Hey Bluejay Faithful:

You don't miss a trick........However, a speach was made about a month ago in practice in which I made reference to our team as the "Dirty Dozen".  Have you ever seen the movie "Dirty Dozen"?  It's about a bunch of guys who were underdogs and for some reason or another had something wrong with them, had a little quirk, or perhaps had something happen to them in their past that has prevented them from achieving success.  They were underdogs in every sense of the word.  Because of this, they were labeld "Dirty Dozen".  But, they were chosen for a very special mission in which nobody thought they could succeed.  A "mission impossible" if you will.  The people choosing them for this mission however failed to realize that they were all very special in their own way.  They weren't perfect and were far from it.  But if given a proper role, they could succeed.  Do you see where I'm going with this...............Our players aren't perfect.  They're probably not the most talented group in the CCIW.  But together, with specific roles and specific goals they can win any battle they set their mind on.

So if you think our players didn't know who "Dirty Dozen" was............you're vastly mistaken.  You see...........they're all underdogs - including me.  We don't have the nicest field in the league, we don't have the nicest uniforms, or the largest budgets.  We have normal everyday players who love the game and just want to succeed in their own right.  They and I do the best they can with what they got.  If that' winning the CCIW, then who am I to stand in their way.

As far as calling players out, and I can't remember if you or someone else acused me of doing that................I provide facts.  If they can't handle the heat, maybe they should't be in the kitchen.  Our players know I'm going to tell them when they do well, and I going to let them know when they don't.  If that's calling them out..........then I'm calling them out.

One last thing, I want my players to read D3 Hoops (Baseball)..........Many of you give away some good secrets about your prospective teams.  I also want them to know I read this too. 

There's a Rhyme and Reason behind everything "Bluejay Faithful"......you should know that by now.

Dirty Dozen

I had a chance to get out and see Elmhurst play today.  I realize they were only playing Concordia today, but I must admit.....I was very impressed with their team.  They played errorless defense.  Coach Jones ran out six pitchers today who all looked very impressive.  I didn't expect to see a very strong offense in looking at their stats but after watching them swing the bats today and run the bases, they looked pretty good.  (3 home runs were hit and they were very aggressive on the basepaths hitting and running, stealing, and taking the extra base)  Once again, I'm not going to get too excited because it was only Concordia, but to me it looks like they have the makings of a contending team.  Augustana is coming to town on Saturday so we'll see how they stack up.  A lot of us thought originally that the CCIW may be down this year.  From all indications, the league looks pretty strong as it always is.

Hey Sweetness:

I felt guilty after telling to chill so I did some snooping around to see if what I was saying was acurate or if perhaps you were right?  Here's what I found.

The starters that Coach Jones did start in the the 3-2 loss to Hanover was combined 2 for 14 at the plate in that loss.  The starters who Coach Jones didn't play in the 3-2 loss was 2 for 12 at the plate in the previous game.

Sounds to me as if there may have been a good pitcher going and it didn't make a difference one way or another.  It's early and the Jays just don't seem to be hitting right now with starters or reserves.  So Sweetness, I gave you the benefit of the doubt, and after my investigative reporting, I still think you should chill bro!

The Jays will hit - hang in there bro!

Hey Sweetness:

You sound down on Coach Jones?  In his defense, it's early on in the season.  Do you think he may be trying to learn a little more about his team and what his reserves can do?  How will he ever know about what his reserves can do unless he plays them in these games?   It's the 2nd game on a 9 game swing.  There's a lot of baseball left.  Lighten up.  Oh by the way, what doesn't show up in the box score, those reserves crushed the ball right at people including Matt Brauer who hit a missle right at the 3B in the 7th (I was told they played 2-7 inning games so it couldn't have been the 9th)  In addition, Pat Meginniss, Travis Cox, and Brett Lilley hit the ball very hard too and had nothing to show for it.  Is that Coach Jones's fault?  I heard his starting pitching in that game (and I don't know who it was?) was continuously not getting ahead of hitters, walked some guys, and had a lot of 3 ball counts.  Is that Coach Jones's fault?   Nick Ferrin who has been a very reliable and steady pitcher for the Jays came in in relief of the starter and hit his first batter he faced.  Was it the reserves fault those pitchers weren't ahead of hitters and Ferrin hit a batter who eventually scored?

I think you should be happy the Jays have a coach who has enough balls to play his reserves every now and then to give them a chance.  In the long run, won't they be better off if the Bluejays have a strong bench?  Coach Jones probably already has a good idea of what his starters can do.

Hang in there.  Coach Jones is a veteran Coach, has been around the block and knows what he's doing.  The Jays have a strong club and playing the reserves now when he can will only strengthen their team in the long run.   So chill bro - it aint the end of the world.

I had heard that Mike Woodard was hired at Elmhurst College to coach infielders?  If this is true, what a great hire for Coach Clark Jones.  Mike played in the big leagues for San Francisco, Oakland, White Sox, Indians, and I think he may have even played for the Yankees at one time.  Most recently I think he was coaching at one of the Proviso schools?