Editor’s note: As always, please remember that the views of Jack Douglas do not reflect those of Blue Toro or anyone affiliated with this website.

Hey Toronto!  How’s it hanging?  Hope you’re enjoying the long weekend, whether you’re going up to the cottage, on a road trip or just getting wasted somewhere.

I’m gonna have to go for option three, especially after another bullshit performance by the Jays last night.  Those guys are killing me right now.  If they’re not careful, they’re gonna start losing fans, like Stefanie below.  Then I’ll really be pissed off:

With legs like those, maybe Stefanie should be trying to motivate the Jays to play better.  If she can’t get them to pay attention, no one can.  Make sure you follow her on Twitter @SteffPellegrino.

Photo credits: steffpellegrino - Instagram

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• By Jack Douglas
• August 3, 2013
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Editor’s note: As always, please remember that the views of Jack Douglas do not reflect those of Blue Toro or anyone affiliated with this website.

Whassup Toronto!  Guys, you’re gonna love this week’s top sports fans.  She’s a right beauty.  Meet Blue Jays fan Lauren Miller, who’s from Toronto and spends a lot of time in the gym, looking after her body.  (Just say the word Lauren, and Jack Douglas will do that for you.) Enjoy:

Yep, Lauren can beat me up anytime, but she’s gonna have to move her hands to do it.  Make sure you follow her on Instagram at laurenmiller24 to avoid getting your ass kicked as well.

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• By Jack Douglas
• July 26, 2013
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Say what you want about the Blue Jays performances on the field, but the season can be a mental grind, with hardly any free time to yourself.  As such, the players deserve credit for taking time out from their busy schedule, to go to Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital.

Here’s some photos from their visit earlier today:

1) THE PLAYERS ARRIVE

Josh Thole and Brett Cecil are greeted outside the hospital by some of the staff and one of the children.  Meanwhile, Todd Redmond appears to be eyeing up that wheelchair. (Better put your key lock on kid, just to be on the safe side.)

2) JAYS MASCOT ACE

Unfortunately, the only downside of public events involving the Blue Jays, is the inevitability of that narcissistic egomaniac ACE the mascot showing up.  However, I’ll let him off just this once, seeing as it’s for a good cause.

3) BRETT CECIL

This is most probably my favourite picture, as Cecil shares a tender moment with one of the younger patients. (Apologies for showing my softer side.  I’ll try not to let it happen again.)

4) COLBY RASMUS PLAYS WHEELCHAIR SPORTS

Colby Rasmus, seen here posing with one of the patients, decided to pit his wits against the children in some wheelchairs sports games, including an obstacle course.

5) A SUCCESSFUL DAY

Finally, kudos go to the players wives, who also showed up to help.  Overall, the days was a success and the children enjoyed themselves, which is what really counts.

Holland Bloorview is Canada’s largest children’s rehabilitation hospital, helping kids with disabilities.  You can follow them on Twitter @BloorviewPR and click here if you’d like to learn more about what they do.

If you have any tips or information about any of Toronto’s sports teams, please email me at [email protected]

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• By English Paul
• July 25, 2013
• Comment

So there you have it.  Rogers have unveiled their Ted Rogers statue outside the Skydome.  I’m not sure what they are expecting us to think or feel, but personally speaking, I find the whole thing to be a big joke.

I must stress, I don’t care either way about the actual decision to commemorate a statue in honour of the late former president and CEO of Rogers Communications.  No, my issue is with where they decided to place the statue, regardless of if they own the land or not.

Yes, I understand that Rogers buying the Blue Jays and then the stadium probably secured the long-term future of baseball in Toronto, and I appreciate that.  However, commemorating someone outside a sports stadium usually tells me that person did something to contribute to the success of the team. (e.g. Michael Jordan, Wayne Gretzky and Cal Ripken Jr.)

Last time I checked, the Jays haven’t exactly done much on the field since Rogers became 80% owners of the team in 2000. (They took over full ownership in 2003.)  They’ve not made the postseason, they’ve had one second-place finish and have averaged 80 wins.

To me, that sounds like the very definition of average, mediocre even, and certainly not deserving of a statue outside a sports stadium.  Geez, Rogers have only owned the team for a third of their existence.

On top of all this, their biggest legacy to date is renaming the stadium ’Rogers Centre’ to satisfy the ego of their owner. Could they not have at least compromised and called it something like the Rogers Skydome?

So yes, call me a miserable git if you like, but I’m going to take a wild swing, a la the Jays bats of late, and guess that I’m not the only one who finds the unveiling of this Ted Rogers statue outside the SKYDOME to be a huge insult to Blue Jays fans.

Photo credit: @Rogers_Centre

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• By English Paul
• July 23, 2013
• Comment

I suppose we shouldn’t be too surprised in light of recent events, but the Blue Jays J.P. Arencibia is leaving Twitter, as per these messages he posted a short while ago:

Of course, we can argue all day about how much of the blame should be apportioned to the media, the fans and Arencibia himself.  However, what I do know is that this move proves the Jays catcher is a sensitive guy, and you can’t hold that against him.

Sometimes, the media and fans need to remember that baseball is just meant to be fun, a bit of escapism from the real world.  And yes, I realise the media will say it’s their job, but, it’s a hell of a lot more fun than most careers and sometimes they need to realise this.  I must stress though, I’m not taking sides, as I would convey this message just as much to Arencibia and the rest of the players.

Unfortunately, this whole incident reminds me of what a lecturer once told me, that sport often reflects society.  In that respect, maybe it’s time we all took a step back to evaluate what’s really important to us.

Photo credit: @Jeessicaa_s

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• By English Paul
• July 23, 2013
• Comment

Call it being in denial, but even as the losses mounted, I still managed to convince myself that somehow, someway, the Blue Jays would be contending for a post-season spot come September.  Unfortunately, after last night’s 14-5 ass-kicking by the Dodgers, even I’ve finally woken up and realised they’re not ending their 20-year playoff drought this season.

Josh Johnson was brutal yet again, giving up 7 hits and 5 runs in just two innings.  And to think at one point there were concerns about competing for his services after this season.  (Now, the former Marlins pitcher will be lucky if even the Jays offer him a contract!)

But it’s not just Johnson. The whole team is a mess at the moment.  Yes, maybe it’s true that, as Mark Buehrle said, the Jays were overrated, but no one expected them to be this bad.

However, I’ll leave it to everyone’s favourite Canadian, Brett Lawrie, to sum up the season. (If you’re lip-reading skills aren’t up to scratch, scroll down for the answer.)

“Always f***ing something.”  Couldn’t agree more Brett.

If you have any tips or information about any of Toronto’s sports teams, please email me at [email protected]

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• By English Paul
• July 23, 2013
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Editor’s note: As always, please remember that the views of Jack Douglas do not reflect those of Blue Toro or anyone affiliated with this website.

What’s up Toronto!  With the Blue Jays pissing everyone off by coming out of the All-Star break with two straight defeats, its gonna take more than our sports fan of the week to cheer everyone up.  Let’s just show loads of different hot women dressed in Jays gear instead:

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• By Jack Douglas
• July 20, 2013
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Credit goes to www.bluejayhunter.com for bringing our attention to this, but former Blue Jay Kelly Gruber attended a youth baseball fundraiser in Halifax on Wednesday night.  As you’d expect, there were Jays fans there, including Josh Kogon, who was fortunate enough to have his photo taken with the two-time All-Star:

It’s always good when you get the chance to meet athletes who you followed and idolized while growing up.  However, even cooler than that, Gruber may have given Kogon the best autograph ever:

For the benefit of those who can’t read the baseball, it says: “To Josh: I totally fuckin tagged him. Kelly Gruber 17″.  It, of course, refers to the non-call, which cost the Blue Jays a triple-play during the 1992 World Series.

The controversy took place during the 4th inning, when…………..oh forget it. It’s just easier if I show you instead:

Personally speaking, I don’t buy the various conspiracy theories surrounding baseball’s attempts to stop a team outside the U.S. winning the World Series.  For a start, the Jays repeated as champions the following year, so they can’t have been that bothered.

Also, if MLB was that concerned, why risk it by even expanding into Canada in the first place………………sorry, what’s that?  Oh right, money! Of course, how naïve of me.

(Talking of money, Josh Kogon’s kids must be high-fiving/fist-bumping each other, having already imagined how they are going to spend the money they’ll get from one day selling dad’s newly-acquired prized possession.)

Photo credits: @JoshKogon

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• By English Paul
• July 19, 2013
• Comment

With the MLB trade deadline fast approaching (July 31), contending teams are using the All-Star break to finalise moves to help make that final push during the last two months of the regular season.

Given their current placing, fans may be somewhat surprised to hear the Blue Jays still believe they have a chance to make the postseason.  As if to prove this point, they are currently pursuing Cubs pitcher, Matt Garza.

This is not the first time the Blue Jays have shown an interest, having inquired about the 29-year old last season.  The chances of acquiring Garza on this occasion have been increased by the Cubs reportedly informing the pitcher he will likely be traded, after contract extension talks fell apart.

Along with the Rangers, the Blue Jays are considered the front runners for the services of the former first round draft pick.  However, other teams, including AL East rivals the Orioles and Red Sox, are also in contention.

With an ERA of 1.24 over his last six starts, Garza would likely help a Jays starting rotation, which has been beset by injuries and inconsistencies all year.  Having previously been named MVP of the ALCS in 2008 and with a no-hitter on his resume, Garza has the ability to help turn the Jays season around.

While certain critics believe the Jays should be sellers, this makes sense as a potential short-term solution, with Garza in the final year of his contract.  If he comes to Toronto and does not live up to expectations, there is no long-term commitment to worry about.

However, if the former Minnesota Twin proves to be a success, Alex Anthopoulos can look to negotiate a new deal.  Expect the situation to become clearer in the next few days, with the Cubs eager to make a trade before Garza’s next start.

Photo credit: @RCardenas3

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• By T.O.I.N.S.D.R.
• July 16, 2013
• Comment

Yesterday, my colleague Jack Douglas wrote his regular top Toronto sports fan column which, this week, featured Blue Jays fan Montana Campbell:

Now, you’re most probably wondering why we’re showing the above photo again?  Well, I’m glad you asked.  It’s because the other person in the picture is Megan Rasmus, Colby Rasmus’s better half, and it got me thinking.  (Yes, it does happen every now and again, believe it or not.)

We’ve highlighted a couple of Blue Jays partners in the past (e.g. Jose Bautista and Mark DeRosa). Maybe it’s time to start making this a regular article.  As such, I introduce our new feature: Toronto sports WAG (wives and girlfriends) of the month.

And who better to start off with, than Mrs Rasmus herself, who’s a bit of a cutie.  Apart from the obvious fact she’s Colby’s wife, Megan appears to be the anti-Anna Benson.  In other word’s, she’s not a loose cannon and she seems to have a bit more class about her.

Which is just as well, considering the couple have a young daughter. If a picture speaks a thousand words, then there’s literally thousands of words worth of evidence on Megan’s Twitter account, to suggest she’s a great wife and mother:

Colby must be happy to know that no matter how many times he screws up on the field, he has the love of a good woman.  (It must be love, right?  How else can you explain a person putting up with some of the centre fielder’s crazy hairstyles.)

Photo credits: @MegRasmus

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• By English Paul
• July 13, 2013
• Comment