Basso named new Skychiefs manager
SYRACUSE (NY) -- The Toronto Blue Jays announced today that MIKE BASSO has been named the new manager of the Syracuse SkyChiefs, becoming the 35th manager in Syracuse franchise history. BASSO replaces MARTY PEVEY who guided the SkyChiefs to a 137-151 record in his two seasons as manager.
BASSO, 41, has managed in the Blue Jays Organization for the past three seasons, the last two with Double-A New Hampshire, accumulating a record of 291-193. Under BASSO'S direction the Fisher Cats captured the 2004 Eastern League Championship, becoming the first Blue Jays affiliate above the Class A level to win a league title. In his first season in the Jays organization, 2003, BASSO's Single-A Dunedin Blue Jays lost in the finals of the Florida State League Championship. BASSO was named the Florida State League Manager of the Year in 2003 and the Eastern League Manager of the Year in 2004.
Overall BASSO owns a record of 628-565 in nine seasons as a Manager and has led his team to the playoffs in six of the nine seasons. He made his managerial debut with the San Diego Padres Single-A affiliate in Idaho Falls in 1995 leading the club to the playoffs with a 42-29 record. BASSO managed in the Padres system for six years including Double-A Mobile in 1999 and 2000 and also was an advance scout for the Padres in 2001and 2002.
As a player BASSO enjoyed a nine year professional career as a catcher, all in the San Diego Padres organization, progressing as far as Triple-A Las Vegas where he played in a combined 57 games in 1992 and 1993 before spending his last season as a player-coach for the Padres Single-A affiliate in Rancho Cucamonga in 1994.
BASSO will lead the SkyChiefs into action for the first time when the SkyChiefs open the 2006 season at home on Thursday April 6th against the Rochester Red Wings.
DICK SCOTT, the Blue Jays Director of Player Development, says, "Mike is truly deserving of this great opportunity with the success he's enjoyed over the past three seasons in our system. He does an excellent job of communicating with his players and earning their respect. He also works well with our front office to implement things on the field that fit with our strategy as an organization."
Source: http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/
Jays prospects honing skills in AFL
The Arizona Fall League continued to mystify the Peoria Saguaros and their players from the Blue Jays organization. Most batters struggled to find consistency as the Saguaros limped to a 1-5 record over the past week.
On the other hand, two of Toronto's better pitching prospects showed marked improvement this week. Here is a rundown of how each of the Blue Jays' six prospects fared:
RHP Stephen Andrade -- After getting off to a rocky start, Andrade settled in during his second week in the AFL. The hard-throwing right-hander allowed just one run over five innings last week, including a sterling performance Oct. 13 in which he fanned seven batters while tossing three no-hit innings against Grand Canyon.
RHP Bubbie Buzachero -- The 24-year-old righty had an up-and-down week for the Saguaros. Buzachero sandwiched a pair of outings in which he did not give up an earned run around an Oct. 15 appearance in which he allowed two runs on a hit and two walks while retiring just two batters.
C Erik Kratz -- Kratz saw limited playing time this week and went hitless in five plate appearances over three games.
LF Adam Lind -- Lind continued to struggle in his second week, going 1-for-12 with one RBI in four games.
C Guillermo Quiroz -- In an uneventful week, Quiroz went 2-for-8 in a pair of starts and struck out in a pinch-hit appearance Oct. 15.
2B Ryan Roberts -- It was feast or famine for Roberts this week as he collected two hits in three of his five games, but went hitless in the other two. His best night of the stretch was Oct. 15 against the Javelinas. He went 2-for-4 with a solo homer and two runs scored.
Source: http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/
Mailbag: What role will Batista play?
Do you think Miguel Batista's "troubles" closing out games late in the season are enough to cost him the closing job despite how good he was earlier in the year? -- Sean M., Hamilton, Ont.
The Blue Jays haven't changed their mind about their closer. As of mid-October, Batista is still Toronto's first choice to serve as relief ace next season.
The right-hander's first season as a closer brought good and bad news. The closer successfully converted 31 of 39 save opportunities, but six of the eight blown saves came after the All-Star break. Batista went 0-2 with a 6.08 ERA in August and 0-3 with a 7.36 mark in September, so his "troubles" were a little bit more than a blip on the radar screen.
Still, the veteran was given a very solid vote of confidence by J.P. Ricciardi, the team's general manager. Toronto expects improvement from Batista in his second run, and if he is unable to handle the job, the Jays have a host of hard-throwing options to choose between -- including Justin Speier and Jason Frasor, and perhaps even Dustin McGowan.
The Blue Jays expect to go out and improve in a lot of areas this winter, but late relief just isn't one of them. Things could certainly change, especially if the Jays are unable to acquire a starting pitcher this winter.
Who are the free agents from the Blue Jays? -- Dylan P., Shiloh, Ohio
This one is easy. The Blue Jays didn't have any free agents until last week, when they tried to outright Frank Menechino and Ken Huckaby off the 40-man roster and down to Triple-A Syracuse. Both veterans refused the assignment, opting instead for free agency. Menechino may come back on a Minor League contract, but Huckaby's stint with Toronto appears to be over.
The Jays have six players who are eligible for arbitration, and that should be an interesting sideline to watch this winter. Shea Hillenbrand and Ted Lilly both have been eligible previously, but Scott Downs, Pete Walker, Josh Towers and Orlando Hudson will be going through the process for the first time. Only Towers and Hudson are expected to get significant raises.
Walker may not even make it to arbitration. The Jays may elect to non-tender him -- waive the right to even offer him a contract -- before the process begins. Ricciardi said he won't try that strategy with Lilly, even though the southpaw could command a $5 million payday through arbitration.
What do you think is to become of Eric Hinske? Was this his last chance with the Jays? It seems to me that after his Rookie of the Year season, he has been more of a liability than anything else. Will he be a Jay next year? -- Tim M., Windsor, Ont.
Batista may sporadically bear the brunt of Toronto's collective frustrations, but Hinske hears about his shortcomings on a daily basis. He may never live up to his first season, but he hasn't been as bad as some fans would like to believe. This year, for instance, Hinske clearly outhit Hudson, Corey Koskie and Alex Rios -- but you never hear about that at the Rogers Centre.
You can even make a case that only three Toronto regulars -- Vernon Wells, Hillenbrand and Frank Catalanotto -- had better offensive seasons than Hinske. Of course, you're talking about a team that had its share of offensive struggles, so that may not necessarily mean much.
Now, plenty of you are reading this and thinking, "Of course he outhit half the team -- he's playing at a power position." Yes, but he was playing first base for the first season, and playing it relatively well defensively. Hinske's offensive numbers were below average for American League first basemen, but for the Blue Jays, he's one of the best in-house options.Strangely enough, that Rookie of the Year season may be the worst thing that ever happened to Hinske's career. Sure, it got him name recognition, job security and a lucrative contract extension, but it also obliterated any sense of fair expectation for his future performance. Hinske may need a change of scenery to progress as a player, but it doesn't appear that he'll get one.
How are the Taiwanese pitchers (Po-Hsuan Keng and Chi-Hung Cheng) the Blue Jays signed? Will they make it to the Major Leagues? -- Andrew K., Nanaimo, B.C.
It's still a little early to tell. Both Keng and Cheng pitched for Class A Lansing this year, which places them at least three seasons away from big-league consideration.
Keng just turned 21 years old last week, and he split his first season with Lansing between starting and relief. The youngster went 5-5 with a 5.08 ERA, allowing 98 hits in less than 80 innings of work. He got hit hard but walked just 22 batters.
Cheng is eight months younger than Keng, but he fared much better. Cheng notched a 7-6 record with a 3.15 ERA as Lansing's ace, and he struck out 142 batters in just 137 innings. Only two Midwest League pitchers had more strikeouts, and both of them pitched significantly more innings.
Both Keng and Cheng likely will move up a level next year, and if Cheng continues his dominance, the Jays may think about moving him onto the fast track. For now, he'll simply continue mowing down hitters who are at least close to his age.
Source: http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/
Assistant GM McCleary leaves Jays
TORONTO -- The Blue Jays announced a change in their front office Thursday, when assistant general manager Tim McCleary parted ways with the team.
McCleary's expertise lay in the interpretation of rules and contracts, a role that may not be filled in the foreseeable future. Paul Godfrey, the team's president and CEO, explained the move in a prepared statement.
"We thank Tim for his many and varied contributions to the club and have a high regard for him both personally and professionally," said Godfrey. "At this time, no decision has been made on a replacement for his position."
The Jays recently promoted former scout Sal Butera to the role of assistant general manager, but Butera's experience lies in baseball matters as opposed to procedural ones. McCleary joined Toronto in November 1995, and he helped prepare the team for contract negotiations, budgeting and the arbitration process.
He gained experience in those areas by working for the Office of the Commissioner from 1986 to 1992. McCleary started as an intern and worked his way to director of player and waiver records before moving on to his first front office job.
McCleary worked for three years with the Yankees as assistant general manager before joining the Jays in the same capacity. After four years, he was promoted to vice president. Now, the Jays have one less voice speaking up in consultation.
"This was a truly difficult decision to make," said J.P. Ricciardi, Toronto's general manager. "Tim is more than just a good baseball man, he's a good friend. But we felt we needed to make a change."
Source: http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/
Jays have high hopes for young trio
TORONTO -- You know about Vernon Wells and Corey Koskie. What about the rest?
Despite the club's youth-dotted roster, most of Toronto's regulars are established players -- established for what they can or can't do over the length of a regular season. The Jays hope to sign or trade for a few more veterans of that stripe during the offseason, but their forward momentum may hinge on further strides from Russ Adams, Aaron Hill and Alex Rios.
All three of those players are recent first-round draft picks, and all three have shown glimpses of their potential. Nobody knows what kind of big leaguers they'll be over the long haul, but Toronto should start to find out in 2006. Rios took a step back in his second full season, and the Jays are hoping for opposite reactions from both Hill and Adams.
"I thought Hill did a great job coming up," said Toronto's general manager, J.P. Ricciardi, at his season-ending press conference. "[Especially] when you think that two years ago, this guy was playing in the College World Series, and [now] he's in the big leagues holding his own. I think he went through a little bit of a dead period, but he bounced back and had a good last month. He went over and played second base -- a position he hadn't really played at -- and did a good job.
"If he's going to be on our club, he has to play every day. I don't think it would do him any good to be a reserve."
In other words, Hill played well enough to move past the part-time role. Ricciardi doesn't want to see one of his top prospects flitting between three positions -- he wants him to find one, conquer it and remove that spot from consideration for the next few seasons. Despite making 26 errors as a rookie, Adams has managed to master the shortstop role.
"I think he played better as the year went on, defensively," said Ricciardi. "I think he's only going to get better there. Sixty-three RBIs out of your shortstop is a pretty good offensive year."
Toronto doesn't know whether Hill will make more sense at second base or third base, and that will likely depend on offseason trade developments with respective incumbents Orlando Hudson and Corey Koskie. Brian Butterfield, the team's infield coach, thinks Adams and Hill will be able to adjust to whatever the situation dictates.
"It makes the job that much more fun when you have players that are hungry, that want to get better and are willing to pay the price," he said in the last week of the season. "They've improved at preparing as a Major League player, and they've improved through repetition in game situations -- both of them -- and it's the same thing as Orlando Hudson.
"When [Hudson] first came in as a starting second baseman, he struggled at first and showed steady improvement. I think that's what we're hoping for with the young guys."
Rios' situation is completely different. The youngster got the job in right field with little or no competition the last two seasons, and he seemed to stall out a bit in his development. He could be on the verge of breaking through or breaking down, and the Jays have to be prepared for either alternative.
Toronto will likely bring in an experienced outfielder this winter, which means that Rios will be left to fight with Reed Johnson, Frank Catalanotto and company for spare at-bats. His situation will be watched extremely carefully. After all, Rios was the MVP of two leagues (the Double-A Eastern League and the Puerto Rican Winter League) just three seasons ago.
"I wouldn't say its a disappointment. It's a typical young kid up-and-down year," said Ricciardi of the outfielder's season. "He had a real period there when he was really going great guns, driving the ball. People made adjustments on him. He's got to learn to make adjustments back. He's still a young player that's learning at the Major League level."
Rios might be part of a dying trend, in that respect. The Jays don't want to wait for their prospects to learn at the big-league level anymore -- they have to make a seamless transition or wait for an injury and play their way into the lineup.
Ricciardi wants to win now and has the means to augment his roster. Consequently, that means that some young players will get shorter leashes next year. Will they thrive or collapse under the pressure? The answer to that question may go a long way toward deciding the ultimate success of the team next season.
"He's learning on the job, basically like a lot of our young guys are," said Wells, speaking about Ricciardi and the team's position. "He's got some money to work with, which will obviously help his decision-making. I know we're all looking forward to it. I know he is. It's a big year for all of us."
Source: http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/
Blue Jays fire assistant GM
October 27, 2005
TORONTO (AP) -- Tim McCleary was fired Thursday as assistant general manager of the Toronto Blue Jays, who finished 15 games out of first place in the American League East this season.
``This was a truly difficult decision to make as Tim is more than just a good baseball man, he's a good friend,'' general manger J.P. Ricciardi said. ``But we needed to make a change.''
McCleary's responsibilities included contract negotiations, budgeting and arbitration. Before coming to Toronto in 1995 he was an assistant GM with the New York Yankees.
Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/
Youth helps Yanks
NEW YORK -- Bernie Williams got an afternoon full of ovations, a reward for 15 years of thrills he's given fans at Yankee Stadium. Robinson Cano and Chien-Ming Wang got to dress up as cheerleaders, a reminder that even though the pair starred in a critical win, they're still rookies.
Cano hit a go-ahead, two-run homer in the seventh inning, Gary Sheffield added a three-run shot in the eighth and Wang got another big victory, leading the Yankees over the Blue Jays 8-4 yesterday in New York's final scheduled home game of the regular season. "This was a game that we had to win," Williams said after perhaps his last game with New York in Yankee Stadium. On the 37th anniversary of Mickey Mantle's Yankee Stadium finale, Cano and Wang did their best to get Williams a few more games in pinstripes and kept New York tied with Boston atop the AL East at 91-64 with a week to go. A fan favorite since he came up in 1991, Williams repeatedly was applauded on the overcast afternoon by the sellout crowd of 55,136, which raised New York's home total to an AL record 4,090,696. "We're hoping there's more Bernie Williams at Yankee Stadium because we're hoping we're still playing in 10 days or so," Torre said. New York, which won for the 12th time in 14 games, trailed 3-1 against Josh Towers (12-12) before getting four straight singles in the sixth. The Yankees managed only one run, on Derek Jeter's RBI single. Jorge Posada singled on the first pitch of the seventh and two pitches later Cano reached outside for a curveball and hooked it over the right-field wall for his 14th homer. "He could be the Rookie of the Year," Towers said. "He should be here a long time." Cano was not trying to atone for his miscue. "It came from my dad," he said of his attitude. "He used to say, 'If you make a mistake, don't let it happen again, and keep your head up."' Wang (8-4) allowed three runs and six hits in seven innings to help New York rebound from Saturday's 7-4 loss, which wiped out the one-game lead the Yankees had held for three nights. He is on track to start Friday's series opener at Boston. "He's good," Toronto manager John Gibbons said. "He's got a good arm, and he's got that funky fastball." After Russ Adams doubled off Tom Gordon in the eighth, Mariano Rivera came on with two outs, walked Vernon Wells, then struck out Corey Koskie. Sheffield homered off Vinnie Chulk in the bottom half, Bubba Crosby added an RBI single, and Rivera finished for his 42nd save in 46 chances, allowing an RBI single to Hill. "We need to go out and win all the games, as Boston does," Torre said. "A week from today, the smoke clears. Hopefully, we're standing tall."
Source: http://www.southcoasttoday.com/
Pineiro hangs tough after five-run first
Friday, September 23, 2005
TORONTO -- Joel Pineiro may have shown more moxie to his teammates during the course of his 10th loss than he had in any of his seven victories.
Pineiro gave up a tiebreaking, two-run home run in the eighth inning Thursday as Toronto scored a 7-5 victory to salvage a split of a four-game series with the Mariners.
But the decisive home run by Alex Rios was hardly the complete story of Pineiro's performance.
He barely made it out of the first inning, giving up seven hits and five runs and looking more or less like a human batting tee. But from the second through the seventh, he looked like a Cy Young contender, allowing one hit and no walks.
That stretch allowed the Mariners to climb back into the game. And when Adrian Beltre tied the score at 5-5 with a two-run double in the fifth inning, Beltre seemed sure what would happen next.
"I always think we're going to win," Beltre said. "But after Joel did what he did and we came from five runs down, I was sure of it."
As it happened, the Mariners got just three more hits, all singles, and didn't score again.
"Joel showed us some real (guts) right there," Beltre said. "It's the kind of thing you want to see in your pitchers. He had a bad inning, but he didn't let that stop him from giving us a chance to win."
Fellow starting pitcher Ryan Franklin stopped by Pineiro's locker after the game to offer his congratulations, even if the result was a loss.
"That shows real guts and other things you can't put in the paper," Franklin said. "I think half the people in the league would have laid down right there, down 5-0 and pitching in the last two weeks of the season.
"Joel didn't. He's not that kind of guy. If what he did tonight doesn't show people a lot about the kind of pitcher he is, then something's wrong."
What exactly did Thursday's start do for Pineiro?
With a 7-10 record and a 5.42 ERA, there will be no Cy Young votes for the right-hander. And there is no certainty about next season. He's gone 4-3 since the start of August with 4.33 ERA, and most of the damage -- 15 of the 33 earned runs allowed in that time -- came in two games.
"How Joel came back tonight will be a factor in how we evaluate him," manager Mike Hargrove said. "How big a factor, I can't say. But we gave him a chance to get it sorted out, and he threw the ball extremely well the rest of the night."
When Pineiro jumped at the opportunity, he wasn't thinking about 2006.
"I know I'm going to be in the rotation next year, somewhere one through five," he said. "Where doesn't matter to me. So that wasn't something I focused on. My focus was on turning it around."
The difference for Pineiro was catcher Yorvit Torrealba's suggestion to get away from throwing his slider. Five of the seven first-inning hits were off sliders, and the pitch clearly wasn't working. When Pineiro changed his approach, throwing mainly fastballs and changeups, things turned around.
"I looked like two different pitchers out there," Pineiro said. "I didn't think I was going to get out of the first inning. But I was able to settle in after going to the changeup."
It was a sad bit of irony for Pineiro that the changeup, the pitch that saved him, also cost him the final two runs.
He hung a changeup that Rios hit off the left-field foul pole for the decisive home run.
"It's a loss, and you don't like to lose," Mariners pitching coach Bryan Price said. "But he could have buried our bullpen if he'd had to come out in the first inning. It's kind of a moral victory for him and for us.
"Now we have a fresh bullpen for Detroit."
At the 153-game mark of a 162-game season, moral victories are all that's left for a team that clinched last place in the AL West Thursday.
But there is a bright spot.
"I'm going home to be with my wife (Shirley) for the birth of our daughter," Pineiro said.
The couple's second child will be named Juliana and is scheduled to be born this weekend in Seattle.
"I wish I could have gone back home with a win, but I'm looking forward to seeing my daughter," he said.
Source: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/
Sheff feeling right again
Gary Sheffield played right field yesterday for the first time since Sept. 7, allowing Hideki Matsui (0-for-4) to serve as the designated hitter and receive some of the "oxygen" Joe Torre believes he needs to recharge for the final week of the regular season.
Sheffield is nursing a sore thigh but his bat still has plenty of life, as he homered and drove in four runs in the Yanks' 8-4 win over Toronto.
"I told (Torre) I'm getting better. Matsui's been dragging lately and Jason (Giambi) is hurting a little," said Sheffield, who lifted a sacrifice fly in the first and drilled a three-run homer in the eighth. "I feel like I can get to balls and make the plays I need to make out there."
Source: http://www.nydailynews.com/
C-COM Receives Deloitte Technology Award
2005-09-30
OTTAWA, ONTARIO - C-COM Satellite Systems Inc. (TSX VENTURE:CMI) has been selected a winner of the 2005 Deloitte Technology Fast 50 Companies-to-Watch award.This award is given annually to the next generation of overachievers, defined by strong intellectual property, a sustainable competitive advantage and significant market potential.C-COM's President and CEO, Leslie Klein accepted the award on behalf of C-COM on September 28th, in Toronto."We are pleased to have been selected by Technology Fast 50 over so many other worthy contenders from across Canada. This award given to C-COM by a prestigious group of technology peers is a highly valued recognition of our worldwide contribution to mobile satellite communication technology, as well as recognition of our rapid and profitable growth over the last few years", said Leslie Klein, President and CEO of C-COM Satellite Systems Inc.About C-COM Satellite Systems, Inc.C-COM Satellite Systems, Inc. is a leader in the development and deployment of mobile satellite-based technology for the delivery of two-way high-speed Internet services into vehicles. C-COM has developed a unique proprietary Mobile self-pointing (iNetVuTM) antenna that allows the delivery of high-speed satellite based Internet services into vehicles while stationary, virtually anywhere where one can drive. The iNetVu Mobile antenna has also been adapted to be deployable from transportable platforms.The iNetVu Mobile units, which come in 4 different sizes and interface with a large number of readily available satellite modems mount easily on top of vehicles or inside transportable platforms. The iNetVu Mobile uses a standard 12 Volt DC car battery as a power source. It is activated with a simple click of the mouse, deploys automatically, locks on to the selected satellite in a few minutes and delivers 2 way broadband Internet access, VoIP and Video services anywhere in the world.The company's satellite-based products and services deliver high-quality, cost-effective solutions for both fixed and mobile applications throughout Canada, the United States, the Caribbean, Europe, Australia, Mexico, Central America, Africa and the Middle East.
Source: http://www.monitortoday.com/
September is the month award voters will remember
Major League Baseball's stretch run officially begins on Thursday with the start of the season's final month.There are no more trades, no more whining about injuries and no more second chances come September.
Scoreboard-watching will become a favorite post- (and occasionally during-) game activity.
And the game's top players will submit closing arguments in their bids for end-of-season awards.
This year, two races in particular will be fun to follow throughout the month.
NL MVP
Derrek Lee, Albert Pujols and Andruw Jones are clearly the cream of the crop. With his hot start, Lee has dominated the discussion from Opening Day and he's shown no signs of letting up. However, Pujols and Jones are closing fast and leading their teams toward the playoffs at the same time.
On numbers alone, Lee is the clear-cut choice.
He's no longer in line to win the NL Triple Crown, but heading into Tuesday's games Lee was still tops in the league in hitting, was second to Jones in homers and fourth behind Jones, Pujols and Carlos Lee in RBI.
A look beyond the major statistical categories shows exactly how valuable Lee has been this season, leading the NL in slugging percentage, on-base percentage, hits, doubles and total bases. Even as the Cubs have fallen out of the playoff chase, Lee has continued to crush the ball.
In the latest USA TODAY Sports Weekly rankings, I put Lee first, Pujols second and Jones third in the MVP balloting.
But in September, everything can change. It's almost as if the final month of the season counts double.
For example, Chipper Jones hit four home runs in a three-game September sweep of the New York Mets and turned the 1999 NL MVP race upside down. The Braves went on to win yet another division title and Jones collected 29 of 32 first-place votes from the Baseball Writers Association of America to outdistance Jeff Bagwell and Matt Williams.
In 2002, the clutch hitting of Oakland's Miguel Tejada helped the A's hold off the Angels for the AL West title. In back-to-back September games, Tejada drove in the winning run to cement his status — even though the defending league MVP, Alex Rodriguez, put up better numbers.
Tejada finished with a .308 average, 34 homers and 131 RBI — compared to Rodriguez's .300, 57 and 142.
A Jonesian power-hitting display in dispatching a playoff rival or a Tejada-like outburst of clutch hitting could tip the scales this season in favor of Pujols or Jones. But at this point, it's Lee's award to win.
AL Cy Young
A line drive up the middle in a Blue Jays-Rangers game on July 8 probably cost Toronto's Roy Halladay his second Cy Young Award. Halladay was the class of the AL to that point, posting a 12-4 record and a 2.41 ERA.
Since then, no one's really taken over as the dominant pitcher in the league.
For a while it was Jon Garland, then it was White Sox teammate Mark Buehrle. Now, it looks like the Angels' Bartolo Colon is poised to grab the honor.
Colon leads the league with 17 wins, including five already this month. He pitches tonight against Barry Zito and the A's as the two AL West rivals begin a three-game series.
I have Colon first, Buehrle second and Garland third.
If Colon can come close to duplicating his August numbers (5-0, 1.91 ERA) in September and lead the Angels to the playoffs, he'll be a cinch for the award.
If not, watch out for the Yankees' Mariano Rivera — who has quietly been enjoying another outstanding year. He's well on his way to another 40-save season and his 1.44 ERA would be a career best.
Rivera has been a key component as the Yankees have fought their way back into the playoff picture. His success in October is legendary. A little of that magic a month earlier just might make him the second reliever in 13 years to win a Cy Young Award.
Certainly, September is the time when playoff spots are won and lost. It's the same for the major awards.
Source: http://www.usatoday.com/
Belle River Ontario Resident to Make $1 Million Field Goal Attempt During Wendy's CFL Halftime Show, October 27 on TSN
TORONTO, Oct. 11 /CNW/ - Will Brian Diesbourg, a 25-year old mechanicalengineer and avid soccer player from Belle River, Ont. become Canada's nextmillionaire? The only thing separating him from a lucrative $1 million payoutis 50 yards and Diesbourg will put his best foot forward when he makes a 50-yard field goal attempt at halftime during TSN's live CFL broadcast onOctober 27. Diesbourg's name was randomly selected from nearly 200,000 entrants whoparticipated in the Wendy's Kick for a Million promotion. Broadcast live on TSN during Wendy's halftime show at the Hamilton @Toronto game on Thursday, Oct. 27, Diesbourg will attempt field goals rangingin distance from 20 to 50 yards, with lucrative prizes for each successfulkick. Should Diesbourg split the uprights on his 50-yard attempt, he'll winthe grand prize of $1 million. Diesbourg can potentially win any combinationof the following prizes with successful kicks: - 20 yards - $1,000 - 30 yards - SONY Digital Imaging Package - 40 yards - SONY HD Home Theatre Package - 50 yards - $1,000,000 Diesbourg and one lucky guest will travel to Toronto on October 25 withfull accommodation and $500 spending money. The following day, Diesbourg willreceive training from Toronto kicker Noel Prefontaine in order to readyhimself for the big event. This marks the first year of the Wendy's Kick for a Million contest,which ran from July 1 to August 14, and has far surpassed any previouscontest/promotional campaign on TSN.ca. Viewers were directed to TSN.ca/wendyswhere they arrived at a fully themed contest website. The unique contest withextensive media exposure attracted nearly 200,000 entries. "The Wendy's Kick for a Million contest is clearly the largest and mostsuccessful promotion ever on TSN," said Alan Raphael, TSN Senior Manager,Business Development. "We always strive to develop unique and customizedopportunities for our clients and Wendy's is a fabulous partner. This iscertainly a big win for everyone involved." "We are happy to partner with TSN on this very exciting promotion," saidDesmond Edwards, Wendy's Director of Marketing. "This partnership has enabledus to speak to our hamburger loving customers in a fun and engaging way. Weare very excited to watch Brian compete in the first ever 'Wendy's Kick for aMillion'!" TSN is Canada's Sports Leader. Setting the Canadian sports broadcastingstandard, TSN's flagship news program, SportsCentre, was voted the number-onesource for sports news by sports fans from across the country.(*) TSN'scomprehensive broadcast schedule also includes the NHL, Toronto Maple Leafsand international hockey, the Olympic Games, CFL, NFL, PGA TOUR and all fourgolf Majors, NASCAR, Formula One, Champ Car and IRL auto racing, Blue Jaysbaseball, NBA, tennis, soccer, figure skating and amateur sports action. TSNis available in eight million households. TSN's programming and news contentis also available on-line at TSN.ca.
Source: http://www.newswire.ca/
Poor nations littered with old PCs, report says
2005-10-24
Much of the used computer equipment sent from the United States to developing countries for use in homes, schools and businesses is often neither usable nor repairable, creating enormous environmental problems in some of the world's poorest places, according to a report to be issued Monday by an environmental organization.
Source: http://www.monitortoday.com/
Jays look internally to bolster 'pen
10/19/2005
TORONTO -- Finally, the Blue Jays can get some much-needed relief from their bullpen.
After years of playing Russian roulette with their relievers, the Jays are in a position to do things gracefully this winter. J.P. Ricciardi, Toronto's general manager, insists that a growing number of arms within his organization will keep him from spending money on the bullpen -- which is one of the trickiest areas of a big-league roster to fill out.
"That's the place everyone will tell you. That's where you roll the dice," said Ricciardi at his season-ending press conference. "That's where I've made my mistakes. [Kerry] Ligtenberg, three years in a row, the guy pitched great. We got him, and he was not very good. [Terry] Adams was good [before] we got him -- wasn't brutal and wasn't great [for us], but we ended up getting a good prospect for him and we got a half-year out of him.
"It's always a roll of the dice. What's happened, because of the farm system, is we don't have to sign the Jeff Tams of the world -- bottom-fishing, hoping you catch lightning in a bottle. Guys like [Dustin] McGowan and [Shaun] Marcum are starting to come out and give us some more thump."
Ligtenberg, Tam and Adams were all unsuccessful acquisitions for Toronto, but Ricciardi's also had his share of success stories. He signed Scott Schoeneweis and Miguel Batista and traded for both Jason Frasor and Justin Speier, setting up the staff's key relief arms. Add in further development from homegrown arms like Vinnie Chulk, and you have a solid nucleus.
Ricciardi doesn't see things ending there, though. There are more power arms in the organization -- guys like McGowan and Brandon League, who are stalled in their development as starting pitchers. Ricciardi sees McGowan, a potential staff ace, breaking into the big leagues as a long man and spot starter.
"I could see him pitching out of the 'pen, getting a lot of innings that way and then eventually going into the rotation. I don't know that what we saw as a starter is the same stuff we saw as a reliever," he said. "You guys saw the same thing. I think he's a lot more relaxed coming out of the 'pen. The stuff was electric. ... Maybe that's a way to ease him in."
That strategy didn't bear immediate results for League, but the team's coaching staff got to work with him for most of the year. Another erstwhile starter, Dave Bush, might be in jeopardy of the same transition. The Jays are considering using Bush out of the bullpen next year, which would give them even more depth in the middle innings.
The right-hander's career history plays into that decision. Bush was a closer in college but has pitched almost exclusively as a starter professionally. Next year, his role will likely depend on whether the Jays are able to sign another starting pitcher.
"His first time through, he was a little hesitant to use his stuff and trust his stuff," said Ricciardi, speaking of Bush's early-season struggles in 2005. "He went down, straightened himself out, came back. ... He may be a guy that ends up being a long guy for us."
Scott Downs is another guy who will be competing for that spot. The Jays can also use Downs to lessen the workload on Schoeneweis, who was second in the American League with 80 appearances. Ricciardi said his situational southpaw was overworked at times in 2005, but he didn't have any buyer's remorse from signing him to lucrative a two-year deal.
"Schoeneweis, to me, that's some of the best money we've spent," he said. "I know we were a little high in what we gave him, but to have the comfort of that left-hander coming out of the bullpen and knowing that he can shut down some guys, it was well worth it."
One definite question mark comes in the staff's most important role -- relief ace, where Batista put up some erratic numbers. The closer saved 30 games, but he also blew nine saves. He was one of the most heavily worked relievers in the league and held up under the strain, leaving room for Ricciardi to hope he'll improve next year.
"I think he had a real good year. I think it's easy to have a vision of what you think a closer should be, and I know you probably don't think he's a closer," he said, addressing the local media. "He's resilient. He takes the ball. He just hit one bad stretch there, no different than a guy going 2-for-45 as a hitter. I think he's only going to get better in the role.
"You guys have seen him really good. You've seen him really bad, so that makes him an official closer."
And what if he's not up to the task? Where do the Jays go then? Simply put, they choose from one of their eighth-inning arms -- Speier, Chulk and Frasor. After all, Frasor saved 17 games as a rookie in 2004, but the Jays think their depth has allowed them to put him in a better role. That's the moral of the story for most of their arms, but Frasor fits as the face of the project.
"This year, he's a lot better with his command, and I think it's because he's a lot more comfortable with his role," said Ricciardi. "If we can keep them in roles they're comfortable in, we might have the makings of a power bullpen."
Source: http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/
Curling Returns to TSN
TORONTO, Oct. 20 /CNW/ - TSN today announced the return of curling to itsbroadcast schedule with a new three-year deal that will see Canada's No. 1source for sports televise a minimum of three key tournaments annually,through the 2007 season. TSN will televise afternoon and evening draws for the first seven of ninedays (Saturday through Friday) from the Scott Tournament of Hearts, TimHortons Brier, and the Ford World Curling Championships held in Canada. Thisupcoming season, TSN will also televise the highly anticipated Tim HortonsRoar of the Rings Canadian Curling Trials, the first event of the season,which takes place from Halifax beginning December 3. "Public support for TSN's curling coverage has been overwhelming, and I'mthrilled to announce that we're back on the ice," said Phil King, President,TSN. "Since Day One, curling has been synonymous with TSN and we're lookingforward to returning it to the TSN schedule." TSN has been a strong supporter of curling and has televised the sportfor 20 years - from 1984, the network's inception, through the end of the 2003season. "TSN's unwavering 20-year commitment helped put curling on the map inCanada and we're thrilled to welcome TSN back to our sport," said Dave Parkes,CEO, Canadian Curling Association. "We've listened to the fans and havefocused on one objective - securing a great broadcast schedule that providesquality and accessible curling coverage. With a television agreement in placethat will serve our fans, sponsors and sport well, now it's time to focus onthe exciting on-ice action throughout the upcoming season." TSN today also announced the return of the popular curling broadcast teamof Vic Rauter, Linda Moore and Ray Turnbull. Over the years, the trio hascreated a broad and supportive fan base among Canadian curling fans. Rauter joined TSN in 1985 and has been covering curling for the networksince that time. Rauter was previously nominated for a Gemini Award asCanada's top sports broadcaster for his Season of Champions curling coverage. "It's really exciting to be back," said Rauter. "I can't wait to see thecurlers, fans and Canada's curling communities once again." Moore has worked as a curling analyst on TSN since 1989. The formercurler won the 1985 Canadian and world titles, the 1988 TSN Skins Game and anOlympic gold medal in Calgary in 1988. Turnbull has been providing expert analysis for TSN's curling coveragesince 1984. Turnbull, a former top competitive curler for more than 25 years,captured the 1965 Brier Championship and was selected to the 1965 Canadian andWorld All-Star teams. TSN is Canada's Sports Leader. Setting the Canadian sports broadcastingstandard, TSN's flagship news program, SportsCentre, was voted the number-onesource for sports news by sports fans from across the country.(*) TSN'scomprehensive broadcast schedule also includes the NHL, Toronto Maple Leafsand international hockey, the Olympic Games, CFL, NFL, PGA TOUR and all fourgolf Majors, NASCAR, Formula One, Champ Car and IRL auto racing, Blue Jaysbaseball, NBA, curling, tennis, soccer, figure skating and amateur sportsaction. TSN is available in eight million households. TSN's programming andnews content is also available on-line at TSN.ca.
Source: http://www.newswire.ca/
High-quality LCD TV meets multi-media desktop PC with Sony's new all-in-one VAIO VA-Series TV-PC
2005-10-24
New VAIO VA-Series TV-PC emphasizes form and function
TORONTO - Sony of Canada Ltd., Canada's leading supplier of electronic and computer products for consumers and business, today furthered its commitment to bringing design, performance and entertainment to even the smallest spaces with its new all-in-one desktop personal computer -- the VAIO VA-Series TV-PC.Combining a full-featured computer with an LCD (liquid crystal display) TV in one stunning package, the new Sony VAIO VA TV-PC sports a 20-inch display with Sony's original XBRITE(TM) LCD technology for vivid colours and crisp, clear images. Consumers can watch live TV or record their favorite programs with personal video recording supported by Microsoft(R) Windows(R) XP Media Center Edition 2005. TV watching and DVD playback are further enhanced by Sony's Sound Reality(TM) technology and a 2.1 channel speaker system which delivers rich, full sound.As a PC, the VAIO VA-Series model provides powerful computing performance, whether performing productivity tasks or editing high-definition video. It also gives users room to grow with an open bay that can accept an additional hard drive. All of this is packed into a beautiful silver and black chassis with a floating display and easily accessible optical and flash memory drives, front and centre."We're continuing a tradition with our all-in-one's by proving that a desktop does not have to be a tower to be powerful," said Puneet Jain, Senior Marketing Manager, VAIO Personal Computers & Monitors, Consumer Audio Visual/Information Technology Group, Sony of Canada Ltd. "The VAIO VA-Series gives consumers a high-quality TV experience while maintaining the superior performance and functionality of a PC."
Consumers can create professional quality DVDs with Sony's own Click to DVD(TM) mastering software. With the onboard DVD+R Double Layer/DVD+/-RW drive, they can also create or record up to 8.5 GB (gigabyte) of home videos, music or digital photos on one Double Layer disc. SonicStage(R), Sony's music management software, allows them to customize their musical environment.The VAIO VA-Series PC helps to turn analog content into digital masterpieces. Sonic Stage Mastering Studio gives consumers the tools of the pros to master their own recordings or convert old LPs and cassettes to digital music. The unit's A/V and S-Video ports connect directly to a VCR or analog camcorder to help convert home movies to slick DVDs.A multitude of analog audio and video inputs, a multi-card flash memory reader, i.LINK (IEEE 1394) and multiple USB ports make file transfer easy and flexible. Integrated 802.11 b/g wireless LAN provides Internet connectivity while limiting cable clutter.The VAIO VA-Series TV-PC will be available later this month at a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $2,699.99.About Sony of Canada Ltd.Established in 1955, Sony of Canada Ltd. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Corporation of Tokyo, Japan, a world leader in the manufacture and marketing of electronic and computer products for consumer, business, electronics publishing and multimedia applications on a global scale. With headquarters in Toronto, sales offices in Vancouver and Montreal and distribution centres in Coquitlam, British Columbia, and Whitby, Ontario, approximately 970 employees support 72 Sony stores and a network of more than 3,000 authorized dealers across Canada.
Source: http://www.monitortoday.com/
Today in History - October 23
October 22, 2005
Today is Sunday, October 23, day 295 of 2005.
Today's Highlight in history:
On Oct. 23, 1983, a suicide truck-bombing at Beirut International Airport in Lebanon killed 241 U.S. Marines and sailors; a near-simultaneous attack on French forces killed 58 paratroopers.On this date:
In 2005, In 1915, Some 25,000 women marched in New York City demanding the right to vote.
In 1942, Britain launched a major offensive against Axis forces at El Alamein in Egypt during World War II.
In 1946, The United Nations General Assembly convened in New York for the first time, at an auditorium in Flushing Meadow.
In 1956, An anti-Stalinist revolt began in Hungary.
In 1973, President Richard M. Nixon agreed to turn White House tape recordings requested by the Watergate special prosecutor over to Judge John J. Sirica.
In 1987, The U.S. Senate rejected the Supreme Court nomination of Robert H. Bork on a 58-42 vote.
In 1989, A white man, Charles Stuart, claimed that he and his pregnant wife had both been shot by a black robber in Boston; Carol Stuart and her prematurely delivered baby died. Weeks later, Stuart was implicated in the killings and apparently committed suicide.
In 1993, Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Joe Carter became the second player to end the World Series with a home run. His three-run shot in the ninth inning gave Toronto an 8-6 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 6.
In 1995, A jury in Houston convicted Yolanda Saldivar of murdering Tejano singing star Selena.
In 1996, The civil trial of O.J. Simpson opened in Santa Monica, Calif. Simpson was later found liable in the deaths of his ex-wife, Nicole, and her friend, Ronald Goldman.
In 1998, Dr. Barnett Slepian, a doctor who performed abortions, was killed at his home in suburban Buffalo, N.Y., when a sniper fired through his kitchen window.
In 1998, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Chairman Yasser Arafat signed a land-for-peace agreement at the White House, following nine days of talks at Wye River, Md.
In 2002, Gunmen seized a crowded Moscow theater, taking hundreds hostage and threatening to kill their hostages unless the Russian army pulled out of Chechnya.
In 2003, Madame Chiang Kai-shek, widow of the Chinese nationalist leader, died in New York at age 105.
Today's Birthdays:
Baseball hall of famer, U.S. senator, R-Ky. Jim Bunning is 74 years old
Musical parodist Weird Al Yankovic is 46 years old
Former talk show host (''Tonight Show'') Johnny Carson is 80 years old
Director (''Invasion of the Body Snatchers'') Philip Kaufman is 69 years old
Soccer player Pele is 65 years old
Author Michael Crichton is 63 years old
R&B singer (The Dixie Cups) Barbara Ann Hawkins is 62 years old
Actor Michael Rupert is 54 years old
Director Ang Lee is 51 years old
Jazz singer Dianne Reeves is 49 years old
Country singer Dwight Yoakam is 49 years old
Director-producer-actor Sam Raimi is 46 years old
Football player Doug Flutie is 43 years old
Baseball player Al Leiter is 40 years old
Rock musician (Big Head Todd and the Monsters) Brian Nevin is 39 years old
R&B singer (Take 6) David Thomas is 39 years old
Country singer-musician Junior Bryant is 37 years old
Country singer Jimmy Wayne is 33 years old
Basketball player Keith Van Horn is 30 years old
Actor Ryan Reynolds is 29 years old
Actress (''George Lopez'') Masiela Lusha is 20 years old.
Source: http://start.earthlink.net/
MOST UNLIKELY
Sun, Oct. 23, 2005
WORLD SERIES MVPS
From Jim Leyritz to Ed Sprague to Mark Lemke, the Fall Classic has given us its share of surprising heroes. None more than these five:
5 Josh Beckett, 2003 Florida Marlins (1-1, 1.10 ERA): Though he always had potential, Beckett entered the 2003 postseason with a career mark of 17-17 in three injury-plagued seasons. He also never pitched a shutout - until he blanked the New York Yankees in Game 6 of the World Series.
4 Rick Dempsey, 1983 Baltimore Orioles (.385 average): This Fall Classic was a who's-who of legends, with names such as Mike Schmidt, Joe Morgan, Eddie Murray and Pete Rose. Leave it to Dempsey - a .233 career hitter - to lead Baltimore to its last World Series crown.
3 Pat Borders, 1992 Toronto Blue Jays (.450, 3 RBIs): Borders has never driven in more than 55 runs in a season. But for six games, he outshined glamorous teammates such as Joe Carter and Roberto Alomar in helping Toronto become baseball's first international champ.
2 Bucky Dent, 1978 New York Yankees (.417, 7 RBIs): He may have hit one of baseball's most memorable home runs that season, but Dent was anything but powerful - he hit just 40 home runs despite appearing in nearly 1,400 big-league games. But Dent swatted a team-high 10 hits and helped the Yankees win a second straight title.
1 Don Larsen, 1956
New York Yankees (Perfect game): Two years removed from a 3-21 season and three days removed from a nightmarish start in Game 2, Larsen retired 27 Brooklyn Dodgers in order.
Source: http://www.bradenton.com/
Leitch shareholders approve Harris transaction
2005-10-24
TORONTO - Leitch Technology Corporation (TSX: LTV) (the "Company" or "Leitch") announced today that its shareholders approved the acquisition of the outstanding common shares of the Company by Harris Corporation ("Harris") at its Special Meeting of Shareholders held this morning. Over 77% of the votes cast by Leitch shareholders were in favour of the arrangement transaction involving Leitch and Harris (the "Arrangement"). Under the terms of the Arrangement, Leitch shareholders will receive $14.00 in cash for each common share of Leitch.The Arrangement is expected to be completed following the receipt of a final order of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice. The Company will seek final court approval on the Arrangement on Tuesday, October 25, 2005.About Leitch TechnologyAn industry leader for more than 30 years, Leitch Technology provides high-performance, multi-format solutions for professional digital video. Through its two business segments - Digital Media and Infrastructure - Leitch offers standard-definition/high-definition (SD/HD) products and systems that enable media companies to streamline workflow from production through transmission. Leitch offers a comprehensive, award-winning portfolio of processors, routers, servers, graphics and editing solutions, master control and branding systems, digital signage, network monitoring and control software, and test and measurement instruments, along with premium customer support.
Source: http://www.monitortoday.com/
Gun crime biggest fear
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
TORONTO - Toronto residents are feeling "under siege" by gangs that draw their income from drug sales and their inspiration from urban rap music, says an Ipsos-Reid poll released yesterday.
Gun crime and violence has become the most important issue facing the city of Toronto for 55% of the residents who participated in the poll -- up 40 percentage points from a similar survey conducted two years ago.
The degree of concern more than doubles the number of Torontonians who cite gun violence as their primary concern over those who list "garbage" as the most pressing issue facing Toronto.
The findings of the survey, conducted by Ipsos-Reid for the National Post, Global News and CFRB, arrived on a day of several shootings.
Apparently random acts of violence have left nine out of 10 residents of the city, or 87%, believing that "Toronto is becoming more violent compared to five years ago" -- up 21 percentage points from a survey conducted in 2000, when 66% of respondents agreed with the same statement.
And while 74% of Torontonians said they felt safe in 2003 walking alone in their neighbourhood after dark, only 64% feel the same way now, the poll says. The poll found women, at 46%, to be more likely than men, at 25%, to feel unsafe after dark in their neighbourhoods.
"I don't personally feel under siege, although I do have concerns about the increasing number of gun incidents in which people are being killed," said Paul Godfrey, a former member of the Toronto police commission.
"I think you'd have to be living in a vacuum if you didn't realize that what we have here is a spike in the use of guns and young people shooting other young people," added Mr. Godfrey, who is now president and chief executive officer of the Toronto Blue Jays baseball club.
The recent violence, the vast majority of respondents said, is driven by gangs and the drugs they traffic in -- a belief the Toronto police force largely endorses.
"The overwhelming majority of this gun violence that our city has experienced is being perpetuated by people who are involved in gangs," Police Chief Bill Blair said yesterday after hearing the poll results.
Statistically, violent crime rates are down, said Chief Blair, who attributed the increase in concern to the new "callousness" of gunmen who are more likely to pull the trigger in busy public places.
But more than gangs, 63% of the survey's respondents pointed to the "glamorization of gang culture" -- found, some say, in movies and rap music videos that tend to glorify gangsters -- as contributing to the increase in Toronto's gun violence.
Torontonians 55 and over were more likely than younger residents to believe such "glamorization" is an important factor in the city's gun violence.
Recent moves by the Toronto police force to move more patrolling officers into the city's gritty northwest corner, where much of the violence has occurred, reflects the belief of 64% of residents, who would rather see an increase in police presence and stricter penalties than money spent on social programs aimed at fostering alternatives to gang culture among youths.
Source: http://www.canada.com/
Blue Jays, Rogers Centre boost Rogers' revenue
October 25, 2005
TORONTO (CP) - The Toronto Blue Jays and the domed stadium that's home to the major league baseball team appear to have contributed to a higher operating profit at Rogers Media, according to financial results released Tuesday.
The Blue Jays contributed $21.9 million in increased revenue at the media operations of Rogers Communications in the third quarter ended Sept. 30 while the team accounted for only $3.1 million more operating expenses at Rogers Media.
The Rogers Centre, formerly called the SkyDome until it was purchased by Rogers in January, added $14 million in revenue and $6.5 million in operating expenses at Rogers Media.
Rogers Media, a wholly owned subsidiary of Rogers Communications, also holds various publishing and broadcast businesses including the Sportsnet cable channel, numerous national magazines and several television and radio stations.
The media unit had an operating profit of $33.3 million, up from a restated $14.9 million a year earlier, as revenues rose to $284 million - up 16.5 per cent from $244.3 million a year before.
Rogers didn't break out how much of the media unit's operating profit was attributable to the Blue Jays and Rogers Centre.
Source: http://cnews.canoe.ca/
Swing king
September 30, 2005
His eyes have increasingly taken on the color of his favored Majestic pullover. And yet, amid that bloodshot gaze, there was a conviction in Terry Francona's look last night, and David Ortiz's ninth-inning, game-ending RBI single had only something to do with it.
''You can say what you want," Francona said late last night, his team, once behind, 4-1, pulling out a most vital 5-4 walkoff win over the Blue Jays. ''You can act even outwardly however you do. But you can't fake that feeling.
''We had it in our dugout. We got pushed up against a wall. Maybe that's what it took. We had that feeling. It's hard to explain. But we were a very confident team even when we weren't winning. Our whole dugout."
He saw it in the effort. Jason Varitek sliding to glove a wild Matt Clement slider with the bases loaded in the fifth. He saw it in Jonathan Papelbon's body language, serious and stern and confident, pitching the final 2 2/3 innings of the game in just 30 pitches. He saw it in Manny Ramirez digging, really digging, and going first to third in the eighth. He saw it in Johnny Damon (three hits) swiping second in the ninth.
And he saw it in the results. In Ramirez with no outs in the sixth, falling behind hard-throwing righthander Jason Frasor, 0 and 1, but taking one of his vintage cuts -- body locked in, head level, bat whipping through a part of the zone that few hitters can get to with such power and balance, shooting a ball into the visiting bullpen for a two-run shot to close the deficit to 4-3.
In Ortiz, leading off the eighth, against Vinnie Chulk, sitting back and unleashing his 34 1/2-inch, 32 1/2-ounce bat on a tailing fastball. Tie game.
And then, in the ninth, he saw it in what his team managed off closer Miguel Batista. Damon singled, swiped second (not Dave Roberts, but not bad). Edgar Renteria walked. And Ortiz won it.
The Sox, of course, had to have this game. Jason Giambi put one on Eutaw Street in Baltimore for a 3-0 lead before the Yankees made an out last night, easily on their way to an 8-4 win. Lose, and the Sox would have needed a weekend sweep to deprive the Yankees of their eighth straight division title.
And now it comes down to this: Yankees up by one game with three to play. Win three and the Sox win the division. Win two and they possibly face the Yankees Monday in a one-game playoff at Yankee Stadium.
''We're in a position, if we play well over this weekend, we'll get in," said general manager Theo Epstein. ''If we don't, we probably don't deserve to."
Source: http://www.boston.com/
Sox should strike while fire is hot
October 9, 2005
They have taken pains, all of them -- Theo and the Trio -- to keep negotiations on a new deal for general manager Theo Epstein out of the public purview. Principal owner John W. Henry's most recent public comment on the issue, a couple of weeks ago, was to express confidence -- little doubt, actually -- a deal soon will be in place. On the surface, the match between franchise and brainy native son appears to be too perfect to be trifled with.
''We look forward to a prompt resolution so that we can deal with the myriad issues that will face us this offseason," president and CEO Larry Lucchino wrote in an e-mail yesterday.
But with the Red Sox season over and Epstein just three weeks from free agency -- the three-year contract he signed in 2002 expires Oct. 31 -- the Sox would seem to be running an unnecessary risk by not striking a deal quickly. There will be too many other opportunities available this winter -- jobs in Arizona, Washington, Tampa Bay, Philadelphia, Baltimore, San Diego, and New York (Yankees) have either opened or could open -- for the Sox to allow Epstein to discover just how wealthy and powerful another major league owner would like to make him.
So what has kept a deal from being struck already? In a perfect world, Epstein would undoubtedly prefer greater autonomy under the very hands-on Lucchino. Although some sources with some inside knowledge insist Epstein has broached the topic of reporting directly to Henry, Lucchino said yesterday ''there has been no exploration or discussion of 'chain of command' issues," and Henry also disputed the accuracy of the sources.
Most likely Epstein understands the structure here is not going to change and is averse to creating the perception of wishing to usurp Lucchino's power. Yes, occasionally there is tension in his relationship with Lucchino, the sources say, Epstein at times chafing at having to justify his baseball decisions to Lucchino, whose biography proudly points out he is the first president/CEO to win pennants for two franchises since Larry MacPhail did so with the Brooklyn Dodgers (1941) and New York Yankees (1947). Lucchino, who turned 60 last month, also has two World Series rings, the one he was awarded as the Orioles' general counsel in 1983 and the one he earned last season.
But how much conflict is there? One source cautioned against describing it as such, saying it was the kind of tension that often arises between mentor and protege. It was Lucchino, after an initial push from Dr. Charles Steinberg, who identified Epstein as a talent from the time he arrived as a PR intern in Baltimore. Lucchino took Epstein with him when he went to the Padres, pushed him to go to law school, and placed him under the tutelage of Padres GM Kevin Towers, then persuaded Henry to take the boldest step of all and anoint him baseball's youngest general manager at 28 years 11 months.
Source: http://www.boston.com/
Menechino, Huckaby opt for free agency
Friday, October 14, 2005
ST. LOUIS -- The Toronto Blue Jays began their off-season roster tinkering yesterday, when Frank Menechino and Ken Huckaby declined assignments to Triple-A Syracuse, opting instead for free agency.
"We needed the roster space, but we're also looking for somebody who can play a little more shortstop and a little less second base," general manager J.P. Ricciardi said of Menechino. "The other thing is, we've talked for a while about bringing in some sort of super-utility guy, or maybe developing one within the organization."
Source: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/
Tongues are wagging as Torre holds his
October 16, 2005
The trend toward retreads is silly. But Macha is the first to become a retread by signing right back with his old team.
The Angels are expected to let Bengie Molina leave via free agency. In an extreme case of sibling rivalry, one reason is their faith in Molina's backup, his younger brother Jose.The Angels dangled Bengie Molina in trade at midseason, which shows what they think about Jose, who was born 11 months after Bengie.Paul Konerko's making money by impressing the very teams that might go after him hardest, the Red Sox and Angels.The Yankees' offer of $31.5 million for three years for Hideki Matsui sounds about right.Maybe this is the Vladimir Guerrero the Mets feared they might get when they declined to offer him a solid five-year deal. He looks hurt. He must be. He's making A-Rod look like a playoff hero.Center of attentionExecs are bracing for a players' market this year, as even some perennial penny-pinchers such as the Royals are threatening to spend.The Red Sox envision a four-year, $40-million deal for Johnny Damon. They love the fact he's tough and well-liked by his teammates. However, they won't be shocked if Damon gets more money elsewhere.Detroit looks possible, considering agent Scott Boras' recent successes there (Ivan Rodriguez, Magglio Ordoñez).Damon, Torii Hunter, Juan Pierre and Vernon Wells will be on the Yankees' wish list (off a bad year, Pierre might be more realistic than the others), but one name you probably can cross off now is free agent Brian Giles, who's never shown a bit of interest in playing in New York. For years his no-trade list allowed him to be dealt only to West Coast teams. The A's, who have to like Giles' 119 walks, are a likely destination.Manny, Bosox to meetAfter the Red Sox get Epstein's situation settled, they'll sit down with Manny Ramirez to see how badly - or if - he wants out now.If Ramirez switches agents, as Ken Rosenthal of Foxsports.com reports might happen, and particularly if he goes to Boras, that could enhance the chances of his becoming a Met. Boras facilitated Gary Sheffield's trade to Atlanta, his first choice. Word is out that Ramirez might want to come home (of course, he's been known to change his mind), and it doesn't hurt that Boras and the Mets have a solid relationship now, five years after the A-Rod fiasco.Judging the judgesIf the umpires had used common sense, when they realized not one of them had seen Kelvim Escobar's pitch bounce, A.J. Pierzynski should have been called out. Umpire Doug Eddings gets credit for admitting he isn't perfect. But baseball is sticking to its story that nothing went wrong. Nobody should be buying it.
Source: http://www.newsday.com/
Blue Jay coaches to return next season
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
The Toronto Blue Jays made it official yesterday when they announced that all of manager John Gibbons's coaches will be back next season and that Marty Pevey will join the staff as first base coach, meaning Ernie Whitt will be the full-time bench coach. The rest of Gibbons's coaching staff will consist of hitting instructor Mickey Brantley, third base coach Brian Butterfield, pitching coach Brad Arnsberg and bullpen coach Bruce Walton.
Source: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/
What Paul Ricciarini and Dave Yoakum learned as scouts for the Blue Jays is serving the Astros and White Sox well this post-season
HOUSTON -- Roger Clemens? Two innings. Three runs allowed. Left with the game tied.
Cliff Politte? One scoreless inning.
The ex-Blue Jays factor has not been dominant in the 101st World Series as in some years with a former Jay pitching well or getting an important hit: David Cone, David Wells, Luis Sojo or Clemens (New York Yankees); Al Leiter, Devon White (Florida Marlins) or Brendan Donnelly, Brad Fullmer and Ben Weber (Anaheim Angels).
Off the field, contributions by ex-Jays in the front office this October are too close to call.
Former Jays scout Dave Yoakum is the special assistant to Chicago White Sox general manager Kenny Williams, while Paul Ricciarini, also an ex-Jays scout, is senior director, player personnel with the Houston Astros. Both had a lot to do with landing many of the players you are seeing nightly on TV.
Yoakum's Sox lead the best-of-seven World Series 2-0 over Ricciarini's Astros with Game 3 tonight at Minute Maid Park in Houston. Former Sox general manager Ron Schueler hired Yoakum away from the Jays 14 years ago.
"We've discussed practically every trade that we've made. That's my role," Yoakum said, refusing to puff out his chest and take credit for any of the Sox deals.
Of his key contributors only centre fielder Aaron Rowand, third baseman Joe Crede, plus starters Mark Buerhle and Jon Garland are homegrowns.
Sox scouts Bryan Little, Bill Scherrer, Doug Laumann and Yoakum prepared scouting reports on the Boston Red Sox, the Los Angeles Angels and Houston. Chicago has won nine of 10 post-season games.
Yoakum did advance work for the Jays leading into the 1985 American League Championship Series against the Kansas City Royals and things were working well with two home wins at Exhibition Stadium until Doyle Alexander decided to pitch to George Brett in Game 3. The Royals won four of the next five games.
"I was there for the formative years for the team and myself," Yoakum said yesterday. "Everything was first class. At the time it was the best organization in baseball. Back then every scout in baseball would say, 'I'd love to work for the Blue Jays.' "
Ricciarini would fly south to help Yoakum cover Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and Georgia.
"I don't think David has a hurtful bone in his body," Ricciarini said. "He's one of the best major-league scouts I've ever met. He's a hard guy not to like.
"I'm happy we're playing the White Sox. It's such a classy organization.
"But I'm rooting against Yoakum. I learned that from my days in Toronto."
Ricciarini left the Jays after the 1987 season to join the Atlanta Braves and was there for two seasons.
"Soon as I left, they started winning and winning," Ricciarini said with a laugh. He was with the New York Mets from 1990-98, before joining the Astros.
Ricciarini largely is responsible for the acquisition of the likes of Willy Taveras from the Cleveland Indians; righty Brandon Backe in a trade with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 2003; Mike Lamb, acquired from the New York Yankees; and reliever Russ Springer, signed as a minor-league free agent in 2004.
"A lot of the deals were for complimentary players. Gerry (Hunsicker, former GM) kept me involved and it has been the same way with Tim (current GM Purpura)," Ricciarini said.
He's proudest of putting together the deal to acquire shortstop Adam Everett, who at the time had finished his second year of pro ball at double-A Trenton in 1999.
"We traded an Everett (Carl) for an Everett (Adam)," he said. "I'd first seen Adam as a high school junior and had a lot of background on him. We were fortunate to get a shortstop of that calibre."
Ricciarini's first year with the Jays was 1979. His first assignment? Cover the 13-team instructional league, which had a Japanese team rounding out the loop.
"Then, Pat Gillick phoned and told me to go to Puerto Rico. I was young ... I didn't even know where Puerto Rico was," Ricciarini said. "Pat taught us independence as scouts. I'm forever indebted to Paul Beeston, (the late) Bobby Mattick and Pat.
"Toronto was a great organization and it was a wonderful experience. They were such proponents of scouting."
---
EYES FOR TALENT
PAUL RICCIARINI
- Title: Houston Astros' senior director, player personnel.
- Jays days: Area scout, 1979-87.
- Signed: Jeff Musselman, John Cerutti, Todd Stottlemyre.
- Involved in: George Bell and Kelly Gruber.
- Astros influence: Adam Everett, Willy Taveras, Mike Lamb, Brandon Backe, Russ Springer.
DAVE YOAKUM
- Title: Chicago White Sox special assistant to the general manager.
- Jays days: Area scout, advance scout, 1977-91.
- Signed: Pat Borders, future Jays Willie Upshaw and Pat Tabler (while working for the Yankees.
- White Sox influence: A.J. Pierzynski, Jose Contreras, Paul Konerko, Juan Uribe, Scott Podsednik, Jermaine Dye, Carl Everett.
Source: http://torontosun.com/
