Blue Jays: 5 things I learned watching the opponent’s broadcasts

Sep 8, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson (20) watches a bird prior to a game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports

For many people, Toronto Blue Jays television broadcasts take up three hours of each day. That’s nearly 500 hours across an entire season, so it’s not surprising that the names, faces and ideas on those broadcasts quickly become familiar. Part of your daily “normal”.

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From Buck Martinez and Pat Tabler on the play-by-play to Barry Davis and Hazel Mae on the field, Sportsnet does offer up a great, all-inclusive coverage package for this ball club. Count in Gregg Zaun with Jamie Campbell, not to mention the countless scribes who contribute to the on-air product, and you’ve got all you need. Still, I decided to try the view from the other side.

I often tell our readers or podcast listeners that one of the best practices is to take some time every now and then to read Blue Jays coverage from different markets. Perhaps how a New York columnist views David Price in the Cy Young race, or how a Los Angeles reporter thinks Mike Trout stacks up against Josh Donaldson.

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At the same time, comparing your own view of another team to the local market’s perception can be eye opening. For example, I think New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi has done fantastic work this season to elevate the Yankees into their current position despite numerous challenges. Much of the local New York coverage this season would disagree with me, and in that, perhaps there’s a lesson to be learned about Toronto’s view of manager John Gibbons.

A recent trip to the United States left me with the opposition’s broadcasting team for a game, and I decided that for one week I would continue to do the same. I missed you, Buck and Pat, but certain sacrifices must be made in the name of science.

Ahead in this article are five lessons that I learned about the Toronto Blue Jays along along the way. This is all about perspective, and while the crews from these opposing markets don’t have the same level of familiarity with the organization as we do, that distance can be valuable.

Now, on to the lessons….

Next: Lesson #5: Where is Roberto from, again?...