Expansion Jays!

rpriske · 10-06-2012, 11:00 AM

I am just starting a new 'dynasty' that I will blog here.

1977 Toronto Blue Jays!

Just starting... lots more to come!

rpriske · 10-06-2012, 04:14 PM

With the newly installed 'Trader Rusty' at the helm, there was a bustle of activity to kick off the new team.

The Blue Jays made three trades in January, 1977.

TO CALIFORNIA ANGELS

Rick Cerone, Mike Darr, Otto Velez

TO BLUE JAYS

Gary Ross, Mike Barlow

The media and fans were stunned with this one. Velez was one of the most popular players on the fledgling team. Ross was a nice boost to the rotation but...

There was still another shoe to drop.

But first...

TO BALTIMORE ORIOLES

Jerry Garvin, Al Carlson

TO BLUE JAYS

Kiko Garcia, Mike Parrott, Doug DeCinces

Losing Garvin stung but the way the left side of the infield was starting to look made things a little brighter in Toronto... and the fans were thrilled about Kiko!

Then, the rest of the Ross trade as Gary Ross became known as the '9-Day Blue Jay'.

TO CHICAGO WHITE SOX

Gary Ross, Steve Staggs

TO BLUE JAYS

Oscar Gamble, Larry Anderson

The Jays offense has a new cornerstone... with awesome hair!

rpriske · 10-15-2012, 11:05 AM

Away for a week...

I put in a waiver claim on Juan Castaneda from the Dodgers but lost it to the Pirates. The next day THEY put him on waivers and this time my claim was more successful.

rpriske · 10-15-2012, 10:37 PM

Heading into Spring Training we made another trade and another waiver claim.

TRADE

To BOS: Lee Perry, Sam Ewing, Ryan Clarke

To TOR: Fergie Jenkins, Steve Dillard

Waiver claim: Mike Ivie from SD

Making a deal for Jenkins is all about marketing. He is a solid pitcher and helps sell the American Past time in Canada.

rpriske · 10-17-2012, 08:45 AM

What has spring training taught me thus far?

This is going to be a looooooong season...

rpriske · 10-18-2012, 08:56 AM

The spring training predictions have the first year Blue Jays as the worst team in all of baseball and finishing with a 59-103 record!

I guess I have something to shoot for!

rpriske · 10-21-2012, 05:55 PM

March 15th: the first round of spring training cuts.

Sent to AAA Cornwall Pitbulls:

34 yo MR Chuck Hartenstein
26 yo CL Juan Castaneda
24 yo C Ernie Whitt
21 yo MI Dale Ryan

Placed on Waivers

33 yo MR Jerry Johnson

We hope for great things from Castaneda, Whitt and Ryan... just not yet.

My hopes are less high for the two 30-something MRs, but I do think (and hope) Johnson will clear waivers so we can stash him at AAA.

rpriske · 10-23-2012, 11:03 AM

No such luck on Jerry Johnson as he was claimed by the New York Mets.

rpriske · 10-23-2012, 10:58 PM

March 22nd, 1977: Second Round of Cuts (incidently, my 9th birthday...)

Sent to AAA Cornwall:

28 yo SP Jesse Jefferson
28 yo MR Mike Barlow
20 yo MR Jeff Byrd
29 yo 2B Carlos Hernandez
25 yo CF John Scott

rpriske · 10-28-2012, 03:24 PM

1977 Opening Day Lineup

Rotation

Pete Vuckovich
Fergie Jenkins
Roberto Fajardo
Dave Lemanczyk
Howard Wallace

Bullpen

Mike Willis (c)
Steve Hargan
Jim Clancy
Dennis DeBarr
Mike Parrott
Tom Bruno

C - Alan Ashby, Phil Roof
1B - Mike Ivie, Doug Ault
2B - Steve Dillard, Pedro Garcia
3B - Doug DeCinces
SS - Hector Torres
LF - Al Woods
CF - Gary Woods, Bob Bailor
RF - Oscar Gamble
OF - Steve Bowling
DH - Ron Fairly

rpriske · 10-28-2012, 04:35 PM

The biggest disappointment of the spring was Kiko Garcia. The Jays knew he was a fielding-first shortstop, but an OPS of under .300 was a little bit too no-hit. He will be starting the season in AAA.

Another offseason pick-up was Larry Anderson who had a spring training ERA of around 12 and he has been placed on waivers and DFA.

MacIsaacM · 10-28-2012, 08:17 PM

Well, I would certainly expect the first few seasons to be quite rough, but I'm looking forward to it!

rpriske · 10-28-2012, 09:09 PM

Not only is someone reading, but it is someone from my hometown!

I hope you enjoy it!

rpriske · 10-29-2012, 06:09 AM

With Opening Day upon us, the first one for the Blue Jays, let's check out the prospect reports!

The Jays have the 22nd best system, out of 26... not good. Our top prospect in Vincent O'Duane, a AA 1B.

We have no pitchers ranked in the top 100.

The team power ranking has us 13th. I have no idea why.

rpriske · 10-29-2012, 07:32 AM

My owner's expectation: a .500 season

My expectation: an unhappy owner

rpriske · 10-30-2012, 06:08 AM

April 7, 1977

The expansion Toronto Blue Jays are unable to start their existence off on a happy note as they drop their first game to the Chicago White Sox by a score of 6-5. They started strong as the first hit and first homerun of the franchise were by Ron Fairly, who got them off to a 1-0 lead. They eventually stretched that to 3-0 before the White Sox came back.

Oscar Gamble also got 2 solo homeruns while every Jay starter got at least one hit.

Reliever Jim Clancy (0-1) got the loss despite giving up 0 earned runs as his own error proved costly.

Steve Stone (1-0) got the win for Chicago as Lerrin LaGrow picked up the save.

rpriske · 10-30-2012, 11:04 AM

Blue Jays 'Firsts' (Real life in brackets)

1st

Pitcher - Pete Vuckovich (Bill Singer)
Batter - Al Woods (John Scott)
Hit - Ron Fairly (Doug Ault)
Homerun - Ron Fairly (Doug Ault)

Co-incidentally, both Fairly and Ault were hitting 3rd in the 1st inning with 2 out and hit a solo shot.

Win - Fergie Jenkins (Jerry Johnson)
Loss - Jim Clancy (Dave Lemanczyk)
Save - Jim Clancy (Pete Vuckovich)

Looking at the real life players who made their mark, and where they are for me...

Bill Singer started the season on the DL. I project him as a reliever, rather than a starter.
John Scott started the season in AAA.
Doug Ault is on the team and will get his appearances but the waiver pick-up of Mike Ivie pushed him out of the opening day starting line-up.
Jerry Johnson was claimed on waivers by the New York Mets.
Dave Lemanczyk is in the rotation. I think he is set to start game 3, if I recall correctly.

It is also interesting to note that the real Jays turned Pete Vuckovich into their closer while for me he was my opening day starter.

Jim Clancy getting the first Blue Jays loss is something, considering he walked out of the game with a 0.00 ERA. It is his own fault, though, as he botched a two-out groundball that opened the door to 3 runs by the White Sox.

rpriske · 10-31-2012, 06:01 AM

April 9th, 1977

The fledgling Toronto Blue Jays are still in search of their first win as they were totalled by the Chicago White Sox today by a score of 12-2. Francisco Barrios (1-0) completely controlled the Jay hitters in his complete game victory while starter Fergie Jenkins (0-1) and reliever Tom Bruno were lit up by White Sox hitting. The only Toronto bright spots came from two solo homeruns by Alan Ashby and Mike Ivie.

They are now 0-2 and are trying to avoid a sweep in their first series as a team.

rpriske · 10-31-2012, 06:59 PM

April 10th, 1977

The first series for the Blue Jays ends in a sweep by the Chicago White Sox as they beat the Jays 12-0.

The real story of this game was Robert Fajardo, a 32 year old with no major league experience who impressed Priske and Hartsfield enough in spring training to get a spot in the rotation. In his first major league start, Fajardo lasted 1.1 innings, giving up 8 runs (6 earned) while walking 5.

That doesn't sound like a major league pitcher. There is already talk about moving Jim Clancy into the rotation and turning Fajardo into a long reliever.

rpriske · 10-31-2012, 07:02 PM

The first weekly power rankings came out. The Jays are where they are expected to be. 26th.

George Foster of the Reds and Ron Jackson of the Angels are the players of the week.

10-06-2012, 11:00 AM	#1
rpriske Hall Of Famer Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Spencerville, ON, Canada Posts: 23,972 Blog Entries: 1	Expansion Jays! I am just starting a new 'dynasty' that I will blog here. 1977 Toronto Blue Jays! Just starting... lots more to come!

10-17-2012, 08:45 AM	#5
rpriske Hall Of Famer Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Spencerville, ON, Canada Posts: 23,972 Blog Entries: 1	What has spring training taught me thus far? This is going to be a looooooong season... Last edited by rpriske; 10-23-2012 at 11:04 AM.

10-23-2012, 11:03 AM	#8
rpriske Hall Of Famer Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Spencerville, ON, Canada Posts: 23,972 Blog Entries: 1	No such luck on Jerry Johnson as he was claimed by the New York Mets. Last edited by rpriske; 10-26-2012 at 11:23 AM.

10-23-2012, 10:58 PM	#9
rpriske Hall Of Famer Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Spencerville, ON, Canada Posts: 23,972 Blog Entries: 1	March 22nd, 1977: Second Round of Cuts (incidently, my 9th birthday...) Sent to AAA Cornwall: 28 yo SP Jesse Jefferson 28 yo MR Mike Barlow 20 yo MR Jeff Byrd 29 yo 2B Carlos Hernandez 25 yo CF John Scott Last edited by rpriske; 10-24-2012 at 01:17 PM.

10-29-2012, 06:09 AM	#14
rpriske Hall Of Famer Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Spencerville, ON, Canada Posts: 23,972 Blog Entries: 1	With Opening Day upon us, the first one for the Blue Jays, let's check out the prospect reports! The Jays have the 22nd best system, out of 26... not good. Our top prospect in Vincent O'Duane, a AA 1B. We have no pitchers ranked in the top 100. The team power ranking has us 13th. I have no idea why. Last edited by rpriske; 10-29-2012 at 01:37 PM.

10-06-2012, 04:14 PM	#2
rpriske Hall Of Famer Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Spencerville, ON, Canada Posts: 23,972 Blog Entries: 1	With the newly installed 'Trader Rusty' at the helm, there was a bustle of activity to kick off the new team. The Blue Jays made three trades in January, 1977. TO CALIFORNIA ANGELS Rick Cerone, Mike Darr, Otto Velez TO BLUE JAYS Gary Ross, Mike Barlow The media and fans were stunned with this one. Velez was one of the most popular players on the fledgling team. Ross was a nice boost to the rotation but... There was still another shoe to drop. But first... TO BALTIMORE ORIOLES Jerry Garvin, Al Carlson TO BLUE JAYS Kiko Garcia, Mike Parrott, Doug DeCinces Losing Garvin stung but the way the left side of the infield was starting to look made things a little brighter in Toronto... and the fans were thrilled about Kiko! Then, the rest of the Ross trade as Gary Ross became known as the '9-Day Blue Jay'. TO CHICAGO WHITE SOX Gary Ross, Steve Staggs TO BLUE JAYS Oscar Gamble, Larry Anderson The Jays offense has a new cornerstone... with awesome hair!

10-15-2012, 11:05 AM	#3
rpriske Hall Of Famer Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Spencerville, ON, Canada Posts: 23,972 Blog Entries: 1	Away for a week... I put in a waiver claim on Juan Castaneda from the Dodgers but lost it to the Pirates. The next day THEY put him on waivers and this time my claim was more successful.

10-15-2012, 10:37 PM	#4
rpriske Hall Of Famer Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Spencerville, ON, Canada Posts: 23,972 Blog Entries: 1	Heading into Spring Training we made another trade and another waiver claim. TRADE To BOS: Lee Perry, Sam Ewing, Ryan Clarke To TOR: Fergie Jenkins, Steve Dillard Waiver claim: Mike Ivie from SD Making a deal for Jenkins is all about marketing. He is a solid pitcher and helps sell the American Past time in Canada.

10-18-2012, 08:56 AM	#6
rpriske Hall Of Famer Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Spencerville, ON, Canada Posts: 23,972 Blog Entries: 1	The spring training predictions have the first year Blue Jays as the worst team in all of baseball and finishing with a 59-103 record! I guess I have something to shoot for!

10-21-2012, 05:55 PM	#7
rpriske Hall Of Famer Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Spencerville, ON, Canada Posts: 23,972 Blog Entries: 1	March 15th: the first round of spring training cuts. Sent to AAA Cornwall Pitbulls: 34 yo MR Chuck Hartenstein 26 yo CL Juan Castaneda 24 yo C Ernie Whitt 21 yo MI Dale Ryan Placed on Waivers 33 yo MR Jerry Johnson We hope for great things from Castaneda, Whitt and Ryan... just not yet. My hopes are less high for the two 30-something MRs, but I do think (and hope) Johnson will clear waivers so we can stash him at AAA.

10-28-2012, 03:24 PM	#10
rpriske Hall Of Famer Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Spencerville, ON, Canada Posts: 23,972 Blog Entries: 1	1977 Opening Day Lineup Rotation Pete Vuckovich Fergie Jenkins Roberto Fajardo Dave Lemanczyk Howard Wallace Bullpen Mike Willis (c) Steve Hargan Jim Clancy Dennis DeBarr Mike Parrott Tom Bruno C - Alan Ashby, Phil Roof 1B - Mike Ivie, Doug Ault 2B - Steve Dillard, Pedro Garcia 3B - Doug DeCinces SS - Hector Torres LF - Al Woods CF - Gary Woods, Bob Bailor RF - Oscar Gamble OF - Steve Bowling DH - Ron Fairly

10-28-2012, 04:35 PM	#11
rpriske Hall Of Famer Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Spencerville, ON, Canada Posts: 23,972 Blog Entries: 1	The biggest disappointment of the spring was Kiko Garcia. The Jays knew he was a fielding-first shortstop, but an OPS of under .300 was a little bit too no-hit. He will be starting the season in AAA. Another offseason pick-up was Larry Anderson who had a spring training ERA of around 12 and he has been placed on waivers and DFA.

10-28-2012, 08:17 PM	#12
MacIsaacM Minors (Double A) Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Victoria, BC, Canada Posts: 110	Well, I would certainly expect the first few seasons to be quite rough, but I'm looking forward to it!

10-28-2012, 09:09 PM	#13
rpriske Hall Of Famer Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Spencerville, ON, Canada Posts: 23,972 Blog Entries: 1	Not only is someone reading, but it is someone from my hometown! I hope you enjoy it!

10-29-2012, 07:32 AM	#15
rpriske Hall Of Famer Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Spencerville, ON, Canada Posts: 23,972 Blog Entries: 1	My owner's expectation: a .500 season My expectation: an unhappy owner

10-30-2012, 06:08 AM	#16
rpriske Hall Of Famer Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Spencerville, ON, Canada Posts: 23,972 Blog Entries: 1	April 7, 1977 The expansion Toronto Blue Jays are unable to start their existence off on a happy note as they drop their first game to the Chicago White Sox by a score of 6-5. They started strong as the first hit and first homerun of the franchise were by Ron Fairly, who got them off to a 1-0 lead. They eventually stretched that to 3-0 before the White Sox came back. Oscar Gamble also got 2 solo homeruns while every Jay starter got at least one hit. Reliever Jim Clancy (0-1) got the loss despite giving up 0 earned runs as his own error proved costly. Steve Stone (1-0) got the win for Chicago as Lerrin LaGrow picked up the save. Last edited by rpriske; 10-30-2012 at 09:08 AM.

10-30-2012, 11:04 AM	#17
rpriske Hall Of Famer Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Spencerville, ON, Canada Posts: 23,972 Blog Entries: 1	Blue Jays 'Firsts' (Real life in brackets) 1st Pitcher - Pete Vuckovich (Bill Singer) Batter - Al Woods (John Scott) Hit - Ron Fairly (Doug Ault) Homerun - Ron Fairly (Doug Ault) Co-incidentally, both Fairly and Ault were hitting 3rd in the 1st inning with 2 out and hit a solo shot. Win - Fergie Jenkins (Jerry Johnson) Loss - Jim Clancy (Dave Lemanczyk) Save - Jim Clancy (Pete Vuckovich) Looking at the real life players who made their mark, and where they are for me... Bill Singer started the season on the DL. I project him as a reliever, rather than a starter. John Scott started the season in AAA. Doug Ault is on the team and will get his appearances but the waiver pick-up of Mike Ivie pushed him out of the opening day starting line-up. Jerry Johnson was claimed on waivers by the New York Mets. Dave Lemanczyk is in the rotation. I think he is set to start game 3, if I recall correctly. It is also interesting to note that the real Jays turned Pete Vuckovich into their closer while for me he was my opening day starter. Jim Clancy getting the first Blue Jays loss is something, considering he walked out of the game with a 0.00 ERA. It is his own fault, though, as he botched a two-out groundball that opened the door to 3 runs by the White Sox. Last edited by rpriske; 11-04-2012 at 01:39 AM.

10-31-2012, 06:01 AM	#18
rpriske Hall Of Famer Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Spencerville, ON, Canada Posts: 23,972 Blog Entries: 1	April 9th, 1977 The fledgling Toronto Blue Jays are still in search of their first win as they were totalled by the Chicago White Sox today by a score of 12-2. Francisco Barrios (1-0) completely controlled the Jay hitters in his complete game victory while starter Fergie Jenkins (0-1) and reliever Tom Bruno were lit up by White Sox hitting. The only Toronto bright spots came from two solo homeruns by Alan Ashby and Mike Ivie. They are now 0-2 and are trying to avoid a sweep in their first series as a team. Last edited by rpriske; 10-31-2012 at 09:17 AM.

10-31-2012, 06:59 PM	#19
rpriske Hall Of Famer Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Spencerville, ON, Canada Posts: 23,972 Blog Entries: 1	April 10th, 1977 The first series for the Blue Jays ends in a sweep by the Chicago White Sox as they beat the Jays 12-0. The real story of this game was Robert Fajardo, a 32 year old with no major league experience who impressed Priske and Hartsfield enough in spring training to get a spot in the rotation. In his first major league start, Fajardo lasted 1.1 innings, giving up 8 runs (6 earned) while walking 5. That doesn't sound like a major league pitcher. There is already talk about moving Jim Clancy into the rotation and turning Fajardo into a long reliever.

10-31-2012, 07:02 PM	#20
rpriske Hall Of Famer Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Spencerville, ON, Canada Posts: 23,972 Blog Entries: 1	The first weekly power rankings came out. The Jays are where they are expected to be. 26th. George Foster of the Reds and Ron Jackson of the Angels are the players of the week.