Dirk Hayhurst's Blog
Words and thoughts still trying to make it to the big leagues...To Stroman, or Not to Stroman
Marcus Stroman is a beast. Well, okay, maybe he’s not a beast, beast. Not like Hallday was a beast or Donaldson is a beast. He’s a young beast. A mini-beast. The man who would be beast… Okay, okay, he’s got a lot of beast potential. I like Stroman. Hell, everyone one...
There is No Player, Only Zuul
During a radio interview with TSN today, the question of religion in the locker room was brought up. The impetus: something to do with Roberto Osuna having strength in Christ, which is why he’s either successful, or doing his best, or focusing… or something. Whatever...
The Five Steps
What do players play for? A great question, and, depending on when you ask a player during his career, it can be answered in many different ways.... I remember my first and only Spring training with the Rays. I got a big league camp invite, which meant I got treated...
Something to Believe in
Ever wonder what the difference, psychologically speaking, is between a team that is winning and a team that is losing? Simply put, it’s belief. It used to be that I didn’t like that answer. Belief, meh, it feels like you're saying if we join hands and chant around a...
Crime and Punishment
If you get caught stealing signs in baseball—the original baseball data theft—your baseball punishment is a fastball to the ribcage. If you steal second base when your team is up ten runs, you also get a fastball to the ribcage. If you steal another player’s roster...
The Road Ahead
Recently someone from my hometown got drafted and a slew of people—many i’ve not talked to in decades—came out of the woodwork, asking if I’d talk to the young man about what to expect on the professional journey. Short answer: Bad locker rooms, peanut butter and...
Fire Away
Firing John Gibbons will most likely change nothing for the Blue Jays. If you don’t already know this simple truth, then you are probably one of the fans out there who wants to be mad at something and you don’t really care what that something is. Yet, even if John...
Chasing The Sun
Shots of temples, beaches, and a lot of beautiful people.
The Flower Market
Day one in India, over. Travel time to get here was about 36 hours in total with flight, layovers, and standing in lines factored in. I'm still jet-lagged, but here is what I can tell you from my short time in country: First, in India, size does matter. I mean that in...
Johan Santana, No Thanks.
What do the Blue Jays need right now? A left fielder. What did they get? A broken down, soft-tossing left hander. Go Jays! With all do respect to former two time Cy Young winner Johan Santana, he ain’t what he used to be. However, he is what the Blue Jays would like...
Saunders Injury More Costly Than You Think
I other news, Michael Saunders was in good spirits at the start of spring training. His calm, and generally quiet demeanor is a much needed balance to the lively, spark plug that is Jose Reyes, and upbeat, cheerleading styles of Russell Martin. He’s the quiet player’s...
The Zaun Factor
I like Zaun. I honestly do. That doesn't mean I don't know what he is, or how he is, it just means that, all things being equal, I do respect what he's done in the game and find him personable, honest, and—despite what anyone might think considering his comments on...