Razor's Corner

It was recently announced that the Major League Baseball would use instant replay for questionable home run calls. Yet, since the implementation of instant replay in baseball, we have seen more missed calls on bases than missed calls relating to home runs.

This has generated the debate of whether instant replay should also be used to review close calls on the bases as well.

During the course of the season, the percentage of missed calls on the bases far exceeded the rare questionable home run call. There’s no doubt that missed calls on the bases have an overall greater impact on the outcome of the ball game. Take the out call on Lyle Overbay at second base in the Sunday game at Boston (Sept. 14). If the call had been reversed, the Jays would have most certainly tied the game and maybe won.

The underlying goal of instant replay is to improve umpiring. I’m sure all of you, like me, have an opinion about this subject. I’d like to pass along a few thoughts that I think would improve the overall quality of umpiring.

I remember the first time I walked into the dugout at Yankee Stadium and looked out over the field. It was 1977 and I was a 21-year-old rookie with the Angels.

Taking batting practice that day was none other than Thurman Munson, Reggie Jackson and Graig Nettles.

All I could think about was the list of great players who had played on the very field where I was now standing. I remember thinking how far away the third deck in right field appeared. Yet later that day, Reggie Jackson would hit a home run to that same location. He made it look easy and effortless.

During the course of this season, there has been a lot of discussion about hitting, or maybe I should say, lack thereof.

Prior to the managing change back in June, the hitting approach was one of “work the count.” The object of this approach is to force the opposing pitcher to throw as many pitches as possible before getting the hitter out. This method requires a hitter to lay back early in the count.

The two things that drive me crazy about this approach is that a hitter has to take good pitches early in the count and hope he’ll see another good pitch late in the count. Also, when a hitter is in a good hitting count like 2-0 or 3-1, he will not swing for the sole purpose of making the pitcher throw more pitches. This method absolutely makes me want to pull my hair out. Those of you who listen to the broadcast know that I strongly disagree with this approach.

I’ve received a number of questions and comments concerning Vernon Wells. It has become apparent that there are some who think Vernon has not given his all since signing the $125 million US guaranteed contract after the 2006 season.

This view is understandable considering Vernon has not put up the kind of numbers in 2007 and 2008 like he did in the previous five years.

During those those five years, Vernon averaged almost 28 home runs and 97 RBIs per season. In 2007, he hit .245 with only 16 home runs and 80 RBIs. So far this year, the numbers haven’t been much better.

Just prior to the July 31st trade deadline, there were a number of trades between ball clubs that are trying to either win this year or are looking to rebuild for next year.

Generally most of the trades should have a positive influence on the respective ball clubs, but there will be some trades that don’t pan out.

Of all the trades to date, I think the most important trade of all was the Manny Ramirez trade from Boston Red Sox to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

There’s been a lot of discussion about trading A.J. Burnett. Should the Jays trade Burnett between now and the July 31st trade deadline or hang onto him for the remainder of the season?

In my opinion, it’s still a little early to trade him.

I think the ball club will wait and see if there’s a change in the standings over the next 10 – 12 games. If the Jays' position improves and management feels that the team has a chance to make post-season play, it won’t make sense to trade Burnett. He could be an important factor for the team during the rest of the season in pursuit of the playoffs.

I want to take a moment and address some of your questions and comments that have been posted over the last few weeks. It’s been great to read your feedback - it’s exciting and I appreciate it. Your feedback provides me with some interesting insight.

So without further ado, here's a few of my thoughts and answers.

It’s been a couple of weeks since the Blue Jays announced significant changes to the coaching staff. Since then, the most frequently asked question I receive, other than if I felt the changes were necessary, is how I think the team has responded to the change.

Overall, I think the team has responded well. You have to agree that the offence has gotten better. It appears that the players, as well as the coaching staff, are making a smooth transition.

A word of caution, however. Because we all want the Blue Jays to get this team turned around and participate in post-season play, it’s very easy to overreact and get caught up in the emotional side of everything that has happened.

At this point, most of you have heard or read that John Gibbons, manager of the Blue Jays, along with his hitting coach, Gary Denbo, first-base coach Ernie Whitt and third-base coach Marty Pevey have been fired.

I stated before the start of this season that this team possessed the talent to win the division and get into the post-season. I think the actions taken Friday indicate that the general manager, along with the rest of the organization, felt the same way.

It became very clear at this point of the season that this ball club has underachieved and that’s the reason why Gibbons and members of his staff were fired.

This ball club has not hit. There has been absolutely no offence. The number three, four, five and six hitters have not produced.