Premature Bliss......Awseome

[TR50]

Sitting here on my couch on this somewhat boring Saturday afternoon, just finished vacuuming the house and settled in with some french toast (yes late but who cares) ready to watch the Jays take on the Red Sox, and after watching the game, I'm brimming with excitment.

Just the thought of our pitching staff and bullpen is exciting. If they can actually stay healthy and play like they can, we can be in any game when it comes to the defensive stand point. Having a 1-2-3 of Doc-AJ-Dustin then throw in Marcum and a solid Listch....whats not to like? Then the pen with a confident Frasor, Accardo, League, Tallet, Downs and soon hopefully a healthy BJ, thats nuts!

Now after watching this Boston game, its even clearer that we can score runs. We can actually manufacture them, get guys on the base paths and go deep now and then. The 6 run outburst was just awseome.

Now I know its early, but what i saw today was something i hope to see alot of. We can win any game we play. We have a solid staff and a great lineup. Throw in a healthy Rolen and thats some serious talent. Just to think, that if they can actually put it together and get through the grind of a 162 game schedule, its just exciting.

Now, this is premature, very, we are 5 games in and have 157 left to play. And we do have historical injury guys, the ups and downs of the year so i cannot expect too much, but its just nice to see, that when we are clicking, we are a fricking good team.

I'm itching to watch the next game, brimming with optimism and am just excited!
Cheers!!

[SmallTownJournalist303]

Couldn't have said it better myself. I'm incredibly excited for the rest of this season. The staff looks great, and if we can hit a little, you never know how far this team could go.

[Raptors90102]

I agree. I was just grinning from ear to ear watching us tear it up. Its exciting! But was very disappointed to see the low crowd numbers. With such an awesome sold out crowd last night, a disappointing turnaround on a daytime SATURDAY game is just pathetic. I hope this team goes on a tear and people start showing up!

But our pitching looks great so far. The hitting is very methodical and we are actually constructing meaningful at bats. Encouraging. But the best part for me as been Rios. His hitting is something that will carry us the rest of the year offensively. He has impressed me a lot so far in the last 5 games. I hope he matures into a regular 40+ HR hitter. that'd be cool..

[Raptor_Guy]

Ya, I really get good vibes from this team. Even after losing the Yankees series I was still happy because I could tell this team actually has that drive to win, something past teams have never had.

[whysoserious]

When it comes to our starting staff...if they live up to what they can do we are pretty much rolling out two good starters in every series. This should give us a very good chance to win a lot of series.

This is all dependant on the guys staying healthy/living up to their promise.

I'm still not entirely sold on the offense because they still don't do the right things at the right time for the most part.

[Geddy]

I'm more than pleased with what the team has shown so far in these few games. At the same time I think we should be a little cautious about getting our hopes too high up. The Yankees and Red Sox still aren't playing their best baseball, and we all know they are capable of playing better. Anyway i won't be so negative and just be happy for now.

Also Gibbons looks like he has changed his managing tactics a bit. He doesn't seem so passive now, and it's nice to see the team moving runners around.

[OldNo7]

They have looked good, but its still too early for me to get excited.

[youreachiteach]

I'm more than pleased with what the team has shown so far in these few games. At the same time I think we should be a little cautious about getting our hopes too high up. The Yankees and Red Sox still aren't playing their best baseball, and we all know they are capable of playing better. Anyway i won't be so negative and just be happy for now.

Also Gibbons looks like he has changed his managing tactics a bit. He doesn't seem so passive now, and it's nice to see the team moving runners around.

I think he just finally has the personnel to do it.

I have never been a big gibbons fan, but I think it's clear Ricciardi has been holding his hands back because of our lack of speed. By this I mean he has preached a station to station offence and the coach has toed the cmpany line.

He is actually a product of the Mets system, and I think he manages much more actively and aggressively (and frankly, more effectively) with this style.

He is bringing the relievers in earlier when trouble starts, is making reasonbale tactical ,moves and giving the green light to the talents we've got.

This probably comes from a level of trust in the depth he has at his disposal, and the GM;s final acquiescence that the intangibles matter too.

Getting leaders like Eckstein and Rolen do so much more than what their numbers portray, they relaly do. They bring the expectation of winning to the ballpark with them, and the rest of the Jays cannot help but follow suit.

Really, the Raptors themselves need this soooo badlyit hurts. I think it is their number one flaw--a lack of confidence. I've never seen a team that gives up leads as easily....anyway, that is off topic.

Point is, the leadership, committment to excellence and winning matters and the Jays are finally buying in.

Win or lose really, they are playing a brand of exciting, hard working, aggressivew baseball the fans can be proud of.

We are in for a special year if they are healthy.

[Holmes]

I don't buy the excitment. Why? Because you know Royals fans said to themselves "I'm so excited about this year...I love this team" after they swept the Tigers. Because you know that Orioles fans say "I'm excited, we aren't as bad as people think" after winning 3 in a row with big offense. Because you know Nat fans said to themselves "I feel good things about this year" after nearly sweeping the division winner Phillies.

Bottomline is that everybody says the same things in ever sport once a season starts. It almost seems natural. It is because fans have not seen their team play in so long and so fans will take the first positives as an indication of things to come. A perfect example of this is the Raptors board. If you compare what it was like at the beginning of the season and what it is now it is comical.

I'm not necessarily excited...but it does not mean I am not happy with the relatively good start.

[OldNo7]

I don't buy the excitment. Why? Because you know Royals fans said to themselves "I'm so excited about this year...I love this team" after they swept the Tigers. Because you know that Orioles fans say "I'm excited, we aren't as bad as people think" after winning 3 in a row with big offense. Because you know Nat fans said to themselves "I feel good things about this year" after nearly sweeping the division winner Phillies.

Bottomline is that everybody says the same things in ever sport once a season starts. It almost seems natural. It is because fans have not seen their team play in so long and so fans will take the first positives as an indication of things to come. A perfect example of this is the Raptors board. If you compare what it was like at the beginning of the season and what it is now it is comical.

I'm not necessarily excited...but it does not mean I am not happy with the relatively good start.

Its not very often I agree wholeheartedly with you, but when I do I am man enough to admit it.

[youreachiteach]

I don't buy the excitment. Why? Because you know Royals fans said to themselves "I'm so excited about this year...I love this team" after they swept the Tigers. Because you know that Orioles fans say "I'm excited, we aren't as bad as people think" after winning 3 in a row with big offense. Because you know Nat fans said to themselves "I feel good things about this year" after nearly sweeping the division winner Phillies.

Bottomline is that everybody says the same things in ever sport once a season starts. It almost seems natural. It is because fans have not seen their team play in so long and so fans will take the first positives as an indication of things to come. A perfect example of this is the Raptors board. If you compare what it was like at the beginning of the season and what it is now it is comical.

I'm not necessarily excited...but it does not mean I am not happy with the relatively good start.

I'm really just happy they are trying to do the little things. Sure, I'm excited, and yes, it is early.

But there does seem to be an urgency on this team that wasn't there in previous incarnations of the team.

Just sayin'.

And...did the Raptors get off to a good start? If I remember, they were hurt early and it took a while for Bosh to get going.

[Harold_and_Kumar]

I don't buy the excitment. Why? Because you know Royals fans said to themselves "I'm so excited about this year...I love this team" after they swept the Tigers. Because you know that Orioles fans say "I'm excited, we aren't as bad as people think" after winning 3 in a row with big offense. Because you know Nat fans said to themselves "I feel good things about this year" after nearly sweeping the division winner Phillies.

Bottomline is that everybody says the same things in ever sport once a season starts. It almost seems natural. It is because fans have not seen their team play in so long and so fans will take the first positives as an indication of things to come. A perfect example of this is the Raptors board. If you compare what it was like at the beginning of the season and what it is now it is comical.

I'm not necessarily excited...but it does not mean I am not happy with the relatively good start.

Although I don't disagree with your overall argument, that when crappy teams win at the beginning of the season they get overly excited.

Here is the difference I see. It seems as though the entire mindset of the team has changed from last year. This year is full of situational hitting, stolen bases, sacrificing, etc. and I think it's all because of our pitching staff. Our pitching staff has allowed our coaching staff to trust that they will keep us in games, and manufacturing 2-3 runs, will keep us in every game.

[cb4_89]

Im kinda liking this team. Well other than me being a fan and having to like this team no matter who they throw out onto the field. But I actually like these players. If we can stay injury free we might be able to make some noise.

[Raps_Swingman]

I like that the Jays are actually aggressive on the base paths and not trying to just power their way to wins. Stealing bases is a great weapon, especially when guys are getting on. I think this team has lacked that in the past.

[TR50]

-= original quote snipped =-



Although I don't disagree with your overall argument, that when crappy teams win at the beginning of the season they get overly excited.

Here is the difference I see. It seems as though the entire mindset of the team has changed from last year. This year is full of situational hitting, stolen bases, sacrificing, etc. and I think it's all because of our pitching staff. Our pitching staff has allowed our coaching staff to trust that they will keep us in games, and manufacturing 2-3 runs, will keep us in every game.

I agree with Harold and the points Holmes made, but the fact that we are not a bad team in the first place and seeing such success and i guess a change so early, its nice to see, a fresh new look that looks somewhat promising.

[The_Hater]

I don't buy the excitment. Why? Because you know Royals fans said to themselves "I'm so excited about this year...I love this team" after they swept the Tigers. Because you know that Orioles fans say "I'm excited, we aren't as bad as people think" after winning 3 in a row with big offense. Because you know Nat fans said to themselves "I feel good things about this year" after nearly sweeping the division winner Phillies.

Bottomline is that everybody says the same things in ever sport once a season starts. It almost seems natural. It is because fans have not seen their team play in so long and so fans will take the first positives as an indication of things to come. A perfect example of this is the Raptors board. If you compare what it was like at the beginning of the season and what it is now it is comical.

I'm not necessarily excited...but it does not mean I am not happy with the relatively good start.

Of course there are 2 huge differences between this and the Royals/Orioles starts. The Jays are expected to be around an 85 win team this season. We're all just hoping that they can find 7-10 more wins somewhere and sneak into the playoffs. Meanwhile nobody is expecting the Royals or O's to post winning records.

Secondly watching our entire pitching staff throw well as we took 4 of 6 games, on the road, against the two AL offensive juggernauts we're trying to catch is also a very promising sign. It certainly beats going 2-4 and having everybody roll their eyes with a 'here we go again' attitude.

[OldNo7]

Correction: we took 1 of 3 on the road, and 3 of 3 at home.

[LLJ]

I still think we played as well as we could have on the road given that it was the start of the season on the road and people were working out the kinks.

On the other hand, I also agree with Michael Bradley that holding the Yanks to 8 runs and still losing the series is pretty pathetic...

[LittleOzzy]

After watching the Raptors lately it's really hard to not get excited about this team.

They are so fun to watch, and I can't wait to see where we are standing at the end of the month.

[Holmes]

-= original quote snipped =-
Of course there are 2 huge differences between this and the Royals/Orioles starts. The Jays are expected to be around an 85 win team this season. We're all just hoping that they can find 7-10 more wins somewhere and sneak into the playoffs. Meanwhile nobody is expecting the Royals or O's to post winning records.

Secondly watching our entire pitching staff throw well as we took 4 of 6 games, on the road, against the two AL offensive juggernauts we're trying to catch is also a very promising sign. It certainly beats going 2-4 and having everybody roll their eyes with a 'here we go again' attitude.

I'm fully aware that they Royals or O's are not good teams to begin with but the principle still applies for both situations. While expectations for the Royals, O's and Nats are for non winning seasons, we've come to expect mediocrity from the Blue Jays. Regardless of different levels of expectations the same principle is in effect. People like to take any initial positives as indication that good things are to come and will continue to do so. It can apply for all sports. Fans are just coming out of the offseason and haven't seen meaningful games in a while. With the initial excitement that people usually get with a start of the new season and on top of that the over blown positives that they see in the first few weeks of the season and you get heighten excitement. I mean, seriously, how many times have you seen fans at the beginning of the season after a few games say "I think we can make some noise this year" regardless of what team it is and what expectations.

I'm pretty impressed with the start of the season but I'm not going to get myself jacked up over the possible ideas that our pitching is dominant and that our offense works. But this is not to say I do not think it can happen which I think thats what some of you may think I'm already alluding to.