intentional wok

I simply did not hear that bias in the TBS crew that everyone here appeared to be complaining about. They sounded as excited from one big play to the next, regardless of which team was doing it. They didn't have a whole lot good to say about Toronto over the ALCS compared to Cleveland... but that's cause Toronto kinda sucked. They did a perfectly fine job on a national broadcast for which the majority of viewers probably weren't cheering for one squad over the other. Kinda makes me miss Scully tbh. I don't think there will ever be another baseball voice as eloquent as his. Any young broadcaster who tries to follow Vin's style will just get called pretentious.

Someone justify Holliday to me. Was he mostly just hurt last year? Because the overall numbers look like age has its big foot in his front door. He'll be 37 entering play next year.

So what's everyone's opinion of putting up a 2016 Wild Card banner at home opener next year? Seems like a lot of people tend to think it's kind of like celebrating a participation award. I think that's a bit silly considering the Jays put up 89 wins in the league's toughest division, won the Wild Card game, and then outlasted two division winners in the postseason (including sweeping #1 seed). Last year's Cubs and Pirates were "Wild Card" teams despite having the second and third best records in MLB, respectively, while playing in the same division as the 100-win Cardinals. Postseason play deserves commemorating. It's a part of history and a genuine accomplishment in MLB (more so than other major sporting leagues). If the playoffs ever expand to the absurd size of the NBA or NHL's then I can see the argument against non-Division banners, but I still think an MLB Wild Card is worth something. Is it right to look back on the Wild Card and ALDS walk-offs in a decade and not even have a road grey-coloured banner for official bling? (On that note, do the O's deserve a banner/flag? Do the Yankees have one from their loss to the Astros last year? Given the Yankees' rich history I don't think skipping a flag is a big deal, but no other team has such a successful pedigree that they'd be fine skipping the bling.)

Baltimore already licking their lips.

He was on the s*** end of a lot of losses to start the season. Tough to flip that perception. 0-5 leaving April, then went on the DL two weeks later and didn't return for almost two months.

I was there too. It was my girlfriend's birthday and I had reservations and a surprise party with 30 people set up at the Keg Mansion. Nearing the end of the game I kept getting texts about people being late, so I was starting to worry we'd arrive before most of everyone else and it would be semi-ruined. Then the Jays came back which was not only amazing in its own right but also delayed us enough time for the whole party to arrive by the time we got there. Also, got to see one last David Ortiz home run. Amazing game. Shame I didn't get to another one this year. Other great games were the comebacks against San Diego and New York. Obviously the (good) playoff games too. Also: -Taking 3 of 4 from the Orioles early in the season, including one game with an Eddy walk off HR. -The 8th inning rally against the Tigers in the last series of the first half (Tulo being the hero with a 2-run go-ahead single after being the goat so many times early on). -Aaron Sanchez's incredible effort in the season finale to not only help clinch the WC advantage but to force the Sox to start the postseason in Cleveland. -Arnold Leon facing Steven Souza in the fourth game of the year (well, at least it's memorable).

The whole discussion of it is silly. It was the mildest trash talk ever uttered, like something someone's grandmother would say. The Indians are chucking it back at him, but it's pretty much in good fun because they're supporting a new kid who stepped up and did a great job against seasoned vets. Jose's reputation precedes him here because he wasn't actually dumping on the guy.

This is what I usually say to people who think the Royals legitimately were bad and completely lucky last year (although there was plenty of that). There's value in almost never allowing an AB to end at the plate.

Two straight exciting playoff runs. They're not going to dump the manager. It would be bad optics and bad for the clubhouse. Gibby makes his bonehead moves but he's not all that bad.

I'm not sure if the return is worth it. Not sure if teams will pay out for defensive numbers, staggering though they may be. I could be wrong though. Just hang on to the 3+ outfield defense wins IMO unless he becomes part of a no-brainer package.

Apropos of nothing, I wouldn't mind seeing Logan Forsythe pried away from the Rays. One year + 18 option. Can play 1B and 2B. But I suppose it's more sensible to just use expendable cash on upgrades at this point.

From E5 to a Blue Jays legend. The man has been a rock for five years. If you take any of his stat lines from 12-16 it's nearly impossible to guess which lines belong to which campaign (except for maybe the popped quad year in 14, but even then he was beasting). Maybe it's just me but I was so glad to see Edwin get his big hero moment in the postseason to go side-by-side wwithlast year's bat flip. I remember even saying to my girlfriend before the game that I want Eddy to get his legend moment.

Level of Excellence one day? A ceremony with both he and EE going up would prob make me cry like a man.

Roof is closed for "consistent conditions" as per MLB, or something. Yet Fenway Park exists.

Roof open and it's 3-2. Tulo had a warning track blast too.

I was planning on watching the debate but I'm up for some regicide instead.

Kind of amazing. I think second is Jose (2008). Then Edwin (2009)? Janssen was the old guy until he left IIRC.

Have you watched a ballgame before? It takes one mistake.

Whose intro music is Tool?

If it stays this way I still want to see Jose and Edwin get huge standing ovations. Legends.

Pillar is just Pillar. The ball punches should go to the future number-retirees who are playing like this is a Friday before a long weekend.

Motivation matters. That's why Pillar excelled in the lead off spot this season. Merritt was planning to mail it in with a World Series at stake, but the trash talk awoke him from his complacency.

Get back to your vacation please.

They've been failing in almost the same way for nearly the whole series. Ump kind of gifted that second strike though.

Jose didn't give a scrub motivation. It's not like the kid is just going to a day job here. On that note: dear Blue Jay batters, the game has started, eh?