"I think it's just more hands-on," said first baseman Lyle Overbay. "It's just talking about the game and talking about situations -- that kind of stuff -- where I don't think that happened before."
The offense began to show improvement in the second half last year, after Gaston assumed the managerial role and named Tenace and Murphy to his staff. That success has carried over into the opening two weeks of this season, during which the Jays sprinted to a 10-4 record, winning four series of three games or more to begin a season for the first time in club history.
Through their 14 games, the Blue Jays had seven players with a .280 average or higher and three hitting at a .320 clip or better. Nine players had at least one homer for Toronto, seven had at least two blasts and two players -- shortstop Marco Scutaro and second baseman Aaron Hill -- had four long balls.
Three players in particular have given Toronto's lineup a new look from a year ago.
Hill missed most of last season with a serious concussion after being struck on the side of the head during an on-field collision at the end of May. This season, he's healthy, entrenched in the second spot of the batting order and has hit .365 with four homers and 14 RBIs.
"Hill has done a great job," Tenace said. "He's healthy and back now. I had never seen him play. I'm now getting the opportunity to see what he has the ability to do, and it's pretty impressive."
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