pubs and such, and I know guys from the board often meet up, but I'm not the best person to ask lol.

[Olerud363]

Pick a different team to watch while you're still new to the sport and before you develop an attachment to the Jays.

 

I don't know. Hopefully he can see a competitive team in 10 or 15 years... I mean as a new fan it wouldn't be that satisfying to have victory from day 1... would it?? It might be more healthy for him to suffer a bit. Beeston's retirement and all won't be to meaningful for him... then hopefully he can grow as a fan of the new regime whoever that is. Watch the team struggle for a couple years..,. then the rebuild then in 2021 or so... victory... most of us will be crazy by then... but I think he will really enjoy the whole process as a new fan.

[S33n]

Hello all, I'm originally born and raised in Scotland and moved to Toronto last June. As you can imagine Baseball isn't really popular in Scotland. I watched a few games passively and enjoyed it before spending a summer in Philadelphia in 2009 where I watched a really good Phillies team play. After returning from the USA to Scotland I didn't really follow the sport due to time difference and appalling coverage on UK TV.

Since moving to Toronto in June, I've been following the Blue Jays and have been to a few games. I've already been to 5 games this year and actually considered as season ticket. However I felt I'd bankrupt myself with the price of beer at the Skydome.

 

As I mentioned I'd previously followed a really good Phillies team in 2009. One thing occurred to me when walking to the Skydome for the first Phillies game.... I'm much more interested in this Jays team than the Phillies team that went to the world Series. I feel much more emotionally invested (please excuse the cliché). Maybe it's the city, maybe it's the player or the fact that the Blue Jays seem more of an underdog, but I honestly feel a growing connection to the Jays which I didn't expect to feel for a North American sports team.

 

I'm pretty new to the sport so my knowledge is limited. I've been listening to sportsnet radio every day at work to hear the baseball coverage and read info online when I can. Sadly none of the guys at my work are really into sports, if they are it's hockey and my friends away from work are mostly Irish and English guys that consider baseball "boring".

 

I signed up for the forum to learn a little more from the hardcore fanbase and hopefully I'll pick up a little.

 

My main questions are this:

 

1) would anybody recommend any books or media to learn more about the Jays and baseball in general.

 

2) I've been going to the games on my own, which is fun and all... but is there any fanclub or something similar to a British soccer "supporters club" where you can meet up with other fans for games? Would be great to watch a game with some insight from guys who've been following the team for a while.

 

Any info or advise would be great. Go jays!

 

Welcome aboard buddy!

 

Don't listen to Mike Wilner as some are suggesting, they are simply being sarcastic. He is nothing but a corporate lackey whom almost lost his job a few years ago by standing up for his opinion, now he has no testicles to speak of.

 

Also, it's not as bad as some are suggesting to be a Jays fan. Sometimes it's hard, because it's been a long time since we've made a playoff appearance, but not as bad as they make it out to be. Little tip about going to the games, wait until the first inning is over and then offer a scalper half price on Club VIP tickets (or any ticket for that matter), see what happens, they are the best seats in the house.

[BlueJayWay]

Some other forums are pretty good for info, with a statistical bent...try battersbox.ca or bluebirdbanter.com

[TheHurl]

Welcome aboard. I don't think anyone here started out knowing each other and now a bunch have met up at games. Sometimes we have inside jokes and references to things that happened on the other message board 4 or 5 years ago...but if you ask questions about ball you'll always get an answer from someone. Who was your club in Scotland (Football of course)?

[Boxcar]

I don't know. Hopefully he can see a competitive team in 10 or 15 years... I mean as a new fan it wouldn't be that satisfying to have victory from day 1... would it?? It might be more healthy for him to suffer a bit. Beeston's retirement and all won't be to meaningful for him... then hopefully he can grow as a fan of the new regime whoever that is. Watch the team struggle for a couple years..,. then the rebuild then in 2021 or so... victory... most of us will be crazy by then... but I think he will really enjoy the whole process as a new fan.

 

Astros then.

[Stangstag]

Watch the team struggle for a couple years..,. then the rebuild then in 2021 or so... victory... most of us will be crazy by then... but I think he will really enjoy the whole process as a new fan.

 

Ughh. Why did you have to post this. I gotta wait 7 MORE YEARS to see a winning team? You just made me sad, because I know we will likely have to wait a while to see a winner.

[Olerud363]

Welcome aboard buddy!

 

Don't listen to Mike Wilner as some are suggesting, they are simply being sarcastic. He is nothing but a corporate lackey whom almost lost his job a few years ago by standing up for his opinion, now he has no testicles to speak of.

 

 

Yes the legend of Mike Wilner... it seems to now be part of team lore... right next to Carter's homerun. Wilner's last stand. Wilner survived but his testicles did not.

[Stangstag]

It's sad because he's probably right. You figure 2014 is likely a write-off, but they'll win ~81 games and probably take another ill-advised kick at the can in 2015. After that fails, regime change prior to the 2016 season, with new management kicking off a new five year plan. 2016, 2017, 2018 spent setting the table and we can maybe expect a contender in 2019 or 2020 IF payroll is competitive and IF the new management team is competent.

 

And this is all assuming Beeston doesn't step in and f*** things up again. The guy seriously needs to just die already.

[SAAviour]

It's sad because he's probably right. You figure 2014 is likely a write-off, but they'll win ~81 games and probably take another ill-advised kick at the can in 2015. After that fails, regime change prior to the 2016 season, with new management kicking off a new five year plan. 2016, 2017, 2018 spent setting the table and we can maybe expect a contender in 2019 or 2020 IF payroll is competitive and IF the new management team is competent.

 

Your gonna make me cry.

We really need to win this year, for the love of god, we really do!

[Atothe]

Beeston forever!!!!!

[Atothe]

BTW new guy, as long as you hate the red Sox and city of Boston you're already a great fan

[Cooler Heads Prevail]

It's sad because he's probably right. You figure 2014 is likely a write-off, but they'll win ~81 games and probably take another ill-advised kick at the can in 2015. After that fails, regime change prior to the 2016 season, with new management kicking off a new five year plan. 2016, 2017, 2018 spent setting the table and we can maybe expect a contender in 2019 or 2020 IF payroll is competitive and IF the new management team is competent.

 

No need to bring up the Tampa Bay Rays on here. Yes, they do have some serious hurdles to address and likely need to consider a huge rebuild or a relocation.

[Key22]

The Jays still have individual performance that is worth watching. Which is why I love baseball. I suppose I enjoyed watching Wendel Clark play for the Leafs but when it's 6-0 for the other team at the end of the second period and Wreggett was outshot 45 -6 it became an incredibly boring affair.

 

At least with the Jays I can accept the fact that we have atrocious pitching and cling to the hope that "we'll sign 2 starters in the off-season to help .... ohhh - ooooh wait....

 

I would love Mr. Plinkett to do a review of the Toronto Blue Jays/Laughs over the last 20 years