What if Roy Halladay was still a Toronto Blue Jay?

I will be the first to admit I thought trading The Doc made sense. Roy Halladay had previously stated that he would most likely not resign with the Jays. What Alex Anthopoulos got in return is still years away from being an active part of the roster. All signs point to Kyle Drabek and Brett Wallace being very talented prospects that could play large roles in future years.

But what if Roy had stayed and played out his final year of his contract? The starting rotation would be Halladay, Marcum, Romero, Cecil, and Morrow. This would rival any rotation in baseball and be one of the most consistent squads in the Major Leagues. The worst part about Halladays time in Toronto always has been his run support. The Jays currently are +25 in runs this season and have a 34-27 record. If you add Halladay into the mix the Blue Jays would be the leaders of the AL East. If by some miracle the bats stayed hot for the full season they would win the division. Worst case scenario the wild card. This would have resulted in Halladay resigning in Toronto.

Hindsights a bitch.

Juiced

It's certainly come to a point where I have heard enough about steroid use in Major League Baseball. The recent reports of former Boston Red Sox outfielder Manny Ramirez, and current Red Sox DH David Ortiz testing positive for now banned substances in 2003 has been the final straw. These reports have circulated a few short weeks after Ramirez had just finished serving a 50 game suspension for testing positive for a banned substance, to improve his mini-Manny's performance.


Here's the problem I have with these names becoming public knowledge. It happened in 2003, and during that time, these performance-enhancing drugs were not banned. Now, MLB commissioner Bud Selig has done an admirable job in developing a new program to punish those players who do not follow the rules. Nonetheless, this program was not in place in 2003, so why embarrass and tarnish the reputation of these ball players? Major League Baseball is currently down on the ground with regards to steroids, and releasing these names is only beating a dead horse.


Steroids was becoming very newsworthy, with the help of the release of Jose Canseco's best-selling novel "Juiced: Wild Times, Rampant 'Roids, Smash Hits and How Baseball Got Big" in 2005. With this book, and several investigations, names like Canseco, Sammy Sosa, Mark McGwire, Rafael Palmeiro and Barry Bonds were linked to steroids.


It was this time that I distinctly remember saying to people: "Well at least we know A-Rod won't test positive, he's been hitting home runs ever since he's been in the league." This proved to be true as his name was released prior to the 2009 season. I also remember saying in the past: "Ortiz isn't on steroids, he's fat."


But if you look harder, Alex Rodriguez had arguably 3 of his better seasons while he was considered to be on steroids. The Minnesota Twins gave up on a struggling Ortiz, and he broke out in 2003 with the Red Sox and became a feared power hitter. I am not a scientist, like one of my roommates is, but this is what I think:


Steroids won't make you hit home runs. That takes preicse hand-eye coordination and bat speed. But what it can do is make those long fly balls go a little further and over the walls. And this is an issue.


Now, my point. Stop bringing up these names from the past. You have developed a strong anti-doping policy, and if anyone tests positive, then they deserve to have their suspension. But when the MLB did not think steroids was a problem, (when they actually were) you cannot hold that against those who wanted that extra boost. It was not illegal, so forget about it.


Predictions:

• Ken Griffey Jr. never tests positive and is considered the best (or cleanest) home run hitter of the last 20 years. That is until Albert Pujols takes over that title after passing Barry Bonds all-time HR record.
• Jim Thome is the next high profile slugger to have his name reported as a past steroid user.

2010 Winter Classic

April 9, 2009 - It was announced today that the Boston Bruins will host the 2010 Winter Classic on New Year's Day in Fenway Park.  The Bruins bid apparently beat out both the New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers for the rights to host the annual outdoor hockey game on New Years Day. Boston had listed two possible sites for the event, with both the Boston Red Sox Fenway Park and the New England Patriots Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA (about 35 km southwest of Boston) as possibilities, but with the Winter Classic being scheduled around the same time as the NFL playoffs, Fenway Park seemed to the the more logical choice. 

The Winter Classic has seemed etch its place in the NHL's schedule on New Year's Day, and appears to be here for the foreseeable future as the event has gathered an enormous amount of success in the past. Fans continue to rave about the event and it continues to produce results as television ratings in the United States have been higher and revenues for the league seem to be up as well. After the experiment began back in 2003 with the Edmonton Oilers hosting the Montreal Canadiens in frigid temperatures at Commonwealth Stadium, it has become a regular on the NHL schedule on New Year's Day over the past few seasons after the Buffalo Sabres played the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2008 Winter Classic at the NFL's Buffalo Bills Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, NY and this past January with the Chicago Blackhawks entertaining the Detroit Red Wings at the MLB's Chicago Cubs Wrigley Field. 

Possible opponents for the 2010 Winter Classic have been listed as the Philadelphia Flyers, and the Washington Capitals.

Your 2009 Toronto Blue Jays Roster

Awesome Logo - Mediocre Team.

Here is my prediction for the opening lineup with explanations ( if nessecary)

P - 32- Roy Halladay: No explanation needed.

1B - 35 -Lyle Overbay: I would like to see Lind as a first baseman, but it seems as if he's being groomed for that coveted left field spot. So until Overbay snaps his shoulder or elbow this year, He will stay in the 1B slot.

2B - 2 -Aaron Hill: fan's were deprived of a great player early in the season last year when Eckstien felt a little threatened and took him out for the season with a head injury, Aaron Hill's triumphiant return to the diamond this season will be welcome and Toronto owes it's fans a comeptent second basemen to start the season.

SS - 6 -John Macdonald: Amazing defensive player, not so great on offense but is Improving. Also, he's better then Marco Scutaro.

3B- 33 -Scott Rolen: Rolen was sidelined with a sore shoulder for a period of the season last year and hadn't recovered come season's end. I'm hoping he's in prime shape this year because I really hate Jose Bautista.

C - 20 -Rod Barajas: The Blue Jays don't have another catcher. Congratulations Rod, you had Absolutely no competition and you perservered. Way to be better then a brick wall.

LF- 26-Adam Lind: Once again, I would love to see this guy playing first base. But...you know, we already have a big, slow, dumb-looking lefty there.

CF -10- Vernon Wells: According to the Jay's page he's active, so why not put him in?

RF -15- Alex rios: Once again, a no brainer. I can't wait to get all nostalgic when I see Rios squint in the air, then scramble to get under the ball and barely catch it.

DH -45-Travis Snyder : Who else is going to fill this position? Bautista? Scutaro? ha.

Batting Lineup

1. Overbay

2.Hill

3.Rios

4.Wells

5.Snyder

6.Lind

7.Barajas

8.Rolen

9. Macdonald

Agree? Disagree? don't really care but comment anyway.

April Fools!

Considering it is April 1st, we here at Muck My Blog have put together a countdown looking at the top 10 Sports Jokes and Gimmicks of All-Time. Enjoy

10. Mark Cuban Goes Nuts

Number 10 on our countdown actually happened on April Fools Days on 2003. Enigmatic Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban got into a physical fight with a phony game official during a game against the New Orleans Hornets. With Cuban's past of throwing verbal jabs at the referees and receiving fines, he made this outburst easily believable. However, when the dust settled, Cuban and the ref broke into laughs with several people more in shock than with smiles. Nonetheless, a solid joke. Mark Cuban has been fined over a million dollars by the National Basketball Association. That, is no joke.

9. Chad Johnson Legally Changes his Name

Speaking of fines, the Cincinnati Bengals receiver formerly known as Chad Johnson was fined $5,000 for wearing a jersey with the last name "Ocho Cinco" on the back, as opposed to C. Johnson. Of course, Ocho Cinco is Johnson, or Ocho's Cinco's number in spanish. Well, if the National Football League would not allow him to wear Ocho Cinco on the back of his jersey, why not just legally change your last name? That's exactly what Ocho Cinco did in August of 2008. However, forgetting he had a financial obligation with Reebok, Ocho Cinco must remain to wear C.Johnson on the back of his jersey. Can always count on Johnson, or Ocho Cinco, or whatever, for a good laugh.

8. Peter Worrell Throws Teammate Under the Bus

Having already spent 10 days in prison for a DUI in 2002, former Florida Panthers forward Peter Worrell had to think fast when caught drunk behind the wheel 2.5 years later. Worrell identified himself as Andreas Lilja, who was also a member of the Panthers at the same time. Unfortunately for Peter, Lilja, of Swedish descent, white, and standing at 6'3, did not quite resemble the 6'7, black, French Canadian Worrell. Good try though Peter, hopefully you don't pass these types of morals to the players on the Florida Junior Panthers, the team you help coach.

7. Brett Favre to the American Hockey League?

In July of 2008, the Iowa Stars of the AHL switched from being the Dallas Stars affiliate to becoming the Anaheim Ducks affiliate. The Iowa Stars became the Iowa Chops. I haven't had much experience with "Iowa Chops," but there is something disturbing about that name. Nonetheless, one of the first orders of business of the Chops was to offer NFL free agent quarterback Brett Favre a contract with the team. Chops President Steve Nitzel said "what's not to like about that?" Maybe the fact that Brett Favre is not a hockey player? Nice try Iowa, how is corn?


6. Disco Demolition Night

In July of 1979, the Chicago White Sox management team came up with an idea to blow up several thousand disco records in the middle of the field between games of a double-header between the White Sox and Detroit Tigers. Comiskey Park was expecting an extra 5,000 fans in the stands for the game as a decent promotion. When 75,000 people showed up, absolute mayhem occured. Thousands of people rushed the field, and with bombs going over and small fires, the diamond was in no condition for the second game. It was likely the easiest victory in Detroit Tigers history as they won by forefeit. Interesting fact: Green Mile actor Michael Clarke Duncan was one of the first 100 on the field. "That's John Coffey ma'am...like the drink, except spelt dif'rently"

5. "I Have Never Used Steroids. Period."

Those were the words of former Baltimore Orioles hitter and former future Hall of Famer, Rafael Palmeiro when he was testifying against his usuage of steroids in his career. Less than six months later Palmeiro was handed the mandatory ten game suspension by Major League Baseball after testing positive for banned substance stanozolol. I don't know who Raffy was trying to fool, and even though fellow slugger Mark McGwire looked like an absolute knob refusing to speak to Congress, at least he doesn't have to watch himself pointing into the faces of Congress denying something he clearly did.



4. Punch Imlach drafts a fake player

It was no secret that Buffalo Sabres General Manager Punch Imlach was a little frustrated by the time the 11th round of the 1974 NHL Entry Draft came around. Without hesistation, Imlach drafted Taro Tsujimoto of the Japanese Hockey League's Tokyo Katanas. The problem with this selection was that Taro Tsujimoto did not exist. Sure, Imlach may have benefitted from taking, say Dave Lumley, who went several picks later to the Montreal Canadiens and amassed 98 goals in his decent career, but the old Buffalo Auditorium would never have had the "We Want Taro" chants that united the Sabres faithful during tough times.


3. Now Batting For the Yankees....

Billy Crystal, number 60. It's official, the New York Yankees can buy anyone. They did just that by signing the former City Slicker and Yankee Superfan to a one-day contract to play in a preseason game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2008. To no one's surprise, Crystal went down swinging, but managed to foul off a pitch in his first and last at-bat. I guess it was to honour Crystal for his lifelong devotion to the Bronx Bombers, including his film 61*. Being a Toronto Maple Leaf fan myself, I hope Mike Myers is never found within 250 feet of the Leafs locker room after his award winning film (Razzie for worst picture, worst actor) "The Love Guru."

2. Manute Bol...on Ice

Manute Bol holds the distinction of being not only the tallest NBA player in history, but also the only player in NBA history to block more shots than he has made baskets. I guess that's the advantage of being 7'7 Sudanese basketball player. What 7'7 Sudanese basketball players don't do, is play hockey. However, Bol laced them up for the Indianapolis Ice of the Central Hockey League in 2002. Bol sat on the bench for most of the first period, then left to sign autographs for fans. Not sure how relevant this moment is in sports history, but seeing that guy in hockey equipment was definitely a site to see, and hey, why not try to increase the popularity in Indiana, there's nothing else exciting there.



1. Rosie Ruiz Fools Everyone

Rosie Ruiz was the female winner of the 1980 Boston Marathon. However, she was later stripped of her title when race officials discovered she actually didn't run the race. She registered for the race. Okay good, step one, no problem. She then skipped out on the race, rested up, and hopped on the track for the home stretch. How could they let her qualify? Well, during the New York Marathon, she hopped on a subway, faked an injury near the end, and was deemed qualified for the Boston Marathon. Officials were skeptical when ruiz finished the race 25 minutes ahead of her New York Marathon time, and was not even fatigued from the 26.2 mile race. Ruiz claims she just had a lot of energy that day. Ruiz's fifteen minutes of fame were soon over and her medal was handed over. Gotta give her credit though, she pulled a fast one on EVERYONE, and that is the true meaning of April Fool's Day.

The Florida Marlins - A Model of (In)Consistency?

In the history of Major League Baseball, the New York Yankees are considered the model franchise of the league. The Bronx Bombers have won the World Series 26 times out of 107 seasons, giving them a 24.3% overall winning percentage for winning titles. But who's second? The St. Louis Cardinals have the second most titles with 10, but have been around since 1892.

It's the Florida Marlins, who have won two titles in their 15 years of existence, giving them a World Series winning percentage of 13.3%. Does anybody really care about the Marlins? Their attendance is consistenly amongst the league's lowest. But they have provided their fans with a title every 7 or 8 years, and as a Toronto Maple Leaf fan, I would take that in a second.

However, they have only been to they playoffs twice, winning both times. In the National Hockey League, last year's Champions, the Detroit Red Wings, added superstar sniper Marian Hossa to the lineup. Florida takes a different approach to winning championships...they rebuild.


Let's look at their 1997 championship winning lineup:

C Charles Johnson
1B Jeff Conine
2B Luis Castillo
SS Edgar Renteria
3B Bobby Bonilla
LF Moises Alou
CF Devon White
RF Gary Sheffield
SP Kevin Brown
SP Alex Fernandez
SP Al Leiter
SP Livan Hernandez
SP Tony Saunders
RP Felix Heredia
RP Antonio Alfonseca

After winning a title, the Florida Marlins decided to trade several of the key pieces for younger (and most importantly, cheaper replacements)

• Jeff Conine was traded to the Kansas City Royals for P Blaine Mull.
• Moises Alou was traded to the Houston Astros for a package involving Mark Johnson
• Veteran starter Al Leiter was moved to the NY Mets in a package involving SP A.J. Burnett
• Gary Sheffield, Bobby Bonilla and Charles Johnson were moved to the LA Dodgers for C Mike Piazza
• Piazza was dealt a week later to the Mets for OF Preston Wilson and P Ed Yarnall
• RP Felix Heredia was traded to the Chicago Cubs for Todd Noel
• World Series hero Edgar Renteria was moved to the St. Louis Cardinals for pitchers Braden Looper and Armando Almanza
• Kevin Brown was traded to the San Diego Padres in a package involving 1B Derrek Lee

So without even hanging their championship banner on Opening day in 1998, 8 key players had been removed from the roster. The face of the franchise was completely different. The MLB's finest from a year before finished the 1998 season with a 54-108 record, being rewarded with the 2nd overall pick: P Josh Beckett.

During the 1998 offseason, the Marlins stole 3B Mike Lowell from the Yankees for previously mentioned throw-ins Noel, Johnson and Yarnall.

The 1999 season saw the Marlins finish with a 64-98 record, which was bad (or good) enough to land them the first overall pick, who was 1B Adrian Gonzalez. The dismantling continued when the Marlins traded the NLCS and WS MVP Livan Hernandez to the San Francisco Giants for pitchers Jason Grilli and Nate Bump.

After missing the playoffs for three straight seasons following their championship in 1997, the Marlins signed non-drafted free agent pitcher Denny Bautista and their 1997 catcher Charles Johnson.

2001 saw the Marlins miss the playoffs again, and with the fans starting to lose interest in the franchise and their losing ways, the Marlins made a big splash in the 2002 offseason.

• RP Antonio Alfonseca was traded to the Cubs in a package for SP Dontrelle Willis
• Veteran OF Cliff Floyd was shipped to the Montreal Expos in a package where the Marlins received SP Carl Pavano
• Charles Johnson was moved yet again, along with Wilson to the Colorado Rockies for Mike Hampton and OF Juan Pierre
• In a move similiar to the Piazza deal, Hampton was then dealt to the Atlanta Braves two days later for P Tim Spooneybarger.
• Quality depth outfielder Todd Hollandsworth was added via free agency, and the Marlins suprised everyone by inking all-star catcher Ivan Rodriguez to a one-year deal.

Six years being removed from winning a championship, the Marlins were finally competitive again. Eyeing the first playoff birth since 1997, the Marlins acquired RP Ugeth Urbina from the Texas Rangers for former first overall pick Adrian Gonzalez.

Remember Jeff Conine? The first player to be sent afar after helping the team win it's first ever World Series? He was re-aquired prior to the playoffs for Denny Bautista, who, if you have still followed this situation, was a non-drafted free agent signing.

The 2003 season ended with the Marlins taking their second ever wildcard birth. A magical run saw them defeat the Yankees in the World Series, with Josh Beckett (the prize for finising second last a year after winning) winning WS MVP honours. The 2003 championship team did not boast one single player on its roster that had been with them team the entire time from 1998-2003:

C Ivan Rodriguez
1B Derrek Lee
2B Luis Castillo
SS Alex Gonzalez
3B Mike Lowell
LF Miguel Cabrera/Todd Hollandsworth
CF Juan Pierre
RF Juan Encarnacion
UT Jeff Conine
SP Josh Beckett
SP Dontrelle Willis
SP Carl Pavano
SP Brad Penny
SP Mark Redman
CL Braden Looper
RP Ugeth Urbina
RP Tim Spooneybarger
RP Armando Almanza

Again, the Marlins have not had a sniff of postseason action since this title. The Marlins have lost several of these players to free agency, and continued their tradition of dealing away key pieces of championship teams for young, cheap, bright prospects:

• Dontrelle Willis and Miguel Cabrera were traded to the Detroit Tigers for OF Cameron Maybin and SP Andrew Miller
• Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell were traded to the Boston Red Sox for SS Hanley Ramirez and P Anibal Sanchez
• Juan Pierre was traded to the Cubs for P Ricky Nolasco

Did the Marlins ever really lose a trade? Sure they suffered years after their titles, but were able to reclaim their glory within 6 years.

Last season, the Marlins were 7.5 games back of the champion Philadelphia Phillies. It will now be six season since the Marlins last tasted the playoffs, and a pennant. Nolasco is projected to be a top starter for the Marlins, with Miller and Sanchez expected to round out the rotation. Maybin is expected to hit lead off. Ramirez is considered a possible future MVP, and is one of the premier shortstops in the league.

The Marlins have a new stadium on the way, along with yet another hot, young crop of ball players. It might not be (but still could be) their year to win it all this season, just don't be surprised if it is sometime real soon.

Hall of Fame Worthy Names

Well this originally started as a Top 10 list bust after doing some research I stumbled across more names than I expected and well, now it's a Top 20 list. Here it is...

20. Homer Bush (MLB) - Wish he was still patrolling second base for the Jays...

19. Miroslav Satan (NHL) - Would be a lot better if he would play for the Devils one day.

18. Boof Bonser (MLB) - Who names their kid Boof, honestly?

17. Coco Crisp (MLB) - Sounds like a cereal I may have enjoyed as a child.

16. Stubby Clapp (Baseball) - Hey, he's the only Canadian to top the list!

15. Dick Butkus (NFL) - Shut up, shut up, kiss my butt, kiss my butt, go to hell. (For all you Simpson's fans out there)

14. Usain Bolt (Track)- Worlds Fastest Man. Coincidence? I think not.

13. Darko Milicic (NBA) - Yeah.. he's white.

12. Ron Tugnutt (NHL) - Actually have an hockey card signed by him which makes this even funnier.

11. Warrior (Jim Hellwig) (WWF) - Better known to WWF fans as the Ultimate Warrior. The man must have had a screw loose or something because in 1993 he legally changed his name to Warrior.

10. Milton Bradley (MLB) - Wonder if he enjoys a friendly game of "Battleship" every once and awhile?

9. Shavodrick Beaver (NCAA Football) - Unfortunate.

8. God Shammgod (Basketball) - What do you even say about this name?

7. De'Cody Fagg (NCAA Football) - Tell me this guy didn't get teased growing up.

6. Chubby Cox (NBA) - Kinda hoping for his sake that he lived up to the name on this one.

5. Urban Shocker (MLB) - Classic.

4. Rusty Kuntz (MLB) - Makes you think what his parents thinking on that one?

3. Dick Trickle (Racing) - A rather amusing bodily function.

2. Harry Colon (NFL) - Rather unfortunate.

1. Lucious Pusey (MLB) (later changed his name to Lucious Seymour) - Hmm I wonder why?

Other Notables - Albert Pujols (MLB), Dick Pole (MLB), Speedy Claxton (MLB), Rudy Gay (NBA), World B. Free (NBA), Chad Ocho Cinco (NFL), Pee Wee Reese (MLB), Dean Windass (Soccer), Misty Hyman (Swimming), "Ugly" Johnny Dickshot (MLB), Gregor Fucka (Basketball), Pete LaCock (MLB)