The first of a new column format in which we give a high five to the Blue Jays for not bringing Vlady, Jr,. and Bo Bichette into big-league camp; support Vlady, Sr.’s Hall cap decision; answer the question: “Who LOVES” playing against King James and blame F.P. Santangelo for the Patriots dynasty… in 280 characters, or less.
The fact that Vladimir Guerrero, Jr., and Bo Bichette aren’t invited to big league spring training makes me think John Gibbons will really focus on giving more at-bats and work for vets. His job is in the balance in April; no at-bats for kids.
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Starting Tuesday against the Lightning, the Jets play their first 10 games after the All-Star break at Bell MTS Centre, where they’re 17-3-1 and have won six in a row. Canada’s team.
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No Toronto athlete has saved his reputation in the manner of Raptors guard Kyle Lowry: from overweight malcontent that Knicks ownership didn’t want to a guy capable of being voted in to the All-Star game by conference coaches.
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Not televising the selection of the NBA All-Star teams was a misstep. Captains LeBron James and Stephen Curry understand personal and professional sensibilities at stake. No other group of pro athletes is as routinely engaging.
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Who likes to play against LeBron James? LaMarcus Aldridge, who is 7-3 in his last 10 meetings with The King and outscored him in four of those games, including Tuesday’s 30-point performance.
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Manny Machado and Jonathan Schoop stiffed Orioles by being no-shows this weekend at Orioles FanFest, but Buck Showalter told everybody that Machado will get his wish and play shortstop in 2018, with Tim Beckham shifting to third.
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One second in the paint? Our Chris Johnston has the right idea for goaltender interference: base it on international rules, where play is stopped if a player is in the crease for a second without the puck in there. Stop overthinking it.
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The L.A. Times reports Dodgers Kenley Jansen used the word “strike” this weekend when discussing free-agent market suspicions. Luckily, the current CBA runs until 2021, but what if players decide in-game to flaunt pace of play rules? It’s an option.
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The Blue Jays were in enough on free agent Lorenzo Cain that they called his agent to check in just before making the trade for Randal Grichuk. I still think the Jays add one more outfield bat before spring training.
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Fun interview with broadcaster F.P. Santangelo, who as an Expos minor leaguer told Tom Brady riding the buses instead of being QB at Michigan was a bad idea.
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Andrew Wiggins has been T-Wolves’ high-scorer in four of five games. In four games before Jimmy Butler’s return on Saturday, he averaged season highs with 25.8 points and 21 field goal attempts. Butler’s advice? “Stay aggressive.”
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Completely understand Vladimir Guerrero wearing an Angels instead of Expos cap into Cooperstown. L.A. is where he won four AL West titles in five seasons and an MVP award, plus there’s a financial reward to being the first Angel inducted.
Jeff Blair hosts The Jeff Blair Show on Sportsnet 590/The Fan from 9 a.m. to noon ET
