Results tagged ‘ Jose Bautista ’
Congrats to Bautista
A huge congratulations goes to Blue Jays star Jose Bautista this morning, the day after he jacked his 50th home run of the season, becoming just the 26th player in MLB history to do so. In doing so, he sets a new Toronto team record, having surpassed George Bell’s 1987 mark of 47 dingers a week or so ago.
Fifty home runs is an amazing accomplishment, especially considering Bautista did it by changing his swing (with the help of Jays hitting coach Duane Murphy) instead of bulking up on steroids. I love seeing old records stand, and Bell’s MVP season in 1987 is one of my first baseball memories. But it’s great to see a higher mark set for future Jays to try to reach.
I’m glad Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos didn’t trade Bautista away at the deadline, and hope they can lock him up to a long-term contract. This is a guy whose versatility (he can play outfield, third and first) in addition to his hitting make him a valuable asset for this team.
Way to go, Jose!
‘Graphing the Jays’ power
During last night’s 11th inning win over the Tigers, the Jays got home runs from Jose Bautista (who else?) and Adam Lind. Right now, there are eight guys on the team who’ve hit at least 10 home runs this season, and two guys stuck at eight. This team has a real shot at getting 10 guys with double digits in home runs, which is amazing.
Here’s how I’ve done in getting autographs of these guys:
1. Jose Bautista (42): I sent to him during Spring Training, and haven’t received anything back yet. Here’s hoping!
2. Vernon Wells (23): Doesn’t sign TTM, as I found out back in the summer of 2006 when I first started this hobby. But I have a handful of certified auto’d cards of him.
3. Aaron Hill (19): I have four cards signed TTM from him. Two back in 2006 and two in 2008. I’ve got another couple out to him now, and hope to get them back this fall.
4. Adam Lind (18): Doesn’t sign TTM, but before he made it to the Bigs, I loaded up with a dozen or so of his certified autograph cards.
5. Alex Gonzalez (17): No longer with the team. I don’t have anything of his.
6. Lyle Overbay (16): After a horrendous start to the season, Overbay has been one of the club’s best hitters. I’ve got him three times over the years — once on a ball, once on a Topps card and this year on an 08 Ginter card.
7. John Buck (14): I don’t have anything of his.
8. Edwin Encarnacion (13): In addition to being unable to hit, he’s also unable to sign. He hasn’t responded to two TTM requests in the last two years.
9. Fred Lewis (8): I finally found a card of his (a rookie card, when he was with SF) and sent it off a couple weeks ago. He’s shown to be a good signer to other collectors, so I hope I get it back. He’s become one of my favourite Jays this season, and also one of the most exciting to watch.
10. Travis Snider (8): Snider goes through stages in which he signs, then goes a stretch without signing. I have one of his certified autos, but sent to him TTM a few weeks back on a Topps rookie card.
Back on track
It was nice to see Brandon Morrow finally get that elusive first win as a Blue Jay — and enjoy his finest performance of the season. Morrow was roughed up in each of his two first starts, but last night, took a no-hitter into the sixth inning and got good run support to beat Kansas City 8-1. Morrow gave up just three hits over seven innings and fanned eight.
The Good:
Brandon Morrow: Lowered his ERA nearly five points to 7.31 with a great outing; now has 16 Ks in as many innings.
Lyle Overbay: Finally! The Jays first baseman had his best game of the season, going 2-for-2 with two walks. He also had a double and didn’t strike out after five straight games with at least one whiff.
Mike McCoy: I love his speed! Though McCoy won’t see much action when Aaron Hill returns, the speedy 2B had two steals to give him three in as many games.
Jose Bautista: After a mini slump, the versatile infielder drove in five runs, thanks to a pair of dingers. He also left five runners on base, but we’ll ignore that.
The Bad:
Jose Molina: Went hitless again; now hitless in three of four games this season. But the veteran did a good job calling the game for his young starter.
Buck Watch: Buck was on mute again in my house.
Watchability: It’s always bittersweet when the Jays win without support from their big guns. (Wells and Lind went a combined 1-for-8 with no RBI and three Ks) but it was nice to see runs come from elsewhere in the lineup. Three baseballs out of five.
malcolmmacmillan
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