Always Thinking About the Jays... and Mike McCoy

Turf of Dreams is very busy studying for exams so posts have been scarce.

Quick recap: Home Opener on Monday was... meh; Romero pitched a gem on Tuesday, taking a no-hitter into the 8th; Brandon Morrow and the rest of the team took a night off on Wednesday; Dana Eveland opened some eyes on Thursday with his second great start of this young season. Today is Friday: the Jays open a weekend series against the Angels at home.

While everyone's been talking about Ricky Romero (obviously), Vernon Wells (boo ya!), Travis Snider (monster homer last night), Lyle Overbay (hitting .077) and Aaron Hill (pulled a hammy), Jhonny Walker Red has been talking about Mike McCoy! He wrote a little player profile on our new version of Joe Inglett. Here it is for your reading pleasure:


The career farm league player is a bit of an enigma in baseball. There are a lot more than we know and they all have the same aspirations of making the big show. Some eventually make it, some get a taste and never make it back and some never make it at all. It seems like a fleeting dream but it’s hard not to admire, at least a little bit, a 29 year old who still hasn’t given up on his boyhood dreams. It takes an immense amount of self confidence and self belief to think that after more than a decade of pursuing your dream you're going to make it. In no other career in life would somebody continue to follow, seemingly, wayward dreams.

Mike McCoy was drafted in the 34th round in 2002 by the St Louis Cardinals. He spent 6 seasons in the Cardinals farm system before being traded to Orioles. After a brief stint in Baltimore he was then traded to Colorado. Throughout his career he has gone through the ups and downs that come with being a career minor league player. His low point: being asked to be the bullpen catcher after the backup catcher went down with an injury. Most people would be long gone by that point; McCoy kept waiting for his opportunity. He finally got it, last season in the stretch run for the Rockies push to the playoffs he got his first taste of Major League Baseball. He appeared in 12 games, 5 total plate appearances and no hits. Pretty scarce statistics, but after 7 years in the minors he had finally made it. Now he was too close to give up.
In November the Blue Jays claimed him off waivers from the Colorado Rockies. McCoy was going to have his first real shot at making an opening day roster. The Blue Jays were a perfect situation for him, a rebuilding franchise looking anywhere and everywhere for players. He’s a versatile player, capable of playing 6 positions and he can add some much needed speed to a slow Jays lineup. In all likelihood he will yoyo between Toronto and Las Vegas a few times this season, but for now he is on a major league roster.
On Thursday, Mike McCoy replaced Aaron Hill, a late scratch, and he delivered. He came up with two hits and an RBI, which were the first of his career. He contributed to a 3-1 Jays win over the Texas Rangers. For most, McCoy didn’t really produce more than a blip on the radar, but for him they were milestones that he has spent a lifetime trying to achieve.

Mike McCoy may never be more than a utility player, the 25th man on a 25 man roster, but for one day at least his lifelong dream came to fruition.


Thanks again to Jhonny Walker Red for picking up the slack while Turf of Dreams is slumping. Happy Exam Season to all students!

The New Turf

Here's a picture of the new turf at Rogers Centre, courtesy of new Jays blogger Megan Robinson.

Happy Home Opener Jays Fans!

Jays Sweep the Orioles!

The Jays completed a sweep of the Orioles with a 5-2 win this afternoon at Camden Yards. Some more late-inning heroics from Blue Jay hitting. This time, it was Jose Bautista hitting a two-run homer after Johnny Mac reached on an error (all with two outs).

The Blue Jays are now 5-1, which is exactly what their record was a year ago to date.

Shaun Marcum had another great start and Scott Downs remains perfect through 3.1 innings. Kevin Gregg got the job done in the 9th.

It was the replaceable parts providing the offense for the Jays today: all the Jays runs were scored on home runs from Alex Gonzalez (2), Jose Bautista, and Edwin Encarnacion.

Vernon Wells came back down to earth in Baltimore after ripping it up in Arlington. One single and a couple of walks was the extent of his offensive contribution in 3 games against the Orioles after carrying the bats in the previous series. Let's hope he gets back on track at home where he should get a nice enough welcome from the fans. You know what's really discouraging? I've read in several places that the Jays should hope that he puts up all-star numbers so that they can move him and his contract at some point this season. That's very reasonable and I can understand why it would benefit the Jays to do that, but it is really depressing as a fan: you're cheering for someone to do well so that he can get the hell out. Humbug.

Tomorrow is the home opener. All I have to say is: "WHO GIVES A FOCK?!" Right, Alex? That guy is going to get the shit booed out of him. It's funny how Jays fans are pretty quiet when it comes to showing appreciation for good players not named Roy Halladay, but they're some of the best booers in the league. That was quite a number we did on A.J., let's try to match that with Rios tomorrow. It doesn't take much to get inside his head.

Opening Day Running Diary

The Jays rallied in the 9th to score 3 runs off of Frank Francisco. Vernon hit his 4th (4th!!!!!) home run of the season to ensure the blown save. This one was damn clutch. Ricky Romero pitched seven unreal innings and deserved better than a no-decision.

Now that we're all feeling good about the Jays winning their first series of the season, let's re-visit Opening Day (who cares if it's a little bit of a buzz-kill?).

Turf of Dreams has its first guest blogger: Jhonny Walker Red!
Some fans watch the game while drinking, some watch the game while taking notes... he does both. Here's his running diary of the opener:

BLUE JAYS 2010 OPENING DAY RUNNING DIARY

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. With that said, here is a Bill Simmons inspired running diary.

1:31 PM- I’m setting the over/under of Roy Halladay references in this broadcast at 8.5

1:34 PM- Alex Anthopoulos seems to be saying all the right things.

1:35 PM- The Roy Halladay count is already at 3. It appears that Jamie Campbell took the over.

1:43 PM- It appears as though Aaron Hill’s hairline is afraid of the front of his head.

1:45 PM- Watching Jamie Campbell introduce Buck Martinez, in his old position, seems kind of cruel. Much like watching a Jamie Campbell broadcast.

1:48 PM- A nice replay of David Eckstein’s only relevant contribution in a Jays uniform. Too bad it was him knocking Aaron Hill out for the majority of the 2008 season.

1:50 PM- Not only are we inundated with constant Halladay references, we get to see highlights of him in his first Phillies start. It seems like Rogers is having a hard time letting him go.

1:54 PM- Ron Washington is the type of manager the Jays should target once the Cito Gaston farewell tour is over.

1:55 PM- Halladay reference count is up to 7. This is the Blue Jays season preview right?

2:02 PM- I already like the Buck Martinez and Pat Tabler combination. Now we need to come up with an appropriate nickname for these two.

2:07 PM- With 1 at bat under his belt, Jose Bautista has made it clear he will frustrate me all year long.

2:11 PM- Nice start to the season for Vernon. Lind set the table and Vernon did the dishes. Jays 2, Rangers 0.

2:13 PM- I know I am not the only one hoping that Overbay rakes everything this year so AA has an easier time flipping him and getting Wallace some at bats.

2:17 PM- If Guerrero can return to his old form, this Texas Rangers lineup will be scary good. We have also had our first in game Halladay reference.

2:20 PM- Marcum is looking sharp early. Good news for Jays fans.

2:25 PM- They have put an end to the fireworks display at the end of Jays wins at the Rogers Centre, out of respect to Encarnacion.

2:33 PM- I have never understood why most baseball experts don’t see Snider as a fit in the outfield. He seems like he is more than competent out there.

2:39 PM- Feldman seems to have some jitters early on, and the Jays need to capitalize.

2:43 PM- I guess the new contract suits Lind just fine as he hits a solo shot in his second at bat of the season.

2:49 PM- Marcum is really proving why he earned the number 1 spot on this young staff.

2:52 PM- Jays 3, Rangers 0 as Marcum finishes the 3rd off by striking out Andrus.

2:57 PM- Encarnacion provides the first Greg Zaun of the year as he hurls his bat into the first row. Good distance.

2:59 PM- Alex Gonzalez would look more comfortable at the dish with his glove.

3:06 PM- After Encarnacion and Overbay boot a ball around the infield, Wells makes a nice sliding catch in the outfield. This defense is going to fun to watch for better or for worse.

3:09 PM- Snider looks a lot more comfortable at the plate this year. He’s being a lot more selective and not just hacking away.

3:10 PM- Of course he then watches a called 3rd strike sail right down the heart of the plate.

3:19 PM- Shaun Marcum works a quick 5th and the Jays continue to lead by 3.

3:22 PM- Lind starts the season 3 for 3 as he lines another single into right field.

3:27 PM- Marcum’s being efficient as he has only thrown 54 pitches through 5. He’s keeping his changeup low and he continues to nibble on the corners.

3:33 PM- Marcum has quietly racked up 6 K’s through 6.

3:40 PM- The bottom part of the Jays lineup looks very tame. Hopefully Snider can add a much needed spark in the 9 hole.

3:46 PM- First real blemish of the day for Marcum as he walks Hamilton with 1 out in the 7th.

3:47 PM- The first hit of the day for the Rangers Guerrero lines a pitch into right field. Now Marcum needs to bear down.

3:50 PM- Just like that it’s tied. Nelson Cruz lifts, what appears to be a lazy fly ball over the right center field wall.

3:53 PM- Jays 3, Rangers 3 through 7. Tough going for Marcum, he deserves better.

3:55 PM- That’s it for Feldman as the Rangers bring in Neftali Feliz. Feldman did a good job of limiting the Jays to just three runs while he didn’t really have his best stuff.

3:58 PM- Let’s see if somebody other then Lind and Wells can get something going today.

4:00 PM- Naturally Bautista draws a walk and Hill rips a double into the left field corner. 2nd and 3rd with Lind and Wells coming up.

4:02 PM- The Rangers make the smart decision and walk Lind. Let’s see if Wells can deliver in the clutch and earn some or that contract.

4:04 PM- Wells come through in the clutch. Let’s hope we can say that at least a couple more times this year, because we certainly didn’t get to say it last season. Jays 4, Rangers 3.

4:10 PM- Overbay and Buck keep there perfect starts going with a K and a Vernon Wells special (Infield fly).

4:13 PM- Marcum is done, we have the first Scott Downs sighting of the season.

4:14 PM- Buck Martinez has just referred to the bullpen as the strength of the team. That does not sound optimistic.

4:16 PM- Downs works a clean eight inning. The same can’t be said about his hair. Call me nervous anticipating Jason Frasor in the 9th.

4:20 PM- Frank Francisco into the game for the Rangers. He comes in to face the murderer’s row of Encarnacion, Gonzalez and Snider

4:25 PM- With Gonzalez at first, Snider strikes out for the third time today. At least he’s working the count.

4:27 PM- Bautista whiffs on a breaking ball. I guess Texas read the scouting reports. Let the Jason Frasor era begin.

4:31 PM- Michael Young continues to haunt the Jays, quickly doubling to lead off the 9th.

4:34 PM- Frasor catches Hamilton looking and he is only 2 outs away from salvation.

4:37 PM- Hill saves a run by knocking the ball down and holding Guerrero to an infield single. He really is underrated as a defender.

4:38 PM- Before the ink was dry, Frasor coughs up a double to Cruz and we are in full blown mayday mode. Paging Billy Koch.

4:43 PM- Saltalamacchia ends it before I can read his name. There goes the perfect season. 161 to go. Final score Rangers 5, Jays 4.

4:44 PM- Nice start for Marcum he was a little unlucky.


Thanks to Jhonny Walker Red!

Opening Up About Opening Day

So Opening Day has come and gone.

In case you missed it, Shaun Marcum no-hit the Rangers through six innings as the Jays jumped out to a 3-0 lead. Vernon Wells and Adam Lind each had a home run to provide the offense.

The no-no was eventually broken up by a Vladdy Guerrero single, which came right after Marcum had walked Josh Hamilton. The next batter was Nelson Cruz, who belted a three-run homer to right-center. He hit a pitch that was low and away off the end of the bat, which floated out with a little help from the swirling winds at Rangers Ballpark. Tie game.

The Blue Jays would battle right back in the top of the 8th: a walk issued to Jose Bautista and a double from Aaron Hill put runners at 2nd and 3rd for Adam Lind. The Rangers elected to intentionally walk Lind, which brought up Vernon Wells with the bases loaded and one out. Vernon came through with RISP, smacking an RBI single that plated Bautista. 4-3 Blue Jays. Unfortunately, that would be all the damage done, as Lyle Overbay struck out and John Buck flied out to end the inning.

Scott Downs pitched a perfect 8th, and Jason Frasor was brought in to close it out in the 9th.

An Opening Day victory for the Jays was not to be, as Michael Young led-off with a double to right-center, followed by a single, a double, an intentional-walk, and a game-winning single from Jarrod Saltalamacchia. The Rangers won 5-4 in dramatic fashion.

A heartbreaking way to start the season, but once the disappointment faded I started to think about all of the positives.

Shaun Marcum, in his first major league start since 2008, pitched a stellar game. Although he gave up those three runs, he was not hit all that hard. A fantastic start to the season for our new number 1 starter.

Adam Lind went 3 for 3 with a home run just a few days after his new contract extension. He is such a crucial component of this team's offense.

No less crucial is Vernon Wells, who went 3 for 4 and homered in his first at-bat of the season. The Vernon Wells Hatred Advisory System is still stuck at "ELEVATED", but I can sense some optimism brewing amongst the fans. Keep it up V-Dub!

Travis Snider did not have a good day at the plate, getting struck out three times in an 0 for 4 afternoon. However, he's really surprising a lot of people with the quality of his defensive play. He looks slimmer and generally more athletic. A nice diving grab out in left field was the highlight of his day.

I've been reading some of the post-game commentary, and it seems like a lot of people are already sipping the Cito "haterade". I've read criticism of the decision to leave Marcum in after the no-hitter was broken up, and letting Overbay/Buck hit with the bases loaded. The only one that I agree with is not having Randy Ruiz pinch hit for Buck in the 8th with the bases loaded and 2 outs. The Jays needed to tack on some runs, and while Ruiz at first in place of Overbay hurts the defense, letting Jose Molina come into the game to catch does not. If Cito isn't going to use Ruiz in that situation, I don't know when he will.

Overall, not the greatest Opening Day for the Jays, but let's cool out. Patience is a virtue that Jays fans will need to learn if they haven't already. There were glimmers of brilliance in defeat. Hopefully, they bounce back with a solid game on Wednesday. Brian Tallet goes for the Jays... in the name of positivity, no comment. Go Jays!

Don't Leave Adam Lind Hanging!

The Jays have inked Adam Lind to a 4-year deal worth $18 million! Coming off a break-out year, Lind had a big payday coming to him.

In other news, the Jays play their final spring training game against the Astros at Minute Maid Park. Brandon Morrow will start, trying to make a case for his inclusion in the opening day rotation. He's battled some arm fatigue during the latter part of the spring so the Jays will be evaluating his progress. If he's good to go, he will slot in behind Ricky Romero into the number 4 spot.

I'm still waiting for Cito to jump out and yell, "APRIL FOOLS! DID YOU REALLY THINK BRIAN TALLET WOULD BE OUR NUMBER 2??". Of course, April Fools has already passed, which would make him the fool. That's never been more true.

Your 2010 Toronto Blue Jays

This is how the roster will look on opening day (courtesy of Jordan Bastian):

Starting Rotation

1. Shaun Marcum
2. Brian Tallet
3. Ricky Romero
4. Brandon Morrow
5. Dana Eveland

Bullpen

1. Jason Frasor
2. Kevin Gregg
3. Scott Downs
4. Shawn Camp
5. Casey Janssen
6. Jeremy Accardo
7. Merkin Valdez

Lineup

1. Jose Bautista, RF
2. Aaron Hill, 2B
3. Adam Lind, DH
4. Vernon Wells, CF
5. Lyle Overbay, 1B
6. Edwin Encarnacion, 3B
7. John Buck, C
8. Travis Snider, LF
9. Alex Gonzalez, SS

Bench

1. John McDonald, SS
2. Randy Ruiz, 1B/DH
3. Jose Molina, C
4. Mike McCoy, UTIL

A few surprises here. Dana Eveland over Brett Cecil... damn. Although Eveland had a really solid spring so congrats to him. Also, Merkin Valdez won the last-spot-in-the-bullpen sweepstakes. He beat out Josh Roenicke and David Purcey and several others vying for the spot. We already knew that Jose Molina was in and Raul Chavez was out. Another surprise is that Mike McCoy made it! He's the all-purpose man.

Some final thoughts: I just copied this roster posting from MLBastian, so I am not sure if I should look into the ordering. First off, having Tallet as the number two starter to open the season would be... very frustrating to say the least. In order to express how I truly feel about that, I'd have to break apart my computer*. But then I couldn't finish this post. I do suspect that the batting lineup will be as posted, with Travis Snider hitting 8th. I guess that's alright, as long as he gets moved up in a hurry. As in by the end of the first week if he's killing it.

OPENING DAY IS 4 DAYS AWAY!


*Seems like I may have gotten worked-up for nothing. There's a day off after the season opener, so Tallet would be skipped and Romero would start the second game of the season. Also, following this schedule, Romero would be in line to pitch the home-opener. Let's hope that's the plan.