Aside

 MARCH 16, 200…

16 Mar

 

MARCH 16, 2000 BRAD FULLMER ACQUIRED

　

In a series of moves unprecedented in the history of the Toronto Blue Jays, the team acquired Brad Fullmer today to fill their DH needs. The three-way trade was completed when the Blue Jays sent David Segui packing to the Texas Rangers who in turn channeled Lee Stevens to Montreal Expos, Fullmers former team.

The slick fielding Segui was a fan favourite during his brief stay in Toronto. After arriving from Seattle, Segui hit an impressive.316 during his two month audition. He was happy in Toronto except for one critical issue, the Blue Jays wanted him as their full-time DH. Carlos Delgado was already entrenched at 1B and despite his shortcomings with the glove, the Blue Jays had no plans to move him. With the potential for internal friction in combination to a large settlement Segui gained in arbitration, Gord Ash felt it was better to trade him instead.

Fullmer was a natural fit for the DH role. The intense slugger was eager for a fresh start after a falling out with his former manager Felipe Alou. Despite playing with suspected ligament damage in his elbow all year, Fullmer reached career highs with a .295 average, 32 HR’s, and 104 RBI’s during his first year in Toronto.

Unfortunately, Fullmer’s second Blue Jay campaign was not as successful as his first. He became a victim of “new” GM J.P. Riccardi’s salary dump joining the likes of Billy Koch, Alex Gonzales and Paul Quantrill. Riccardi defended the unpopular move and claimed Fullmer got caught in an numbers game. It was true that the team did have an excess of OF including incumbents Raul Mondesi, Shannon Stewart and Jose Cruz Jr with top prospect Vernon Wells banging on the door. What Toronto fans were most upset about is what they perceived as “poor” compensation for Fullmer. The Blue Jays received David Cooper in return who did not even rank on Anaheim’s list of top 30 prospects. Fullmer had the last laugh as his new team went on to win the 2002 World Series.

Aside

 MARCH 15-1978…

15 Mar

 

MARCH 15-1978 WOULD YOU LIKE SOME MUSTARD WITH THAT HOTDOG

　

Lost among the excitement of acquiring former batting champion Rico Carty, the Blue Jays made another transaction today that almost fell under the radar. Rick Bosetti arrived from the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for pitcher Tom Bruno and cash. Toronto was desperate for a CF and the fleet-footed Bosetti fit the bill perfectly. The twenty-four-year-old came equipped with well rounded defensive attributes and previously led three minor-different leagues in stolen bases.

Toronto fans quickly developed a love/hate relationship with Bosetti. The speedster was the first Blue Jay to choose Toronto as his year round home, (and last before Paul Molitor many years later), and inserted himself into the community with several charitable foundations.

As a ballplayer, Bosetti may have been best described as flamboyant. His tremendous range permitted him to make spectacular diving catches all over the outfield. Much to his manager’s chagrin, he also put his personal touch on the basket-catch, mimicking the great Willie Mays. Bosetti was indeed the first in a long line of great defensive CF in the history of the Blue Jays.

Bosetti’s flaw was on the offensive side. He was a classic .260 hitter with little patience at the plate. When he did get on base, Bosetti ran recklessly. He seemingly got caught stealing more often than he was successful.

Bosetti did suit up for every game for the club in 1979, in which would be his final hurrah with the ball club. The CF became expendable in 1980 with the rapid progression of Lloyd Moseby. In kindness, team management allowed him to work out his own trade to the Oakland A’s instead of allowing him to wither away on the pines.

　

　

　

Mark Yurkin

TORONTO BLUE JAYS ON THIS DAY

14 Mar

MARCH 14, 2000 CAN YOU SAY PERFECT

　

For perhaps the first time in the history of Major League Baseball, the Toronto Blue Jays were at the receiving end of one of the rarest achievements in the game. In front of a sold out City of Palm Stadium, the Boston Red Sox threw a “perfect game” while defeating the Blue Jays 5-0.

Baseball historians and record keepers were in agreement in their uncertainty if one had ever been attained during a spring training contest. What was certain, every recorded “perfect game” had been performed by one pitcher alone. On this day, the Red Sox used six.

Defending Cy Young Award winner Pedro Martinez led off for the Red Sox, recording six strikeouts during his three innings of work. He was followed on the mound by Fernando De la Cruz, Dan Smith, “Canadian” Rheal Cormier, Rich Garces and Rob Beck. In defense of the Blue Jays, they were without regulars Carlos Delgado, Raul Mondesi, Shannon Stewart and Alex Gonzalez.

It was not the first time that the Blue Jays were victims of a perfect game. Len Barker accomplished the remarkable feat back on May 15, 1981 at Cleveland’s old Memorial Stadium. Barker’s feat was only the tenth “perfect game” recorded during the modern era of Major League Baseball.

Blue Jay manager Jim Fregosi certainly had the quote of the day afterwards when he quipped, “First time in my career that the bus ride was longer than the game”.

　

　

Mark Yurkin

ON THIS DAY IN BLUE JAY HISTORY

14 Mar

ON THIS DAY IN BLUE JAY HISTORY

 

ON THIS DAY IN BLUE JAY HISTORY

13 Mar

MARCH 13, 1979 LEMON GELLO CAN SPOIL

　

Even a Hall of Famer cannot hit a HR every time, but this trade may rank among the worst in the career of Pat Gillick.

Mark Lemongello made his debut today as a member of the Toronto Blue Jays. Acquired in an off-season deal for highly coveted catcher Alan Ashby, team management believed that they had found a key component for their starting pitching staff for years to come. The twenty-three-year-old sinkerballer already possessed two successful campaigns for the Houston Astros while winning eighteen games.

Baseball was a game notorious for flakes and the newest Blue Jay ranked with the best of them. His arrival in Toronto came equipped with a reputation for throwing temper tantrums. Lemongello’s most famous of these occurred when he took a bite out of his own shoulder after delivering a poor pitch.

The Blue Jays ignored the suspect reports on his mental well being, but soon figured out that he may be a problem. It took management almost two months after the trade just to get him on the phone and there was uncertainty if he would ever report to the team or not. When cornered by the Toronto media, Lemongello proclaimed that he would never play in that “foreign country”.

Lemongello finally reported but many in organization wished that he had not. His results on the mound were atrocious and by the time he was banished to the minors he sported a 1-9 record with a lofty 6.29 ERA.

His teammates were especially not sad to see him go, as many of them feared for their own safety. They witnessed Lemongello’s unique personality flaws first hand after one of many faulty mound performances. Exiting the game, he calmly took a seat in the dugout as if he did not have a care in the world. Within seconds, the “Weird One” snapped as he proceeded to punch himself repetively in the face. Just as soon as it started, Lemongello returned to a tranquil state, as if nothing had happened at all. It was easily one of the most self-depreciating moments in the history of professional sports.

Mark Yurkin

Hello world!

13 Mar