Short, scribbled, simiring thoughts about Charlie Montoyo

When the Blue Jays hired Tim Johnson to manage the team, it seemed like there was nothing but high praise for the new skipper. And then…well….we all know what happened.

Of course, I’m not saying a similar fate will fall upon Charlie Montoyo. I just couldn’t help but think of Tim Johnson whenever I saw rave reviews about some of the potential candidates to manage the Jays in 2019.

Anyway, Charlie Montoyo meets the apparent requirements. Bilingual, comes from a system that uses analytics and has plenty of coaching and managerial experience.

Now we’ll see how that all translates.

But please….understand this:

Do not expect this man to move Heaven and Earth right away. The team is transitioning and the young talent needs to develop. It won’t happen instantaneously. At the very least, kindly give Charlie Montoyo a few years before evaluating his pefromance.

ER

Final Thoughts on the 2018 World Series

Sometimes, the antagonists win. With that in mind, congratulations to the Boston Red Sox – 2018 World Series Champions.

Bias aside, Boston is more than deserving of this title. During the postseason, they showed everyone why they won 108 regular season games. They were the league’s best from late-March to the present; so it’s only fitting they captured the prize.

Moreover, I am absolutely THRILLED for David Price and Steve Pearce!

Price’s tenure in Boston has been controversial. But after some stellar performances this month, he has slammed the door on all the haters and critics. David Price is a much-deserved world champion and no one can take that away from him. As he told reporters during the post-game news conference, he now holds the trump card.

I always liked Price and this was before he was traded to the Blue Jays in 2015. Watching him bolt from the dugout to celebrate his team’s triumph put a big smile on my face. Fairly certain I wasn’t the only one.

We know what a Steve Pearce hot streak looks like. Seriously, the man couldn’t have picked a better time to go on one. Regardless of what happens next for him, he has achieved folk hero status in Massachusetts.

It was also funny how certain members of Jays Twitter freaked out over Pearce’s MVP performance.

“HOW COULD THEY PAY TO GET RID OF STEVE PEARCE AND GET NOTHING SUBSTANTIAL IN RETURN?!” they shouted.

I guess these particular fans never saw a team rebuild before.

***
Small Housekeeping Note

I’ve joined forces with Jays Journal’s Ari Shaprio and will be contributing items to his website – AriShaprio.ca – in addition to my usual DNJT stuff. Currently, I have two pieces up: A short story called Living The Dream and an article entitled, October Baseball.

ER

David Staright @davidstaright – http://www.unsplash.com

World Series Guess

Right about Boston and Los Angeles! Yes, I was patting myself on the back.

Anyway…

Los Angeles over Boston

It’s amazing to think that these two historic organizations have never faced each other in the World Series. That will change Tuesday night.

I want LA to win for two reasons:

1. They’re playing the Red Sox.

2. I’m a sucker for a dramatic storyline. A 92-win team defeating a 108-win team would be a smash hit.

Enjoy the series!

ER

ALCS/NLCS Guesses

So….I got every series right except for Houston/Cleveland. Thank you, Cleveland.

Anyway….

Boston over Houston
Los Angeles over Milwaukee

Here’s the thing: I’m a sucker for an underdog story; so I’d love to see the Brewers beat the glamorous Dodgers. However, my gut feeling is that the defending National League champs won’t be stopped.

To be honest, I hope Boston beats Houston only because the thought of Roberto Osuna pitching in the World Series – months after sitting in jail – sickens me.

ER

ALDS/NLDS Guesses

Wrong about Oakland, right about Colorado.

Anyway….

ALDS
Cleveland over Houston
Boston over New York

NLDS
Los Angeles over Atlanta
Milwaukee over Colorado

ER

Wild Card Guesses

To whom it may concern:

I anticipate a day of glorious triumph for the Colorado Rockies and Oakland Athletics.

Thank you.

ER

And now, a smorgasbord of thoughts and feelings as it relates to the 2018 Toronto Blue Jays Baseball Club

Give yourself a pat on the back. You got through a tough season.

• Actually, I’m not upset about what happened this season. I went in with low expections and got what I expected: a team in transition; positive evolution and negative evolution, but evolution nonetheless.
• Those first three weeks in April though; that was exciting and fun.
• Love Gibby, but it was time to move on. His dismissal was unsurprising. Gibby took the Jays as far as he could. But the team is now moving in a different direction and the front office understandably wants someone new to lead said direction.
• Couldn’t tell you who the new manager will be. I do know this: Some fans will love the new hire, some fans will hate the new hire and some fans will absolutely despise the new hire because anything orchestrated by Mark Shaprio and Russ Atikins will automatically ruin EVERYTHING! Oh, the spicy hot takes. 😉
• I’m worried about Aaron Sanchez. Injuries have robbed him and us of two seasons. Right now, there’s a large chasm between 2016 Sanchez and 2018 Sanchez. I’m praying he closes that gap in 2019. He’s too good to be plagued with injuries.
• Teoscar is a curious case. He was exposed defensively, but the kid has a pretty good bat. Here’s hoping he works on his defence during the off-season.
• I was wrong about Randall Grichuk.
• Loved what I saw from Rowdy Tellez. However, a small voice in my head is telling me not to get too excited about production from a September call-up. I hope that voice is wrong.
• It feels like ions since Gift Ngoepe was part of the opening day roster.
• My favourite moments from the season: 1) The incredible ninth inning comeback against Tampa Bay in September. 2) James Paxton’s no-hitter, despite that happening against the Jays.
• One other moment that remains prevleant in my mind: Curtis Granderson’s walk-off homerun against Boston in April. This occurred days after the horrific van attack in North York. While Grandy’s blast certainly didn’t cure everything, it allowed us a short reprieve as we grieved.
• I’m fascinated with the middle infield situation. Many candidates, but only a few spots. It will be one of the top storylines during spring training.
• Time for some awards! Best hitter: Justin Smoak; Best starter: J.A. Happ; Best reliever: A tie between Seunghwan Oh and Ken Gilles.

Postseason is upon us. Cleveland gets my endorsement only because of the overabundance of former Blue Jays on their roster. Enjoy October baseball!

ER