Blue Jays Do Awesome Things, Are Awesome


In case you were at home, forgetting just how awesome Josh Donaldson is, Josh Donaldson made an appearance on MLB Network Radio today to remind you.

“I’ll tell you the first thing I said to David Price — this was before the season ended. I said, David, I know you’re a big deal. I want you on my team. But if you’re not going to be on my team, I’m not mad… You’re left-handed — Im’ma get mine.”

I said, David.....

Seriously, it's just the greatest. He's smart, complimentary to both Estrada and Stroman and he's funny as heck.

And I love the way he says, "Mexico."
   


Another interview, this one with Marcus Stroman. He talks about his rehab, the completion of his degree, pitching in the playoffs and rapping.

And he says Aaron Sanchez is a starter. Smart boy.



John Lott has a comprehensive and very interesting piece on Gil Kim, who was just hired this week as Blue Jays' first director of player development.  As Lott explains, he will oversee the club’s minor-league operation, which includes eight teams in three countries, as well as the staff in various disciplines that shape individual programs for each player in the system.

(Stoeten suggests his name lends to shouting "GIL KIM!")

Kim's road to this place has been an interesting one. He is 5'6" and was a utility guy who played in Netherlands, Beijing, Australia, Spain and finally Venezuela, where he slept in the clubhouse bathroom.


Shapiro has talked extensively about how he wants to build the team in a new way, and Kim is likely going to factor into that. But given his connection to a Jays certain relief pitcher, I suspect Kim's hiring wasn't so much a Shapiro initiative but, rather, was brought to him.




Anthony Alford seems kinda good.

Jose Bautista was named as a coach to Team Canada for the Celebrity NBA All Star Game, joining Drake, Steve Nash and Tracy McGrady. 

Per Sportsnet:

Though more names could be added, Canada’s roster of celebrities will include 6’5” tennis star Milos Raonic, Arcade Fire’s Win Butler, Drew and Jonathan Scott (of the W Network’s Property Brothers), actor/singer Kris Wu, and actor Stephan James.

Celebrities on the American side include Creed star Michael B. Jordan, SNLalumn Jason Sudekis, actor Anthony Anderson, Empire‘s Bryshere “Yazz” Gray, America’s Got Talent host Nick Cannon, and, um, Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry.

Every time I hear the name "Nick Cannon", I think of this:


"He's hilarious."
This might be my favourite thing in a while. What a delightfully strange individual. "Managing my inbox."

YES Network has a show where they follow Joe Girardi around. It's a show that has never really appealed to me, but I would watch the heck out of "A Day at ARod Corp."