Romanticised Vacation-Inspired Thoughts

“There is really no drinking half as enjoyable as daytime drinking, when the sun is out, the bars are empty of dilettantes, and the afternoon stretches ahead of you like summer vacation. The gleeful complicity you and your drinking buddies share in the excellent decision to have one more ill-advised round, knowing full well you’re forfeiting the day — you can almost physically feel something lifted from you at this moment, even if you know it will fall back more heavily later on. We used to raise a toast: “Gentlemen — our lives are unbelievably great.”

Okay folks, I am back.. not that I am sure anyone noticed I was gone.  Since Canada Day fell on a Wednesday last week I felt it was the perfect opportunity to take a week off from work and take in a few Jays games, catch up with friends, maybe get up into the gym and work on my fitness.  These were my best laid plans but they fell through my hands.

Instead, I ended up on the Barney’s Patio virtually every single afternoon.  As I referenced in the above quote, by the time the Jays game was being shown behind the bar you might say that I was seeing the game through a different perspective.   In a futile attempt to not forfeit the day, I jotted down a few sloppy notes that reflected my hazy insight into the game’s events so that I could post the next day here on Mop Up Duty.  However, the following day produced the same result - me at Barney’s.  And so we had a bit of a Groundhog Day situation.

So now it is the end of my vacation and most of my inebriated genius looks like nonsense right now. However, I already came this far, might as well finish it off.  Here we go.

Rios Is Dumb

When I picture Alex Rios, I picture him making the face that you see above. 

Since Papa Cito has taken over the reigns of this ballclub, you could argue that almost every Jay has blossomed under his and Gene Tenace’s hitting philosophy.  Scutaro and Hill are having career seasons, Adam Lind is showing his long talked about potential and is no longer bouncing between AAA and the show.  Rolen, in addition to his stellar defense, is providing a reliable, clutch bat in the heart of the order.   After 2 dreadful seasons, Lyle Overbay has bounced back to his typical career levels.  Although Wells has struggled all season long, it is possible it is due to his bum wrist.  I could talk about Wells but I apparently don’t have much to say about him when I am on a patio. Rios on the other hand…

Whether he is forgetting how many outs there are or swinging away on a high outside fastball clearly out of the strikezone when it is 0-2 he looks absolutely lost at the plate.  Not to mention numerous baserunning gaffes.  Cito had this to say about his struggles (hat tip to MLBastian):

“I still believe a lot of times he’s not ready,” Gaston said. “I say this all the time, guys when they don’t hit well they just don’t get ready in time. Also, you have to have an approach up there, too. You can’t hit every pitch that they throw up there. You’ve got to have a plan about what you want to do.

“Alex has got to take a plan up to the plate with him, whether he’s going to hit a fastball or he’s going to hit a breaking ball. Start looking for some of those pitches.”

Cito, you give the guy too much credit.  I just don’t think he is smart enough to follow a plan, have an approach, or look for pitches. Nor do I think he cares to.  With a $65 million contract in hand, what does it matter if he strikes out 5 times in a row? In his words: “Who gives a F—?”  See ball hit ball, that’s all he understands.  Not to mention yesterday’s game where he slowed up for a double on a sure triple.  Lazy, lazy man who disrespects the game of baseball. Rance defended him by saying he didn’t want to run into the 2nd out of the inning. Rance - do you really think he even knew how many outs there were?  The Jays need someone in right field who plays like their hair is on fire, not worried about how their hair looks.

The Roster Mismanagement is Bordering on the Ridiculous

Joe Inglett. Russ Adams. David Dellucci. WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?

Okay, I realize during my sober second thought that the 25th man is not going to make or break a roster. But seriously, none of these guys have any business being in the big leagues. What makes it ridiculous is the options available down on the farm.

Buck Coats. Randy Ruiz. Kyle Phillips.  Just look at the stats here and keep in mind sample size when looking at Dellucci, Inglett & Adams.  These guys can come off the bench, give a key hit here and there, maybe some pop and field a position.  Looking at Dellucci makes me sick to my stomach.

Anyway, I don’t want to come off as a Negative Nancy, because my vacation was awesome.  The Jays may be fading fast but there is nothing better than watching my favourite team play in the sunshine while having a cold one.  Win or lose.  The only thing that would be the cherry on top of my vacation would have been to witness Roy Halladay wailing away on a guitar.  Well, at least I came close..

Oh, one more thing. Whither Robert Ray?

Tags: Adam Lind, alex rios, Barney's London, Buck Coats, Canada Day, cito gaston, David Dellucci, Gene Tenace, Groundhog Day, joe inglett, Kyle Phillips, randy ruiz, roy halladay, Russ Adams, Scott Rolen, Vacation