TORONTO BLUE JAYS MEDIA NEWSLETTER VOLUME 2009, ISSUE 12 READ ABOUT BLUE JAYS BEAT THE SERIES AHEAD 2010 SCHEDULE SUMMARY ALUMNI ANNOUNCEMENT COMMUNITY CORNER FOUNDATION FEATURES MARKETING MAGIC ROGERS CENTRE ROUNDUP BLUE JAYS BEAT The 2009 Toronto Blue Jays home schedule comes to an end with a seven game homestand as the Seattle Mariners and Baltimore Orioles come to town. 2009 Webster Awards announced (on field presentation 09/26 pregame) The Toronto Blue Jays Baseball Club is pleased to announce the 2009 Webster Award Winners. In 1982, the Club established these awards to recognize each minor league s Most Valuable Player. R. Howard Webster, for whom the awards are named, was the first chairman of the Board for the Toronto Blue Jays. Randy Ruiz -.320, 25 HR & 106 RBI Las Vegas 51s Pacific Coast League (AAA) Before being called up to the majors on August 11, he appeared in 114 games setting a career high in RBI s with 106, was named Organizational Player of the Month for July (.336, 8 Hr, 26 RBI) and earned Pacific Coast League Most Valuable Player title for 2009. Ruiz was also a Mid-Season and Post-Season Pacific Coast League All-Star. Brian Dopirak -.308, 19 HR & 68 RBI New Hampshire Fisher Cats Eastern League (AA) Dopirak split time with New Hampshire and Las Vegas (AAA) this season. Twice named Eastern League Player of the Week in addition to being named Eastern League Mid-Season and Post-Season All-Star. Marks his second Webster Award (2008 Dunedin Blue Jays (A)) Moises Sierra -.286, 5 HR, 56 RBI Dunedin Blue Jays Florida State League (A Advanced) Sierra was named the Florida State League Player of the Week from June 8-14, followed that with the Organizational Player of the Month award for June (.384, 2 HR, 19 RBI), and honoured as a Florida State League Mid-Season All-Star. He also appeared in 8 games with AA New Hampshire. Johermyn Chavez -.283, 21 HR, 89 RBI Lansing Lugnuts Midwest League (A) Chavez led the Lugnuts in avg. (.289), home runs (21) and RBI (89). He was named Lansing Player of the Month for April (.349, 4 HR, 14 RBI,.667 slug.) and finished the season ranked second in the Midwest League in home runs and tied third in RBI. Sean Ochinko -.324, 6 HR, 32 RBI Auburn Doubledays New York-Penn League (SA)
Made his professional debut after signing in the 11 th round of the 2009 First Year Player Draft. Was named Auburn Player of the Month for August (.356, 3 HR, 17 RBI) and ranked second in the NY- Penn League in average and second in on-base+slugging (.908). Carlos Perez -.291, 1 HR & 21 RBI Gulf Coast League (Rookie) This is Carlos second consecutive Webster Award having one last year with the Dominican Summer League club. Led the team in average (.291), on-base (.364) and slugging (.433). Jose Vargas 1.34 ERA, 67 IP, 52 H, 17 BB, 51 K DSL Blue Jays Dominican Summer League The LHP led the DSL Blue Jays in wins (6), ERA (1.34) and was tied for first in innings pitched (67). He did not give up a home run in his 67 innings and finished the season ranked sixth in the DSL in ERA. Pro Scout of the Year Jim D Aloia D Aloia has served as a professional scout with the Blue Jays since 2006. His baseball knowledge dates back to his time as a player. Selected by the New York Yankees in the 33 rd round of the 1980 free agent draft, he was a member of three minor league Championship teams in the Yankees system. A St. Leo University alumni, he currently ranks third in career hits (230), fourth in career runs scored (159) and fifth in career stolen bases (84). As a professional scout with the Blue Jays, D Aloia monitors all four full season minor league teams as well as keeps an eye on each of the teams in the NL East division. Al LaMacchia Award Matt Briggs Established in 1996, this award acknowledges the dedication, success and work ethics of Blue Jays baseball operations personnel. LaMacchia was a veteran scout who spent 20 seasons with the Blue Jays. Briggs, 31, has served the Blue Jays as an area scout since 2004. From 2004-2007, Briggs was responsible for covering Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee. Among the players he signed during those years, were 2007 1st round pick, C, J.P. Arencibia and 11th round pick, INF, Brad Emaus. In 2008 Briggs took over a new area, covering North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. In 2009, he was responsible for signing the team's first round pick, RHP, Chad Jenkins of Kennesaw St. University. Prior to working for the Blue Jays, the Morganton, NC native played baseball at Wake Forest University before coaching at North Carolina State, Duke University and Tennessee Wesleyan College. Bobby Mattick Award Charlie Wilson Also established in 1996, this award honours the dedicated service of front office personnel and pays tribute to Mattick s 25 year legacy with the Jays. Wilson first joined the organization as a summer student in 1993 moving to the scouting and baseball operations offices. He has just completed his fifth full season overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Club s minor league affiliates. THE SERIES AHEAD Team closes out 2009 home regular season schedule.
Monday, September 21 Tuesday, September 22 Blue Jays vs. Baltimore Orioles (7:07 pm, SNet) Media Note: Dave Mercer will be throwing out the first pitch Blue Jays vs. Baltimore Orioles (7:07 pm, SNet) Media Note: From the Award winning musical JERSEY BOYS, Adrian Marchuk (Frankie Valli) will be performing the National Anthems Wednesday, September 23 Wednesday Wishes and Blue Jays Dreams Blue Jays vs. Baltimore Orioles (7:07 pm, SNet) Thursday, September 24 Friday, September 25 Saturday, September 26 Sunday, September 27 Ladies Night Out Blue Jays vs. Seattle Mariners (7:07 pm, SNet) Flashback Friday presented by THE FAN 590 and The Toronto Star Special Guest: Jose Cruz Jr. All You Can Eat Weekend Blue Jays vs. Seattle Mariners (7:07 pm, SNet) Annual Blue Jays Garage Sale Blue Jays vs. Seattle Mariners (1:07 pm, SNet) Giveaway: 2010 Toronto Blue Jays Schedule Magnets (first 10,000 fans) Shirt Off Our Back Fan Giveway Blue Jays vs. Seattle Mariners (1:07 pm, TSN2) Giveaway: Blue Jays fleece blanket presented by Home Hardware (first 10,000 fans) On Call: Jay Stenhouse, VP, Communications, will be traveling with the team to Boston and Baltimore. He can be reached on cell at 416-618-7842 or via email at jay.stenhouse@bluejays.com. 2010 SCHEDULE SUMMARY On September 15, Major League Baseball announced the 2010 schedule for each of its 30 teams. The Toronto Blue Jays open the regular season on April 5 with a three game (over four days) series at Texas before visiting Baltimore for three games. The team opens their home schedule on Monday, April 12 against the AL Central Chicago White Sox. Toronto has posted a 7-3 record in season openers over the last ten seasons with Halladay earning wins in three of the last four. The Jays also enjoy a four game home opening win streak. In 2010, they will be looking to match their longest home opener win streak of five games. Boston is the first division rival to come to Toronto for a three game series from April 26 to 28. In Interleague Play, the Club goes on the road to face the Arizona Diamondbacks (May 21-23), Colorado Rockies (June 11-13) and San Diego Padres (June 14-16). National League teams visit Rogers Centre for nine days from June 18 to 27, 2010. Tim Lincecum and the San Francisco Giants visit for three weekend games before Albert Pujols and his St. Louis Cardinals heat up the mid-week action and the 2008 World Series Champion Philadelphia Phillies close out the visit with another weekend series. Toronto fans are in for a treat with these NL teams. Lincecum has been a dominant pitcher in the National League over the last two seasons. A two-time All Star selection he is currently in pursuit of a
back-to-back Cy Young Award. Pujols is currently leading the Cardinals in almost every statistical category and this year moved into sole possession of second place ahead of Ted Williams and two behind Al Simmons, for number of consecutive seasons with 100+ RBI to begin a career (2001-2009). ALUMNI ANNOUNCEMENT Nine year Major League Baseball veteran Jose Cruz Jr. returns to Toronto as the Club s last Flashback Friday guest on September 25. Cruz Jr. was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the first round (third overall) of the 1995 amateur draft. He found himself in Toronto via a trade that sent pitchers Paul Spoljaric and Mike Timlin to Seattle on July 31, 1997. In Toronto, Cruz Jr. enjoyed a six year stay, the longest of his nine team, nine year Major League career. As a Blue Jay, Cruz Jr. twice belted at least 30 home runs in a season. His most successful campaign was in 2001 when he hit 34 home runs to go along with 32 stolen bases to become one of only three MLB players that year to record 30+ in each category (Bobby Abreu and Vladimir Guerrero). Curz Jr. will be signing autographs from 5:45 pm. 6:15 p.m. at section 117. COMMUNITY CORNER Baseball Ontario Day celebrates grassroots growing success Grassroots baseball programs are growing as participants flock to the summer sport in increasing numbers across the country. Fuelled by the success at the Major League level of such stars as Scott Richmond (RHP Blue Jays), Matt Stairs (DH Phillies), Justin Morneau (1B Twins) and Jason Bay (OF Red Sox), kids around Canada are picking up a bat and ball and swinging for the fences. As Canada s team, the Toronto Blue Jays, in conjunction with owner Rogers Communications Inc, are proud to support grassroots baseball initiatives in Ontario. In 2009, the Blue Jays, along with Rogers Wireless and Citytv, sponsored five Baseball Ontario Divisions helping to support the big league dreams of 24,100 active participants. On Sunday, September 27, the Club is proud to be hosting the Provincial Champions in each of the five sponsored divisions with a pregame Parade of Champions beginning at 12:30 p.m. The over 500 participants will then help cheer their baseball heroes on to victory as the Jays close out the 2009 home season against the Seattle Mariners. A complete list of the 41 participating teams, including division affiliation and hometown is available upon request. >>>>>More Information (http://www.baseballontario.com) FOUNDATION FEATURES Jays Care Foundation wraps 2009 with busy final weekend Foundation Launches Mobile Giving Campaign As the Blue Jays enter their final home weekend in 2009, Jays Care Foundation introduces an inventive new way for fans to show their support.
In partnership with Rogers Wireless and the Mobile Giving Foundation, fans at Rogers Centre on Friday, September 25, as well as those watching from home on Rogers Sportsnet, will be introduced to a new way of contributing to Jays Care Foundation. By simply texting CARE to the short code 20222 from their mobile phone, fans will be able to make an automatic $5.00 donation to the Foundation. The donation will be added to the donor s monthly mobile bill. Making it easier than ever to get involved and pledge needed dollars towards the growth and reach of Jays Care Foundation, everyone wins with this innovative option. Annual Blue Jays Garage Sale offers Deals, Deals, Deals! Each September, the Toronto Blue Jays Baseball Club hosts its annual Garage Sale. Fans have the opportunity to get Blue Jays autographed memorabilia, promotional items, and the always popular Mystery Bags at clear out prices. All proceeds from the sale will benefit the programs and outreach initiatives of Jays Care Foundation. This year the Garage Sale will take place on Saturday, September 26 at the Jays Care Foundation booth located at Section 127. The sale begins when gates open at 11:00 a.m. and will close following the conclusion of the game or once all items have been sold! Fans must have a ticket to the game in order to be granted access to the Garage Sale. Last year this event raised over $10,000. SickKids take in final home game courtesy of Doc! To close out the 2009 season, Roy and Brandy Halladay, in partnership with Jays Care Foundation, will host children and their families from the Hospital for Sick Children in Doc s Box at the final home game on Sunday, September 27. This is the twelfth date that Doc s Box has welcomed these special guests doubling the number of dates the program operated in previous years. The unconditional support of the Halladay family, and their desire to provide opportunities to as many children as possible through Doc s Box, has been instrumental in the program s growth. More information about these and other Jays Care Foundation programs, events, and donation opportunities can be found by visiting www.bluejays.com/jayscare or by calling 416-341-1456. MARKETING MAGIC Fans go one-on-one with players Technology continues to shape our daily communication style and to help fans get closer to players than ever before, the Toronto Blue Jays have unveiled new player web chats on bluejays.com. Having already chatted with Blue Jay alumni Paul Molitor, Joe Carter, and Roberto Alomar along with current players Adam Lind and Kevin Millar, the Club will host two web chats during the upcoming homestand. On Tuesday, September 22, from 2:30 3:15 p.m. Ricky Romero talks about his rookie season and answers fan questions. Jose Cruz Jr. takes to the keyboard on September 25 at 3:30 p.m. Fans can participate in the chat after becoming a registered user.
>>>>>More Information (http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/fan_forum/chat.jsp?c_id=tor) Retro uniforms a hit south of the border As recently published by Gary Loewen of the Toronto Sun, the New York Daily News selected the 28 coolest uniforms in sports history and the Toronto Blue Jays powder blues came in at 24. According to the paper, it is always a welcome sight when the Jays play a Flashback Friday game and don the retro style uniforms. In 2009, approximately 30% of all sales have been generated from the sale of retro jerseys and t-shirts. ROGERS CENTRE ROUND-UP Rogers Centre rocks with full-house While the Blue Jays were on the road and the Argos enjoyed a few days of rest, U2 took over Rogers Centre on their 360 Tour with sold-out crowds over 60,000 strong over two consecutive nights. Unveiling their innovative and unique stage design for the first time in Canada, U2, along with opening act Snow Patrol, rocked Rogers Centre. U2 s only other Canadian stop is Vancouver on October 28 to close out this ambitious tour. The September 16 & 17 concerts marked just the second time in the history of the building that the roof was opened for a concert. The first was on September 10, 2003 when Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band played for their fans. Rogers Centre remains extremely busy this fall with various events including the Mahautsav Diwali Festival of Lights (October 9 & 10), the 127 th Police Games (October 17) and The Wiggles Go Bananas Live (October 24 & 25). >>>>>More information (http://www.rogerscentre.com)