Inside Baseball with Jesse Barfield

After being ridiculed for most of last season by just about everybody, I want to tip my hat to the Jays hitters. They have really worked hard and stepped it up.

From the first series against the New York Yankees, you could see how there was a different approach at the plate. David Eckstien's at-bat against Mike Mussina was a great example of working the count, laying off of tough pitches and showing the rest of the offence what Mussina was trying to do; Alex Rios fouled off several pitches and eventually drew a walk that set the stage for Big Frank's dramatic grand slam against the world champion Boston Red Sox.

But what was just as impressive as the grand slam was that, the last time Frank faced Manny Delcarmen, a reliever for Boston, he sat on a change-up, got it and crushed it. So when he faced him again on Sunday, he was looking for the heater (i.e. fast ball), he got it first pitch and deposited it into the left-centerfield stands. What a great approach.

No love for Manny's glove

There was a lot of confusion about why Manny Ramirez had to change his glove the other day. Does it make a difference having a longer glove than the rules allow in the outfield, which is 13 inches? That rule has to be enforced because it's an unfair advantage for the outfielder who has the "unauthorized" glove. Why you might ask? Well, because he can possibly go over the wall and bring back a home run that he normally wouldn't be able to get to, or catch a sinking liner in the gap, or a ball over his head. You see, every inch counts! And they call this the game of inches, don't they?

I remember having a teammate when I was with the Yankees: he was a bit short in stature, let's just leave it at that, but his glove was made for Yao Ming! That glove went down to his ankle. During a day game in Anaheim, when they were still the California Angels, my teammate made a spectacular diving catch in the left-centerfield gap and the Angels manager complained so much that the umpires came out and measured his glove during the game. Needless to say, he had to get another glove to finish the game.

Fashion tips from the Style Master

What ever happened to the fashion police in baseball? Have you guys seen these uniforms some of these guys are wearing today? Some of them look like the old Negro League uniforms. My uncle played for the Cincinnati Clowns and I have photos of his team. Those were some ugly, baggy uniforms. So, have we gone retro? Listen, can you believe that some of the guys have their uniform pants made like their street jeans? Come on now! Let's get out of
the music videos and on to the field.

Some of you may think I am joking, but I am serious. Let's keep the integrity of the game. Take it from me, I love to style - my family calls me the Style Master - but it's with taste and off the field. What's funny is you may think these guys are trying to cover up bad bodies, but they're not. Most of these guys have sculpted bodies under all that fabric. Take it from me, they better enjoy having a young, athletic body while they can because time does take it's toll.

Can the baggy uniforms be the reason that female attendance has gone down a bit? Chicks may dig the long ball, but if the uniform isn't fitting, in the baseball stands, the chicks ain't sitting.

Good deals for Rios and Hill

Man, the Tigers are in the cellar in the American League Central! That is amazing. Remember how I mentioned that it's important to stay injury-free, and on paper how things can look? Well, the Tigers may look like an almost unbeatable team going into the season, but the injuries and poor performances have tripped them up so far.

It's still early and that is why the Jays aren't getting too excited about all of this. But it sure is nice to get off to a good start and against two of baseball's better teams. It does wonders for a team's confidence and that builds momentum and takes some of the pressure off.

And I have to congratulate the Jays for rewarding Alex Rios and Aaron Hill with long term contracts. The Jays showed that they are committed to winning now and in the future. Hey fans, looks like we have brighter days ahead.

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