Toronto Blue Jays

[Ron]

I have no problem with the Jays being over exposed across the country. Most of those who'll complain will be watching if thew Jays make another run.

I'd like to see the Argos overexposed in the GTA. I'm sure most here would not have an issue with that.

[Argo57]

http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb...ris-colabello/

Colabello was informed of his positive test in March, seems this situation hanging over his head explains his horrendous start to the 2016 season.

[LLB997]

this reminds of a guy i once knew who tooks steroids and went to the gym once a week.

[AngeloV]

http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb...ris-colabello/

Colabello was informed of his positive test in March, seems this situation hanging over his head explains his horrendous start to the 2016 season.

No surprise. His numbers skyrocketed last season at the age of 31.

The Blue Jays organization has had their share of shadyness going back to when Roger Clemons resurrected his career in Toronto. Jose Canseco insists that he had a hand in Clemons steroid use at the time.

Even their top pitcher, Marcus Stroman has been suspended once by MLB for a positive test back in 2012 while he was in AA.
http://www.thestar.com/sports/baseba...drug_test.html

[Argo57]

No surprise. His numbers skyrocketed last season at the age of 31.

The Blue Jays organization has had their share of shadyness going back to when Roger Clemons resurrected his career in Toronto. Jose Canseco insists that he had a hand in Clemons steroid use at the time.

Even their top pitcher, Marcus Stroman has been suspended once by MLB for a positive test back in 2012 while he was in AA.
http://www.thestar.com/sports/baseba...drug_test.html

True enough Angelo, I guess there is no "fountain of youth" after all, what kills me is the players reaction of shock and bewilderment at how this could have happened.

[AngeloV]

True enough Angelo, I guess there is no "fountain of youth" after all, what kills me is the players reaction of shock and bewilderment at how this could have happened.

Agreed. I think the public would have more respect for these guys to just come out and admit that they knew what they were doing, and stop pleading ignorance.

[Argo57]

Joey Bats lit up Texas second baseman Rougned Odor's right hand with his jaw today.
Bats got plunked by their pitcher then decided to aggressively slide into second before imitating a punching bag.😛
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mlb-bi...222556129.html

[Scooter McCray]

Joey Bats lit up Texas second baseman Rougned Odor's right hand with his jaw today.
Bats got plunked by their pitcher then decided to aggressively slide into second before imitating a punching bag.
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mlb-bi...222556129.html

He was hit so hard I'm surprised he didn't go down. I guess they're even for the bat flip now.

[Double Dare]

Nice punch.

[Will]

If the Jays are going to re-sign one of the sluggers then Edwin Encarnacion is starting to show that it should be him. He has contributed greatly to the Jays getting back into contention in the east.

[Will]

It should be a tight race in the east over the last few months.

[Ron]

Yes, good time to be baseball fan in TO.

[Argo57]

Fan590 "talent" has been discussing possible Blue Jay playoff opponents and pitching rotation possibilities for the post season for weeks as if it was a certainty that they would qualify.
Not so certain anymore, somewhat humorous to hear them squirm on air at the possibility that they don't qualify.

[Ron]

LOL. So true. Many of 'the talent" forget how weird the baseball Gods can be sometimes.

[Argo57]

Interesting, 3 weeks into the 2017 season and the Jays look like they are toast.
Could be sellers by the trade deadline.

[jerrym]

I agree.

I truly believe the Blue Jays are capable of losing 100 games this season.

— Herb Zurkowsky (@HerbZurkowsky1) April 28, 2017

[Will]

I agree.

They're on pace for it for sure.

With this happening the bandwagon will start to empty. I hope the Argos are able to capitalize on this.

[gilthethrill]

This is horrible what is happening to the Jays. Simply horrible.

[jerrym]

Kevin Pillar is under investigation for a homophobic slur during yesterday's game against an Atlanta pitcher.

Blue Jay outfielder Kevin Pillar is currently under investigation by Major League Baseball for the use of homophobic slurs in yesterday's game against the Atlanta Braves, per Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.


Pillar, who struck out swinging, was unhappy with pitcher Jason Motte's quick-pitch to end the at-bat. Prior to walking towards the dugout, Pillar directed an apparent homophobic slur towards Motte. The benches cleared, but umpire Brian O'Nora deescalated the situation before any punches could be thrown.
"It was immature, it was stupid, it was uncalled for," Pillar told Davidi after the game. "Quick pitches are part of the game, it's just, I'm a competitive guy and heat of the moment. Obviously, I'm going to do whatever I've got to do to reach out and apologize and let him know he didn't do anything wrong, it was all me."
Rob Longley of the Toronto Sun confirmed Thursday that Pillar's "part of the game" comment was, indeed, regarding the quick pitch, not the use of derogatory vocabulary.

“Obviously, something to learn from, something to move on from. Don't let it define me, but really I think it was just frustration from coming off a really good home stand and really just not even being in any of these ball games, just coming out flat and not being able to build on what we were able to build [against] Seattle. That just all came out in that moment.”
Pillar issued the following apology on Twitter Thursday afternoon.

Last night, following my at-bat in the 7th inning, I used inappropriate language towards Braves pitcher Jason Motte. By doing so I had just helped extend the use of a word that has no place in baseball, in sports or anywhere in society today. I’m completely and utterly embarrassed and feel horrible to have put the fans, my teammates and the Blue Jays organization in this position. I have apologized personally to Jason Motte, but also need to apologize to the Braves organization and their fans, and most importantly, to the LGBTQ community for the lack of respect I displayed last night. This is not who I am and will use this as an opportunity to better myself.

In response to the investigation, Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins traveled to Atlanta late Thursday morning to meet with Pillar, according to Laura Armstrong of the Toronto Star. “[Blue Jays] say club is taking alleged Kevin Pillar homophobic slur ‘seriously’,” Armstrong tweeted.
The Blue Jays released the following statement Thursday afternoon.

The Toronto Blue Jays are extremely disappointed by the comments made by Kevin Pillar following his at-bat during the 7th inning of last night’s game. In no way is this kind of behavior accepted or tolerated, nor is it a reflection of the type of inclusive organization we strive to be. We would like to extend our own apologies to all fans, Major League Baseball and especially the LGBTQ community.
We know Kevin to be a respectful, high-character individual who we hope will learn from this situation and continue to positively contribute and live up to our values on and off the field.

Yesterday's incident is slightly reminiscent of 2012, when then-Blue Jay infielder Yunel Escobar was suspended three games after playing a game with the Spanish words, "TU ERE MARICON" written on his eye black. The words directly translate to a homophobic slur. There are few other historical instances within baseball that represent a possible punishment for Pillar's actions, but the action that the league takes can be expected to be less severe than that taken against Escobar, as the slur was spoken and off-the-cuff, instead of planned.

http://www.bluebirdbanter.com/2017/5...atlanta-braves

[jerrym]

Pilar has been suspended for two games because of his homophobic comment.

Toronto Blue Jays center fielder Kevin Pillar was suspended for two games on Thursday after he yelled an anti-gay slur at a Braves pitcher.
The Blue Jays suspended Pillar shortly after he apologized, saying he was “completely and utterly embarrassed” by his actions toward the pitcher, Jason Motte, during Atlanta’s 8-4 victory Wednesday night.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/18/s...nded.html?_r=0