CanuckofChicago

Did you get a hotel already? We're looking at a campsite with RVs and bringing the wife's car with us, because no rooms are available. Coming in from Chicago. Looking forward to it.

We went for the Ron Santo induction - my FIL is a big Santo fan - after he passed and it really wasn't depressing. The Cubs did some nice tributes around town. Plus the hall of fame parade is always a cool thing. This would be our third introduction. We went to see Thomas get in two years after. My wife is fine with going as long as it isn't the same year Jeter gets in she doesn't want to hang around thousands of obnoxious Yankee fans.

Is anyone planning on going to Cooperstown if Halladay gets in? Btw, I have been following the hall of fame ballot tracker. So far so good for Martinez, Halladay, Rivera, and Mussina. http://www.bbhoftracker.com/

I think with everything else going on this off-season with the Blue Jays, a managerial change was the last thing we needed.

Anyone read this good piece on Nikki Huffman? Never knew much about her. The funny part of the article is the banter between her and Devon Travis. Of course, this article was immediately overshadowed by the news of Gibbons not returning in 2019. https://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/nikki-huffman-toronto-blue-jays-trainer-profile/

One of the best parts of the catch was the female Blue Jay fan who was super pumped after the catch. What a superb catch that was. As soon as the ball was hit, I was thinking not again. Every time I turn the game on there Oh giving up an HR.

I never really listened to him before, so I gave him a chance. He has started to get really annoying with his southern accent saying "Listen..." or "My point is..." and Jeff Blair who I never really have an issue with never pushes back. It would be nice if Davidi or Nicholson-Smith, would actually have a daily show. I don't even mind Wilner. It always seems like we get the less than desirable/mediocre ex-ballplayer to these types of shows.

Hey guys. I saw Martin isn't in the lineup today. I understand that he is on a schedule to keep him healthy throughout the season, which I do not have an issue, but I was wondering what the group thinks. Note: I have been listening to Baseball Central (waiting for the razzing) since At The Letters is only released once a week, there is little Blue Jays news in Chicago, it is has been come a hot topic. My bad: It was a cursory glance, so I must have missed seeing his name there.

Your right!! Those in the US media love to show RH in his Phillies uniform. Case in point, when this news came out, Jake Tapper from CNN tweeted out his sympathies but it was video of him during his time with the Phillies. I shouldn't be nitpicking during this dark time, but come on he spent only 3 or 4 years with the Phillies. I don't think people here in the US realize how much RH meant to the city and country.

It goes without saying I share everyone's words. He was a total class-act. I even have the letter published in the Toronto Sun that he wrote to the public. My best friend bought me a Halladay signed ball from his All-Star game appearance. Him and his wife did great things for the city. It is sad to know that he will never throw out another first pitch or be there the HOF or the Level of Excellence. To one of the previous posters, lets retire his number, wear a patch. I wonder if the Jays will do something on Opening Day, if so I am flying up from Chicago (hoping on Porter). Maybe they will replace the Rogers statue with a Halladay one. Just so many thoughts going on right now.

I have not tried Reddit. I have certain sites that I enjoy reading. In regards to "Shatkins", I did not fully welcome them on-board, I waited until after a year into their tenure to see how they would operate and now I can say I like them. I personally do not see them doing a full Houston/Chicago rebuild considering how it would kill the goodwill created by the past couple of seasons and alienate the fan base, even if they are casuals (I know some of you despise casuals).

Hey everyone. I made the mistake of watching the presser, which I must admit I become a fan of Atkins more and more when I hear him speak, but the comments by people on the SportsNet board were just awful - not a single positive note. All just a bunch of negative Nancys. From now on just going to avoid reading them.

If you or next time visit Chicago, make sure to check out Lincoln Park Zoo. It is a great zoo in the middle of the city, it has a Gorilla and Penquin enclosures and it is close to the water as well. Just so easy to walk around and very clean.

Question. What is wrong with a SP that focuses on pitching to contact rather than trying to strike everyone out? I am saying avoid the strikeout altogether, but wouldn't we want our SP's to stay in the game longer? That is why I did not understand all the mockery Stroman got when he said he wanted to focused on pitching to contact.

I expect the Jays FO to attempt to remain competitive while replenishing their farm systems through some deals, the draft, and international free agents, but I do not see a complete rebuild any time soon unless you are playing The Show. We shall see though, I am trying to remain positive for 2017 that the team still has one last run left in the tank.

Please do not let the final be Yankee vs. Yankee. I will have to hit the mute button when the announcers gush over both Sanchez and Judge.

Just curious. For everyone that advocates for a full tear down and rebuild will everyone still go to the park and enjoy going back to 15K a night and enjoy multiple long losing seasons? Also, it is not guaranteed that this rebuild will be successful and/or take longer. People look at the Cubs and the Astros, but for the Cubs everything went right for them, an owner with deep pockets w/o a fear to spend money, Theo E. became available, player development appear to have been successful, and then Joe Maddon became available. For Astros, it was losing season after losing season.

Thanks. If you want even more evidence of a screwed system the same people in some states who require a Public Defender have to pay a tax or fee when they are released. I recommend you check out John Oliver's piece on the PD system. I can post evidence all-day that proves how ridiculous the system is. Remember what Winston Churchill said "The mood and temper of the public in regard to the treatment of crime and criminals is one of the most unfailing tests of the civilisation of any country. A calm and dispassionate recognition of the rights of the accused against the state and even of convicted criminals against the state, a constant heart-searching by all charged with the duty of punishment, a desire and eagerness to rehabilitate in the world of industry of all those who have paid their dues in the hard coinage of punishment, tireless efforts towards the discovery of curative and regenerating processes and an unfaltering faith that there is a treasure, if only you can find it in the heart of every person – these are the symbols which in the treatment of crime and criminals mark and measure the stored up strength of a nation, and are the sign and proof of the living virtue in it."

I can tell you that the recidivism rate here in Illinois is close to 40% and that is for non-violent offenders. This is mainly because there are real no programs for ex-offenders. You cannot get a job, you cannot get housing, you cannot get anything. The legal system down here is so screwed up. Americans love to incarcerate people and with Justice Department about to allow private prisons back into existence it is going to get worse. Check out the situation in Louisiana; http://atlantablackstar.com/2017/05/22/louisiana-world-leader-in-incarceration-cannot-pay-its-public-defenders/

I know many people on this board did not watch or weren't big fans of the show, but my wife and I who are big baseball fans (not casuals) enjoyed the show. It was a nice distraction from the "the world is ending" shows. As someone who watched the entire series, the production values were really high, but it was cool that MLB was willing to invest in the show. I was hoping that there would be a second season. Again it was a fun show to watch.

My first thought was no way the Jays will be able to afford Sanchez once he hits free agency giving that Boras' clients never give hometown discounts and/or rarely sign pre-free agency contract extensions., but then again maybe Shapiro has a better relationship and that the five year limit on contracts, which I do not have an issue with, will no longer be the SOP.

I wasn't sure what Shapiro's MO is. I know back in the day with the Indians, granted it was most likely John Hart, but they locked up Kenny Lofton, Albert Belle, Carlos Baegra to team friendly contracts. In regards to the length of contracts, I think they would have to at least payout their arbitration years and then a couple years of their free agency.

Hey everyone. I usually lurk around this board and find sometimes very interesting debates, plus living in the states I usually come here for my Blue Jay news. Anyway, I was listening to MLB Network radio this morning and they were talking about which young players would us fans like to see lock up early either as cost-certainty or as possible future trade chips, so I thought I would take this question to the board and see what their thoughts were. In my opinion, since we do not have alot of younger players right now, I would probably focus on Sanchez and Travis if they can repeat and/or improve on 2015.

Denver is a cool city, people are nice, although, the airport is really out of way, but Coors Field is easily accessible and I recommend taking the $10 tour. The wife and I went last year and we got to go through the visitors clubhouse, sit in the dugout, and get really close to stepping onto the field. It is a really beautiful stadium. The tour guide noticed my Blue Jay hat started to talk about Troy T. Again, it is a nice city and cool stadium.

If anyone is interested the Chicago Tribune's shop has some swag you can purchase; a 128 page softbook the chronicles the entire season, copies of the Trib's front cover after they won. The one thing that I am afraid of is that ticket prices for next year are going to go through the roof (reseller market) and getting tickets will be even tougher which all means when the Jays come to Wrigley in August it might be an expensive weekend.