Blue Jays rising in the East?
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Apr 21, 2009 
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Pretty good stat by Fox’s Ken Rosenthal: The Blue Jays are 61-41 since Cito Gaston took over last June 20. Only the Angels and Cubs have been better. Meanwhile the great Roy Halladay pitches today.
We saw the Jays a lot in spring training and I thought they would be brutal. But that does not seem to be the case. Just what the AL East needed, another good team.
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Several e-mailers have mentioned this today: Prices on StubHub.com are dropping. If you’re looking for tickets, that may be your answer.
You have to wonder how many people purchased expensive season tickets thinking they could sell off the ones they didn’t want. Now they’re scrambling to get 50 cents on the dollar. That could explain the good deals out there.
really – can they start realigning the teams? Toronto –> Central?? j/k, of course…
Why are the Blue Jays doing so well?
maybe it’s because they don’t play another AL East club until May 1st. (then they play out of the AL East for another 7 games!)
Out of the first 34 games – only 3 are against an AL East club.
The first time they play the Rays all year? June 29th…. ridiculous.
Maybe the Yankees should hire seat fillers for those rich people seats.
That way it looks like they are in high demand and doesn’t look so awful on TV.
I’ve been buying my tickets from Stub Hub the past several seasons, once it became impossible to buy decent tickets direct from the Yankees. There is an additional charge, sure, but you can get a seat to any part of the ballpark you want, and if you’re like me and only go to 4-5 games a year and don’t know which dates are good until it’s almost too late, going through Stub Hub is well worth it.
I have been looking at several Yankees dates in May & June & I also have noticed the ticket prices on Stub Hub lowering recently. The Yankees severely underestimated the effect the economy would have on ticket prices, and now those unfortunate people who bought their season tickets at the Yankees’ prices are trying to recoup some of their (humongous) investment any way they can. It’s pricing supply & demand at work, and guys like me benefit from it.
Yes Toronto certainly had the scheduling gods are their side early on. That 2nd half is going to be brutal for them though.
As far as the StubHub prices, as a season ticket holder I can attest to the fact that prices are certainly dropping. But they were doing the same thing at this time last year. I couldn’t get rid of weekday April games for any amount of money last year and by the time June hit I was selling $20 tickets for $150 regardless of the team. Some of that had to do with the last year of Yankee Stadium but the fact remains that more people go to games in the summer. Weather, pennant races, no school. No time to panic just yet.
I bought my tickets for the game tonight a few weeks ago. Prices are already $20 less for the seats I’m in, lol.
I bought via e-bay, but Stubhub prices were similar at the time.
Mo (NYC): Can Phil Hughes possibly live up to the hype that once surrounded him or was that a case of the NY Media Monster building a guy up that probably didn’t merit it?
Rob Neyer: (12:37 PM ET ) Nah, he was a legitimately outstanding prospect … but he *was* a pitcher, and you know what so often happens to outstanding pitching prospects. I do think he’ll have some good seasons. Don’t know if it’ll be w/Yankees, though.
From previous thread
*to see my photos from Opening Day click on my name*
“Wang’s wife is due in June.
I hypothisized earlier that it could be a weight on his mind.
I just see a lack of concentration or more likely an inability to devote the needed concentration.”
I also hypothesized that possibility in an earlier thread. Can we know for sure? No. But it may be adding to whatever his woes are. Just as a general thought, people tend to forget that ballplayers are human and run the panoply of emotions the way the rest of we humans do. Paul O’Neill played in the world series the night his dad died. Bernie Williams had to go on leave when his dad was ill because he couldn’t deal with the emotion of it.
We’re all different, but emotions get to people in different ways. Wang seems to be an extremely sensitive sort.
About the Jays: May they continue to thrive since I have several of them on my Fantasy team!
Man Pete must hate my posts. Everytime I post something more than 1 paragraph he creates a new blog entry. lol.
Blegh – I just checked stubhub again. The seats I’m in tonight are now going at 35% of what I paid for them! (they’re selling at ~40% of face value).
Trisha:
Thats my biggest pet peeve about fantasy. Especially when I watch the games with my yankee fan friends who are simultaneously rooting for the other team. Like Grady the other day.
Ughh infuriating! lol/
trisha, the link to your photos isn’t working for me.
Despite the Blue Jays hot start, I still think they will finish last in the AL east. The Padres will also finish last IMO.
I am starting to believe in the Marlins and Mariners. When the season started I said that I could see any of the teams in the NL east (minus the Nationals) finishing in any of the top 4 spots. I could definitely see the marlins win the division. The Mariners have a shot to contend with Bedard, King Felix and great defense but I don’t think they will make the playoffs.
Prior to about 2003, I used to snag great Saturday or Sunday seats on Ticketmaster by searching after 9-10 AM on gameday. 8 rows behind home plate, 11 rows behind the Yankee dugout, etc. Paid between $85 and $115 per seat, which I thought was well worth it, even for a couple saving up to buy their first house. We used to leave some weekend days open specifically for a last-minute sprint to the Stadium.
Where have you gone, fair pricing schemes? I went to Sunday’s game with my wife and my son, purchasing tickets at about a 15% premium for lower Terrace seating, and that’s gonna do it for us for the year. I think I’ll visit Scranton and Trenton a couple times, though. Much better value. I’ll stick to watching my beloved Bombers on YES.
DT
“Why are the Blue Jays doing so well?
maybe it’s because they don’t play another AL East club until May 1st. (then they play out of the AL East for another 7 games!)
Out of the first 34 games – only 3 are against an AL East club.
The first time they play the Rays all year? June 29th…. ridiculous.”
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DT, what they have accomplished so far, regardless of who they have played, is amazing. They haven’t spent half of the money the Yankees have spent, and are basically throwing out rookies in their starting pitching (with the exception of the great Roy Halladay).
Now while I say that, I will be surprised if they continue to play like this down the stretch. Their starting pitching is just entirely too young to make it down the stretch. I guess if their offense continues to be this hot there is always that chance they can stay contention.
hey Trisha, I forgot about that. You could be on to something there.
Typically, the closer you get to the date of a game, the better the chance that Yankee ticket prices will drop, as the owner of the ticket wants to sell it. It can make a big difference, but you need a cool head and some quiet time to check out the various tickets online.
Saucy – I’m working on getting it fixed.
Sorry.
Blue Jays are playing well, but so do the Orioles every year to start. Halladay is tremendous, Lind is finally showing his skill and that kid Snider will be a stud hitter. But Scutaro and Aaron Hill are off the charts so far, Romero is pitching well and contributions all going perfectly for them. With no McGowan, AJ Burnett and Marcum that will be tough. Plus a healthy Rolen for a full year is difficult to expect. A much better team that I expected for sure, but could see them slide away quite quickly. And again I will say the Rays are good, but not sure they will be that great this year. No way all their pitchers have years like last year and remain healthy and guys like Navarro had career years. They were poor with RISP, but got all the hits when they needed last year. Might be wrong, but think it will be back to Sox Yanks by the end of the year again. Trading Edwin Jackson for Joyce was also a poor move. Jackson is wild, but losing another arm like his is the opposite type of Garza for Delmon Young move. Always take the pitching.
That’s an odd comment from Rob. I guess he’s expecting Phil to be traded, but I’d be shocked. Also, I think Phil is going to suprise a lot of experts who have already predicted his demise as a top of the rotation starter.
The Jays concern me because they have pitching and they can hit (I’m surprised this is the case). I don’t think they’ll be going away anytime soon. Halladay is practically a given W and that kid, Romero, looks like he’s very good.
the blue jays are crap. they won’t finish above .500. It’s april 21st people. they are playing way above their heads right now, especially on offense. it won’t last. the one good thing about baseball season being so long, 162 games, is that the teams who should be there in the end always are. the pretenders will fade away at some point. 2009 will be no different.
I can confirm the Stub Hub thing. I got two tickets in 132 for tonight for $35 each. 132 are $90 seats. I got two tickets for less than the price of one.
Yeah, cause April says everything about a team for the year. Why even play past April, Pete. You already know the Blue Jays are going to take it all. Good reporting there, chief. Keep up the good work. Ohlendorf being the next cy young and Blue Jays taking the pennant…. you got it down pact. You should move on to ESPN and leave this two bit paper behind.
I look forward to the Swarovski and Louis Vuitton billboards that are going up next month in the outfield. Finally, a baseball team and stadium worthy of coverage on New York Social Diary.
Just hoping I have time to come in from the Hamptons every now and then to sample the prosciutto di parma insalata and grappa that is to be served in my section of seats.
Stub hub selling field level for as low as 20 bucks a ticket….crazy…wishing i was within 3 hours driving distance
Wow there are deals all over the place on StubHub.
I just purchased 2 seats for tonight’s game in section 224 (main dugout) 8th row for $45/each.
That’s highway robbery. Those tickets are $150 each on the Yankees site.
Merry Christmas to me!
Mets making an autograph wall – good for them.
Brett Gardner article:
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/.....id=4084009
Has anyone looked for say a saturday in June game??
are those going cheap too?
Jays always find their way to a mid 80s win total… don’t see it being any different this year.
A lot of their young pitchers have stepped up and their hitters are returning to form.
Uncle Ellsworth, I keep checking for 6/6 against the Rays, and cheapest are with the Bleacher Creatures for $30.
Meryl you only get deals like this at the last minute.
No way are people going to discount their tix that far in advance.
This is what I was thinking would happen. I try and buy most of my tix the day of the game (except Red Sox, Mets, etc.)
This year especially, I’ll hopefully be going to 2-3 games for the price of one.
So prices a dropping drastically for tonights game?
questionalble weather-not a great team. Get me under face value for a Game in June – I’ll be impressed
I’m actually quite pleased with my tickets for tonight, bought on Thursday. I just hope it doesnt rain…
Would late next month be considered the last minute for 6/6?
“I look forward to the Swarovski and Louis Vuitton billboards that are going up next month in the outfield. Finally, a baseball team and stadium worthy of coverage on New York Social Diary.
Just hoping I have time to come in from the Hamptons every now and then to sample the prosciutto di parma insalata and grappa that is to be served in my section of seats.”
Cut the class warfare BS. You just make a fool of yourself.
For the record, prosciutto ain’t terribly expensive, and grappa sucks. If I wanted to drink perfume, I’d make sure it wasn’t made from the dregs of wine-making (stems, leaves, and thrice-pressed grapes), lol.
I never used Stub Hub before to purchase my tickets. I always turned off on how much higher the prices were. Now that I am reading deals can be found, can anyone give me some tips on how to score some really good seats for below face value? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!
“Cut the class warfare BS. You just make a fool of yourself.
For the record, prosciutto ain’t terribly expensive, and grappa sucks. If I wanted to drink perfume, I’d make sure it wasn’t made from the dregs of wine-making (stems, leaves, and thrice-pressed grapes), lol.”
Lovey, nachos are not terribly expensive, and those cost what? And, the $12 popcorn troughs?
Thanks for playing, fool.
So, in other words, the Jays might be rising because they had a really good 2nd half last year and are off to a nice start the first two weeks of the season.
Know who else had an excellent 2nd half last year? the Houston Astros. ‘Nuff said!
Weekday games before memorial day can always be had for a bargain. Even last year. Maybe the bargains look bigger this year because people are willing to pay the same $$s for a seat as last year, even though face is much higher.
If weekday tickets are selling at 35% in June and beyond, that will be a real issue.
DJ Mitchell pitched another great game despite the score. 6 innings, 7 hits, 4 runs, 1 earned run, 1 walk (his first of the year), 8 strikeouts.
Savannah scored 3 unearned runs in the 5th inning. Mitchell gave up a single leading off. The next pitch was a taylor made DP around the horn, except Lassiter’s throw from third to second was ruled an error on Lassiter, but, I thought that adams crossed the bag before he caught the ball. He was definately in the wrong neighborhood. No outs recorded. Mitchell got a fly ball to short left field and then struck out the next batter for the second out. He then walked his first batter of the year before giving up a 3 run double into the left field corner. after that, Corey Arbiso came in and just ate up 5 batters with sliders and fastballs on the hands.
Pat Venditte came in with 2 outs in the bottom of the 8th. Pitching left handed, his first pitch was a well placed 83 MPH fastball. After that, it was 4 straight sharp breaking sliders for a strike out.
In the 9th, pitching right handed, first batter was 2 92 MPH fastballs and a grounder on a change-up. The second batter struck out on a 93 MPH fastball. He struck out the last batter on three straight fastballs, all at 91 MPH. The last two batters were right handed batters.
Another save this year (4th straight) to go with 23 straight last year.
That’s 5 games, 4 saves, 7.1 innings, 3 hits, 0 walks and 11 strikeouts.
Venditte’s name is pronounced (Ven-Ditty)
The offense was ok. Carmen angelini was 0-3 with a sac fly and a walk. No strikeouts or errors today. He did screw up on the bases when he doubled off on a bunt pop-up, though.
Honest Abe Almonte had another good day with a 2-4 with 2 runs scored and a double.
Melky Mesa had a good day going 1-3 with a sac fly and RBI single.
Catcher Chase Weems was 2-4 with an RBI and looking a lot better defensively and with the bat.
Lassister was 1-3 with an RBI.
The play of the game besides Almonte’s continued solid defense was a rocket throw by Taylor Grote from left field to nail the potential tying run at home in the bottom of the 6th to end the inning.
I’m still trying to find out why the game started at 10:35 this morning, unless it’s because Savannah has a long bus ride. Weather was still a bit cool and looked like rain, so I couldn’t update from Grayson Stadium here in Savannah.
Charleston won the game, 5-4.
The reason Tornto is winning is because they play great defense and they are hitting the ball really well right now. Their pitching has been good too, but the bullpen has been a bit shaky. Cito Gaston is a very good manager and he will win there. I predicted the Yanks would come in 1st, Rays 2nd & Toronto 3rd back in January. Yes Boston 4th. I believe it has a good shot still. I also said I thought the Yanks would struggle the 1st half until AS break but that has been typical for years now. I wish I had more confidence in Girardi! I don’t!
I just got a pair of terrace seats to the 6/5 game against the Rays from ticketmaster for $22 a piece. There’s plenty of cheap tickets in the building. Not everything is overpriced.
“You have to wonder how many people purchased expensive season tickets thinking they could sell off the ones they didn’t want. Now they’re scrambling to get 50 cents on the dollar. That could explain the good deals out there.”
BwahhhhHAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!! I’ll take those seats off of their hands for pennies on the dollar! Good luck Richies selling off those over priced seats. Those are the same people who bought Humvees to impress the neighbors, and wound up with a gas guzzling ton of scrap metal, to park in front of their de-valued Mcmansions. OH, I love the smell of come uppance! Breathe it in! Whooo!
Just a note: In the past 20 years, only two managers have won back to back Championships, Joe Torre…and Cito Gaston.
Wow, tickets on TicketStumbler.com are going for 50% below face. Razorgator has some pretty good deals as well.