I hate press conferences with GM or Club President types. They can’t say anything of value. I’m sure the reports had the answers written down before he said them.
But….
Mark Shapiro, in his first media avail since March 21, says he never comments on job status in-season when asked about GM Ross Atkins, but added: “Contextually, I’m a huge believer in stability and continuity and that those are competitive advantages in professional sports. … “
— Shi Davidi (@ShiDavidi) August 7, 2024
Later, asked how he weighs when stability makes sense vs when change might be needed, Shapiro replied: “Be certain you can be better if you make a change.”
How does he asses that? “I’m not going to go through that with you now. That’s personal and a process I will go through.”
— Shi Davidi (@ShiDavidi) August 7, 2024
Asked about the possibility of extending Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette, Shapiro said, “I’m not going to comment on those guys specifically. But it’s certainly easier to build a sustainable championship team with talent like that in place for extended periods of time.”
— Shi Davidi (@ShiDavidi) August 7, 2024
Shapiro said “right now we are just underneath” the $237 million Competitive Balance Tax threshold, but “it’s fluid … those things can change throughout the rest of the year, so I caution to jump to the conclusion.”
— Shi Davidi (@ShiDavidi) August 7, 2024
This Loperfido guy might be pretty good:
#BlueJays Joey Loperfido had the highest sprint speed for a putout in the Majors on Tuesday, covering 96 feet at 29.8 feet/second on this catch.#TOTHECORE pic.twitter.com/6kRM4RwDfn
— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) August 7, 2024
This is great:
The Blue Jays are ready for George Springer Replica Hockey Jersey Night. ⚾️ pic.twitter.com/wUpo4JNhXj
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) August 7, 2024
And:
Certified Beauties pic.twitter.com/gAjEPInzfK
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) August 7, 2024
Tonight’s lineup against the lefty.
Here is a very nice video of Erik Swanson and his family and small-town living. Before Covid, my wife and I talked about moving to a small town, to see what it would be like.
If you would like to read more about Billy Bean’s life, and how terrible it was for gay players in the 1990s (it wasn’t all that long ago), Outsports has a post.
Then after his partner later contracted HIV and Bean arrived home to find him collapsed on the floor, he made the decision to drive to a distant hospital because he’d recently made an appearance at the closest one in his Padres uniform and didn’t want anyone to put two and two together.