An Apology To Casey Janssen From An Appreciative Blue Jays Fan

Casey, you heard the boo-birds in Toronto last night. I was listening to the game on the radio and when the Jays were up 3-2 at the end of seven innings I felt confident the game was in the bag knowing that you and Jeremy Accardo would most likely put it on ice. When you got shelled by the Dodgers I was stunned; however I was even more so when I heard the boos…

So far in 2007 you’ve pitched the eighth inning like Duane Ward used to (albeit without the strikeouts that were Ward’s forte) for Tom Henke back in the early 1990’s. Once Ward came in I felt the game was over.

If you didn’t beat the Jays in seven innings, you weren’t going to beat them at all.

You didn’t deserve the treatment you received last night and as a Blue Jays fan I’d like to apologize.

Bad nights happen even to the best of them and I’ll still be relieved when the Jays have a lead after seven knowing that you’ll be there to get the ball to Accardo.

For what it’s worth, I don’t think the jeering was aimed at you alone. It has been a frustrating year for Blue Jays fans because we know the talent for a playoff run is there, but it has yet to truly emerge and some are beginning to wonder if it will–or if it does, will there be enough season left to pull it off.

Regardless, you didn’t deserve that. You’ve been amazing in 2007 and you’ve got the stuff to be an elite relief pitcher (and possibly a starter) and I’m confident that you’ll be lights-out until the final out of the season.

I, for one, am thrilled to have you in the bullpen and I’d like to thank you for your superb work in 2007.

Best Regards

John