With each passing day, we take another step towards the eagerly anticipated return of Jose Reyes, who played in a simulated game last Friday and begins a minor league assignment today with High-A Dunedin.  Pending any setbacks, the four-time All-Star should be off the DL by the end of this month.

In the meantime, the charismatic shortstop has decided to join Vine.  While I find the mobile app a bit hit and miss, if Ben Scrivens recent efforts are anything to go by (here and here), I’m hopeful the entertaining Reyes will give us plenty to smile about.

Here’s his first effort:

If you have any tips or information about any of Toronto’s sports teams, please email me at Englishpaul@hotmail.co.uk

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• By English Paul
• June 17, 2013
• Comment

With the non-waiver trade deadline fast approaching, teams are in the process of determining if they fit into the category of buyers or sellers.  Even though July 31st doesn’t actually mean the end of player movement altogether, it still represents a key point in the MLB season.

With playoff hopefuls battling for position, one of the key areas where they are looking to bolster their ranks is in the bullpen.  However, the biggest issue with this is the apparent lack of quality relievers realistically available.

This is why, according to sources, Casey Janssen is receiving a lot of interest from other teams.  Among those reportedly interested in acquiring arguably the Blue Jays best player this season include; the Rays, Tigers and Dodgers.

Janssen, who has only blown one save opportunity in 2013, certainly appears to be an attractive proposition, especially when you include his age (31) and contract.  The former fourth round draft pick is in the final year of a two year $5.9 million deal, which pays him $3.9 million this season. (The Jays hold a $4 million club option for 2014.)

One other factor that further strengthens the Jays bargaining position, is their upturn in form.  As recently as four days ago, Gregg Zaun suggested they should be sellers, but with the team winning five straight and nine out of 12, they are finally in a position to challenge for a playoff spot.

As such, the Blue Jays are now firmly in the driving seat in terms of Janssen.  Certainly, while nobody wants to see him leave, you can guarantee Alex Anthopoulos will make sure any deal for one of his key assets works out favourably for his team.

Theoretically, the loss of Janssen could be made easier by the presence of Sergio Santos, who the Jays bought in specifically to be the closer.  However, questions remain about the durability of the former White Sox player, who is not expected to return until after the All-Star Break.

Photo credit: AP Photo/Paul Sancya

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• By T.O.I.N.S.D.R.
• June 17, 2013
• Comment

I’m trying hard not to get too excited, but things are looking up in Jays Nation.  Given how miserable the Blue Jays have made everyone feel so far this season, their 7-3 record in the last 10 games has finally given the fans reason to get excited.

Let’s hope this kind of consistency becomes the norm for this team, as it will mean more opportunities to see Munenori Kawasaki and Emilio Bonifacio display their celebration dance from last night’s impressive 8-0 win in Texas:

If you have any tips or information about any of Toronto’s sports teams, please email me at Englishpaul@hotmail.co.uk

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• By English Paul
• June 15, 2013
• Comment

Editor’s note: Please remember that the views of Jack Douglas do not reflect those of Blue Toro or anyone else affiliated with this website.

Hey Toronto, what’s happening?  If you haven’t heard, I’m all man, meaning I can admit when I’ve cocked up.  I used the last couple of weeks as an excuse to show hot women, without wondering if they were really sports fans.  One random picture of some babe in a baseball cap was good enough for me.

It’s gonna be different from now on.  This weeks bird, Emily, actually goes to Blue Jays games.  I can’t tell you much more than that, but we ain’t exactly here to read about her life story are we?

Blonde or brunette, Emily isn’t getting kicked out of bed by Jack Douglas.  Follow her on Instagram @emmyfingaz1 and maybe we can all get a heads up on when she’s next going to a Jays game.  I bet her boyfriend will be thrilled.

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• By Jack Douglas
• June 13, 2013
• Comment

I’ve been to the Rogers Centre on numerous occasions since I first came to Toronto in 2006. (As well as going to watch games as a fan, I worked on the game day staff during the 2007 season and covered games from the press box, while writing for T.O. Sports in 2008.)

However, I still had a lot of fun going on a tour of the stadium during this past weekend.  I appreciate that not everyone will have followed our coverage via Facebook and Instagram.  As such, here’s the top six photos from my latest visit to the Rogers Centre:

1) THE BULLPEN

The tour began on a high, with our being allowed onto the playing field, which I took full advantage of.  Here’s the bullpen, where the Jays pitchers warm up before they go out to underwhelm the opposition or sustain yet another injury. (In fact, I may even have slightly strained my elbow while taking the photo above.)

2) THE STAFF

Here’s some of the staff, preparing the pitching mound five and a half hours before first pitch.  To say they work hard is an understatement, and  definitely deserves a tip of the hat.

3) THE MEDIA ROOM

Here’s the eating area, where the media sits to relax from sort-of, half keeping an eye on the action. (Think I’m joking? Trust me, I’ve witnessed it.)  As someone commented, it looks like a departure longue at the airport.  However, I still hope to be in there on a regular basis one day. (Don’t laugh! It could happen!)

4) BASEBALL GLOVE SEAT

This photo was taken in one of the suites on the 300 level, where us mere mortals can only hope to watch the action. (It costs a cool $6,000 for 30 people to hire a suite for one game.)  Quite simply, the best seat I’ve ever seen.

5) CITO GASTON

No matter what Bob McGowan says, Cito Gaston was a great manager for the Blue Jays.  Anyone who wins two World Series deserves respect.

And for anyone who says all Gaston had to do was be a caretaker for a talented roster and not screw it up, it’s tougher than you think. I can even back up this argument with two words: John Gibbons.

6) 1993 WORLD SERIES

This is what it’s all about.  Not much more needs to be said, other than I hope we get a chance to celebrate another one in my lifetime.

If you have any tips or information about any of Toronto’s sports teams, please email me at Englishpaul@hotmail.co.uk

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• By English Paul
• June 10, 2013
• Comment

Editor’s note: Please remember that the views of Jack Douglas do not reflect those of Blue Toro or anyone else affiliated with this website.

I’ve only been doing this gig for a bit, but the stiffs at Blue Toro are already giving me crap, wanting to know how I pick my top Toronto sports bird of the week.  What’s their problem, don’t they trust me?

Take this week’s girl, Steph Ly.  She’s hot, she’s from Toronto, she’s got a Blue Jays hat on and she’s a Maxim cover girl.   (She’s also a dog lover, although that’s not really the type of growler I want to see.)  Look at these photos and tell me you wouldn’t want a piece of her.

Can’t go wrong there, finishing with a shot of her money maker.  Told you she was worth a go.  Hey Blue Toro, don’t ever doubt Jack Douglas again!

As for the rest of you, follow Steph on Twitter @stephly and Instagram @stephly100.

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• By Jack Douglas
• June 8, 2013
• Comment

Ho hum.  Another game and another loss for the Blue Jays, as they fell 2-1 in San Francisco against the Giants. (Uh oh, have I really reached the ‘ho hum’ stage of this season already?! It’s only the start of June.)

While it was good news to see Josh Johnson pitch well in his return to the Jays rotation (6 hits and 2 runs in 7 innings), he was also involved in a controversial call during the sixth inning:

Heck, even the Giants commentators had no idea why Johnson was called out, and we all know how biased home broadcast teams can be.  Let’s dissect this sucker ‘Zapruder film style’, starting with a close up GIF of the play:

It’s still inclusive from that angle, meaning you could theoretically give the umpire the benefit of the doubt.

Admittedly, this next shot seems to show Scutaro getting there just before Johnson:

However, the following still gives a different perception.  While you can’t actually see where Johnson’s hand is, it raises the question of if Scutaro even touched second base:

Apart from this, you have to ask if Scutaro ever actually had control of the baseball?

Now, I appreciate this is only one call in a game which featured some sloppy play from the Blue Jays defence.  But, it still seems worthy of questioning, especially when you lose by just one run.

Overall, this is just another indication of everything going wrong for the Jays this season and seemingly not even being able to catch even one flipping break.  (When do the Argonauts start playing again?)

Photo credits: http://www.reddit.com/r/baseball

If you have any tips or information about any of Toronto’s sports teams, please email me at Englishpaul@hotmail.co.uk

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• By English Paul
• June 5, 2013
• Comment

Barry Petchescky’s article for Deadspin earlier today, gave a good account of Ramon Ortiz’s injury, which he suffered during last night’s game against the Padres.  However, if ever a picture spoke a thousand words’, it was the one above.

As long as you’re not feeling too emotional and vulnerable, here’s the video clip of when the injury happened in the third inning:

While I, along with everyone else, wish Ortiz the best of luck in rebounding from this injury, his advancing age (40) could prove to be the deciding factor. Maybe, like the good ol’ days, Bud Selig could turn a blind eye, just this once, to any ‘assistance’ Ortiz can get in helping his recovery.

In fact, I believe Ray Lewis’s doctor might be just the guy to speak to……….

Photo credit: @www.deadspin.com

If you have any tips or information about any of Toronto’s sports teams, please email me at Englishpaul@hotmail.co.uk

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• By English Paul
• June 3, 2013
• Comment

Editor’s note: As always, please remember that the views of Jack Douglas do not reflect those of Blue Toro or anyone affiliated with this website.

The only thing harder than picking a top bird of the week is me.  There’s loads of smokin’ babes in Toronto, but I ain’t complaining.

This week’s most slamworthy sports fan is Jana Ashbury, even though she doesn’t talk much about sports on her Twitter account.  But she’s wearing a cap in her profile picture and has a cracking pair, so that’s good enough for Jack Douglas:

Jack Douglas doesn’t ask for anything and I’m not going to receive what I want anyway, which is her loss.  But make sure you follow Jana’s sweet ass on twitter @JanakinSkywlker

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• By Jack Douglas
• June 2, 2013
• Comment

As now officially confirmed, the Blue Jays Brett Lawrie has been placed on the  15-day disabled list.  Given recent events, this couldn’t have come at a better time and if reports are to be believed, the timing might be a little too convenient.

After wrenching his ankle while stealing second base against the Braves on Monday in a nasty looking incident, Lawrie was taken out of the game for safety precautions.  Initial indications were optimistic, with nothing torn or broken and the third baseman indicating he would return within a few days.  This was backed up by his being listed as day to day.

However, it now appears the Blue Jays saw this as the perfect opportunity to give the Canadian some time away from the glare of the media spotlight.  Certainly, after getting ejected from a game last week and arguing with John Gibbons on Monday, it seems the pressure is getting to Lawrie.

The former Brewers first round draft pick’s play this season has certainly suffered.  In 37 games, he is batting just .209, with five home runs and 14 RBIs, easily the worst form of his Blue Jays career to date.

This is Lawrie’s second stint on the DL this year, after starting the season recovering from a muscle strain sustained at the World Baseball Classic.  The Blue Jays organisation are taking a calculated risk that this break will help turn his fortunes around.

Photo credit: @CharisseseS_21

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• By T.O.I.N.S.D.R.
• May 28, 2013
• Comment