August 20, 2008
Rich Barbieri John Barten Sal Baxamusa John Beamer Brian Borawski John Brattain Craig Brown Matthew Carruth Derek Carty Alex Eisenberg Mike Fast David Gassko
Brandon Isleib
Chris Jaffe Josh Kalk Chris Neault Dave Studeman Steve Treder Bryan Tsao Tuck! John Walsh And here's the full roster.
Or you can search by:
THT's ToolboxStubHub is where fans buy and sell Yankees Tickets, Red Sox Tickets, White Sox Tickets, Mets Tickets and all other baseball tickets. If you are looking for World Series Tickets, ALCS Tickets or NLCS Tickets, you can find them at StubHub! More hot selling tickets include: Cubs Tickets, Astros Tickets, Dodgers Tickets, Angels Tickets and Detroit Tigers Tickets. Gear up for baseball season with Chicago White Sox tickets and New York Yankees tickets. LA Angels tickets, Houston Astros tickets, and Atlanta Braves tickets are hot sellers! You can get Boston Red Sox tickets, San Diego Padres tickets or Chicago Cubs tickets for your favorite baseball fan. Coast to Coast Tickets has the best MLB tickets like Minnesota Twins tickets, LA Dodgers tickets, Milwaukee Brewers tickets, New York Met tickets and St. Louis Cardinals tickets. 
All content on this site (including text, graphs, and any other original works), unless otherwise noted, is licensed under a
Creative Commons
License.
|
About John Brattain
John Brattain can also be read at Sympatico/MSN Sports (where more likely than not, he'll be complaining about the Toronto Blue Jays) and Baseball Digest Daily where he gives his dementia free rein. John's work has also been featured at About.com, MLBtalk, ESPN Insider, Yankees.com, Replacement Level Yankee Weblog, TOTK.com, Bootleg Sports, Baseball Prospectus, The Baseball Analysts and The Baseball Journals. You can hear him every Wednesday at 4:40 PM EST on ESPN 1450's The Mike Gill Show and Fridays at 5:40 PM on “The Locker Room with Kevin Williams” on Fox Sports Radio 1310AM and 1160 WOBM-AM. He also is a frequent guest on The Jed Donahue Show on WTKT-AM 1460. Choose year: 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 John Brattain's ArticlesNot so fast…August 20, 2008Cliff Lee is having an awesome year but he hasn't won the Cy Young yet... Press-ure tactics…August 16, 2008Public protectors or passionate propagandists? Character referencesAugust 13, 2008Ingrate expectations? Chasing our tails…August 09, 2008J.P. inspires N.U.I. in T.O. we look at his promises and say O.I.C.U.R.M.T. Keeping myself entertained…August 06, 2008Enjoying the rest of the season despite J.P. Ricciardi's efforts to make me miserable The Pujols Awards: JulyAugust 02, 2008Who sizzled, who fizzled and who made us exclaim "Oh piffle!" Buzz spite sneer of snark demandsJuly 30, 2008Well, I'm the guy responsible for dumbing down Canada! National disgraceJuly 23, 2008The game's true villains Baseball’s greatest villainJuly 16, 2008The polls may soon close once and for all as regards this question Well, whoopdee dingle doo…July 12, 2008...it's the MLB All-Star infomercial! Life is pain … and anyone who says differently is selling something.July 09, 2008Clearly the erstwhile Dread Pirate Roberts was a Blue Jays fan. Fun with Baseball ReferenceJuly 02, 2008What BBRef taught me about the back-to-back World Series champion Toronto Blue Jays A conversation with Bill BaerJune 28, 2008A conversation with sabermetrics appreciator and author of "Crashburn Alley" and Baseball Digest Daily writer about Wednesday's article "I was born a ramblin' man." I was born a ramblin’ manJune 25, 2008Ignorance is bliss The Pujols Awards: Weeks 23 and 24June 21, 2008Who leaped like Jordan and who ran like Vista? Let there be blood in the streets…June 18, 2008...around 1 Blue Jay Way. The cost of Bonds issuesJune 14, 2008What a case of Bud could cost in the near future. J.P.OedJune 11, 2008J.P Ricciardi would be well served not to give so much playing time to guys that reek. The Pujols Awards: Week 22June 07, 2008Who basked in the limelight and who asked for a nightlight? Blame it on RiosJune 04, 2008It's time for a little "tough love" for the Jays' young star The Pujols Awards: Week 21May 31, 2008Who took the high road and who took the low road? “The End of Baseball”May 28, 2008A review of the Peter Schilling Jr. novel The Pujols Awards: Week 19 and 20eMay 23, 2008Who were shiny and who were slimy around MLB. Maybe it should be called “mediacrity”…May 21, 2008It's articles like this that gave birth to the blogosphere. Discussing the other (phonetically) type of Pujols…May 16, 2008The Pujols Awards went on the DL this week, so to teach you a lesson about making nominations I'm subjecting you all to another rant! I have a big, opinionated mouth and I'm not afraid to use it. Walking into disasterMay 14, 2008Leave it to the Toronto Blue Jays to find a way to turn an asset into a liability The Pujols Awards: Week 18May 09, 2008Oh, Manny! We have a new award. Bringing up JuniorMay 07, 2008Homeward bound? The Pujols Awards: Week 17May 02, 2008Guess who twinkled and lit up the streets and who just tinkled and wet their sheets? John Gibbons must go…April 30, 2008…and bang his head on the clubhouse walls The Pujols Awards: Week 16April 25, 2008Some can enjoy sweet repose while others simply decompose Frank Thomas’ release could lay a “Big Hurt” on MLB…April 23, 2008Caveat lector ... more on Barry Bonds so don't click the link unless you want to get ticked off The Pujols Awards: Week 15April 18, 2008Name the person who queried Delilah with the following ... "Who cut?" This isn't as random as you may think. Big changes? Big deal!April 16, 2008Oooo those new testing rules will enable the players to give samples by wringing out their shorts. The Pujols Awards: Week 14April 11, 2008Who came out ahead and who just wet the bed See windmill … tilt at windmill … rinse, lather, repeatApril 09, 2008Well, it's time to tick y'all off again The Pujols Awards: Weeks 12 & 13April 04, 2008Two weeks, some streak, others reek Those who do not learn from history…April 02, 2008Is baseball opting for short-term gain in exchange for long-term pain in the case of Barry Lamar Bonds? Five Questions: The Toronto Blue JaysMarch 27, 2008Could the Jays have to wait until November before breaking out the golf clubs? The Pujols Awards: Week 11March 21, 2008Buds, Cubs, Bugs, Duds and flubs Five Questions: The Philadelphia PhilliesMarch 17, 2008Last year they made history—will the Johan Santana trade mean they'll be history? The Pujols Awards: Week 10March 14, 2008This Bud's for who? These Numbers are DisconnectedMarch 12, 2008Man who sits on fence gets kicked from both sides The Pujols Awards: Week 9March 07, 2008Who sped like an F1 and who sucked like an F5 The Loria and short of it…March 05, 2008Guess what? Marlins ownership has ticked me off! (Again) The Pujols Awards: Week 8February 29, 2008Who soared to the highest heights and who just weren't really bright. If you wish to bury Bonds…February 27, 2008...then be upfront about it. The Pujols Awards: Week 7February 22, 2008Who went deep and who dug deep? MLBPA SnafuFebruary 20, 2008Some uncomfortable questions require answers. The Pujols Awards: Week 6February 15, 2008Some do, others blew, find out who Who wants to subsidize a billionaire?February 13, 2008Looking at major league free agency from another point of view Our snarling Clemens timeFebruary 08, 2008It's far too early to put in a guilty verdict The Pujols Awards: Week 5February 06, 2008Who brought it and who rotted over the last week. Grumpy Old Men revisitedFebruary 01, 2008But I still want you off my lawn! The Pujols Awards: Week 4January 30, 2008Who shone like stars and who sucked like black holes. The Pujols Awards: Week 3January 23, 2008What went down and who screwed up. Grumpy old menJanuary 18, 2008Jim Rice and ... (Hey you kids! Get off my lawn!) The Pujols Award: Week 2January 16, 2008This week's Alberts and Luises Striped delightJanuary 11, 2008The Hall of Fame voting highlights that the '80s Tigers get no respect The Pujols Awards: week oneJanuary 09, 2008Time to honor baseball's best and worst of 2007 and 2008 Exorcising the ghosts of 2007…January 04, 2008...and looking ahead to 2008! Buck Weaver lives!December 28, 2007How do we deal with those who knew, and didn't tell? And with Sammy Sosa? IdiologyDecember 21, 2007One thing we learned from the Mitchell report is this: Nobody is looking out for the players. Gutted FishDecember 14, 2007Once again, Marlins fans are paying the price for the greed of MLB. Does VC stand for ‘Validating Cronyism’?December 07, 2007Did the veterans committee have too much Miller before they voted? Cooperstown needs a piece of “The Rock”November 30, 2007The Hall of Fame should let a former king of the Expos start his Raine(s) Alex Rodriguez opts for free agency…November 26, 2007... and he did it after the World Series ended. The 300 ClubNovember 16, 2007And we're not talking pitchers! Getting hormonalNovember 09, 2007Artificial talent meets artificial integrity. Battling BorasNovember 02, 2007What can a team do to defend against the Boras onslaught? Ghosts of World Series pastOctober 26, 2007A look at a baseball oddity, a closely contended World Series that resulted in a sweep: 1950— it just "whizzed" by Sorting through the sewageOctober 19, 2007It's knee deep and it's putrid. Why is the commissioner allowing the Mitchell Investigation to intrude on the Fall Classic? Baseball’s greatest matadorOctober 12, 2007Is Scott Boras throwing the bull, running with the bull, got the bull by the horns or full of ... you know Yost infectionOctober 06, 2007How the Central was lost Will Bonds be Barried in 2008?October 05, 2007Why the market for his services is so thin A September to rememberSeptember 28, 2007There is an epic wrap-up in the NL this year. Who will shed tears of joy and who will shed tears of sorrow? Is it a eulogy? Epilogue? Pathetic whining?September 21, 2007Actually, it's a bit of all three. Writing while dressed in sackcloth and ashes, I look at where it all went wrong for the 2007 Blue Jays. Is this for real?September 14, 2007And I thought I wrote stupid columns. Scream of consciousnessSeptember 07, 2007It's deja 1987 all over again Stockholm syndromeAugust 31, 2007It should be "pedal to the metal" in the City of Brotherly Love Other than a rousing game of limbo…August 24, 2007You'll never see a better example of: "How low can you go?" Not that there’s anything wrong with thatAugust 17, 2007Almost $36 million for a 35-plus-year-old player? Road killAugust 10, 2007Folks love smoking Jays when Toronto comes to town A-Rod traded to Blue Jays for Marcum and McGowan…August 03, 2007Wheeeee, that was a fun deadline Discount da ringzzzzJuly 27, 2007Sometimes winning World Series (plural) isn't enough. The Bible, David, Samson vs. natural selectionJuly 20, 2007"As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly. Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.—Proverbs 26:11-12 Treating BarrynoiaJuly 13, 2007Oh, relax. Bonds' record won't end baseball as we know it. Selig inspiring Fehr …July 06, 2007... to help rewrite the history of MLB's "steroid era" Break out the torches and pitchforksJune 29, 2007I'm going hysterical and heretical Brainwashing by BorasJune 22, 2007Scott Boras is priming baseball and the public for A-Rod's opt-out A More Wretched Hive of Scum and VillainyJune 15, 2007Some days, baseball ownership makes Mos Eisley look like the Garden of Eden. Gary Sheffield’s mouth, I’d like to introduce you to Deep ThroatJune 08, 2007The increased Latin presence in MLB isn't due to control, but cost control Why Dukes’ talent will override decencyJune 01, 2007He’s an African-American with the first name of an old Jewish prophet and a middle and last name close to that of a former Grand Imperial Wizard of the KKK. No wonder Elijah David Dukes is so messed up Rick Ankiel’s ComebackMay 25, 2007Ankiel is learning how to play "Lindell-ball" Autopsy of a Losing SkidMay 18, 2007Between the last two Blue Jays columns Toronto went 5-14. Injuries were only a small part of the problem That loud sucking noiseMay 11, 2007It’s still early in the season for the Jays, but... The War Of The WorldsMay 04, 2007It's gonna take a lot more than what's being done to get performance enhancing drugs out of baseball I’m With Stupid (Again)April 27, 2007With the help of the masochistic Eric Chalek (he's a regular reader—what more proof is needed?) we'll take a look at four more potential Hall of Fame clunkers (plus a surprise!—No Dave I'm not quitting; nice try though). Too Early To WorryApril 20, 2007A spate of early injuries hasn't turned the Blue Jays magic number to 911 just yet Is It The NL/AL Hall of Fame or….April 13, 2007... the baseball Hall of Fame? Let The Games Begin!April 06, 2007It's early and I'm squirrely Mirror MirrorMarch 23, 2007Has MLB become Bizarro World? Five Questions: The Toronto Blue JaysMarch 19, 2007Oh Canada! Or uh-oh Canada? THT's token Canuck looks at the Blue Jays' chances of competing with the Maple Leafs for face time in October. Shea It Ain’t So?March 09, 2007A-Rod A-Met? A-Possibility! Whom Would You Choose? (Again)March 02, 2007This time: Mike Mussina vs. Kevin Brown You Said ItFebruary 24, 2007Readers fire back at Schilling vs. Smoltz Whom Would You Choose?February 17, 2007Two great pitchers, one tough pick Tone DeafFebruary 10, 2007What does baseball have to do with the upcoming Grammys? More Lies, Damned Lies and Statistics—The PitchersJanuary 26, 2007Nine average pitchers—1,910 major league wins...one Hall of Famer More Lies, Damned Lies and StatisticsJanuary 19, 2007Sometimes "average" is pretty darned good Post MortemJanuary 12, 2007Final thoughts on the 2006 Hall of Fame elections Randomly YoursJanuary 05, 2007Hey, what's one more Hall of Fame column? You've read others; now read mine dang it! Secrets Are Not To Be FehredDecember 29, 2006Don Fehr has served the players' financial interests well. But... A Juicy, Jurassic, Jay, and Just Plain Lucky QuartetDecember 22, 2006Part 3 of our 'Baby Pictures' Series The Dice-man ComethDecember 15, 2006Oh no! Not another Daisuke Matsuzaka column! I’m With StupidDecember 08, 2006Who'll be the next Hall of Fame class that will make us say "HUH?" Better To Remain Silent And Be Thought A Fool…December 01, 2006…than to speak and remove all doubt. --Abraham Lincoln Miscellaneous ranting designed to remove any remaining doubts Three Ringed CircusNovember 17, 2006In ring one: The Boston Red Sox; ring two: Daisuke Matsuzaka; ring three: Scott Boras Baby Pictures (Part 2)November 10, 2006Sometimes the ultrasound misses things. Baby PicturesNovember 03, 2006How were some of today's best players viewed back in the day? Credit Where It’s DueOctober 27, 2006I can't believe what I'm about to write ... Oh My God He Killed KennyOctober 20, 2006Verducci being Very-Douchey? Numerical NightmareOctober 13, 2006A-Rod, a-bust a-gain. Will he, should he be a-Yank come April? Root Root Root for…???October 05, 2006No Blue Jays in the postseason again? What to do? How I Stopped Worrying and Learned to Love (well, tolerate anyway) the Wild CardSeptember 29, 2006It's better than brussel sprouts, but it still ain't Buffalo wings and Labatts Blue Slappy Rue HereSeptember 23, 2006Can A-Rod catch A-Break? Not A-Chance. Cy BurghSeptember 22, 2006The American League Cy Young looks to be wrapped up—the NL is still wide open Sifting Through The WreckageSeptember 15, 2006The Red Sox have lost 24 of their last 36...so why on earth haven't the Jays taken second place? It’s Down To This …September 08, 2006A final predictive look at the NL Wild Card race Is Larry Beinfest History’s Greatest Monster?September 01, 2006...and other compelling events from someone who can't seem to stay on one topic for more than 700 words Catching UpAugust 25, 2006Miss me? (Didn't think so.) Daze Of Whine And HosersAugust 11, 2006Since Bud Selig won't do the right thing and cancel the season now that the Jays are out of it.... RAT-A-TAT-TATAugust 04, 2006A stream of consciousness monologue from the over-caffeinated Canadian A Tale Of Three Cities: The Saga Of A-RodJuly 28, 2006In the Bronx this baseball aristocrat has his head in the guillotine of public opinion. NL Contenders and PretendersJuly 21, 2006Let's see if Nostradumbass can predict his way out of a wet paper bag ... or the National League Jay BreakJuly 14, 2006How are the Blue Birds doing in their quest for October? Jose Canary?July 07, 2006Is Jose Canseco MLB's canary-in-a-mineshaft? Is he credible? PhlopJune 30, 2006A Philliebusted in the city of Brotherly Love. Risky BusinessJune 23, 2006A drunken Paris Hilton is positively chaste compared to Detroit politicians Around My Consciousness In 80 LinesJune 16, 2006(... and don’t bother counting the lines.) No(ah) Snit, SherlockJune 09, 2006Once again MLB is going to be all wet May Jay! May Jay!June 02, 2006Blue Jays early season report card. NauseaMay 24, 2006Not for the faint of heart or weak of stomach I Want A New DrugMay 19, 2006Nature abhors a vacuum and I have a void My Boy’s Gonna Play In The Big LeaguesMay 12, 2006Momma's boys Don’t Bury Bonds….May 05, 2006... and let's celebrate Ruth and Aaron Please Stop Hitting The Hot ButtonApril 28, 2006Some days, I think people do things just to tick me off. Say What?April 21, 2006Have you ever wondered what they're really saying when they spout clichés? Michigan And TroubleApril 14, 2006The battle to destroy Tiger Stadium WTF?!April 07, 2006Step aside Abbott and Costello, baseball has got a new comedic duo—Loria and Samson Preparing For A Butt-KickingMarch 31, 2006A sobering dose of reality Five Questions: Toronto Blue JaysMarch 27, 2006Will the Jays fly high, or will clipped wings mean they'll be royally plucked? What About Us?March 17, 2006What does Barry Bonds have to do with our legacy? Apocalypse NowMarch 10, 2006It's not the end of the world—it's far, far worse Hysterical AbstractMarch 03, 2006Pre-WWII weirdness from the sport that does it best Leverage For DummiesFebruary 24, 2006We're dumb, it's fun! Get used to it. Where Are They Now? (Part 2)February 17, 2006A nostalgic look back at the 1994 Expos (the starters and relievers) Where Are They Now?February 10, 2006A nostalgic look back at the 1994 Montreal Expos (Part 1) Are Happy Jays Here Again?February 03, 2006Will 2006 be a year of success or a 1997 repeat for everybody's favorite team? (Well, they should be!) Hatred, Bile and InvectiveJanuary 27, 2006Snark anyone? Big Mac AttackJanuary 20, 2006To get into the Hall of Fame will Mark McGwire have to buy a ticket? When Will Bud Whip It Out?January 13, 2006Just wondering when Selig will start his 2006 "contract" with America Being A Hopeless FanboyJanuary 06, 2006Confessions of Joe Carter's biggest fan Class Is InDecember 30, 2005Should There Be A Weekend For Bernie? It’s Not The Second Advent In The Bronx, PeopleDecember 23, 2005Random musings about the whole Johnny Damon drama Wally Pipp: Put Me Back In Coach … Pretty Please?December 16, 2005“I took the two most expensive aspirins in history” – Wally Pipp Something For JoeyDecember 09, 2005Albert Belle makes his first appearance on the Hall of Fame ballot ... how does he stack up? The Sun is Bright; Will Bud be an Eclipse?December 02, 2005Will Bud Selig become the Pete Rose of commissioners and gamble MLB's bright future? Battered FishNovember 25, 2005Message to Marlins fans (you know who you are); do you still think Jeffrey Loria is your team's savior? Like Son Like Father?November 18, 2005A look back at the career of a great player who will live in his son's shadow ... and we're not talking Ken Griffey Sr. Nostradumbass Strikes Again!November 11, 2005Safe Six ... things to watch for this offseason that will impact 2006. It’s October! Let’s Dig Up The Dead!November 01, 2005Was "Shoeless" Joe corrupted before decomposition set in? The Big ThreesOctober 21, 2005This World Series is going to be divine and defined by the Sermon on the Mound ... Fall From GraceOctober 14, 2005The Decline And Fall Of Alex Rodriguez Hall of Fame IntangiblesSeptember 23, 2005This player's tremendous intangibles cut short what could have been a Hall of Fame career The Truth HurtsSeptember 16, 2005Is Frank Thomas a Hall of Famer? Is Tim McCarver annoying? Blast From The Past: The Empire Strikes BackSeptember 09, 2005Pennant fever in 1960—the Athletics Got Screwed and the Orioles Got Plucked The Greatest Of Them AllSeptember 02, 2005A look at possibly the greatest player to ever grace the game—Negro Leaguer Martin Dihigo Thar She Bl-O’s!!August 19, 2005Instead of E-5, there are F-5's happening in Kansas City and they're bearing down on Baltimore. The Day The Music DiedAugust 12, 2005Today marks the anniversary of 1994 players' strike. We take a look at what might have been ... Oh No! Not Another Rafael Palmeiro Article!August 05, 2005Integrity issues aside, how do we now view Rafael Palmeiro's career? It’s A Funny Funny Game 2.1July 29, 2005News and notes from the swinging 70's (part 2--1975-79) It’s A Funny Funny Game 2.0July 22, 2005News and notes from the swinging 1970's (part 1--1970-74) RiffingJuly 15, 2005Nothing like the All-Star Game and Bud Selig to inspire ranting Toronto Blue Jays Report CardJuly 08, 2005Grading the Blue Jays performance to date American League Cy Young CandidatesJuly 01, 2005Nearing the halfway point of the 2005 campaign, who's looking like they might grab pitching's top prize? National League Cy Young CandidatesJune 24, 2005Nearing the halfway point of the 2005 campaign, who's looking like they might grab pitching's top prize? Blast From The Past: History Lesson From 1929June 10, 2005The more things change... And Let The Screwing ContinueJune 03, 2005Well the Expos are no longer in Montreal, but the screwing of the franchise will go on and on... Dumb And DumberMay 27, 2005Addition by subtraction. The Marlins could be one of MLB's crown jewels if they could get rid of the idiots at the top. Blackmail Black Knights and Black HumorMay 20, 2005Once again the office of the commissioner provides unintentional humor in its game of extortion. Snapshots: September 8, 1940—Fenway ParkMay 13, 2005Looking back on a monster performance by Joe Gordon Have No Fehr Toss Don On His EarMay 06, 2005The MLBPA needs a change at the top ... for their own good. Plus an extra -- Paradox By The Bullpen Lights Crystal Balls: The Slide Of The YankeesApril 29, 2005Is the end of an era imminent? A look at the potential post-Steinbrenner Bronx Bombers Blast From The Past: Wally BergerApril 22, 2005Looking back at the most tragic of player--the "what might have been" Maniacally In-KlinedApril 15, 2005A random rant on l'affaire Kline Under The RadarApril 08, 2005We're witnessing the exploits of some of history's best pitchers. But look who is lurking in the shadows. Blast From The Past: Jimmy WynnMarch 29, 2005Had enough of musclebound, steroid-fueled behemoths this offseason? Well, here's a story about a little man with a big bat. Five Questions: Toronto Blue JaysMarch 22, 2005John Brattain takes a crack at being Nostradumbass in looking at this year's edition of the Toronto Blue Jays Eye Of Newt, Powdered Bat Wings And IncantationsMarch 11, 2005Trying to understand "clutch," "intangibles", and "chemistry". Click here to return to the home page. |