Blue Jay Bay?

Just heard that we're in the mix in the Jason Bay sweepstakes with just over an hour to go until the trade deadline. O baseball gods hear my plea:

Use your divine power to make this happen as it will be good for baseball, good for the Jays and very good for Canada.

Reason # 02837643 To Hate The Yankees

They just announced that Jorge Posada was out for the season and responded by picking up Pudge less than 24 hours later. A fourteen time All Star, thirteen time Gold Glover, one time MVP and World Series Champ for kicks. Acquired. Just like that. In the midst another tight divisional race.

This coming on the day of confirmation of the imminent Maniwaki drive to the Death Star, like a General preparing for a long campaign, I sit on a hill at daybreak surveying the field of battle.

And wait...

Maniwaki Movie Guide

Just got back from "The Dark Knight", and surprisingly the flick didn't send me into a lunatic frenzy, making me pull out my badge as a Comics Continuity Cop, and marching into the projection booth to make an arrest. Aside from some obvious flaws carried over from the last film (Michael Cain's gruff blue collar Alfred, and Maggie Gyllenhaal's character even existing in La Ville Gotham, and Christian Bale's goddawful speaking tone as Batman) this Dark Knight rendition was...well...dark.

And pretty compelling. Being a fan of the Caped Crusader since I was three and really never having seen an accurate screen version, this time around, I expected nothing and got a pretty solid version. After years of ridiculous scripts, rubber nipples and vaudevillian villains this one finally got pretty close.

Being a Batman fan for years was pretty much like being a Cubs fan. You just kept going even though you knew that you'd get your heart ripped out in the end. Now it's kind of like being a modern day Red Sox up fan, as the franchise has finally leapt the hurdle.

But the real story of the night was the preview for Watchmen. If there is a production that can make me hang up my Continuity Cop badge and gun for good, it most definitely will be this one. My compadre, Dice C, almost had to throw a straight jacket on me and wheel me out on a gurney as the trailer ran.

Maniwaki Mobile - AJ/BJ

AJ and BJ got'er done at the Rogers Dome in a tight match against the
div leading Rays. As the Yanks and Sox also lost let's officially
declare the Jays buyers for October.

Sunday Ticker

...Washburn wins. By going eight strong and winning 5-1 against the Johnny Mac and the Jays. The nation's first PM continued to boost his approval rating by taking out his quill pen and enacting legislation that was dispersed via jack over the big blue fence to the rest of lower Canada. If he continues his nonsensical pace (.333 in the last week...for him that's like hitting .700) he will be the Honorable representative at SS for many more terms....


...Surprise. Manny wants out of Boston. Apparently saying that his "job is to play baseball," and that he wouldn't block a trade if he were to be shipped off anywhere. I say enough already. As much as I love his antics and "Manny being Manny" I can't handle yet another go around of Trade Or No Trade. Theo needs to do his best Howie Mandel impersonation by picking up the phone in hopes of unloading the million dollar suitcase...

... Jose Guillen booed in his park after grounding into a double play and shanking a routine pop up. Apparently he was hurt and had a hard time moving. Or maybe KC fans finally just woke up...

Woe Is Ichrio

Thus far. England is 3 for 4. Rios has 2 jacks. And Jays have scored at least once in each of the six innings played. Aside from Ichiro having a very uncharacteristic off week (going 0 for 4 on Monday, 0 for 3 today, 0 for 9 in this series, yesterday's missed catch resulting in the walk off, and another misplayed ball today...whoa he must have really hacked off one of the baseball gods lately) you have to love the ways these Jays plays as of late.

Witness To The Walk Off

Let's let my pal Jackie provide the analysis on tonight's extra inning Jays walk off win over Batista and the Mariners as I received this message via one of the many e-highways of the 21st Century digital communication realm:

"HOLY SHIT DID YOU SEE THAT GAME??!??

England hits 2 in on 2 out and 2 strikes we were in the 100s and we LOST OUR MINDS!

AND THEN! my mom literally rushes ADRIAN CLARKSON at the CN tower parking lot....shes all "excuse me......as she bumps in to her and doesnt move" we are like...."mom, thats effin Adrian Clarckson"

what a game, what a night"

How can anyone not love ball? I just love when the game gives back. And in the summer no less.

The Rest Of The Slate

Sitting at .500 with exactly 60 games to go. The question we tackle today is:

Can it be done?

Can the Jays turn things around drastically to clinch their first playoff appearance since '93?

Thus far, the '08 season has been one of the worst performances that they Jays have put on in years. As the culprit has not been injuries, or Miguel Batista or a combination of the two. This year's blame lies with the lack of hitting. One that was fostered and perpetuated by suspect management.

As we all know the Jays haven't been able to hit the broad side of the Skydome for the majority of the season, eventually sinking into the deep, dark sub-basement of the AL East. Whilst the pitching remained rock solid (aside from a few forgivable BJ blunders and an AJ tip of the hat) the Wellses and Rioses were nowhere to be found.

Good old boy and "player's manager", John Gibbons, with his "wait and see" approach got him shown to the clubhouse exit in mid June, opening the door for Cito Gaston to once again skipper the S.S. Blue Jay. And while the Cito Effect didn't happened over night, we can note following since his return:

1. The Bats Are Back. But not in the way that you would think. The Jays are averaging around five runs a game under Cito compared to the four per match they averaged under Gibbons. That says one thing. Situational hitting is up as the the Jays are playing winning ball, going .571 with Cito as opposed to Gibby's ho hum .473. Why the turn around?

2. The Lads Are Hitting With A Plan. Apparently the "wait and see" style of baseball means that when you step up to the plate you hack at whatever and hope for the best. When I heard that this was the non-philosophy of Gibbons I just about smeared myself with pine tar and ran down Granville St knocking over random pedestrians. When Gaston took over, his main emphasis to bring back the bats was to instill a game plan in hitters' heads when they approach the box. And it seems to be working. Go figure. How JP let Gibbons occupy the dugout for so long is beyond me. I mean Christ, even I had a game plan in Grade 5 playing against the woodsmen of Endeavour, Saskatchewan. This is the Majors for fuck's sakes.

3. The Players Are Accountable And Are Responding. Well wouldn't you be too if a guy came in that helmed back to back World Series? Of course you would. Even the defensively brilliant, but offensively nonexistent John McDonald is hitting .375 over the last week. Marco Scutaro has a jack with 6 RBI's. What?

So where does this leave us with 60 games remaining on the '08 slate?

With an actual bonafide chance. Look, the numbers don't lie. As noted, the Jays have already made improvements and are playing winning ball under Cito. The pitching is there and the bats are booming. And at the right time. The remaining sked, while daunting, is doable as the Jays practically face every team that stands between them and either a Wild Card spot or a Division Title. And while they will probably have to go close about 40-20 for the remainder of the season, it is not impossible as we've seen that the longer they play under Cito, the better they get. A strong late season push (perhaps not dissimilar to last year's improbable Rockies squad) where the Jays win the majority of their up coming series will see Roy and AJ throwing back to back in October.

Camden Flashback = G4B

So the O's are celebrating 25 years since they last won a World Series and brought back some of the big names from yesteryear for a pre game rally. Mike Boddiker, Eddie Murray, Cal all rolled onto the field in hopes of getting the Camdonians back behind their squad. The team even took the field sporting their old uni's, complete with that damn smug bird smiling from above the hat brim.

At least back in the early '80's he had reason to be peacockish. The O's were winding down a damn near 20 year stint of playing winning ball, capturing the Commish's Trophy for the third time in '83. Now, as they battle the Jays (also in retro duds) both are trying to fly off the lowest branch in the AL East forest which they both currently occupy. My money's on Cito's squad as the hitting philosophy is started to take hold. If John McDonald is hitting over .300 in the last few games you know things are looking up.

Safeco Post Game Notes

So my compadre Dice C and I rolled into the Emerald City yesterday to take in a Red Sox/M's contest. Here's some post game thoughts:

1. I feel sorry for Seattle fans. They just look so darn sad all the time. Out numbered in their own stadium and shuffling around with nary a hope of climbing out of the AL cellar. When both teams line ups were put up side by side on the jumbotron I pretty much broke out in fits of laughter. On one side you had an All Star hitting sixth. On the other you had Miguel Cairo as your DH, posting a solid .232 average. I wondered if the Single A Vancouver Canadians would perhaps fare better against the Beantown bashers.

2. Players I have a new respect for.

2a. Jarrod Washburn. I really hated to kick them while they were down, but I just couldn't help myself. Still laughing maniacally over the ridiculous Mariner's line up, I'm sure a few of the many Seattlites sitting in what seemed to be the family section we were placed in (silly Safeco staff) appreciated my Red Hook lager fuelled jabs at the M's starter. I was predicting an utter dismantling of this guy, predicting he'd leave in the second crying with no ice cream. Unbelievably he held one of the most fearsome lineups in baseball to two earned runs in five and a bit innings. His only mistake was the Varitek jack. I can see why the Yanks are looking at him right now.

2b. Manny Ramirez. Yes he is "defensively challenged", yes he has some ridiculous antics (most recently shoving a Sox employee over tickets one week and then calling out the owner in the media the next). Say what you want about Manny being Manny, but I'll tell you one thing. Manny sure knows how to hit. The guy is elite. As outlandish as he appears, his plate discipline and pitch selection is exemplary . He practically wills hurlers to throw him what ever he wants. It was just another day's work for the dread locked DH as he made going 3 for 5 seem as easy as cracking ball park peanuts.

3. Players I don't. The icing on the cake came when down 4-0 in the ninth, Seattle elected to bring in Batista to stop the bleeding. My God talk about a lamb being led to slaughter. If the poor Mariners fans didn't have enough to contend with during the entire affair (the legions of chanting Red Sox fans, the lack of runs...) they now had to contend with me (now many Red Hooks in) sharpening my claws as I was about to provide live commentary on this sorry, sorry reliever.

I got to work immediately as Batista took the hill. This was too good be true. After announcing that the M's would be served better if they handed me jersey and put me on the hill, I attracted the attention of a few families sitting in our growingly unsafe Safeco family section. They were not impressed. Undeterred I carried on, providing a very Maniwaki play by play on the former Jays "closer". The Seattle faithful would be made to understand. Which they did, and actually became quite jovial as they accepted the inevitability of Batista as he continued to put runners aboard eventually loading the bases.

One gentleman, (who initially politely requested me to lay off Batista) even turned around a second time to agree with me that he had seen him give up multiple jacks a week ago. Well what can you do when it's the ninth and he 's loaded the bases? I thought the knife was going to drop as the Captain came up again and hit a long fly ball (which at first appeared to be a Safeco Slammer) but just fell short. The inning had ended and remarkably Batista hadn't given up a run. Which the gentleman's significant other was proud to inform me. Which of course I acknowledged but had to remind her that we were all sweating for a solid inning. It would've been presumptuous to expect another bomb from the Captain.

4. Players I've always respected but had a tough go. Namely Ichiro. The guy is a samurai of hitting. Drawing his bat like it's a katana before every at bat, you actually think that he's going to slice a ball in half one day when he takes a cut. He is one of the most consistent and serious hitters in baseball. On previous trips to the park, win or lose, Ichiro has always been a factor as it seems like he's always on base. Not tonight though as he went a shocking 0 for 4. You know things are extra rainy in Seattle if Ichiro can't make it on base.

***

And so at the end of the day the score went, 4 zip to the Sox, which was surprisingly quite lower than what I had expected. The Sox had won, Batista had not disappointed, we had managed to successfully remain in the family section for the entire game without being ejected and we even made some new friends. Feeling the "good for baseball" vibe, Dice C staggered out of the stadium in search of a saloon to spread the gospel.







The Way Of The Warrior

Maniwaki Mobile - Live From Safeco

Some times you have to give to the game as game will give back to you.
Thus far. The captain in a slump. We decided to pick him up as he's
picked up up many times. Started chanting. Was perpetuated by a little
girl of no more than five. The captain responded with a jack. We
screamed. It was as you guessed. VG4BB.

To Trumpet Such Bad Tidings!!!

1. It's a little league "E" fest today as there have been many infield errors made by the Jays leading to many Rays runs. Evan Longoria, still not content for punishing me for trading him away, smacked his second jack in as many days. Current score in the unbelievably rocking Tropicana Field. 4-3 for the Rays.

2. Mats is coming to the Canucks! Oh maybe not. As some crank reporter in Sweden said that he was on his way. Which camp Sundin denied, denied and then denied some more. Since when did it become en vogue for iconic veteran players to hold teams hostage with their diva-esque retirement pondering antics? How quickly things have gotten from mildly acceptable (Scott Niedermayer in '07) to the out and out outlandish (Brett Favre in '08). I blame the gas guzzling Rocket, Roger Clemens, for starting this ridiculous trend.

The Two Noble Startsmen

Both Matt Garza and Doc are in a packed Tropicana Field in Tampa, engaged in a classic duel for the ages. Who will be the first to miss a step in stage combat?

Tough to say, but who would've thought that in mid July we'd be seeing the Rays sit atop the div with the stadium turnstiles spinning furiously?

Not this guy.

...

Later. And who would've thought that trading Longoria for the Doc last week in fantasy would've immediately turned around and bit Team Maniwaki?

Not this guy.

As of course the kid just notched his first Major League slam off the long time Jays ace and brand new Maniwaki ace in a 5-0 pulping.

Where Art Thou Offence?

Oh look. The Jays waste a perfectly good outing by AJ, leaving a ton of runners stranded in a 2-1 loss to the now div leading Rays.

No wonder Halladay says he feels like Bill Murray in Groundhog's Day. If I have to type anything that remotely resembles that opening line one more I'm going back to following European Team Handball.

Maniwaki HQ to Roger's Dome Residents:

It's the beginning of the second half. There is still a chance. Take some extra bp if you have to. Do some yoga. Read the fucking "Secret" if it helps. I don't care.

Do whatever it takes (...except anything that gets you a seat in front of a Congressional hearing) to the hit the damn ball already.

Much Ado About Sexson

So I heard the news today that the Yanks signed Richie Sexson. The same Richie Sexson that Seattle signed to a four year, 50 million dollar contract three years ago, only to release him early (July 10th to be exact) for RSYSF (Routinely Shitting Your Safeco Field). His under-performance in Seattle was so great that the front office decided to eat the remaining 14 million left on his contract and dumped him off on some fish monger's doorstep at Fisherman's wharf.

Now I know what you're thinking. Because I'm thinking the same thing.

If he couldn't hack it in Seattle how in the hell is he going to win over New York? Sure the Sons of Steinbrenner picked him up for the equivalent of an old stick of gum in a pack O-Pee-Chees by Yankee standards (a pro rated share of the $390 000 MLB minimum...roughly $161 000 the NY Post seems to muster) but why would they even bother? What could the Evil Empire be cooking up this time?

Some specialized bench support. According to the aforementioned NY daily, it appears that Sexon's numbers vs left handed pitching was one of his only bright spots, a solid .344. And it is for this reason that he has gained entrance into the Death Star. If they made an action figure of him, he would be one of those cool ass Stormtroopers that had a special skill (like a snow trooper) or rode in a special vehicle (like a speeder bike).

How does this fare for us?

I am leaning towards "not so shit hot," as I can see the following scenario unfold, perhaps even multiple times:

It is the ninth inning and the Jays are up by a run or two on the Yanks in a tight, tight AL East tilt. Naturally the Jays bring in big BJ Ryan to close the game. BJ (who already has a few blown saves under his belt this year) faces Richie Sexson, who the Yanks have just trotted off the bench.

BJ winds up (did I mention he is a lefty?) and tries to power one past the 6 foot 8 Sexson, and well...you know the rest.

One big pin striped boom.

Not looking forward to it.

Nope. Not one bit.

To Trade Or Not To Trade...

...AJ. That is the question.

Blue Jays boss, J.P. Ricciardi, has pretty much written this season off and is actively shopping A.J. Burnett in hopes of landing a premiere short stop. Should he do it before the July 30th trade deadline? Lets assess:

1. The old saying of "GM's don't trade players, they trade contracts," definitely comes into play here as Burnett can opt out of his contract after this year. If he doesn't choose to test the free agent market, he'll make 12 mill for the next two years and then hit the ridiculously over priced item lane that reads "MLB Free Agent Pitchers." So any squad that picks him up, better be ready to make a serious October run this season.

2. When he's on he's on. Burnett has a no-no in his career (for Loria's lovely, Marlins) and is a strike out master (presently third in the Bigs). However he has never really been a Cy Young threat as his wins to losses ration generally hovers around .500. Case in point. He's gone 10-8 in the last two seasons, and right now sits at the same mark. With his track record we can expect him to go around 13-12 if he sticks around or if he doesn't. If the Jays decide to make a run and keep him, is he in fact the go to guy?

3. When he's off, he really sucks. After giving up eight runs in 4 1/3 innings against Baltimore on June 7, Burnett got booed off the mound at the Rogers Dome and in frustration tipped his hat to the crowd. Whilst the punditions made a huge to do out of it, I personally got a kick out of the starter's response. It's ok for fans to boo their own player, yet said player can't respond? Fuck that, Jays fans are lucky he didn't go all Jose Guillen or Ron Artest on them and start hucking 99 mph fast balls into the stands. But the point being, for all of his K's, when he bombs, he does it in style.

4. He publicly mused that he'd welcome a trade to the Cubs where baseball is "breakfast, lunch and dinner," but then back peddled stating that he pitches for the T Dotski and the Jays are his squad. Translation? He wants out. And after Halladay's public venting at the All Star break regarding the Jays mediocre performance of the last oh...14 years, I can't see AJ moving into the Roger's Dome hotel anytime soon.

5. The Jays have won five of their last six. But can they continue said surge in the second half and overcome the 9.5 games that they currently sit back of Boston? And if so, will that translate into AJ finally making the leap to win more than 12 games in a season and being part of the winning equation?

6. If we do dump him what can we get for him? The talk has been to dump some salary and finagle Clint Barmes from the Rockies as Troy Tulowitzki will be coming off the DL soon. Tell you one thing for certain. I definitely was not doing backflips when it was announced that David Eckstein was headed to the Dome. There's 4.5 mill that could've gone anywhere else. Like getting some pitching machine that transforms into a Ducati or something.

So what is GM to do? Deal him? Make a run? Dump some salary? Try land another monster fish?

The only answer that makes Maniwaki sense is this. Wait until the eleven thousandth hour. The deadline is July 30th, and in baseball terms that is a heavy chunk of change. It will be pretty apparent in a month as to who the buying and selling teams will be, especially what side of the fence the Jays land on.

Unless Toronto has an unbelievable July and is in the thick of a divisional and/or Wild Card race, then JP definitely needs to ship AJ out and try get the next Hanley Ramirez or something in prospect land. Because Burnett most definitely is going to opt out of his contract if the Jays aren't contending and still might even if they are.

The bottom line is that JP needs to treat him as a rental that he doesn't have to rent, so if the 30th comes and AJ has contributed significantly to an unbelievable Jays run, then hold on to him and make a run. If not, then dump him faster than Ricky Henderson swiping second.





Yup. That's probably it.

The House In The Bronx Where They Play Baseball

Alright it's the All Star Game and baseball's official send off to The Stadium. Let's take a peek at the pre-game precedings:

- Yeah Roy giving a tip of the hat to the crowed during the reserve player intros. Blue Jays represent. Don't worry, I ain't mad at ya'. I'd be pissed about the squad having another mediocre season and potentially missing the playoffs again as well.

- More bench player intros. Holy fuck have I given up a lot of All Stars from my fantasy team. Joakim Soria traded for some garbage outfielder and Joe Crede released outright. No wonder I'm third in my div.

- Nice to see some Hall Of Famers take their old positions on the field while this year's starters are announced. Especially Cal Ripken, Yogi Berra and Hank Aaron. Also nice to see Dave Winfield (inducted as a Padre and wearing a San Diego cap) also hold up a Yanks hat whilst being introduced. Excellent to see Gary Carter (inducted as an Expo and wearing the red white and blue Montreal hat) but not to thrilled to see him throw up his Mets gang sign during his introduction (yeah, I know the game is in New York and I know he won a World Series with the Mets but what would Youppi say?)

- Mr. Yankee of this generation, Derek Jeter, being announced and running out to short as The Stadium erupts like Billy Martin arguing a call in 1977.

- How about The Boss making a very grandiose Don Corleone entrance by wearing dark shades and being driven out to the mound on an golf cart packed with entourage? Then proceeding to be greeted by former Hall Of Fame Yankees like Yogi Berra and Reggie Jackson with a very Mafioso kiss on the cheek? Vito couldn't have done it better himself.

- Thanks Fox for not even broadcasting "Oh Canada." (Sportsnet had to cut into the feed halfway through.) Thanks Yankee Stadium for getting some canned Karaoke version of our national anthem and then trotting out Sheryl Crow to pluck a very tasteful "Star Spangled Banner."

- Nothing says America like a shot of a stealth bomber lurking over the skyline as we cut to commercial.

And onto the game:

- Cliff Lee guns down the first three NL Batters. I see why Francona started him.

- Jeter getting a first inning single and then swiping a bag to boot. Way to play the game like it should be played. Even in an exhibition match.

- Contrast with A-Rod popping out to end the inning.

- Yeah Chipper Jones getting the NL's first hit. (I just traded for him and Roy on my fantasy squad.)

- Manny getting booed as he steps up to the plate. Like he gives a shit.

- Holy Ben Sheets throwing smoke for the NL. Talk about SYASMAYS. (Sheets Your All Star Mound At Yankee Stadium.)

- I can see why Manny and Papelbon are on the AL roster, but Dustin Pedroia?

- Zambrano now on the hill for the NL and giving up a lead off single to Ichiro. I like Zambrano. I like Ichiro. I like the All Star Game so far.

- But enough about Josh Hamilton. Really. He had his night. It was great. His story of overcoming addiction is inspiring and remarkable. But if I have to hear about it one more time I'm going to start doing heroin.

- Yeah Roy! Taking the hill in the fourth. Apparently he pitches out of the "Rogers Dome" according to Fox's, Tim McCarver. Holy smokes looks like Pujols just about had a double off the Jays ace but Ichiro threw a laser beam to second from right field. Then Chipper chopped out by getting thrown out on his way to first. Way to go 1-2-3 on the big stage Doc!

- Zambrano vs A-Rod at the top of the fifth. Would it be poor form to drill someone in the All Star Game? I guess a strike out will have to do.

- Holy smokes, no sooner did I stop typing than the Big Z just about hit Manny in the head! Although they both laughed it off, could we see the first AL/NL bench clearer in history?

- Here's the story of the fourth inning. Do no fuck with Zambrano. As he just gunned down Milton Bradley leading off first. And I honestly don't know if Bradley will ever consider stealing another base in his career. I should start shopping him around. ( Yup, he sits on the Maniwaki roster as well.)

- Fifth inning already. When did this game start? 10 minutes ago? The old adage continues to ring true. Good pitching beats good hitting.

- Never mind the Madonna/A-Rod scandal. The NL is singing "Holiday" as Matt Holliday just hit a jack to put them up 1-0.

- A Rod's gone as Francona replaces him with Joe Crede. Now that's good managing.

- Two more Maniwaki All Stars just hit the field. Russel Martin catching for the NL and Ian Kinsler pinch running for the AL. It seems like every second guy playing in this game is either on my team or has been at one time. With this many All Stars, how the fuck am I still losing in my fantasy pool?

- Yeah Kinsler! Way to make Team Maniwaki proud by stealing second. Boo Martin!! Way to make Team Maniwaki look stupid by not throwing him out.

- Jeter's up. Damn, I hope he hits a jack to put the AL up. Make note. This will be the only time I will ever cheer for a player in a game situation who is wearing Yankee pinstripes.

- Yeah Justin Morneau starting the sixth inning at first. Christ if I'm sick of hearing about Hamilton, how must he feel?

- Lance Berkman just put the NL up 2-0 by knocking in Hanley Ramirez with a sac fly.

- Jeter leaves the field to thunderous applause as Michael Young replaces him at short. Have to hand it to Francona for subbing out the Yanks while they're on the field so that they get the home town applause. That's classy managing.

- Oh look, here's another recap about Josh Hamilton. Apparently he had some problems with drugs and alcohol and is now an All Star. Good that he made it on base though. The Jays need home field in October for The Series.

- Grady Sizemore. Good for baseball. Hasn't done anything significant yet, but I think we'll hear from him before the night's done.

- Hamilton just stole second. As well as coming back from drug addiction.

- Sizemore strikes out. Damn.

- And Bradley just flied out to end the inning. Double damn.

- Ok, it's the seventh and Francona's starting to chuck out the closers. Here's Joe Nathan from the Twins. Let's shut some shit down.

- And Paplebon's warming up. Look out.

- Josh Grobhan came out and did a very Disney rendition of "God Bless America." I would've rather heard Josh Hamilton belt it out instead.

- By the way did you know that a few years ago he was cracked out in some trailer park and made it back to the Majors?

- Another Maniwaki defensive replacement! Ryan Ludwick in left field for the NL. How the fuck am I losing my fantasy pool?

- As much as I have a hard time cheering for JD Drew, the two run jack he just smoked to tie the game was pretty timely.

- We all know how this is going to end. The AL will all put on their collective pin stripes and throw up a ton of runs in the next inning, and Rivera will take the hill in the top of the ninth to seal the deal while the stadium implodes four months early due to the chaos that will ensue. I'm already writing down my "this game was so good for baseball" final remarks.

- Here's Paplebon. And although tonight they're all on the same side, he's still getting an earful from Yankee fans.

- And giving up a lead off bloops. Uh oh. Yanks fans better realize that if they want to see Rivera in the ninth, they better chill out quick.

- Rays catcher Navarro just threw the ball into the outfield trying to gun down Tejada who stole second and then took third. And then just scored off an Adrian Gonzalez sac fly. 3-2 National League.

- On deck. The White Sox Carlos Quentin. Make everyone believe the hype. Roy is feeling a tad Blue with his Jays and needs home field in the World Series. And while your at it do something for Luongo here in Van.

- Another Carlos up to bat now. This one is Guillen from the White Sox. Let's hope the next guy up is named Carlos Bombhitter.

- Guillen strikes out, but look who's up. The next best thing to a guy named Carlos Bombhitter. Grady Sizemore.

- And look what he does. Smack a two out single. I knew he would come through. Longoria's up next.

- Sometimes you just know when a jack is coming. Although he hasn't hit it yet, you know it's coming.

- Oh goodness, Sizemore just stole second. All Longoria needs now is a hit, but you know he'll hit the bomb.

- Ok, it wasn't a jack, but he poked one into left field scoring Sizemore.

- Top o' the ninth. K Rod's on the hill for the AL. The question is how will Francona insert Rivera, if at all?

- Apparently by pulling Rodriguez off the hill after the Angels' stopper walked Aramis Ramirez. Which sets the table for Rivera to trot in from the bullpen whilst his trademark "Enter Sandman" accompanies him on the Bronxian sound system.

- And what does he do? Punches out Ludwick, only to have Navarro throw out Guzman attempting to steal second. Inning over. Not a long appearance but a damn exciting one. Chalk another one up for The Stadium Scrapbook.

- Another Lower mainland All Star is into the game. Ryan Dempster's on the hill for the NL. Hate to root against him as he's a Canuck, but I don't know if I've mentioned that the Roger's Dome needs home field advantage in the fall.

- Or that Josh Hamilton is still clean and sober.

- And an All Star.

- JD Drew again for the AL. Can he repeat his earlier bong hitting behaviour?

- Nope. Punched out. Onto extras.

- Rivera's back out for the tenth. And pitching like he's in a Pennant race.

- Until Maniwaki catcher, Russel Martin scrapes together a single.

- And then hustles over to third on the following Miguel Tejada single.

- But keeps his pinstripes by getting Uggla to hit into a double play. Onto the bottom of the 10th.

- Ok we've had our fun here. Let's see some good old fashioned Yankee extra inning heroics. Would someone just send one into the bleachers and we can all go home and feel good about ourselves and talk about Josh Hamilton some more?

- Wait a minute? Is Hamilton still in the game? If so I think we all know who's going to punch the NL's ticket.

- Look! An Uggla error as he can't field a routine grounder! Which allows Michael Young to reach first.

- And another one! As he lets another one go through his legs. Young on third. Quentin on first. Nobody out. Pretty Uggla. (sorry...)

- Guess who's up? Grady Sizemore.

- But couldn't do'er as he hits a shakey in-field grounder. Damn.

- And yet another weak in-field grounder (this one courtesy of Longoria) resulting in the second force out at home preserving the tie. Wow. What a game.

- Yesterday's Home Run Champ, Justin Morneau is up. I'll bet if he hits the game winning RBI the media will run right past him and over to Hamilton.

- Bottom of the eleventh. Kinsler leads off with a bloop. Let's AL this thing up already.

- Martin vs Kinsler round two goes to Martin as this time he throws out Kinsler attempting to steal second. One away.

- And Navarro walks. One on, one away.

- Drew again comes up big as he singles on. Two on, one away. Let's AL the fuck out of this thing already.

- The AL is out of defensive replacements, so Navarro who can't run, will have to hustle in case Michael Young hits.

- Which of course what happens and Navarro gets thrown out trying to score. Unreal. Two out. Two on. Still 3-3.

- Carolos Quentin up.

- And Carlos Quentin out.

- Onto the twelfth.

- Some National League style small ball. Nate McClouth bunts to get on base as well as advancing Ludwick.

- And even more as Russel Martin sac bunts to advance them both. One out. Wouldn't it be so very ironic if National League small ball eventually wins the game in the Stadium that is the Mecca of American League power hitting?

- Uggla can't catch a break as he strikes out with the bases loaded. Two away.

- Sherril comes out to the hill to face Adrian Gonzalez and punches him out. Literally.

- Ok, bottom of the twelfth. Let's AL the shit out of this thing already.

- Carlos Guillen seems to have heard me and just about finished the game by almost hitting a bomb. A double off the wall will have to do.

- Sizemore advances Guillen over as Uggla shanks yet another routine infield hit. Didn't this all just happen?

- Ok. Longoria. Hit a sac fly. Win game.

- Or even better, Guillen can steal home. And no I don't mean Jose Guillen actually putting home plate into his car and driving off with it.

- Longoria strikes out. Two out.

- Boo. Morneau is intentionally passed. However, Maniwaki All Star, Ian Kinsler is up next.

- Bottom of the twelfth. Two on. Two out. Do Team Maniwaki proud.

- Nay. Onto the thirteenth.

- Things are looking tense. Francona can only has Scott Kazmir left in his bullpen. Problem is that the Tampa starter threw 104 pitches on Sunday and the Rays don't want him used. If he is used, he's on a strict pitch count, and if it gets to that point and the game is still going, we could see Grady Sizemore or some other position player on the hill. No joke.

- Uggla has just made his fortieth error of the night. And yet the game is still tied. Where am I? The twilight zone?

- Ok. Drew just swiped second and is in scoring position. Carlos Quentin up. Let's AL the fuck out of this thing already.

- Nay. Onto the fourteenth.

- McClouth just about blasted one off Sherril. One out, none on for Martin. And as an aside. What a clinic put on by the Dodgers catcher this evening. Just stellar as he protected the plate to perfection numerous times. What a game saver. But no game winner as he flies out. As does Tejada. To the bottom of the fourteenth.

- As the winner of this game gets home field in the World Series, and both managers are just about out of pitchers, what are the odds that they let the Hall Of Famers suit up? Like you don't want to see Rollie Fingers moustache on the mound one more time.

- Might see it as we go to the fifteenth.

- Ok, this is getting pretty intense. Kazmir (on the strict pitch count) has started the inning. The last bullet has been loaded.

- And gets through the inning relatively quick. But how much is left in the tank?

- Rollie better get the moustache wax ready.

- Ok the NL has countered with their last hurler, Phillies closer, Brad Lidge.

- Two on, one out, Drew up. I can't believe I'm saying this but "Let's go JD Drew!" No really.

- Bases loaded as Drew walks. One out for Michael Young. Just don't swing at anything and walk the winning run home if you have to. Yes, and Uggla way to win, but whatever.

- But swing he does as he sac flies home Morneau. AL wins 4-3.

- And I'm pretty sacked as well so I'm signing off. See you at the Rogers Dome in October.

And We're Back

Ok, instead of going on a rant about the Maniwaki Lockout which lasted too damn long, and was too damn ridiculous to even recant, let's just ease back into the on line lunacy with a damn fine feel good story.

Namely Josh Hamilton's Ruthian performance in the Home Run Derby in The House That Ruth Built.

There is good for baseball and then there amazing for baseball. Although Hamilton eventually lost out to Lower Mainland MVP, Justin Morneau, this night was amazing for baseball. The story:

Hamilton, a former hard core drug addict and alcoholic who had crashed and burned out of ball in 04, returned this year, clean and sober. While still battling addiction daily, Hamilton managed not only to hold an everyday job in The Bigs, he proceeded to put up All Star numbers for Texas. As well as set a new first round record in the Home Run Derby by tattooing 28 jacks as if they were inked on his arm.

Each ball Hamilton crushed out of The Stadium sent the Bronx faithful into a manic frenzy as if they saw the ghost of The Babe himself step up to the plate. The atmosphere was October grade electric as Yankee fans made Hamilton an honorary Bomber. Every ball that he connected with appeared as if it would ricochet off the moon. Just stunning.

As this is the last year of big league ball in Yankee Stadium, Hamilton's All Star antics added yet another memorable snapshot in the very, very fat history book of The House. In all of my years of watching the game, this was one of the purest moments I have ever witnessed. Just amazing for baseball.

Flashback Sunday

Pitched for the first time today since Grade 4 and it didn't go much better. The line:

1 K, 5-10 BB and gave up the first jack of our East Van League ever. Off the first pitch in th 7th.

It was a horrific flashback to my childhood start in Norquay, Sask.

Although today wasn't my day (about 25 years later), I swear that the baseball Gods will give me my day on the hill yet.

Capital Shiftiness

Well look who's under investigation. Washington Nationals, GM, Jim Bowden, for allegedly ripping off players signed from the Dominican Republic. From an orchestrated relocation, to a shady stadium deal, to an aversion to signing players with criminal records, to now this, one would think that Congress might have to start looking into its own back yard to find impropriety in baseball.

Talk About A Flashback Friday

Jays in powder blues, decimating the Yanks in a packed Dome. Yup, it might as well be the '80's all over again. The only thing missing is that Doc should be sporting a Dave Stieb moustache to go along with the complete game two hitter he's throwing.

Here's another flashback. To a week ago when we were actually up live to the www.

The Maniwaki Navy Seals are preparing to launch at sundown.

Another Jays Walk Off?

Two walk off wins to complete a three game sweep of the O's? Looks like Cito and Gene Tenace are finally getting that timely hitting out of the lads. What would be even more timely is if this site actually were up so you could read it relatively soon after the game wraps. I am told tomorrow is the day. If it is not, I am sending in the Maniwaki Navy Seals to liberate the site from The Enemy. This entire ridiculous affair is starting to resemble the Iran Hostage Crisis of the late '70's. Basically, the site is being held hostage by a ruthless organization who refuse to admit their own errors. No matter. The strike team is applying black face paint and checking their weapons.

AJ's Last Stand?

Could be as trade rumours are swirlling around him like a hurricane with a distinguished first name. With all the Jay Bruces, Hanley Ramirezes, and Jacoby Ellsburys kicking around the league let's hope that the front office can rope in some Double A prospect who wakes up in the morning and eats split finger fastballs for breakfast.

An Epic Tilt

Foreman vs Ali.

Sox vs Yanks.

Superman vs Doomsday.

These epic tilts have left all who have witnessed them shaken to their very core.

Now we have a new entrant into the pantheon:

Maniwaki Mauler vs the Domain Registration Service.

A very nasty and bloody affair so far. But make no mistake. If you're the wagering type, make sure you put your money on the square marked Maniwaki.

More Northwest News

Signed. Todd Bertuzzi. To the Calgary Flames.

Gone. The Seattle Supersonics have officially opened up shop in Oklahoma complete with non de-script black unis that sport the NBA logo on it. Name to follow. How about the the "Oklahoma City Swindlers?"

Tilting. Me vs the web hosting company as this site is still not up. Unlike Mike Gillis dealing with Mats Sundin or Brian Burke dealing with Scott Niedermayer, this will not take all summer.

The Cloud Continues

Perhaps it's for the best that we're still off line as there really is not a lot to get jacked up about in this neck of the woods. These last few days officially rank as one of the darkest times in Maniwaki history, if not the darkest as:

1. The Canucks have instantly been transformed into a glorified beer league team with no marquee players within a coming within a hundred miles of this place. Thank GM, Mike Gillis, who apparently had only one plan for the free agency period. Offer big money to a guy that might not want to even play, whilst not offering a contract to your captain and twelve year vet (who would've been a perfect line mate for the aforementioned) thus insuring that none of them play here. Oh but we signed Bernier. Who? Exactly.

2. The Jays continue to get their asses kicked out west. Litsch getting roughed up in Anaheim to the tune of 7-1. At this stage in the game, I really need to see some offence. It's getting dire. Goals, runs, I don't care. I'd even welcome Hank Sedin running onto the field at Safeco field to put a puck past catcher Kenji Johjima.

3. The Sonics are going. While they are not my team, and I've never rooted for them, they are neighbours, and they've garnered a ton of support over their 40 year history. Right up until the end, as they were recently given the green light to relocate to Oklahoma City. NBA Commish, David Stern, has rapidly passed Gary Bettman in the perniciousness department and is even challenging the Grand Master Of Sporting Evilness himself, Bud Selig. That's like throwing down the Grinch. And contending.

Continue Holding Please...

...apparently getting back on line is as easy as getting a new iPhone in Canada.

An Unhappy Return

A Canucks team with not even a C-list free agent. A shooting outside of our building. And now the site has crashed. Unimpressed with my return to the lower mainland thus far.

Farewell O Capitain...

As much as I wanted the Gillis to ink Naslund to a one year contract to hopefully tear it up with Sundin, it seems that the "C" has been ready to high tail it out of town for a while. Markus Naslund, on recent signing to the Rangers today, had this to say:

"Since July 1, my eyes have been set on the Rangers. It ended up taking a little bit longer but I'm very pleased that I'm a Ranger now," he said on a conference call from Sweden. "I want to feel that I play on a level where I know I can play. I want to play better hockey than I have the past few years. That's why I'm looking at this as a challenge for me to prove that."

Which I can understand but 'nary a word about the squad he was on for 12 years? And captained since 2000? I'm not expecting a gut wrenching Ryan Smith tear-a-thon here, but at least a couple of words would be nice. I mean does he really want to exit like some Mike Commodore-esque journeyman?

I can understand why he'd want to high tail it out of Van. The Captain's departure is akin to the Nomar Garciaparra's exit from the Red Sox in '04. A franchise player, who's numbers went into decline, making him public enemy number one around Boston. He barely escaped to L.A. with his life. Vancouver's treatment of Naslund was similar, often getting targetted for all of the organizations failures which was ultimately unfair. Yes, he wasn't the same after Bertuzzi left, and yes his production went down. But it was still respectable and he did come through in the playoffs. He wasn't the only one not lighting the lamp.

So even if he's on a West Jet bound for NY right now and wants only to forget the nastiness of this neck of the woods by remaining silent, let me at least say:

El Capitán, thanks for the years of service and for captaining this squad through Blackcomb Glacier highs as well as through lower Eastside lows. Although it might not have been a perfect run, it sure was interesting. While the Mauler (as well as the hordes of mainstream media) have blasted you at times, we did appreciate your efforts. Thanks for the years of hard work. Best of luck on Broadway.

...

Come On Mats...

Take the deal. 20 Mill for two years. You can relive the days of Team Sweden Olympic Gold everyday. The twins will be happy, Naslund will be happy, I'll be happy. Just take the deal and let's win a cup already.

I'm taking off from the great plains in a few hours. I'm going to check the TV in Calgary on the stop over, where I'd like to hear some good news. However, by the time I land in the lower mainland, I want to hear that you're going to be rolling in as well in a few months.

Maniwaki Canada Day Congratulations

Seeing as it's the annual Maple Leaf shindig, let's take off our shirts, sit on the front lawn and crack a Canadian and celebrate the recent accomplishments of some champions of Canadian sport. The Mauler officially recognizes:

1. CIto Gaston. For digging the Blue Jays out of their seemingly pit of despair in the AL East. On pace to reach their goal of getting back to .500 by the All Star Break, Cito has been able to coax the offence out of its hibernation cave, with a resounding roar.

Canucks GM Mike Gillis. For making a cross Canada run at free agent, Mats Sundin. Apparently willing to shell out 10 million loonies per season on a two year contract, the GM is serious about getting serious help for the offensively challenged squad fast.

Dan Cleary. The Red Wings forward and Newfoundland native, brought the recently claimed Stanley Cup off shore and over onto the rock as he is the first from the province ever to have his name engraved on the trophy. Let's hope he puts a cod in it or a 40 pounder of Screech. Or both.

Cujo. A history textbook definition of Canadian determination ala Jon Cabot or Farley Mowatt, this guy just doesn't quit as he recently signed a one year contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Like the coastline, he just keeps going and going and going....

...ok, now it's time to graduate to some Crown and blast a mix tape complete with the Hip, Gordon Lightfoot, and Helix.