The Same Page: Jays Have Players-Only Meeting, Even Series with Sox
After Friday's embarrassing loss in the opening game of the MOST IMPORTANT SERIES EVER, the Blue Jays called a "players-only" meeting to do whatever it is they do in a "players-only" meeting.
I am perhaps overly preoccupied with what goes on in these meetings, mostly because I'm denied access. I'm not a player and the door is shut to me. Endless speculation by those with no insight or access was all over.
Because I have no access and little insight, I made stuff up.
I speculated on Twitter that it was Tulo, Donaldson and Martin most likely to be talking at one of these things. And sure enough, it seems Tulowitzki, Donaldson, Martin, Bautista and Encarnación were among the talkers.
I imagined that Tulowitzki did some sort of pep talk with quick and easy tips about how to have a better time playing baseball. Tulo's probably got a little Coach Taylor in him. I posted them throughout the game.
Troy Tulowitzki was totally right. Two run homers are more fun than errors on routine plays. Clear eyes. Full Hearts. Can't lose.
John Lott, because he has actual access to players, got a few players to talk about what went on.
I love how he gives so many hints and then says, "I'm not going to really get into details....."
Given the mood amongst fans on the internet over the past week, these comments are relevant in a few different ways. In fact, some of this reflects various arguments between different factions of fans.
Losing sucks. It makes you sad/mad. When you are sad/mad, you make a lot of grumbling noises. This is irritating to others around you, especially those who understand the following facts.
- Fact: Baseball is hard and sometimes it sucks. It always sucks to lose.
- Fact: There is no reason to panic (or get belligerent on Twitter) as it is a waste of energy and solves nothing.
- Fact: STFU. No one wants to listen to that.
However, everyone likes winning.
The Jays managed to hold on to win 3-2. The Red Sox threatened a few times but Benoit, Grilli and Osuna shut it down. The Jays didn't score any of those all-important but elusive add-on runs.
Starter J.A. Happ, who went six strong innings, giving up two runs on four hits, felt the meeting had a direct impact. As reported by Shi Davidi,
(I would also like to give a shout out to Shi Davidi for actually working the phrase "feces fest" into his piece to describe Friday's game. That's quality, Shi Diggity.)
Whether the positive feelings from the meeting or Saturday's win carry over into next week remain to be seen but winning the weekend series versus the Red Sox, especially after the "feces fest" on Friday, wouldn't be a bad thing to build on.
Also, get this guy going. Get it going.
Music? Ok.