Even the mightiest of closers eventually fall
All it took was less than one week and already the first round of the MLB playoffs are in the books. It was not without controversy what with the botched calls, but for me the storyline that prevailed through most of the series was the fall of many of the teams closers.
Jonathan Papelbon, Joe Nathan, Huston Street and Ryan Franklin were all victims of blown saves in what was otherwise a sparkling year for each of these closers. During the regular season combined they saved 168 out of 187 games, which is 90 percent success rate. Unfortunately, when it comes to the playoffs that ten percent can be the difference between making it to the next round and watching the rest of the playoffs at home with a bag of Scream Cheese Doritos.
The amount of pressure on these pitchers is enormous as their margin of error is very slim, especially in October. That’s one of the reasons I enjoy the MLB post-season so much; because no matter how many games you win during the regular season or how many times your closer shuts the door and gets the save, all that matters is winning those eleven games to get you that World Series ring.
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For Jonathan Papelbon, Joe Nathan, Huston Street and Ryan Franklin, they will get their chance once again and most of them will probably won’t have to wait long to redeem themselves in the playoffs. Not that they did it on purpose, but they picked the most inopportune times to fail the seal the deal for their team.
I feel like being a prick today, and this is the perfect place to be one, especially in response to this thread post.
I will now rank, and evaluate the long list of Jays bloggers, from worst to best:
1) Hum and Chuck: Joanna thinks she's smart. But she doesn't know shit about baseball. Neither does her Dad.
2) All Your Base Are Belong to Rios: Great name. Too bad the illiterate fuck can't write anything.
3) Blue Jay Hunter: A like-able little man, although his analysis is weak. Very weak.
4) Sports in the City: A parrot, like no other, who parrots the other, smarter bloggers, who are also parrots themselves. A wannabe "rudey", or "rude bwoy", if you will.
5) Bluebird Banter: A collection of stooges who think they know it all, but really know shit all.
6) Drunk Jays fans: Worn out, high-horse sitting motherfuckers, who breed more hate than a Sudanese militia during Ramadan.
7) Ghostrunner on First: Thinks he's super witty and smart, but his wit and dark humour are of the corny variety. And oh ya, FUCK ROCCO BALDELLI.
8) The Southpaw: Sound analysis and great minor league information, although he can't spell, or construct a proper sentence to save his fucking life.
9) Batter's Box: The oldest, and best Blue Jays blog, if you want to fall asleep or lapse into a coma like the old cunts who contribute to it already have.
10) Tao of Stieb: A real treat for anyone looking for a good mix of analysis and wit, although his multiple-personality disorder was getting old in 2008.
I know, there are many other Jays blogs, but they are less significant than a Ken Takahashi signing, and they can all fuck right off, because I don't read their shitty "articles" anyway.
I will however, give a big shout out to MLBastian and Mike Wilner, who actually have some clout, as opposed to you clowns who parrot them for attention. Oh ya, Go Jays Go is also legit, as its contributor knows how to shut the fuck up.
Thank you, and fuck off Parkes.
Congrats on your trolling attempts at this site and others in the Blue Jays blogosphere!
Thank you, my little friend.