Blue Jays will have to wail 'til next year

The Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Texas Rangers yesterday by a score of 7-2.  Yes, they won, but it was a hollow victory.  It was far too little, and much too late.  The Blue Jays have not been mathematically eliminated yet, but it's just a matter of time.  For all intents and purposes, the 2026 season is mercifully over for the for the team.  Despite last night's win, there was some bad news.  The team suffered two additional injures in a season riddled with injures.  Vladdy and Dylan Cease are both injured.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr.  hasn't been himself for most of the season.  Vladdy probably would have played better if he had stayed on the Injured List (IL) for a while. It's hard to believe he's only hit one homer at home this year.  That one home run saved him from the ignominy of not hitting a dinger at the dome in 2026.  Sometimes players do no service to the team when they play injured. This is definitely a season in Vladdy's career that he'll want to forget.

Despite the overall disappointing season, there have been some bright spots,  Kazuma Okamoto has hit over 30 homers this season.  Unfortunately, no other Blue Jay has hit close to that many home runs.  Lous Varland established himself as one of the best closers in MLB this season.  He has a great career ahead of him if he continues to pitch so well.  24-year-old rookie outfielder Brett Bateman has shown a lot of promise and will probably be the Jays' leadoff batter going into next season.  Another promising young Jay is second baseman Charles McAdoo, also 24.  Infielder and left fielder Josh Smith, 29, is another play who could contribute greatly next season as a power hitter.

Brett Bateman

Charles McAdoo

Josh Smith

As for manager John Schneider, I hope he doesn't appear in so many Rogers commercials next season.  I also wish he wouldn't spit so much.  It's so crude and undignified for a manager.  By the way, I can't imagine Cito Gason in a commercial for Rogers.  As for Vladdy, isn't it about time he stopped dousing his teammates with Gatorade.  It's getting tiresome. However, I do like the home run jacket.

I hope that there isn't a lockout over the proposed salary cap.  I wish the owners and players would consider the fans more than they do.  Fans are the lifeblood of sports.  Yet, their welfare is often overshadowed by greed.  A perfect example is the number of games being streamed on Apple TV.

- Joanne

Thank you to Sally Field for standing up for Canada

On Monday night, two-time Oscar winner Sally Field added another award to her collection.  She won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Anthology Series or Movie for Remarkably Bright Creatures.  At 79, Sally was the oldest actor in her category.  In her acceptance speech, she thanked Canada, saying "Blessed Canada.  Our neighbours, our friends."  The audience cheered this great actor as she expressed her support for Canada.  "Our voices matter, our diversity, our unique storytelling matters.  We can't let those voices be silenced or compromised or merged," she continued, taking a swipe at the Paramount-Warner Brothers merger.

It must be noted that Remarkably Bright Creatures was filmed in British Columbia.  Thank you, Sally, for standing up for Canada.  I know that many Americans are disgusted with the way Donald Trump has been treating Canada.  They are repulsed by his bullying.  Therefore, I urge Americans to let your voices be heard in broad support of your northern neighbour.  Unfortunately, Trump has severely damaged the relationship between the two countries,  He is a one-man wrecking crew.  Do not allow  him to completely destroy a wonderful and mutually beneficial friendship. That would be a terrible tragedy.

Thank you, Sally Field!

- Joanne

  

A message to Americans

Jean Chretien, former prime minister of Canada, spoke in Gander, Newfoundland yesterday during an emotional tribute to the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.  The 92-year-old brought the house down in a fiery speech interrupted by standing ovations.

Chretien was prime minister when the attacks occurred 25 years ago on September 11, 2001.  The ex-PM talked about how Canada showed solidarity and kindness to Americans in their time of need.  He recounted the hospitality that the people of Gander showed to stranded air travellers, most of them American.  He also spoke with pride about the Canadian government's sponsorship of the motion to invoke the NATO alliance's mutual defence clause. "Our closest friend was attacked.  We said that was an attack on us too, and we fought back side by side."

The 20th prime minister of Canada was blunt and honest.  He pulled no punches.  "I am just a former prime minister, 92 years old, and a very proud Canadian, but I have seen a few things in my lifetime, and I know this country and the people from coast to coast to coast.  I have a message for our American friends.

Yes, Canada is a generous, open country, and Canadians are tolerant and kind.  But never mistake our generosity for weakness..  Never, never mistake our tolerance for lack of determination, and never, never mistake our kindness for softness.

We know who we are, and we are  proud of it.  Building a country like this, with this climate and this geography, is a sign of toughness, not of weakness.

Welcoming people from all over the world, caring for each other, including the weakest in society, is a sign of strength.

We embrace our friends and we help them in their moment of need, but we bow to no one.  The more we are threatened and abused, the more we will stand up for ourselves, and stand united.  

Friends need to be honest with each other, just as the people of Gander, and anywhere else in Newfoundland and Labrador, they will give you the shirt off their backs, like they did 25 years ago.  But they will always show you the respect of telling you the truth.  So, my friends, here is to truth, to respect, to friendship, and to good neighbours.

Long live the United States and long live Canada!" he declared, ending his speech in French.

I ask you, have you ever heard Donald Trump speak about kindness and welcoming people from all over the world?

- Joanne

Latest con from the world's greatest con artist

Donald Trump has promised to issue $5,000 dividends to every adult American if the Republicans maintain control of Congress in November.  If you believe that, then maybe someone will sell you some swamp land in Florida.  Based on Trump's track record, it isn't going to happen.  Remember how he vowed  to push for $2,000 tariff dividend payments.  Do you know anyone who received such a payment?  No, because it never happened.  

Trump announced his latest con in Dallas, Texas, while while addressing the Republican Party's first-ever midterm gathering.  It's simply a bribe to voters, nothing more. Not only that, but it is illegal.  It violates a federal statute which makes it a crime to offer money to any person to vote or withhold a vote  According to Cornell Law School, an intentional violation of this statute results in two years in prison and a fine.  But Trump doesn't have to worry about that.  He considers himself above the law.

Trump just keeps on lying, but the majority of American people know the truth.  They face the consequences of his economic polies and his tariffs every time they go to the grocery store  It's right in front of them..  Every time they fill up at the gas pump, they pay the cost of his illegal, disastrous and never-ending war with Iran. This is not, as Trump claims, a golden age for America.  It's an unmitigated disaster.  People are suffering because the cost of living is so high.  But does Trump care?  No!  He's more concerned about his golfing and his vanity projects, such as the ballroom that most Americans don't care about.  They are more concerned with putting food on the table and paying for health care. Meanwhile, Trump's cronies, mostly big oil and big tech billionaires, enrich themselves with tax breaks.

The Republicans must be really concerned about how they will fare in the midterm elections in November.  That's why Trump is resorting to bribery and chicanery.  However, the midterms should be a referendum on his disastrous leadership.  America should send the Trump regime an unequivocal message.  Thumbs down!  You can't fool us any longer.

- Joanne