RealGM

Lawrie is asked growing up and playing with Doug Mathison’s Langley Blaze, who his favourite player is and he answers Justin Morneau “the way he burst onto the scene.”

Lawrie is told of the other players on the list and is asked to guess where he ranks after his first 43 games, based on OPS.

“Oh, I don’t know, maybe the middle of the pack,” Lawrie said as he’s handed the print out.

“Top of the charts. Cool. Let’s see if I can keep it going. I’m not much of a numbers guy, but let’s see if I can stay there. These guys all have or had tremendous careers.”

At age 22, Romero made 18 starts at double-A New Hampshire in 2007 and he didn’t make his first start with the Jays until two years later.

Favre?

“He’s always up, always ready to go,” said Adam Lind. “I get the impression he competes the way Brett Favre competed when he was with the Green Bay Packers.”

Pedroia?

“The thing about Brett is he’s a special kid,” Romero said. “He’s not a selfish kid, he carries himself like a true big leaguer. I’m happy to have him as a teammate.”

Romero thinks for a few seconds considering on which major leaguer most compares most to Lawrie.

“Maybe Dustin Pedroia,” said Romero about the Boston Red Sox second baseman. “You look at Pedroia and he’s short in stature (5-foot-9). Somebody would think this guy’s won a rookie of the year? An MVP trophy?

“Well, yes he has won a rookie of the year and the MVP. He’s also been an all-star and won a World Series. I know it’s cliche but they both give 110%.”

The toughest part for Lawrie has yet to come.