Thursday Bantering: Jays Bits

Another day with no Blue Jays’ news.

There is a rumour they are talking to Pete Alonzo (along with the Mets). The Mets have asked him to hurry up and make a decision.

I don’t want Alonzo. We have a first baseman. I don’t think Alonzo wants to be a full-time DH. I don’t want Vlad at third. But what I want doesn’t matter.

While I was typing this, I saw a new rumour that the Mets think he will pick another team to sign.

On semi-related rumours, Alex Bergman has told teams that he doesn’t want a short-term contract, with the idea that he could get a longer-term one after that one ends. I don’t know if the Jays have moved on from Bergman, so they are talking to Alonzo.

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The Jays traded Brett de Geus to the Pirates for ‘cash considerations’—likely $10 more than they would have had to pay to pick him up off waivers.

Jeff Hoffman spoke to reporters, telling them not to worry about his failed physicals. He’s in good shape and won’t end up hurt. Of course, players who say ‘they are healthy’ often end up on the IL within minutes of the statement. But I’m going to remain hopeful.

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Bob Uecher passed at age 90.

I didn’t listen to him on the radio much, but he seemed like one of the better broadcasters. And he had a way with a joke:

• The best way to catch a knuckleball is to wait until it stops rolling and pick it up (I use that line playing squash when I play against someone much better).
• When he tried to catch a knuckleball pitcher, he met many friendly people sitting in the front role behind the plate.
• I signed a very modest $3,000 bonus with the Braves in Milwaukee. And my old man didn’t have that kinda money to put out.
• People don’t know this, but I helped the Cardinals win the pennant. I came down with hepatitis. The trainer injected me with it!

My wife liked his TV show, Mr. Belvedere. There were several ‘family’ sitcoms in those days, and it wasn’t any worse or better than any of the others.

And there was this: