Note: MR. X Columns are for Entertainment Purposes Only. We can’t control this guy. As with most Page 6 columnists, X gets his daily info from “Undisclosed Sources”
In the summer of 2003, the Toronto Star ran a controversial article on the racial makeup of the Toronto Blue Jays and it is commonly referred to as “White Jays”.
The main article, written by Geoff Baker, noted that the team only had one African-American ballplayer on Opening Day, and only six “visible minorities.” He quoted GM J.P. Ricciardi attributing the team’s racial makeup to chance, then speculated Ricciardi imported all these white players to produce a harmonious, clique-free clubhouse. He also suggested Toronto’s sagging attendance may have been because multicultural city residents were disappointed at the team’s whiteness.
Baker’s colleague and perennial Ricciardi antagonist Richard Griffin followed up, writing that J.P.’s sabermetric philosophy intentionally steered away from minority players by preferring patient hitters, non-basestealers, and college experience. He even declared that if Jackie Robinson were around today, he wouldn’t have made the Jays because his style of play didn’t fit the “new-wave” Moneyball mold.
As you might expect, this caused a lot of notoriety for the Star. The editors retracted most of the White Jays material after about a week, and admitted it was essentially an embarrassment.
What I think they missed though is this: Ricciardi’s penchant for signing Italian baseball players. Of the 4 position players who were eligible (by my count) to play for team Italy in the WBC, 3 of them have been signed by Ricciardi. Those players are Frank Catalanotto, Frank Menechino and Sal Fasano. Only missing is Mike Piazza who the Jays lost to San Diego last year after engaging him in contract talks. This doesn’t include Italian Vinnie Chulk or JP’s favourite prospect Vito Chiaravalotti.
Let’s look at the front office. JP’s special hire, Keith Law, is 3/4 Italian. Director of scouting, Tony “Body Count” LaCava is Italian. JP’s special assistant is Sal Butera, 100% Italiano. The team’s orthopedic surgeon is Steve Mirabello. Manager of corporate partnerships is Paolo “Paulie” Pastore. In the finance department, the controller (of JP’s backloaded contracts) is none other than “Fat” Tony Loffreda. The VP of Stadium Operations is Mario “Two Times” Coutinho. Director of Merchandsing is Anthony “The Rodent” Partipilo. Veronica “Mumbles” Zavala runs the Jays shop. The head of the warehouse racket? None other than Darryl “Pruneface” De Franco. Director of ticket sales is Franc “Roastbeef” Rota. The list goes on and on.
When JP was quoted as saying he “understands the pitching is thin, but the lineup is going to whack the other team to death” – it is important to understand what he means by the term “whack”. Isn’t it odd that JP has 75% of Itialian position players? JP’s master plan wasn’t to turn the Jays into a World Series contender in 5 years, but to turn the Toronto Blue Jays into a bona fide money laundering outfit for Ricciardi’s nefarious activities with the mafioso. He may not be Italian, but let’s not forget the team President: Paul “The Godfather” Godfrey. You heard it here first. Until next time this is Mr. X signing off, off the record, on the QT and very hush-hush.
