New Jays to put 'panic in streets of Boston'

[raptorsfan29]

another interesting read.



New Jays to put 'panic in streets of Boston'
By MIKE RUTSEY, TORONTO SUN

   
         

Season ticket holders already giddy with glee over J.P. Ricciardi's new acquisitions were treated with more good news last night.

In the opening statements at the Blue Jays' annual State of The Franchise, the 600 fans in attendance were told that both Shea Hillenbrand and Pete Walker, the last two arbitration-eligible players, had reached agreement and had signed one-year contracts.

Hillenbrand, who will be the Jays' designated hitter for the bulk of his playing time in 2006, will earn $5.8 million US while Walker, who will be in a battle for the seventh and final spot in the bullpen, will earn $650,000.

The tone of the evening was decidedly upbeat and Ricciardi received plenty of kudos for upgrading the team by adding A.J. Burnett, B.J. Ryan, Lyle Overbay, Troy Glaus and Bengie Molina.

Paul Godfrey, the Jays' president and CEO, was in full cheerleading mode, lacking only the pom-pons.

"There is excitement in the streets of Toronto. There's panic in the streets of Boston," he exclaimed in his introductory remarks.

Ricciardi was brief in his remarks and guarded in his optimism.

"Hopefully, our club will play up to its capabilities," he ventured in his opening remarks.

CHUCKLING

Later, when an individual asked how many games they would win, you could hear manager John Gibbons -- who was hooked up on a conference call -- chuckling all the way from San Antonio.

"I told Gibby that if he says a number, I'd fly to Texas and choke him," Ricciardi said referring to former manager Carlos Tosca's ill-fated response of "I don't see why we can't win 95 games," when asked that question a few years back.

All Ricciardi would say was: "I think we'll be better than last year."

But once the Q and A with the audience rolled on, Ricciardi warmed up and came up with the best line of the night when asked how he could justify signing Burnett to a five-year contact.

"Because we didn't want to give him six," he replied to laughs all around.

Besides the baseball queries, there were the usual gripes about not having hot water in the washrooms and the lousy food.

Godfrey also was pleased to announce that both revenue and ticket sales were ahead of last year's pace.

The revenue increase was over 30%. New ticket sales were up 111% over the same time last year and their season-ticket renewal rate was 98%.

Which was about the fans' approval rating for Ricciardi last night.
Next story: Angels get to keep name

[EDGECRUSHER]

Fine by me because there isn't any panic in the streets of New York 

Boston is not afraid either. What Toronto did to it's infield defense will add a run to it's starter's ERA.

[YoFuggedaboutit]

I'll set the over/under on how long until Maine responds to this at 3 hours.  Everyone note the time of this post.  Any bets?

[MaineDolFan]

"Panic in the streets of Boston"...closely followed up by:

"Hopefully, our club will play up to its capabilities."

Exactly.  Nothing like spending 90 million on a dud.  Boston could care less what Toronto is doing.  And, focusing on one team is exactly the type of mistake that a young team would do.  In order to contend for the playoffs, Toronto might be better served to watch out for the likes of the Twins, White Sox, Rangers, Angels, Mariners and A's.  Last time I checked, there were more teams in to contend with.

Toronto will not, and I mean NOT, win the division.  They'll need to go through some hefty competition to grab the wild card.

[raptorsfan29]

Toronto will not, and I mean NOT, win the division.  They'll need to go through some hefty competition to grab the wild card.

Duh, did you notice j.p didn't say panic on the streets of new york. were not aiming for the division. just a WC spot. Anything is possible though

[raptorsfan29]

i went on the espn board and found some funny posts

knowist Posted: Feb 10, 2006 11:27 AM Quote
Posts: 25
in the last 60 days

Most Boston and Yankee fans = Paranoid.


It's like they hate the fact that Toronto might actually be competitive... Un freaking real, someone alert the U.N. this cant be true. Maybe if we deny it and completly debase the moves they've made it wont come true. Give me a break.

I'm not saying that they'll win the divison or even the wild card, but it's hard to imagine that they wont be a couple of games out of both.
 
(another one)

I think that statement was made about Boston panicking because New Englanders have a reputation of being rather paranoid & neurotic (especially when it comes to their baseball team). New Yorkers on the other hand are far too arrogant & cocky to worry about the moves the Blue Jays (or anyone else)made.

(more to come)

[MaineDolFan]

Boston and Yankee fans are paranoid...yet Toronto fans grab every little article that they can find with positive Jay spin (most noted in Canadian newspapers and message boards) and spew it back up.

Those who live in glass houses.

[YoFuggedaboutit]

Those who live in glass houses

Should not throw stones. 

Well said!!!!

[raptorsfan29]

i'm just posting articles that have the jays period. it's rare for sports people to say something nice about toronto. This year it hasn't.

You can't blame me for being excited about my team for the first time ever. When was the last time people in toronto or toronto blue jays fan were excited about the team. 1993.