The summit was within reach, but the 2022 Blue Jays fell off the mountain in garish fashion

I have never been a fan of U2. However, I am currently “stuck in a moment” and I “can’t get out of it.”

Welcome to the end-of-season dispatch. It’s a hard one to write.

2022 was an unhinged season for the Blue Jays. It began with an incredible home opener and ended with a violent defeat. In between were multiple ebbs and flows.

It’s hard for me to focus on the entire season because of how it concluded. The catastrophic loss to Seattle has affected me more than I care to admit. To watch everything crumble was traumatizing. I know that’s stupid and meaningless given the world at large, but I can’t help it.

The embarrassing defeat has overshadowed the entire season, at least in my head. The implosion is now the Jays’ reputation. No matter what they do next year, no matter the number of achievements, they will be the club with superstars that choked when the lights were the brightest. It will hang over their heads until they win the World Series. That’s the only way this demon will be exorcised.

After the match, I avoided social media for the better part of 48 hours; Twitter mostly. Didn’t want to deal with the anti-Shapiro crowd, who I’m sure had their knives out as they banged their drums and proudly wore their “Make the Blue Jays great again” hats. Also didn’t want to deal with those who feel athletes should be subdued and likely dunked on Vladdy and Alek for making bold statements.

There was anger and outrage and it was justified. Heck, I was upset too. But screaming for scapegoats and yelling on Twitter is useless. If anything, I’m mourning. Worried too.

I’m very concerned about George Springer and the concussion he sustained. I can handle a bone spur and sprained shoulder, but a concussion is different. The lingering effects of such an injury can result in a long absence; not to mention George’s mental and physical health.

The collision with Bo Bichette reminded me of a similar incident from May 2008. During a match in Oakland, David Eckstein and Aaron Hill crashed into each other. Hill took the worst of it; suffering a concussion and missing the rest of the season. Granted, Hill would recover and had a great campaign in 2009. However, there is no guarantee that George will experience similar results.

The Jays need George Springer. He appears to be the metaphoric glue that holds everything together. They are a different team when he’s on the injured list. It’s like driving a car with only a quarter tank of gas.

Geroge’s health isn’t the only item that has me bothered.

I am worried about the pitching. Then again, I am always worried about the pitching. Even if they won the World Series, pitching would still be a top concern.

Ideally, I want Ross Atkins to re-sign Ross Stripling. However, everyone on the planet is convinced Strip’s not coming back. That leaves Yusei Kikuchi and Mitch White at the back end of the rotation. Based on past results, I’m not comfortable with this.

One of them can be there, but not both. Whoever it is must be able to keep games within reach. Don’t need a Cy Young; just someone who eats innings and gives their team a chance to win.

Pitching is so crucial. I just want Atkins to fill his bucket with suitable options. Rotation and bullpen. Better to have too much than not enough.

Truthfully, I have been worried about this team since the start of the season. There was hype matching 2013-levels. While 2022 was nothing like 2013, the Jays ultimately did not meet expectations.

And now, the future seems unclear.

I am always eager for the next season, but there’s this present feeling of suspended animation.

I am in shock over how everything ended. The story took a sharp, unexpected turn. I always embrace the pain, but getting swept by the Mariners knocked the shit out of me.

Over time, I’ll eventually thaw out and focus on 2023. My hope is that it will be a season of redemption; a chance to tell the fiend hanging over them to fuck off. Perhaps the humble pie Seattle fed them will be a tool of motivation. If the humiliation doesn’t drive them to be more than what they are, I don’t know what will.

And I’ll be there to witness it all. Win or lose; rain or shine. Because that’s what we do.

We love our team, even when they stumble and fall.

ER

PS: Time to hand out the end-of-season “awards.”

– Best hitter: Vladdy Guerrero Jr.
– Best starter: Alek Manoah
– Best reliever: Jordan Romano

I love the Blue Jays and always will, but they FUCKED UP

I am raw. I am stunned. I am flabbergasted.

We have witnessed the worst defeat in Toronto Blue Jays history. A loss like the one that took place on Saturday cannot compare to anything this team has achieved before – or at least I have experienced as a fan.

I love the Jays and will continue to do so until my final breath. However, they disappointed me. This embarrassing collapse will live rent-free for the next few months.

Kudos to Seattle. They came into the series with nothing to lose. They shut down the Jays and an excited SkyDome crowd in game one; took advantage of late-game opportunities the following day.

Not interested in pointing fingers or assigning blame because I’m currently blaming the entire team. And I’m sure every beat reporter, blogger and Twitter account has already condemned those involved.

Honestly, I don’t want to participate in the discourse right now. I’m attempting to avoid #JaysTwitter for the next few days. Someone or something is going to trigger me and I don’t want to deal with that.

When things are calmer, I will write a proper end-of-season article. Until then, I need to step back and process.

Anyway…Happy Thanksgiving.

ER

Sleepless about Seattle! Expansion Cousins Showdown! Tim’s vs. Starbucks! It’s PLAYOFF BASEBALL, baby!

They made it! You made it! We all made it!

Was there ever any doubt?

Okay, there was doubt. It crept into my mind and I’m sure it crept into yours as well. That’s what a season of ups and downs will do.

Funny enough, this Blue Jays team was just like last year’s club. They practically finished with near-identical records; with the 2022 version scraping out – ironically – one more victory. However, there was a big difference between this season and 2021: Higher expectations.

Vladdy said this year would be the movie and we bought all the tickets and popcorn. Naturally, we expected a big budget, non-stop action, Jerry Bruckheimer thrill ride. Instead, we got something different.

The movie was an intense tug-of-war between adversity and triumph. It was frustrating and excruciating, but also inspiring and fulfilling. In the end, we rejoiced as triumph came out on top.

But all of that now is a concluded chapter.

Postseason baseball offers a reset and a fresh start. The long-term goal for the Jays is 13 wins, but their focus this weekend is two victories against the Seattle Mariners.

All they need to do is be patient at the plate and precise on the mound. Easier said than done, of course. But they have the tools and a rabid fanbase with energy to channel.

I’m thinking about SkyDome and how crazy it will be. Was able to attend three playoff matches in 2015-16, including game three of the 2016 ALDS (aka the Donaldson Dash). It was the closest thing to a religious experience.

I’m also thinking about younger generations of Blue Jay fans, who are about to experience the fourth playoff run of the last eight years. And yes, I’m counting the appearance in the 2020 unicorn season.

And I’m also thinking about Jerry Howarth. Hope he’s doing well and has a great seat to watch the matches. Also thinking about the late Tom Cheek and how I/we miss him at a time like this. Certainly can’t forget about John Cerruti and Don Chevrier either.

4:07 pm is nearing and we are ready. PLEASE remember to SAVOUR this playoff run, regardless of the outcome. Never take it for granted. We all want a World Series title, but have no way of knowing if that will happen. So, we need to let the story play out and enjoy it all.

Blue Jays ’till I die.

ER