Tag Archives: Blue Jays
The Culture of Bat Flips
By now you’ve either read my blog post on the topic or seen the gifs or videos of Jose Bautista’s epic home run from Wednesday night’s ALDS Game. And his bat flip.
And of course you’ve heard and or read the many opinions of those who know better that Bautista disrespected the pitcher, the Texas Rangers and the game of baseball as a result of his emotional response.
Esquire had a nice piece on the bat flip and it’s place in sports history.
From a cultural standpoint those who had a problem with what Bautista did lack cultural understanding and awareness.
These same people had a problem with his temper over the years. They had a problem with how Jose Reyes played the game and celebrated the game with joy. They don’t like the way Johnny Cueto sometimes does a jig before he pitches. And I’m sure there’s so much more they dislike.
But there are also things they like that I have no patience for. They like hitting batters to send a message. They like it when a veteran assults a younger player to teach them a lesson. They like batters who never celebrate a home run. Lest they anger the baseball gods.
These people can also be found in other sports. Here in Canada you can find them in hockey. And everywhere else.
You know who I’m talking about. They are not necessarily wrong. Nor are they right.
It’s like Harold Reynolds saying that Canadians can’t catch. He’s not right. And he’s not wrong. He’s ignorant. Of course we can catch.
And Jose Bautista is not disrespecting anyone or anything. This is how he displays his passion and love for the game. The same game he’s been playing since he was a kid playing baseball in the Dominican Republic. The same game Cole Hamels had been playing in the States.
And it’s the same game. However people play this game all over the world. I’ve had the opportunity to watch baseball in Taiwan. And to watch an international game played between Canada and the Dominican Republic. And of course Blue Jays baseball.
To expect an homogeneous baseball culture in 2015 is not just ridiculous. But short sighted and ignorant.
Let’s enjoy the game and how people doing all over the world play it. On the biggest baseball stage in the world. Major League Baseball.
Blue Jays, Bautista and Bat Flips
Your Toronto Blue Jays have won their first playoff series since 1993. And like that last series win, this one was punctuated by a memorable home run. Although this one by Jose Bautista is not the same (Joe Carter’s won a World Series) it has quickly become the most talked about home run. Why? Well, for one thing, media. If you’re reading this chances are you’ve seen hundreds of images, gifs and videos of the home run. And Bautista’s epic bat flip.
Blue Jays: Circa 1985
This is one of my earliest Blue Jays memories. 1985 was an amazing season. In 1983 the Blue Jays traded for Doyle Alexander. In 1985, Doyle pitched a complete game against the New York Yankees to win their first American League East Championship. My favourite player, George Bell caught the final out for the win!
In 1986, the Jays traded Doyle to the Atlanta Braves for future star Duane Ward who helped the Jays win their back-to-back World Series in 1992 and 1993.
Welcome! Episode #11: Mike Boon aka Toronto Mike
This episodes features podcaster, blogger and one of Toronto’s most unheralded boosters, Mike Boon. aka Toronto Mike.
Welcome! Episode #11: Toronto Mike by Welcome! By Karim Kanji on Mixcloud
Toronto Blue Jays nicknames
My son and I like to celebrate each of the Toronto Blue Jays’ home runs. We do so by calling out their home run nicknames. For example, “Bautista Bomb!”
Here’s our list (so far):
- Josh Donaldson – Making It Rain
- Jose Bautista – Bautista Bomb
- Edwin Encarnacion – Taking The Parrot For A Walk
- Troy Tulowitski – TnT
- Justin Smoak – Smoak Smoked It!
- Chris Colabello – Canonball
- Ezequiel Carrera – Easy
- Ryan Goins – Goins, Goins, Gone!
#PitchTalks turn One – Episode #13
My favourite place every month is at a #pitchtalks event in #Toronto. @pitchtalks pic.twitter.com/1MdXt7a13y
— karim kanji (@karimkanji) May 7, 2015
I don’t know if PitchTalks creator, Kevin Kennedy, know this or not but this monthly event has quickly become the must attend event for sports fans (not just baseball) across the Greater Toronto Area. For me, it’s the highlight of my month.
Scott Crawford is the Director of Operations for the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in St. Mary’s, Ontario. Alexis Brudnicki is the lead writer for the Canadian Baseball Network and former statistician for the Toronto Blue Jays.
If you're missing #PitchTalks, you're missing insane stories from women's baseball world championships! It involves bullets. And hurricanes.
— Pitch Talks (@PitchTalks) May 7, 2015
Ashley Stephenson (a full-time teacher) has been a member of the Canadian women’s baseball team since 2004 and has already participated in five world championships. Autumn Mills (a full-time policewoman) has been with the team since 2005, primarily as a pitcher.
The #Toronto @BlueJays panel @PitchTalks Sid, Shi, + Lott. #pitchtalks #cometogether #gojaysgo pic.twitter.com/OQL7xR506x
— karim kanji (@karimkanji) May 8, 2015
Another packed #pitchtalks pic.twitter.com/iBcBh9Fj5M
— karim kanji (@karimkanji) May 8, 2015
Special Guest visitor Buck Martinez joins Stephen + Dan. #pitchtalks @PitchTalks #cometogether #gojaysgo #Toronto pic.twitter.com/Kbn2nL0ILz
— karim kanji (@karimkanji) May 8, 2015
#FollowFriday @DrewGROF from @TheScore and @DrunkJaysFans
One of the best writers in sports (let alone baseball) is Drew Fairservice from The Score. He also hosts the DJF Podcast which is a podcast all about “your Toronto Blue Jays”.
Why I do what I do.
I love Toronto. And not just the Blue Jays baseball team or the CN Tower. I mean what makes Toronto, well, Toronto.
Her people. Especially those people who are making things happen. Whether it be community activists like the folks at the Toronto Green Community or the start-up/tech space that I have been involved in for the past couple of years.
Earlier today, I had the opportunity to chat with Canadian entrepreneur, angel investor and venture capitalist Boris Wertz. He appeared as my guest on The XConnect Show. It was our 19th episode and the first time we had a live audience.
The reason we invited a select audience was because our team knew that many people in the start-up space would love the opportunity to listen and learn from Boris. So we had about 10 guests sit in on the session.
Before our taping I introduced Boris to every member of the studio audience. And that made me feel happy and proud. Happy that I could do it and proud that I had the chance to do it.
What made me more happier was receiving an email from one friend a few minutes ago who apologized for leaving without talking to me so he could share with Boris a cab ride across the city.
No need to apologize.
It’s why I do what I do.
Related articles
- Growing at GROW (karimkanji.wordpress.com)
- GoInstant launching tonight at TechCrunch Disrupt (startupnorth.ca)
- Community Writing Site Wattpad Raises $3.5 Million In Series A Funding (paidcontent.org)