Dumbfounded

Do those long and sad faces look like they belong to a team that has given up on the 2009 season? Technically the Blue Jays are still fielding a team every game, but it certainly seems like they have thrown in the towel.

Tonight’s loss was another uninspired performance which adds to the Blue Jays 6-16 record since August 10th and a 15-27 record in the second half. And if you thought things couldn’t get any worse this week, the first place New York Yankees are rolling into town for four games.

Just to show you how bad things are, I was actually offered tickets to Friday’s game and if it wasn’t for the fact that it’s a three hour drive to Toronto, I don’t even know if I would want to go the game. I’d much rather sulk in the comfort of my own home and scream obscenities at the TV without fear of being told to “keep it down in the family section” and “stop setting a bad example for the kids”.


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Right now the Blue Jays are on pace to win just 72 games and it’s almost certain they will miss their fourth straight year of 80+ wins. It’s great that the Blue Jays have won 80 games or more for the past four season, but what did they have to show for it?

It’s something to say that they were one of a handful of teams who have posted a winning record over the past few seasons, but I’m sure the fans would much rather see them make the playoffs. Maybe a losing season will help open a lot of eyes in upper management and show them that this team needs to spend money to compete in the American League East.

I’m not saying that the Blue Jays should tank on purpose, because that would be conceding the season and that would go against everything that professional sports is about. While it’s excruciating to watch this team lose over and over again, maybe things need to get worse before they get better … if that makes any sense at all.

Ian Hunter

Ian has been writing about the Toronto Blue Jays since 2007. He enjoyed the tail-end of the Roy Halladay era and vividly remembers the Alex Rodriguez "mine" incident. He'll also retell the story of Game 5 of the 2015 ALDS to his kids for the next 20 years.

5 thoughts on “Dumbfounded

  • September 3, 2009 at 5:59 am
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    I have to agree with you. Putting some money into this team is what's needed. Hopefully the idea will be to spend the money with a longer term outlook vs throwing money at 35ish free agents in the off-season. Clearly this team needs an overhaul, not a piece here or there.

  • September 3, 2009 at 12:23 pm
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    Three hour drive to Toronto?

  • September 3, 2009 at 12:26 pm
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    It's likely we need to fill 3 or 4 infield positions, which is a big switch. Scutaro seems unlikely to be around, 3rd is too weak currently, and I'm not hoping that anyone currently catching on this team sticks around — at least to play a majority of games. Overbay's been reasonable, but I think if there is money the Jays look to move him too rather than keep him another year.
    Recent mlb.com story doesn't even mention McGowan for next year – but pitching could still be in pretty solid shape.

  • September 3, 2009 at 2:43 pm
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    0-9 on one road trip.
    2-8 on another road trip.
    1-7 on this last road trip.

    There, folks, goes the season.

    Unbelievable.

  • September 3, 2009 at 5:22 pm
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    Matthias, I'm with you – no signing 30+ year old free agents unless it's on a one or a a two year deal. I think that Rogers hasn't been motivated to bump up the payroll these past few years because they Blue Jays were still performing relatively well. If they tank this year, then it will hopefully motivate them to make it a $100+ payroll in 2010.

    Matt, I'm an hour west of London so it's 3 hours for me to get there.

    QJays, the entire infield (aside from Hill) needs an overhaul within the next few years. Better to do it now than to wait till the last minute and be forced to resign Overbay or sign some shotty free agent.

    eyeB, the Blue Jays have not played well on the road at all this year, period. FML.

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