My Blue Jays New Year’s Resolutions
Quit drinking, lose weight, get organized – some might opt to chose these as New Year’s resolutions, but how many of them will actually stick with it?
Hell, I’m not going to kid myself into believing that I will achieve any of those things in 2010, so why not direct my New Year’s resolutions towards my favourite team on earth?
Here in no particular order are my Blue Jays New Year’s resolutions for 2010:
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To Believe in Vernon Wells
Admittingly, this past year I booed Vernon Wells in person at the Rogers Centre. I wasn’t proud of it, but at the time, my frustration level with V-Dub reached a boiling point after he struck out on an 0-2 pitch out of the zone, and I felt it was my duty to let him know about my displeasure.
Frankly, we’re in it for the long haul with Vernon and I’m hoping 2010 is the year that he bounces back. I vow to believe in Vernon Wells in 2010 and in turn I hope he believes in the fans in Toronto as well.
To Make It To Ten Games (at least)
Last year, I made it to seven games at the Rogers Centre, so it should be a breeze making it to ten in Toronto now that I’m only an hour or so away from the dome. As a constant critic of the Blue Jays, I get caught up in the intricacies of statistics or the little things, but nothing beats an afternoon or evening at the ballpark. Who knows … maybe I’ll get a chance to meet the Melonheads in person this year.
To See Roy Halladay Again
We already know that the Philadelphia Phillies are rolling into Toronto on June 25th to 27th, but it remains to be seen whether or not Doc will actually pitch in one of these games. I did the math, and if the Phillies carry through the five-man rotation as planned, Doc will miss the entire series in Toronto.
If he does pitch however, you can expect there to be a maelstrom of activity at the Rogers Centre.
If Halladay vs. Burnett created an atmosphere that was reminiscent of “the good old days”, then imagine what Roy Halladay’s return to Toronto will be like.
To Understand the Alex Anthopoulos Vision
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This might be a longer process than one year, but the gears of change are already well in motion. You can already see how this baseball club is transforming into a younger, leaner version of its predecessor and it’s my goal to understand the direction that AA is taking the Blue Jays.
To Finish Anywhere But Last Place
This resolution is totally out of my hands, so I’m putting my faith in the Blue Jays to avoid landing in the cellar of the American League East. I have trouble believing that the Baltimore Orioles will leapfrog over the Jays in the standings, even after their prized off-season acquisitions like Garret Atkins and Mike Gonzalez.
In the grand scheme of things, I guess it doesn’t really matter whether the Blue Jays finish in fourth or fifth place, because like the great Ricky Bobby once said, if you ain’t first … you’re last.
Good stuff Ian, although there's no way you'll be able to stick with #1. Vernon is just too frustrating, and he is anything but fan-friendly. I hoe if Halladay misses the series in Toronto that you take the opportunity to go see him in Pittsburgh or Philly…
Ian, you actually, physically booed Vernon? My heart weeps …
Excellent post! I hated Vernon with the best of them until I caught a game with eyebleaf. Dude's optimism is infectious.
I'm sure the Phillies will have to have a bump in their rotation at some point from April til June. I have faith that we will see the Doctor!
…and he is anything but fan-friendly.
I'm calling shenanigans on that, Paul. If anything, Vernon Wells' friendly, jovial demeanor has caused much consternation amongst many Blue Jays fans because he lacked so-called "passion" and "anger". Wells may have lost a step or several on the field (tear), but he's nothing but class off the field.
As for the Phillies series, I expect to see all of you dudes and dudettes there.
Paul, I am going to try my best to encourage Wells because. I am an eternal optimist and will put my full faith in Vernon that he can turn it around. That's not to say I won't break this resolution two months into the 2010 season.
eyeB, yes … I booed Vernon. It was during that epic collapse on July 25th when the Jays had an 8-run lead, and then blew it in the 12th. It wasn't pretty, man.
HLF, I'm sure if I was at the dome with you guys, I would be cheering for Vernon too. But it's easy for me to judge V-Dub from the comfort of my own home. I hope the Phillies bump their rotation too, because they can't miss an opportunity to see him pitch in front of his former team!
BK, Wells was a good guy who had a bad season. Unfortunately, most people forget all the great work he does outside of the ballpark.
I have a wedding to go to on the 26th, so I hope Doc isn't pitching then!
These are all great resolutions and I hope you see them all through. I'm sure Roy will pitch when here. He's just got to.
I hope the Blue Jays do finish in last place…. in the majors! And with the first pick of the 2010 entry draft the Toronto Blue Jays select Bryce Harper!
Building!!!!
Good point Callum – if they tank, the Jays get a high pick in 2011. I guess that's the silver lining in fishing amongst the worst in the league!
The only Blue Jay you're allowed to boo is Kevin Millar.
I hope you meet those fake-umps in person… and slap them in the mouth.
Dave, I can assure you that if Millar plays the Jays this year, I will boo him wholeheartedly.
If I see the fake umps again, I will freak out. But they have probably already secured their seats behind home plate for the Home Opener.