The Toronto Sun's Bob Elliott basically gets it down to brass tacks: this was just about a ballplayer upset over lack of playing time, and no one should really be surprised given the exit Hillenbrand made in Boston in 2003 -- as Richard Griffin made note of in the Star. (Griffin, by the way, played this surprisingly even-handedly, but just wait 24 to 48 hours.)
Here's Elliott:
It had a lot to do with Hillenbrand writing: "This is a sinking ship" on the chalkboard where batting practice times are written.
The team was having a players-only meeting, called by Vernon Wells, when in stormed irate manager John Gibbons.
According to one unnamed Blue Jay: "The manager said: 'You're gone! I'll be gone before you ever play another game in this organization.'
"It was as hot as I've ever seen (Gibbons) and that includes all of his ejections."
What was that I said about Gibbons having played for Davey Johnson and the fruit never falling far from the tree? Other highlights:
Hillenbrand's sense of humour included ripping the Canadian flag crest off the hat that the Jays wore Canada Day in a 5-2 win over the Philadelphia Phillies, according to a team official. Hillenbrand had been taken out of that game in the seventh inning.
Well, as Dana Carvey's Church Lady character on SNL used to say, Isn't that nice. Bottom line, the Jays are now missing a designated hitter who some teams believe can help them, and it's only 11 days to the trade deadline for this flawed team.
As for the Jays-Yankees outlook.... ah, to hell with it. It's too hot today. Roy Halladay really has to be a stopper tonight against the Evil Empire, which is starting noted crybaby California suck Mike Mussina. At least yours truly will get soused at the Saturday and Sunday games.
Related:
Blue Jays' happy family? (Toronto Star)
Chalk-board message the last straw (Toronto Sun)
Shea Ya Later (July 20)
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