Sometimes when winter delivers its ugly side as it certainly did this week, one seeks solace where one must–sending the mind as far away from the snow and the ice, the downed power lines and electrical blackout as one get get.
How about summer as the destination? How about summer and baseball? They go together, don’t they?
Talking baseball in winter these days is a bit of a blast from the past. What was once known as the Hot Stove League was a way of life for a lot of people in both the U.S. and Canada. Now, not so much.
Alas, The Hot Stove League has pretty much gone the way of all flesh. Too many of the people who used to have time to talk baseball don’t have it any more, and the young people who might once have been excited to talk a little baseball, are busy now staring into devices in nestled in their palms.
Plus, let’s face it: This is Canada, where hockey–despite the continued mediocrity of its NHL teams–rules.
Still. Sometimes is just nice to be somewhere else. And why not baseball, even if it’s the Toronto Blue Jays, who–after much off-season fanfare–made a hash of their 2013 season, finishing dead last in the American League East with a 74-88 record?
The dive began in the first inning of the first game and never let up. Pitchers brought in in the off-season had arm problems. The rotation spent most of the season in tatters, pitching to a catcher who hit .194 with a .227 on base percentage. Thankfully, J.C. Arencenbia has found his way to Texas–about as far south of Toronto as one can get and remain in the Major Leagues.
Others have left as well, but so far–at least where it really counts–the Jays have pretty much stood pat though they did have the good sense to re-sign their brightest light–utility man Munenori Kawasaki this week to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. In otherwise dismal season, Kawasaki hustled and hustled and hustled–winning the hearts of the Toronto fans and his teammates.
There is still time to make other moves. What about that hot shot in Japan, Masahiro Tanaka, who went 24-0 last season? Will the Jays General Manager Alex Anthopoulos make a move?
For this and other questions–for your Hot Stove League listening pleasure–we turn to the Toronto Star’s baseball columnist, Richard Griffin, who shared his insights with RCI for much of last season.
Terry Haig spoke with Griffin by phone.
Listen
For reasons beyond our control, and for an undetermined period of time, our comment section is now closed. However, our social networks remain open to your contributions.