It’s been well documented that the Toronto Blue Jays have not made the playoffs since they last won the World Series in 1993. Their post-season drought is likely to end this year.
The last time the Jays had the American League MVP goes back even further. George Bell captured the award in 1987, the only Toronto player to be voted the honor.
Josh Donaldson is making a strong case to become the first Jay in 28 years to earn the MVP title.
The 29-year-old Donaldson leads the American League in RBI’s with 101 (the 6th fastest player in Jays history to reach the 100 mark).
He is tied for 3rd in homers with 34, sits 12th in batting average with a .297 mark and is 7th in on base average at .367.
Defensively, his .956 fielding percentage puts him in the middle of the pack of the regular third basemen. He is also tops in total putouts.
Donaldson outclassed another MVP candidate, Mike Trout of the Angels in their three game series last weekend in Anaheim.
The 29-year-old Donaldson has been consistent since the start of the season and has played a prominent role in propelling the Jays to first place.
When he was acquired in the off-season from Oakland in the Brett Lawrie deal, it appeared to be a good trade for Toronto.
In essence, it’s one of the best deals the Jays have ever made.
#
Another Blue Jay has emerged in the running for a major award.
David Price, acquired July 30th from Detroit, has pitched his way into consideration for the Cy Young.
Sony Gray of Oakland is arguably the front-runner but with no clear cut favorite, the final ¼ of the season will likely determine the winner.
Gray is 12-5 while Price is 13-4. Gray leads the AL starters in ERA at 2.10 with Price at 2.42. In strikeouts, Gray has 145 considerably less than Price who sits with 179 K’s.
Price has even better numbers since joining the Jays. In five games as a Toronto starter, Price is 4-0 with a sizzling 1.98 ERA and 41 strikeouts.
His presence at the top of the rotation has had a calming effect on the team. There is a level of confidence when he is on the mound that no matter what the situation, the Jays will find a way to win.
A good example was on Wednesday against Texas. The game was tied 2-2 in the bottom of the 4th and the Rangers had runners on first and second with no outs. Price buckled down to get three straight outs, keeping the game
even. The Jays rallied in each of the next three innings and ended up winning handily 12-4.
The last pitcher in a Toronto uniform to take the AL top pitcher award was Roy Halladay in 2003 (22-7 with 3.25 ERA).
15-game winner Dallas Keuchel (15-6, 2.28 ERA, 165 K’s) of the upstart Houston Astros is also in the mix.
Price captured the Cy Young in 2012 with Tampa Bay. If the 6-6 lefty keeps up his torrid pace, he could add another, in addition to a possible record-breaking contract as a free agent at the end of the season.
#
Toronto Blue Jays remaining 2015 regular season schedule:
Host Detroit August 28, 29, 30
Host Cleveland August 31, September 1, 2
Host Baltimore September 4, 5,6
at Boston September 7, 8. 9
at NY Yankees September 10, 11, 12, 13
at Atlanta September 15, 16, 17
Host Boston September 18, 19, 20
Host NY Yankees September 21, 22, 23
Host Tampa Bay September 25, 26, 27
at Baltimore September 28, 29, 30 October 1
at Tampa Bay October 2, 3, 4
From the Quote Rack:
With golfer Jordan Spieth in the stands at a Rangers game, Miss Texas sang a rap song asking him on a date. Not sure he liked that approach, but his girlfriend was teed off.
Tiger Woods recently opened a restaurant in Florida. The first thing customers tried is the steak, but they all missed the cut.
Comedy writer RJ Currie www.Sportsdeke.com
American runner Emily Huddle was about to win the Bronze medal at the 10,000 metre race World Championship in Beijing, when she started celebrating one step too soon and was passed by a teammate. On the brighter side, Huddle probably got a consolation phone call from (former Dallas Cowboy) Leon Lett.
The oldest ever message in a bottle, tossed into the water in the early 1900s, has finally washed up on a German Island. Along with the message the bottle reportedly contained a Jamie Moyer rookie card.
Contributor Janice Hough of Palo Alto, California www.leftcoastsportsbabe.com
I’m not saying the Philadelphia Phillies are bad, but when they took the field in the top of the first the other day, Manager Pete Mackanin immediately called for a challenge.
Comedy writer Marc Ragovin
Former NBA star Darryl Dawkins has passed at age 58. Meanwhile, while driving down the highway today, Bill Robinzine’s rear window shattered.
The Oakland Raiders play their final home pre-season game on Sunday against the Cardinals at O.co Coliseum. After the game, the street and biker gangs that frequent there will make their final roster cuts and turn in their opening day rosters to their respective National headquarters.
Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California
To the amazement of firefighters, a goat named Leo survived the Rock Creek wildfire. Even more amazing this is the only goat in the Northwest not named Pete Carroll.
The TSX and Dow plummeted this week. “Now you know how I feel every day”, said Stephen Harper to investors.
Comedy writer TC Chong of Vancouver (http://alwaysfunny.com/)
And in case you missed it:
He asked if the Michigan doctors were going to make his heart love University of Michigan instead of Ohio State.
Mother Jennifer Applin, on her 10-year-old son Ivan Applin, a diehard Ohio State fan, prior to
having surgery (which was successful) to try and correct a congenital heart defect in him.
Hartley Miller is the sports director and morning news anchor for 94.3 the Goat. His column appears Fridays on myprincegeorgenow.com. Send along a quote, note, or anecdote to [email protected]
Follow him on twitter: @Hartley_Miller