Friday Bantering: Sportsnet One, Aaron Hill and Weddings
by Tom Dakers on Sep 3, 2010 10:37 AM EDT
in Toronto Blue Jays News
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PrintGood Friday morning, the long weekend is almost here and with it comes a series with the Yankees. And, of course, tonight's this afternoon's game is on Sportsnet One. I mean, you'd hate to get good ratings. Stupid, stupid Rogers rat people.
Let's have some links.
Chris Zelkovich at the Star tells us that the Jays are taking heat over Sportsnet One. He is a little late to the party, but at least he isn't toeing the Rogers' line that it is the cable companies that are at fault.
Going one step higher on the ham-handed scale, Rogers began pointing fingers at the other carriers. It claimed all had been offered the channel free of charge.
Well, as the other carriers pointed out, nobody would take up that offer because it would kill their negotiating position. In fact, Rogers itself refused to take TSN2 for free when it launched.
A quote from a fan:
"Now that will all be gone, because they won't be able to afford another channel," she says. "I'm disturbed that no one from Blue Jays management said one word to support the fans."
What she doesn't get is that the Jays don't care about the fans. If it is a choice between you and me and their corporate overlords, the overlords win every time. But you would think that the team would have something to say when 90% of their audience disappears overnight.
The Star also has a story on George Bell following Jose Bautista's run at his home run record. I like hearing about what former Jays are doing now.
The National Post's John Lott talks to Scott Richmond about the Jays' opening in the starting rotation. Spoiler: he'd like to fill it.
Bob Elliot looks at the questions the team will have to deal with going into the off-season. Number one on the list is Aaron Hill's options.
The Tao of Stieb remembers Lloyd Moseby. He was a favorite of mine too.
Ghostrunner on First is getting married. Congratulations. Anyone who is willing to marry a blogger should be held on to.
Hardball Times figures Carlos Delgado has reached the end of the line.
Alex Rodriguez has fired Scott Boras as his agent. Pretty easy move to make after you sign the 10 year deal.
Joe Posnanski at SI.com talks about Derek Jeter's upcoming contract negotiations with the Yankees. I knew Jeter was having a bad season but I didn't know it was this bad:
But now he's back to the player he looked to be two years ago. As Schur points out, not without some glee, Jeter's sub-par numbers this year - let the record show that on Sept. 3, 2010, Yuniesky Betancourt (95 OPS+) had a higher OPS+ than Derek Jeter (94 OPS+) - don't even tell the whole story. Jeter's stunning numbers (.266/.331/.374) are really pumped up by the energy and hitting atmosphere of Yankee Stadium. On the road he's hitting .230/.294/.307.
Worse than Betancourt? Wow. What you want to bet that that won't stop Buck and Rance from raving about how great Jeter is all weekend long.
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Derek Jeter
What do you think his next contract will look like? I can see the Yankees overpaying him; because he’s Deter Jeter.
MLB column on Eric Hinske
On the topic of former Jays, MLB.com has a column on Eric Hinske and the Braves’ chances this year. Considering they’ve got a good luck charm in Hinske, who’s been to the World Series three years in a row with each team he’s been on, I’d say the Braves have a good shot.
It’s a funny thing how careers go. Hinske started off with a bang and such high hopes here in Toronto, which soon fizzled out. But he went on to make a good little career as a journeyman utility player, who’s managed to see all kinds of World Series action. Conversely, you’ve got all kinds of guys who lived up to their potential, but never see the playoffs. I wonder which one players would prefer as they always talk about winning being all that matters – maybe Hinske wouldn’t have it any other way if he could do it over. And who can blame him.
I'm not a big believer in good luck charms...I don't think Eric is the cause of the teams making the series.
but it is good/lucky for him that he’s been in the World Series 3 years in a row, I’d argue the ‘see all kinds of WS action’, he’s had 4 at bats in 3 WS, but he did hit one home run with the Rays.
Eric Hinske must feed his postseason habit
I like this bit from a Yahoo Sports article on Hinske and the Braves run:
Back to the Future IV: Since the 2007 season, just try playing a World Series without Hinske. You can’t do it. He was there each time: First with the Boston Red Sox, then the Tampa Bay Rays and, in ’09, the New York Yankees.
Here it is 2010, and there’s Hinske again, lurking in the Series shadows with the Atlanta Braves. What is it with this guy? Did he steal Marty McFly’s Grays Sports Almanac from 2000, so he knows who all’s going every year?
Well, if Hinske did, it’s the Braves’ turn. I just hope that Biff Tannen doesn’t find out.
Hells Bells
Nice article, I love George. He was sometimes prickly, but always had a big heart, which shines through on that story. I like all the good things he has to say about Jose Bautista’s character. And it’s also good to hear that the Jays are garnering more attention in the Dominican again. On both counts, I hope Bautista can stick around for a few years.
Forgot to say that if (when surely!) Bautista breaks Bell’s record, it would be nice if the Jays got George up for a little pregame ceremony for the fans to honour Bautista. Maybe something early next year.
I wouldn’t put money on the Braves going all the way just because of Hinske, but he’s certainly had a charmed run in recent years. He may only have been the “bitiest” of bit players on those teams, but being on three World Series teams in a row with two rings to show for it gives him all kinds of bragging rights with the majority of his peers. I don’t know if he’d trade that for a better individual career.
Speaking of good luck charms, ball players are certainly a superstitious lot. I remember when I worked for the Jays back in 1989 and they got one of the clubbies to shave his head like a soccer ball. He then became something of a value totem in the clubhouse in their AL East run that year. So with his run, having Hinske around has got be good for at least a confidence boost to his teammates.
oh I've done that a number of times.
Yeah I think if players think he is a good luck charm that’s a good thing for him.
just a correction...
“And, of course, tonight’s game is on Sportsnet One” . I believe it is a day game, 1:05 PM ET
by JaysSaskatchewan on Sep 3, 2010 11:38 AM EDT reply actions
Bell - Bautista comparison
Much has been made about Jose’s propensity to pull, but thinking back to George, it wouldn’t surprise me if 47 of his homeruns in ’87 were to left field as well.
I thought the line about them being similar players was off a bit.
Bell was a high average hitter, didn’t walk a lot. Bautista walks tons.
Bautista also plays defense, where Bell sort of DH’ed from left field…
I've been looking at the sky
by Back In Black on Sep 3, 2010 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions
At least they haven't ruined the rest of the long weekend
I see Sat/Sun/Mon games are all on the normal Sportsnet channels. Of course they all start at 10 AM in my timezone, so I can’t enjoy them over a couple of beers without my wife calling me an alcoholic…such is life.
SN1
I am really surprised they are continuing the “experiment” at this point. Viewership numbers being tossed around are 90%+ less than Jays games broadcast on the parent site. Average in that West Coasters that don’t have access to it yet and at best you are looking at double the average viewership.
All of this while the channel is on it’s free preview.
I can’t really see how they will increase viewership and actually make money off of this one…
No chance they get this game in
A hurricane will be about 150mi SE of NYC this afternoon.
If the next storm is called Gaston
…
Damn, I’ve got nothing. It’s too early
There She Gooooooes!
I bet it also makes the younger Hurricanes wait their turn until the older ones get a shot first
Come on, Rook. Show us that million-dollar arm, 'cause I got a good idea about that five-cent head of yours.
by syc on Sep 3, 2010 4:42 PM EDT up reply actions
SportsNet One
I’ve just cancelled my Rogers TV Sports package. Going back to the joys of Jays radio with Jerry, Allen and Mike on a daily basis is way better than Roger’s chopped-up mess of a TV schedule. The geniuses at Rogers have made this the sports equivalent of that introduction fiasco of a new Coca Cola several years ago, I’m wondering if any of them even realize how laughable their commercials are for this sorry excuse of a money-grab.
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