Defeatism is such a sad word (NBJR)

A (poorly drawn) comic about life during a pandemic.

ER

Jays Journaling: Replaying the replays of replayed games

I am tired of replayed matches.

It’s not the actual games themselves, but rather the reason why they’re airing. You’re reminded every time there’s a commercial break.

It feels like you’ve accidentally touched an active burner. You’re not paying attention and then a sharp pain brings you back to reality.

Again, COVID-19 can go fuck itself.

***

I’ve enjoyed watching KBO highlights. I never took time to watch until I was swept up in the hype created by the broadcast deal with ESPN.

My biggest takeaway was finding out that Matt Williams was managing the KIA Tigers.

My hope was that I would invest my time with one of the teams. Unfortunately, I haven’t formed an emotional bond.

It’s hard when the games are being played overnight. It’s harder when you’re not familiar with any of the players. I was hoping I’d find a club that had a former Blue Jay or two. No dice thus far.

For now, I’m content watching ten-minute highlight packages on YouTube when I feel like it.

***

When I learned of the upcoming E60 documentary about Roy Halladay – Imperfect: The Roy Halladay Story – I immediately cringed. The thought of Doc’s struggles being sensationalized made me ill.

This isn’t the first time a celebrity and his/her struggles have been profiled. And if you’re telling a story, you need to include all the chapters. That includes the uncomfortable ones.

But this is Doc we’re talking about.

I already have fond memories of him and just want to leave it at that. My biggest fear with this documentary is that Halladay’s off-the-field struggles will now overshadow everything he did on the field.

Hopefully, that’s not the case. Hopefully, this documentary will help someone with similar struggles.

***

One more item about replayed matches:

I enjoyed watching the “Doc Week” games more than the airings of the 1992-93 and 2015-16 contests.

Along with seeing Doc at his best, it was great watching Vernon Wells, Aaron Hill and all the players who were his teammates back then. We even got to watch Jose and Edwin before they became legends.

I even liked seeing the silver and black uniforms again. And how could you not smile after seeing those “Flashback Friday” power blues? The players weren’t fans of them, but I loved them!

Those late-2000s teams were so frustrating to watch. They could never get it all together. It was either the pitching was good, but the hitting was weak or vice versa. If Doc got a little more run support, he’d probably have at least one more Cy Young.

Yet after all this time, there’s a sense of nostalgia and joy.

Things were different back then. I was different back then. Toronto’s sports landscape was different back then.

It was fun to look back, especially now knowing what came after.

ER

There’s a frown underneath that mask. (NBJR)

Inspired by a nourishing conversation with Launy Schwartz.

A (poorly drawn) comic about life during a pandemic.

The quality is quite low, but my self-esteem is moderately high.

ER

Retro Blue Jays – Eighties, eighties and more eighties

Posted by Hockey Joe, DaveWinfieldHOF and Retrontario.

There’s just no escape.

The damn pandemic has saturated our world. It has a presence with every aspect of our lives. More then ever, we need something to give us a little distraction; a little relief.

Along with replays on Sportsnet, MLB Network and the beginning of the KBO season, here are some Blue Jay-themed commercials from the 80s to help take your mind off things:

Tom Henke keeps things professional on and off the field. A true Texas gentleman.

Dave Winfield – playing for the New York Yankees at the time – appears in a commercial for Tourism Toronto. Note the animated seagull at the end of the ad. Pretty sure that wasn’t an accident.

Only the Toronto Sun can give you BLUE JAYS BIRTHDAY BASEBALL!

There’s tough and then there’s “Jim Clancy Tough.”

This promo for an upcoming home series oozes the 80s. The music, the montages, the graphics. Check out Dave Stieb flashing a smile, along with the late Damaso Garcia.

ER