The greatest power-hitting team in Blue Jays history didn't let up in their first visit to the opulent Target Field in Minneapolis. For a team whose playoff aspirations were extinguished a couple of weeks ago, Cito Gaston's sluggers continue to pound the ball at a mind-boggling rate.
Jose Bautista blasted two, including one of the longest home runs in this first season of the Twins move from the Metrodome, a grand slam into the upper deck, followed by a solo shot to right field in the ninth. The second home run marked the first time in Bautista's career that he hit a homer to the opposite field. Edwin Encarnacion also hit a pair, while Travis Snider and Jose Molina hit jacks, giving the Jays six on the night. That marked the third time this season that the team has hit six or more HR in a single game.
Multiple home-run games have been the staple of this 2010 season. While their .248 team average leaves a lot to be desired, ranking them 25th in the majors, their 253 home runs through game No. 159 is an incredible 46 more than any other team. That now ranks them fourth all-time with only the 1997 Mariners (264), 2005 Rangers (260) and 1996 Orioles (257) having hit more.
What is most impressive is the fact that the Jays have put on this unprecedented (in Jays' history) power display in the so-called 'Year Of The Pitcher', where 11 teams have team ERA's below 4.00, compared to only six just a year ago. The team also has six different players with at least 20 home runs (compared to only two in 2009). With his pair on Friday, Encarnacion now sits at 18, well within striking distance to join the 20 Homer Club and, based upon the way that balls have been flying off their bats, there's a good chance it might still happen.
Here are also some other numbers to wrap your heads around:
The Jays now have 587 extra-base hits, just six shy of their franchise best in 2000.
They have 39 games this season where they have hit three home runs in a game (second highest in MLB history).
Jose Bautista has improved his RBI total by 84 from a year ago (best in the A.L.).
John Buck's 20 HR are the most by a catcher in franchise history.
Bautista and Wells have combined to hit 85 home runs, just one shy of the club record set in 1999 when Carlos Delgado and Shawn Green hit eight between them.
Remember, though, it hasn't all been the sluggers. Their young rotation (Shaun Marcum, Rocky Romero, Brett Cecil and Brandon Morrow), an unknown entering this season after Roy Halladay was dealt, all delivered. The foursome will all finish with double-digit wins, above .500 on the season. In fact, the starters numbers (61-51, 4.35 ERA) are statistically better than the last rotation that Halladay fronted (58-57, 4.66 ERA). Those numbers, moving forward, should leave all Jays' fans optimistic as they head in 2011.
With the expiration of current contracts and the roster turnover that will ultimately happen, this team will morph into a different unit when they all reconvene in Dunedin next February. But make no mistake, this franchise, after eight years of languishing with no plan in place, is heading back towards contention. The stats don't lie.
Who's next?
First of all, let me congratulate those that put together the moving pre-game ceremony last Wednesday to honour Cito Gaston as he prepares to retire from active duty as manager. From excellent video tributes to the speeches by Joe Carter and Vernon Wells, it was the perfect send-off for their long time skipper, who delivered a pair of World Series championships in 1992-93. Now it falls on the shoulders of general manager Alex Anthopoulos to find and unveil the 11 full-time manager in franchise history.
True to his form in his first season as chief decision maker, Anthopoulos is playing his cards close to the vest and no one, outside of his inner circle, knows what direction he will take. Currently, only rumour has brought any names to fore. Cito has made his recommendations in current Rockies hitting coach Don Baylor and former Orioles third base coach and interim manager Juan Samuel. Through the grapevine rumours have Red Sox pitching coach John Farrell and Triple-A manager Torey Lovullo being interviewed for the vacant spot. We also know that current Jays' coaches Brian Butterfield and Nick Leyva have been granted interviews. From within the organization, Double-A manager Luis Rivera, who has Major League experience as a coach with the Indians, and Single-A manager Sal Fasano reportedly are on also on the radar. But don't be surprised if several other candidates surface before the process runs its course in early November. Make no mistake, though, with the franchise at the crossroads, the next manager of the Blue Jays needs to be the right choice to take the franchise forward towards contention.
