Blue Jays Morning Brew: Josh Donaldson, Canada’s boyfriend

The Blue Jays took one on the chin last night, falling 10-2 to the Baltimore Orioles while their offense, defense and pitching took a simultaneous nap. The New York Yankees now sit just half a game behind the Blue Jays in the AL East, and what a series that will be next week. For you early birds after that weekend worm, here’s the Morning Brew to help ease the pain from last night’s loss!

One Donaldson on the rocks, barkeep  –  Danny Gallagher of the Canadian Baseball Network states his case for Josh Donaldson as the AL MVP, comparing everyone’s favorite kind-of-bad-boy to a well-mixed Manhattan. Bang on! It brings up the conversation that I’ve wanted to have: how much do we weigh non-statistical factors into the MVP discussion? Not enough, in my opinion. If Trout and Donaldson finish with comparable stat lines, do you think his impact on Toronto and the organization will push him over the top?

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Doing good off the field  –  Here’s a great profile from Alexis Brudnicki of MLB.com regarding the off-field work done recently by Donaldson and Jose Bautista. Donaldson’s recent BaseBowl charity bowling event raised $800,000 for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Toronto, while Bautista does great work through the Bautista Family Education fund which offers college scholarships to student-athletes.

Donaldson’s father was sent to prison for 16 years when he was just five years old, leaving him with a special appreciation for the work done by Big Brothers Big Sisters. “I was fortunate enough to have a mother [Lisa] who was able to provide. That being said, I know some kids aren’t as fortunate and they need help and they need some assistance and guidance. These organizations do that.”

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Best Supporting Cast  –  Good stuff here from Sportsnet’s Tao of Stieb on the supporting cast that’s propelled Toronto throughout the season. I’m a sucker for the glue guys and role players towards the bottom of a roster, and this 2015 roster has produced some gems. From Kevin Pillar to Ryan Goins and Devon Travis, potential weaknesses have become strengths.

Tao of Stieb makes a great call by including Marco Estrada too, and it’s important not to limit the definition of “supporting cast” to the batting order. Estrada came over from the Milwaukee Brewers as a homer-prone swingman for Adam Lind, but has transformed into a legitimate middle-of-the-rotation starter. Proving some of us to be a bit wrong. (Me).

Dickey takes flight  –  Mike Johnston of Sportsnet tells the story of R.A. Dickey‘s recent off day, where he spent time at the Canadian International Air Show. Dickey is said to be a “huge fan of aviation”, which may be one of the more R.A.-Dickey-esque factoids I’ve heard in a long time.

“I’ve always had a real love for airplanes, mostly the jets, but when I got offered the opportunity to go up in an aerobatic plane I couldn’t pass it up.” You keep chasing your dreams, wise man. Johnston notes that Dickey has a shot at career win number 100 during his next start against Boston.

Next: Did Blue Jays handle Dalton Pompey's 2015 properly?

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• Matt Chapman has been exactly what the Blue Jays needed
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• Blue Jays: Adam Cimber, the unlikely decision King