Monday Morning Media Mashup: Red Bull Edition

Before anything else I would like to link to the Canadian Baseball Network's latest podcast, which focuses on Jackie Robinson's time playing with the Montreal Royals. It is a fantastic story of Canadian goodness, and I was going to share that last week but it slipped my mind. Please go have a listen, it's worth your time.

Today is the seventh day since Casper Wells was designated for assignment, meaning that the Blue Jays' deadline to place him on outright waivers was yesterday. Because we are still in April, the waiver claim priority will be based on 2012's won-loss records (worse record, higher priority).

There are a couple of Blue Jays-related drinking events going on this week in Toronto, but the problem is that they are both on Thursday! Ugh. I will have to settle this with a coin toss:

• West of Yonge Event: Tallboys Craft Beer House (838 Bloor Street West, east of Ossington) will again host the April edition of the Jays Day Beer Club event this Thursday starting at 7 pm. The Jays-Yankees game will be on the big screen and there will be free beer tasting from Kensington Brewery and some pretty damn cool raffle prizes (jerseys, bobbleheads, and a signed Brett Lawrie baseball). Go here for more information. Remember to call ahead and book a table--it does get really packed there.
• East of Yonge Event: Blue Jays Way and Left Field Brewery are co-hosting the first Thirst Base Thursdays at Riverside Public House (725 Queen Street East, east of Broadview). Like Tallboys, they will have the game broadcasting, and they will be serving Left Field's Maris* American Pale Ale and some "ballpark-inspired" food. There will be trivia and prizes and swag.

If a man could only be at two places at one time I'd be an alcoholic (or would alcohol consumption levels be effectively halved?).

Blue Jays Related

Toronto Blue Jays finally click in win over Yankees - National Post

Bruce Arthur writes about yesterday's game as well as how something finally clicked for the Jays having found everything difficult earlier this season. Includes a great quote from R.A. Dickey, who said, "we’re a team full of good players; we’re not a good team yet."

Anthopoulos visits The Rundown, discusses Blue Jays - MLB.com (video)
Alex Anthopoulos spoke to MLB Network about the Blue Jays before the game last Friday. Anthopoulos updates us on Ricky Romero's work with Dane Johnson. He has progressed from throwing bullpens to throwing simulated games, and is scheduled to throw again this Tuesday, and when he's ready he'll be sent to try out some real games in Dunedin.

Should MLB Change Its Waiver Claims Rules? - MLBTradeRumors.com
Alternate title: what has Alex Anthopoulos done now? Charlie Wilmoth believes that the rules to waiver claims should be chanced because of what the Blue Jays have done on the waiver wire this year, using it to improve minor league depth rather than to give players a chance to play in the majors. The 30-day rule is not a very good idea--it'll just act to reduce overall claims and allow teams to outright their players with little risk. Maybe a way to keep players playing is to reduce the 10-day "limbo" period after being designated for assignment.

Which GMs Are Most Active On The Waiver Wire?- MLBTradeRumors.com
Last week, Steve Adams looked at which GMs have been the most active on the waiver wire. Guess who is number one?

Blue Jays in Buffalo? Not with 'archaic' TV deal - Buffalo Business First
Raptors broadcaster and western New Yorker Jack Armstrong weighs in on the "archaic" nature of Major League Baseball TV rules preventing Buffalonians from watching Blue Jays baseball on television. At least if they really wanted to they can get MLB.tv or MLB Extra Innings since they are out of the blackout zone.

A Couple Jays Fans On: The Early Going - Drunk Jays Fans (Video)
Andrew Stoeten found was tipped off about a punny Blue Jays-related sketch from TGK Films and Play Fun Games Pictures.

Someone Get Brett Lawrie Another Red Bull - gamereax
Why has Red Bull not given Brett Lawrie a gigantic cheque yet?

Down on the Farm

Reminder: the Bisons are playing a morning game today, 10:35 am at Coca-Cola Park in Lehigh Valley--don't confuse that with Coca-Cola Field in Buffalo. Justin Germano goes up against Tyler Cloyd.

April 21 Minor League Report - Jays Journal
The guy from Blue Jays From Away is now posting his daily minor league recaps on Jays Journal. Aaron Sanchez and Miguel Batista did well (with Sanchez going 6.2 innings, the longest in his career), however recent picks Deck McGuire and Daniel Norris struggled badly. Prospect K.C. Hobson hit a "laser shot" for his second home run in as many days down in the pitching-friendly Florida State League.

The Buffalo Experience - Blue Jays Way
Matt Brown wrote about his travels to Buffalo with Kieran Roy, their significant others, and a seven-and-a-half year old baby.

Around the League

MLB uniforms, 2013 - Flip Flop Fly Ball
Craig Robinson does his fourth annual pixelated uniforms of all the 30 MLB teams.

Baserunning adventures of Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Jean Segura - ESPN
Jean Segura broke all the play-by-play software in the world. They coped by recording a lie, that Segura was thrown out stealing third base. Of course, since this is a Jays site we must include the time Lloyd Moseby stole second, first, and second again on the same play.

Unusual tallies of Ks, (near-)cycles - Stats & Info Blog - ESPN
Doug Kern explores some weird games from last week: the Tigers and Mariners combining for 40 strikeouts, bad pitching from Rick Procello and Phil Humber, some quasi-cycles, and an unassisted double play by a centre fielder.