Joining me to discuss the shame and humiliation of the broken national sports pastime that is Major League Baseball is acclaimed sportscaster and legendary TSN reporter Tony Ambrogio (@Tony_Ambrogio), country music star and Blue Jays blogger Chris Henderson (@baseball4brains), and former minor league basketball player and lawyer Mick Sloniowski. Together we discussed: how to adequately deal with the hubris and hypocrisy of a sport gone to rot, what a suitable punishment should be for players dir...
Jan 26, 2020•45 min
Five takes on the nature and quality of the Toronto Blue Jays rebuild during the 2019 MLB campaign. Special guests: Jason Woodell (@JasonAtTheGame), Richard Birfer (@richardbirfs), Hayden Godfrey (@haydengodfreyy), Marshall Auerback (@Mauerback) and Chris Henderson (@Baseball4Brains). Visit Jays Journal (jaysjournal.com) on the FanSided network and subscribe to arishapiro.ca today to receive future Take 5 episodes straight to e-mail and on your cell phone.
Jul 14, 2019•17 min
Enjoy the latest Toronto Blue Jays round table recorded on May 20th, 2019 and brought to you by Jays Journal and arishapiro.ca. Settle in and join host Ari Shapiro and his guests: country musician star and site expert Chris Henderson (@baseball4brains), scouting director and minor league expert Richard Birfer (@richardbirfs), and celebrated writer and public speaker Hayden Godfrey (@haydengodfreyy). Together, they tackle the issue of resting Vlad Guerrero Jr. hot on the heels of winning AL Playe...
May 26, 2019•48 min
This latest baseball round table includes guests Jesse Golderberg-Strassler (@jgoldstrass; author and voice of the Lansing Lugnuts), Marshall Auerback (@Mauerback; writer and research analyst at the Levy Institute), and Jason Woodell (@JasonAtTheGame; co-founder of Prospects Live and host of The Scouts Have Eyes podcast). We discussed: Anthony Alford's great and final crusade, the sumptuous reclamation projects that is Teoscar Hernandez, a strange recurrence of the Shapiro vs. Anthopoulos paradi...
Mar 19, 2019•49 min
The latest Jays Journal round table featuring Chris Henderson (@baseball4brains; musician and site expert at Jays Journal), Geoff Falbo (@gfalbo13; writer/blogger formerly with Deep Leagues), and Eric Rosenhek (@TheHek; writer and host of Definitely Not Jays Talk). We discussed: Vlad Guerrero's oblique strain and the issue of personal conditioning, the glorious renaissance of Bo Bichette, Anthony Alford's quest for true baseball redemption, Bud Norris and the issue of veteran influence in the du...
Mar 13, 2019•47 min
2018 Toronto Blue Jays Player in Review: Kevin Pillar Join podcast host Ari Shapiro as he takes a moment to reflect on the season that was for center fielder Kevin Pillar and what fans should expect in the days ahead. Featuring article and social media quotes from: Hayden Godfrey, Clayton Richer, and Chris Henderson of Jays Journal. Be sure to tune in regularly for new player reviews from the year that was, and check out the latest work from the writing crew over at Jays Journal. Subscribe to ar...
Jan 24, 2019•13 min
2018 Toronto Blue Jays Player in Review: Marcus Stroman Join podcast host Ari Shapiro as he takes a moment to reflect on the season that was for starting pitcher Marcus Stroman and what fans should expect in the days ahead. Featuring article and social media quotes from: Chris Henderson, Jon Morosi, and Marcus Stroman's twitter feed. Be sure to tune in regularly for new player reviews from the year that was, and check out the latest work from the writing crew over at Jays Journal (@JaysJournal)....
Jan 07, 2019•13 min
2018 Toronto Blue Jays Player in Review: Justin Smoak Join podcast host Ari Shapiro as he takes a moment to reflect on the season that was for first baseman Justin Smoak and what fans should expect in the days ahead. Featuring article quotes from: Hayden Godfrey, Chris Henderson, and Clayton Richer. Be sure to tune in regularly for new player reviews from the year that was, and check out the latest work from the writing crew over at Jays Journal (@JaysJournal). Subscribe to arishapiro.ca today a...
Dec 18, 2018•11 min
2018 Toronto Blue Jays Player in Review: Russell Martin Join podcast host Ari Shapiro as he takes a moment to reflect on the season that was for catcher Russell Martin and what fans should expect in the days ahead. Featuring article quotes from: Clayton Richer, Chris Henderson, Hayden Godfrey, and Steve Buffery. Be sure to tune in regularly for new player reviews from the year that was, and check out the latest work from the writing crew over at Jays Journal (@JaysJournal). Subscribe to arishapi...
Dec 04, 2018•11 min
Jays Journal Podcast - Episode 77. "There and Back Again." (0:00-4:02) Opening Monologue (4:05-23:31) Ben Nicholson-Smith, National Baseball Editor at Sportsnet (23:31-47:14) Chris Henderson, Site Expert at the Jays Journal (47:15-65:01) Richard Birfer, Regional Supervisor at the Collegiate Baseball Scouting Network First, I spoke with Ben Nicholson-Smith (@bnicholsonsmith) of Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) about his thoughts regarding the lingering rumours surrounding Mark Shapiro and the New York Mets...
Sep 29, 2018•1 hr 6 min
(0:00-2:55) Shapiro's Monologue (2:56-25:15) Women At Bat (Ainka Jess/Dana Bookman/April Whitzman/Alexis Brudnicki) (25:16-45:07) Tony Ambrogio (45:08-1:20:13) Round Table (Bryan Hatt/April Whitzman/Marshall Auerback) Don't forget to subscribe to www.arishapiro.ca to receive all the latest episodes of the Jays Journal podcasts.
Aug 17, 2018•1 hr 21 min
(2:30-32:47) Tao of Stieb (32:48-59:40) Ian Hunter (59:40-90:33) Round Table: Chris Henderson, Cole Shelton, and Richard Birfer
Jul 31, 2018•1 hr 31 min
With the Mid-Summer Classic firmly in our rear-view mirrors and a sprawling road ahead with 68 games left to play, the Toronto Blue Jays find themselves fighting for respectability as the second half of the season begins. All that remains now is a glorious opportunity for a beleaguered management group to demonstrate leadership in finding value for players who aren't part of their long-term future. In essence, one could make the case that this is the most important trade deadline in years, and w...
Jul 20, 2018•40 min
Normally, I would name an episode of the show after a certain sentiment or inspired thoughts based on how the team is playing – especially after dropping a transparently winnable series against the New York Yankees. But given the circumstances of what has been a season to forget, I decided to settle on a title that’s reflective of the cold, hard reality of numerical facts – that this is in fact the seventy-third episode of this podcast’s venerable history, and that the 2018 Toronto Blue Jays are...
Jul 08, 2018•1 hr 13 min
With the baseball trade deadline fast approaching and the Toronto Blue Jays producing daily efforts on the diamond which range from surprisingly competitive to predictably mediocre, you can't blame fans for feeling a profound sense of deja vu intertwined with what we can best described as the inevitability of foreboding, necessary change. The kind of change that may leave this team looking nothing like their former selves, and thus ushering in a new era that will most certainly be referred to as...
Jun 26, 2018•58 min
The Blue Jays find themselves facing American League East opponents over the next nine days beginning with a six-game soiree against the New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles. Although the season has proven to be a colossal disappointment to many, I invite you to check out my latest intrepid foray into the hearts and minds of faithful bloggers, writers, and true baseball experts whose wizened perspectives may help mold the way you'll perceive the future of this team. Joining me on this episode ...
Jun 05, 2018•1 hr 30 min
As the Blue Jays continue their road trip against quality teams like the Phillies and Red Sox, it's becoming abundantly clear that something's got to give when it comes to preserving the fleeting sanity of their concerned fanbase. Specifically, how close the team is to making a decision regarding their mercurial prospect (Vlad Guerrero Jr.) and their equally mercurial disappointments (Kendrys Morales, Randal Grichuk, Marcus Stroman) through the early stages of the season. Joining me to explore a...
May 26, 2018•1 hr 11 min
Out-hit, out-pitched, out-scored and out-classed; some long weekends aren't worth their salt when it comes to anticipating a pleasing and worthwhile baseball experience in this city. As the Oakland Athletics battered the home faithful into oblivion with a team that resembled the Bad News Bears rather than the Toronto Blue Jays, it's abundantly clear that most fans are reaching their boiling point when it comes to unconditional loyalty and surreptitious faith in this franchise. Since we know it's...
May 21, 2018•1 hr 29 min
Fans of the Toronto Blue Jays can be forgiven if they feel as though this past week has aged them considerably. In what could best be described as a journey through baseball purgatory, the franchise found itself losing a red-hot minor-league prospect to a freak injury, witnessed their elite closer placed on administrative leave, were astonishingly no-hit by a rival Canadian player who was originally drafted by them, and suffered a inevitable series loss to the best team in the American League. J...
May 15, 2018•55 min
After a pleasantly surprising start to the 2018 campaign, the Toronto Blue Jays find themselves ahead of the grade and yet seemingly always behind the bend in the American League East. With the twin juggernauts (Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees) asserting themselves as the "super teams" they truly are, one can only hope that a solid April will turn into an even more prosperous May - one that will see the club facing an unprecedented level of quality competition and genuine baseball adversity....
May 04, 2018•45 min
Jays Journal Podcast - April 23. "The Value of April Perspectives." Ian Hunter (@BlueJayHunter; writer and blogger with Sporting News MLB & Blue Jays Nation) addresses the issue of fans rationalizing early season success with RISP and clutch hitting, along with his candid thoughts on Jose Bautista joining the Braves and what impact the Josh Donaldson DL stint will have on the team moving forward. (4:51-14:22) Tony Ambrogio (@Tony_Ambrogio; sportscaster with TSN & TSN Radio) offers his ta...
Apr 23, 2018•59 min
The Toronto Blue Jays began their transitional 2018 season by demonstrating the kind of resolve normally associated with playoff contenders; aggressive base-running, timely pitching, and precisely the kind of joie de vivre that was missing in its entirety last year. Four wins and three losses to begin a difficult campaign that will undoubtedly test the resolve of players, management and fans alike. Laura Armstrong (@lauraarmy; beat writer and sports journalist with The Toronto Star) offers her i...
Apr 05, 2018•31 min
Jays Journal Podcast - March 26. "Fighting For Relevance." One final trip to Montreal before the Blue Jays embark on their 2018 vaunted regular season campaign amidst a (suddenly) world class Toronto sports market dominated by hockey/basketball visions of grandeur. As a result, the baseball club finds itself fighting for relevance during an off-season rife with punishing fan expectations and hardened pundits at every turn dismissing any hopes of tangible success for the summer. Naturally, I'd be...
Mar 26, 2018•56 min
Jays Journal Podcast - March 13. "The Sky Falls Only Slightly." While it may seem like the Toronto Blue Jays are destined to undergo yet another injury-riddled year of general calamities, it should be noted that there are still some in the business of baseball who believe that the present is worth fighting for and that the future is an undiscovered horn of plenty. Although the prospect of an ailing Stroman, Tulowitzki, Donaldson, and Grichuk seem like legitimate reasons for doom and gloom, it mu...
Mar 14, 2018•1 hr 2 min
Jays Journal Podcast - March 10. "Preventing Runs & Battling Injuries." There's nothing quite like finding yourself well into spring training without a legitimate clue as to what this Toronto Blue Jays squad has in store for 2018. Will they be a defensive-oriented team rallying around their beleaguered starters and bullpen to eke out slim margins in their favour or can they rely upon a fresh influx of speed and athleticism to help drive their fortunes to greater heights? For many long-suffer...
Mar 10, 2018•54 min
Jays Journal Podcast - February 20th. "Generational Angst." It's been less than a week at spring training and already the Toronto Blue Jays find themselves under siege from bone spurs, twitter bon vivants, and stark admissions from their MVP superstar that nothing's transpired in the way of contract talks. But fear not, oh intrepid listener! We're back for another season of keeping you hormonally balanced, tenderly medicated, and mostly sane without breaking any laws. Tune in and listen to seaso...
Feb 21, 2018•1 hr 12 min
Jays Journal Podcast - February 14. "Hope Springs Eternal." As pitchers and catchers embark on their annual rites of baseball passage, we're thrilled to bring you a fresh season of the podcast featuring more action-packed round table discussions, exclusive interviews with compelling guests; former and present Blue Jays, media luminaries, and a litany of live and interactive broadcasts that will get you through a devastating losing streak and straight into the light of day. Helping us circumnavig...
Feb 15, 2018•54 min
Jays Journal Podcast - February 1st. "Collusion of Common Sense." It's been less than a week since the Toronto Blue Jays last made a move that resulted in reinforcing some form of infield or outfield depth, thereby ensuring that an already restless fanbase continues to hold their breath as high profile free agents remain tantalizingly available. It certainly hasn't been your typical winter off-season and the silence can be deafening at times for those wondering what the future holds in store. Tu...
Feb 02, 2018•55 min
Jays Journal Podcast - January 26. "Inching Towards Respectability." It's hard to believe that as the glorious prospect of spring training continues to tantalize fans of the Toronto Blue Jays, we find ourselves searching for answers to perennial questions that will only be answered with the passage of time. Will Mark Shapiro and Ross Atkins keep this team competitive with roster moves that have been described as shrewd by some or and simply frugal by others? Will remaining payroll expectations i...
Jan 27, 2018•38 min
Jays Journal Podcast - Pride & Dignity: An exclusive interview with Tony Fernandez. Opening Monologue. (0:00-10:58) His early childhood years, the moment baseball became a passion in life, which players inspired Tony most growing up in the Dominican Republic, how the vaunted "Fernandez sidearm toss" evolved, and his relationship with uber scout Epy Guerrero as both a father figure, mentor, and Latin baseball talent trailblazer. (10:59-27:22) Early days of losing expansion baseball, his relat...
Jan 17, 2018•1 hr 18 min
