My weekly opinions, observations and rants about some Canadian baseball stories (Please follow me on Twitter: @kevinglewsports):
My favourite Tweet this week came from D.J. Short of NBC Sports on Wednesday when he wrote, “Sources: Albert Pujols submitted the winning bid for Yu Darvish.”
Lost in the Yu Darvish madness this week was that the Jays re-signed minor league hurler Clint Everts. This is significant because the 6-foot-4 right-hander is a former first round (fifth overall) pick of the Montreal Expos in 2002. Zack Greinke and Prince Fielder were selected immediately after him in that draft.
Of course, the Blue Jays didn’t fare much better with their 2002 first round pick. Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi opted to select infielder Russ Adams ahead of Nick Swisher, Cole Hamels, Matt Cain and Jays current closer Sergio Santos (who was drafted by Arizona as a shortstop).
From the “He’s still playing?” file: former Jay Corey Thurman registered a 13-3 record in 25 starts for the York Revolution of the independent Atlantic League in 2011. The now 33-year-old right-hander last pitched in the big leagues in 2003. Jays fans will remember him best for the 43 games he hurled for the Blue Birds in 2002.
Veteran infielder Omar Vizquel, who will turn 45 in April, would like to play in 2012, although he said (via his Twitter feed) that he won’t be returning to the White Sox. The 11-time Gold Glove Award winner has 2,841 career hits, but given his age and the fact that he’s now a utility player, he’s unlikely to reach 3,000 hits. Do you think he belongs in the Hall of Fame?
It’s always cool when you find out that your favourite baseball player likes the same kind of music as you. I found out through via Twitter that Dale Murphy is a Wilco fan.
Vancouver, B.C. native and longtime Tony La Russa confidante, Dave McKay, has found employment as the Chicago Cubs first base coach in 2012.
Dorchester, Ont., native Chris Robinson has been invited to spring training by the Texas Rangers as a non-roster player. The 27-year-old Canuck hit .316 in 66 games in Triple-A for the Cubs last season.
If you read this blog regularly, you’ll know that I strongly believe that former Expo Tim Raines deserves a plaque in Cooperstown. For more information on why he’s deserving, visit this website: http://www.raines30.com/
Omar absolutely belongs. It is time that the Hall stops ignoring defensive dominance with very good offensive contribution over a long period of time.
And anyone who argues against Rock being enshrined at Cooperstown leads to Battlestar Galactica.
As Rainn Wilson’s Dwight character blurted in an episode of The Office:
“Do you watch Battlestar Galactica?”
“No.”
“Then you are an idiot.”
Vizquel and Raines both deserve plaques.
Thanks for the comment, Landon. Glad to see you’re a fan of The Office as well.
Super post with a great variety.
Thanks. Have a great holiday season.
Omar and Raines for sure. Omar is amazing and still playing at 45 on defense shows his greatness.
Robinson in tough with Texas, but Chicago wasn’t giving him a chance either.
Thanks for the comment. It’s funny there are a lot of people out there who don’t believe Vizquel is a Hall of Famer. I think he compares well with Ozzie Smith. Yes, Ozzie was better defensively, but Omar is better offensively.
From Devon Teeple:
Omar is a Hall of Famer, no doubt Kevin.
Thank for all the info!
Devon