Tipsy
| Game 147: September 13, 2008 | |||
 Blue Jays |
8 | W: A.J. Burnett (18-10) | 80-68, 1 game winning streak |
| Red Sox | 1 | L: Paul Byrd (11-12) | 86-61, 1 game losing streak |
| Highlights: Byrd seemed to be rookie Travis Snider’s personal batting practice pitcher. The rookie outfielder went 2-for-5 with a three-run homer in the fifth and and a two-run ground-rule double in the sixth. Hopefully the Blue Jays will stifle his development as they did with their other homegrown players and the AL East won’t have to be afflicted by his presence until he’s 23 or so, like Vernon Wells. | |||
The only thing I got of value from this game were posts on Son of Sam Horn that may have explained how the Blue Jays were so preternaturally honed in on Paul Byrd’s pitches, aside from the fact that his pitches are so slow I can begin preparation of a chocolate soufflé when he winds up and be snacking on it by the time his pitch reaches the plate.
SoSHer ToeKneeArmAss compiled video from the game and demonstrated that Byrd taps his glove before a fastball or straight change. When throwing a breaking pitch, Byrd keeps the ball still in the glove.
Toronto’s expertise at sign stealing was mentioned by Jason Varitek in this article, which came out after Josh Beckett had accused Melvin Mora of this tactic last month.
“There are some teams that are very renowned for doing it in our league,” Varitek said. “Toronto is the most renowned for it. And New York. There are different teams throughout the league that are predictable, whether it’s location or change of speeds. It’s part of the game. But to defend against it, you have to use your coconut on the mound.”
Instead the Blue Jays batters went coconuts over Byrd’s stuff, as well as David Aardsma’s not quite ready for primetime heat. Only Devern Hansack suppressed the Blue Jays, but by that time the rosters looked like a spring training game.
