There was a time in my life when a failed prospect would angry up the blood. I spent many hours cursing Barry Fraser (what hockey team lets their head scout live in Mexico? That's a freaking punch line!!) after watching kids like Todd Carnelley and Peter Soberlak fade early. Perhaps Fraser spoiled us with that outstanding 1979-83 run that delivered (in order) Kevin Lowe, Mark Messier, Glenn Anderson, Paul Coffey, Jari Kurri, Andy Moog, Grant Fuhr, Steve Smith, Jeff Beukeboom, Esa Tikkanen. In hindsight, he should have pulled a Sandy Koufax right after round 4, 1980.Maybe it comes with age, or maybe it's because I'm a father now, but I don't get too upset when these kids fail. Watching Edmonton's kids over the last decade, I can work up a real good lather over the Oilers going on the cheap with regard to a minor league team long before getting pissed at JF Jacques for failing to launch.
I thought Jacques might find a role (despite some misgivings) at the NHL level and it appears he has been able to with the Edmonton Oilers. It isn't terribly useful, but if he was my kid I'd be thrilled today. Another contract and one more year in the show if his back can hold up.
Go get 'em, kid.
LT: Don't know if you saw my post at the end of the Dubnyk story. The Oilers signed a prospect who lost his way and is now coming home. Shawn Belle, according to Matheson, is now an Oiler.
ReplyDeletePscyhe: Didn't see it. He's got the good wheels, a late 1st pick by STL iirc.
ReplyDeleteLT: Just saw the line-up introductions for the MLB All-Star Game. Nice to see a former Expo in Vladdy Guerrero in the game.
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking about the Expos all day. I'm very sorry George Steinbrenner passed away and would never say a terrible thing about a man the day he died.
ReplyDeleteBut the Montreal Expos are gone and Selig and Steinbrenner stopped the season in 1994 and if the season had run its course les Expos history could have been completely different.
I love Vladdy, hope he hits a homer tonight even though I remain an NL man.
But I hate baseball. Hate it, because it is rotten. And Mr. Steinbrenner (may he rest in peace) was a major part of the rot.
And I am very sorry if I've offended anyone on the day of his passing.
JFJ just did the right thing by signing and not going to arbitration! he could see that wasn't the right move, and may have been out the door if by chance he won.
ReplyDeleteyet, Lowetide, American media types are singing his prases now that he's passed. it makes me sick and always has that there isn't a salary cap in baseball. it's been an ongoing joke for decades!
ReplyDeleteAmazing to see this payroll comparison:
ReplyDelete1. New York Yankees = $206,333,389
29. San Diego Padres = $37,799,300
Current team win-loss record:
New York Yankees...56-32
San Diego...51-37
Kind of a sad state of affairs in MLB.
yet the Yankees will win another world series and the Padres....
ReplyDeleteThe state of affairs in the MLB is excellent. There's nothing wrong with many of these markets but the owners there.
ReplyDeleteDug: In my books how you win it is just as important as winning it.
ReplyDeletewell i have heard that the KC and Pirates owners ARE notoriously cheap! might explain why they never win?
ReplyDeleteNice.
ReplyDeleteI like this Lowetide.
Perspective.
Amazing to see this payroll comparison:
ReplyDelete1. New York Yankees = $206,333,389
29. San Diego Padres = $37,799,300
Current team win-loss record:
New York Yankees...56-32
San Diego...51-37
Kind of a sad state of affairs in MLB.
That is a stunning set of numbers.
"...what hockey team lets their head scout live in Mexico?..."
ReplyDeleteThe same team whose general manager lived in Banff.