Shock Factor
Playing the Angels have proved a little more annoying than I remember. The Jays haven't faced Weaver or Santana yet this series, who have historically owned them, but still faced the mighty Dan Haran. And I find that unlike some really great pitchers around the league, Haran is a drag to watch because he is so methodical and a bit joyless on the mound. That, combined with the fact that Vernon Wells plays to his full potential in front of the fans who boo him and Peter Bourjos is very gifted, makes the series very annoying. Other than Romero dressing up as Vernon. That made up for some of it. Anyone else reminded of this? Vernon turned me into a newt!
Although it gets less funny when the guy you are mocking hits 4 RBIs and gets to the seemingly unshakeable Casey Janssen and his team smashes your bullpen for the second consecutive night.
Brett Lawrie broke his finger (and our full tilt hearts) when he was taking grounders yesterday, ending his season with just under a week to go. And no, Lawrie isn't eligible for Rookie of the Year next season. People need to get over that, as I think ROY is a massively overrated award. During his first 43 games, Gordie Dougie lead all rookies in the majors over that time in triples (four), slugging percentage (.580), total bases (86), and on-base plus slugging (.961). All while bathing in beer, maple syrup, wrestling moose and chopping down pine trees with his bare hands. And earning the scorn of Red Sox fans, which has endeared him to me immensely.
If you guys aren't reading John Lott from the National Post, you are fools. His stories have helped me deal with the impending melancholy of the end of baseball. Kelly Johnson talks about not paying attention to the Arizona Diamondbacks and their playoff hunt.
“There was some shock factor, switching leagues and coming over to the [AL] East, seeing new pitchers every time out. As far as coming to a new team, the guys here made it real easy and everybody around the city has been great.”
“There was some shock factor, switching leagues and coming over to the [AL] East, seeing new pitchers every time out. As far as coming to a new team, the guys here made it real easy and everybody around the city has been great.”
Plus, the NL West is a humorous division, might as well build up your experience versus the cream.