Bit of a different column this time. I’m still going to share my thoughts on the Blue Jays week, but I will also be writing about some baseball media. I made an appearance on the MLB Daily podcast and came across a couple of interesting reads. This is my MLB Media Week.
MLB Daily
I had the pleasure of appearing on MLB Daily, a podcast about Major League Baseball with new episodes, well, daily.
Hosted by co-Belly Up Sports brethren LJ LaFiura and Brandon Karam, the show takes a deep dive into everything baseball. There’s no half-stepping with these two, they record each show following the ending of the west coast games. LJ told me he has adjusted his sleep schedule accordingly, a very dedicated young man.
Simply put, these guys love baseball and they know their stuff. Their enthusiasm is palpable. I had a blast talking Blue Jays, baseball and made my case for the best division in MLB.
Listen below or search MLB Daily wherever you stream or download your podcasts.
https://t.co/Ypkb7cAg40
— MLB Daily (@MLBDailyPod) April 17, 2021
Big thanks to @GraemeW_bus for joining us to talk about the Bluejays and the rest of the league! Very fun episode as we recap all the games from 4/16 including the Dodgers Padres matchup. As always we will be back tomorrow!
Vladdy
The big story out of Jays’ training camp was the physical transformation of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Two weeks into the season the hype hasn’t died down, but it’s for his play on the field.
I read a great article by Sarah Langs, highlighting several statistical improvements compared with Guerrero Jr’s previous two seasons.
MOST #TBJHomers before turning 23:
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) April 18, 2021
1) Guerrero Jr. (28) ?
2) Olerud, Moseby (27)
3) Snider (25) pic.twitter.com/DDLvKshkiz
Vladdy’s expected batting average and expected slugging percentage, as well as his improved walk rate, were some key numbers. The piece suggests that Guerrero Jr.’s start is for real. That’s a concept that should delight Jays’ fans, and horrify pitchers everywhere.
Jackie, Before Jackie
April 15th is a special day around Major League Baseball. Jackie Robinson Day as the league honors the great man who broke the color barrier. Every player wears his #42 and his legacy is celebrated.
Today, on Jackie Robinson Day, all players will wear Jackie’s #42. A well deserved honor for a man that had a huge impact on my career. #jackierobinsonday pic.twitter.com/7kX7kdeu6V
— Fergie Jenkins (@fergieajenkins) April 15, 2021
This year I was treated to a tale of a man who nearly integrated baseball in 1905. William Clarence Matthews almost signed with the Boston Nationals near the turn of the 20th century.
Matthews starred on the Harvard baseball team and earned the admiration of his teammates by playing shortstop and catcher.
In the end, the world wasn’t ready for integration into professional baseball. Matthews had to settle for playing in the Northern League. The Nationals went 51-103 and Robinson wouldn’t make his debut until over fifty years later.
Just a great article by Anthony Castrovince. Check it out below.
Every American should know the name William Clarence Matthews. I’m embarrassed to say I didn’t until stumbling upon it recently. The more I learned, the more my jaw dropped.
— Anthony Castrovince (@castrovince) April 13, 2021
Meet the man who could have integrated @MLB… 42 years before Jackie Robinson. https://t.co/v4FzMIVhqh
The Week That Was
The Blue Jays had an ok week, taking two of three from the Yankees, before dropping three of four against the Royals.
Ray Of Light
Robbie Ray made his first start of the season and looked good. He pitched five innings and gave up 3 hits and 2 earned runs. His return is a welcome one, a steady presence in a rotation that has lacked depth.
Ray also started Sunday’s game, and while he didn’t have his best stuff, he battled through five scoreless innings. He stranded ten Royals batters despite walking 6 batters!
Let’s Bo!
Bo Bichette’s walk-off home run highlighted the series win over the Yankees. It marked a turnaround in the shortstop’s play in recent days.
Bo Bichette has tied Joe DiMaggio for the MOST multi-extra-base hit games (14) through his first 87 @MLB games ? pic.twitter.com/SBvmwWtv4Z
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) April 14, 2021
Slump Busters
A couple of players got off the schneid as Rowdy Tellez and Alejandro Kirk got their first hits of the season.
Rowdy Tellez hits his 1st HR of the season & 34th of his career. His 34 HR are the 3rd-most in #WeAreBlueJays history through a player’s first 178 career games. pic.twitter.com/AjuAffhvLt
— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) April 14, 2021
O-Kay Start
Anthony Kay made his season debut on Thursday night and didn’t look great, surrendering 4 earned runs over 3.1 innings. He wasn’t helped by a Cavan Biggio fielding error. Biggio was later unable to come up with a Whit Merrifield double and left the game with right-hand pain.
Harris
Tommy Milone made the start in the back-end of the doubleheader on Saturday. He’s a veteran who relies on craftiness, grit, and precision to succeed. He reminds me of Harris, the old pitcher in my favorite baseball movie, Major League.
Steven Matz started the first game and was, once again sensational, yielding just one run over six innings. He’s gotten plenty of run support but is 3-0 with a 1.47 ERA.
Last Licks
Another tough week on the injury front. Ross Stripling, Jordan Romano, and Julian Merryweather were added to the IL. Overall, a good week for the bullpen. Rafael Dolis, Trent Thornton, and Joel Payamps have stepped up.
It appears that several Blue Jays, including George Springer and Nate Pearson, could be nearing a return.
Injury updates on, well, a lot of #BlueJays players:https://t.co/k8kPNE3SEM
— Keegan Matheson (@KeeganMatheson) April 18, 2021
The Blue Jays have the lowest bullpen ERA in the Majors. The Yankees, meanwhile, are at or near the bottom in batting average (.210), slugging percentage (.346), and record (5-10) in the American League.
Have a great week everyone.
