Latest news with #RobLongley
National Post
4 days ago
- Sport
- National Post
Should the Toronto Blue Jays go all-in at the trade deadline?
Article content WATCH BELOW: On the latest episode of Long Ball, Postmedia's Rob Wong chats with Toronto Sun Blue Jays writer Rob Longley about what he thinks Blue Jays GM Ross Atkins could do ahead of the MLB trade deadline and what the team's biggest needs are.
Toronto Sun
5 days ago
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
How Sportsnet's stunning drone shots are bringing Dome home for Blue Jays viewers
The overhead shots zooming down into the packed stadium have provided terrific transition to game action. Get the latest from Rob Longley straight to your inbox Sportsnet's drone used during Blue Jays games has been a hit. Photo by Rogers Sportsnet / Screengrab From a promotional perspective for a booming sports franchise and the corporate sister sports network that helps spread the word with its thorough coverage of the team, the Rogers Centre has never looked better. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Crowds of 41,000 plus packed the place each of the last six games as the Blue Jays finished off a 5-1 homestand to further entrench their first-place status in the American League East. Perfect summer nights added to the visuals and one of the biggest and most loyal television audiences in all of baseball were the beneficiaries. And over the past week, a TV production toy has revolutionized the look of what the million-plus Canadians tuning into Jays broadcasts are seeing. The shots from the drone camera buzzing high above the Rogers Centre have been nothing short of stunning, bringing Jays viewers rare views of a stadium that has dramatically transformed its look in the past two years. While no one at Rogers or Sportsnet wants to talk specifically on the record about what the shot has brought to game coverage and whether it will become a fixture in future shows, it's already a winner with many viewers. And on a broadcast that is already pitching 2026 season ticket sales as the best way to secure playoff tickets for 2025 (despite 60 games remaining in the season), the look has never been better. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The overhead shots zooming down into the packed stadium have provided terrific transition to game action, while capturing the stunning look of the extensively renovated stadium. Fans are well aware of what's happening on the field, but the shots — particularly the brilliant images at nightfall — are certainly helping spread the message that the downtown dome is once again the place to be. It's encouraging (and logical) to see that Rogers is spending on the production side of the network it owns to best display the team that's also a jewel under its corporate umbrella , given that ratings are routinely topping one million viewers a night. Those numbers should continue to escalate the longer the product remains exciting. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Is the shot over-used at times? Perhaps, but if you were a producer or a director with that tool in your tool box, how could you resist one of the more enticing technological tools available. The more advanced sports productions gets, the more sports venues can be treated as giant TV studios. Think of the Olympic Games, where the 'beauty shots' as they are known in the business seem to be on an endless loop providing spectacular backdrops to the spectacle unfolding. No one is suggesting that the Rogers Centre is one of the seven wonders of the sporting world, but it sure looked special during the recently complete series against the Yankees. And the drone camera — which those in the stadium can see hovering high above home plate after nightfall – has certainly added some 'wow' shots to the handful of recent broadcasts it has been part of the Sportsnet arsenal. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Speaking with those involved, it doesn't sound as though the drones will be an every home game toy for those that produce the broadcasts, though that could change if rave reviews continue. For whatever reason — and perhaps because the network is still figuring out how extensively it wants to employ the technology going forward — a request to Sportsnet for comment on the drone's use and its impact on the broadcasts was denied citing 'policy' to not allow producers to comment on production. That said, those on air and behind the scenes that we spoke with at the Rogers Centre this week certainly recognized the impact the drone view was bringing to the broadcast. For the broadcasters, there's an appreciation of the atmosphere in the building for a series like the recent one and the drone is helping deliver it in high definition directly to people's screens. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. For those involved on the production side, they're well aware of the power of a well-timed, unique visual to further capture what's happening with the team. Add in the regular camera shots, excellent audio work to capture the crowd Jays manager John Schneider is crediting as an aid to the team's success and the overall slick show produced by Doug Walton has enhanced the telling of one of the best stories in baseball this season IN THE BOOTH With Buck Martinez's extended absence continuing, Joe Siddall will be alongside Dan Shulman for the big four-game series over the weekend in Detroit against the Tigers. What suddenly looms as a critical series with the AL Central leaders was always going to be on Siddall's schedule given he lives across the river in Windsor, Ont. It is expected that Caleb Joseph will get the call for the four games in three days Baltimore series that follows and leads into the MLB trade deadline. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. It's expected that Martinez, who continues to follow the action closely, will return to the booth at some point as he deals with what Sportsnet described as a 'health setback.' RATINGS ENVY The sizzling Jays ratings were a topic of conversation around the batting cage this week, especially when compared with the powerhouse brand that are the New York Yankees. Specifically, folks involved with the YES Network, the long-time home of the Yankees broadcasts, were wowed by the news we reported last week that the Sportsnet recorded a season high audience of 1.2 million for the first Yankees series this month. While Sportsnet has the advantage of being a coast-to-coast entity, it isn't as if YES doesn't reach a large market. That said, on the rare occasions that the network draws 500,000 viewers, it's cause for celebration. For Sportsnet, that number would be seen as a terrible off-night for its captive Canadian audience. Sports Golf Ontario Canada Canada
Toronto Sun
6 days ago
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
Yankees snap Blue Jays home field mastery with dramatic ninth-inning win
Get the latest from Rob Longley straight to your inbox Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero Jr. slides into a double play as the Yankees' Jazz Chisholm Jr. completes the throw to first at Rogers Centre Tuesday night. Getty Images You didn't really think the New York Yankees would roll over for a sixth consecutive loss to the Blue Jays in the past three weeks did you? This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Sure, the Bronx Bombers have been struggling as they've essentially handed the Jays first place in the American League East, a dramatic turnabout in such a short time frame. Apparently there's still some pride in the Pinstripes, however as they jumped on veteran Max Scherzer and out to an early 4-1 lead before yet another exuberant sellout Rogers Centre crowd. The plucky Jays fought back to tie it only to see Yankees first baseman Ben Rice clobber a solo homer in the ninth to secure a 5-4 win to squelch the bleeding from the defending division champs. It was the Bronx Bombers first victory since losing a four-gamer here earlier in the month and dropping Monday's opener of this three-game set. The loss also defused the Jays franchise record, 11-game home winning streak. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The winning blow came off of Jays closer Jeff Hoffman, who was making his fourth appearance in five days as manager John Schneider was clearly going for the jugular against the Yankees, who moved back to within three games of Toronto's lead in the AL East. The Jays prospects seemed dire in the early going, but then the familiar chorus of this resilient team kicked in yet again. After falling into that 4-1 hole, the Jays resolutely chipped away at the Yankees lead. Addison Barger got it started with his second RBI single of the night in the fifth to cut the deficit to two and then it was pinch-hitting Davis Schneider's turn to deliver a clutch hit, an RBI double in the sixth to score another pinch hitter, Myles Straw. Two batters later, George Springer ripped a single towards Aaron Judge in right field and just like that it was a 4-4 ball game. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The Jays had opportunities to finish off the comeback, too. George Springer was left on second base to end the sixth when Vlad Guerrero Jr. struck out in one of those moments that the Jays need him to come up big in. In the seventh, a hard-hit double to lead things off from Bo Bichette yielded nothing, either, setting the stage for Rice's decisive homer in the ninth. Guerrero attempted to get the rally started with a leadoff single off of Yankees closer Devin Williams in the ninth but a Bichette strikeout was followed by a loud fly ball out to right field by Barger and a strikeout of catcher Alejandro Kirk. The loss snapped the Jays franshise-record home winning streak at 11 games and set up a rubber match in the three-game series for Wednesday. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. UP SCHLITTLER CREEK On paper, Tuesday's starting pitching matchup seemed lopsided in favour of the Jays. For the Yankees, righty Cam Schlittler was making just his second career start For the Jays, veteran Scherzer took the mound for the 463rd time in the big leagues (and sixth with the Jays). Schlittler, the hard-throwing 24-year-old, is just getting his career stat for a Yankees rotation that has been beset with injuries. Scherzer began the night ranked second among active pitchers in strikeouts (3,431), starts (462) and wins (217.) While his teammates gave him some run support, Schlittler's pitch count climbed to 90 which ended his night after five innings. The righty allowed seven hits and three walks, but limited the damage to two runs – each on RBI singles from Barger in the first and fifth innings. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Scherzer also went five innings, allowing five hits and four earned runs – all of them via the two Yankees home runs – a three-run blast from Jazz Chisholm Jr. in the first and a solo effort from Cody Bellinger in the fifth. 40- PLUS CROWD The combination of summer in the city and an entertaining, first-place team has made the Rogers Centre the place to be in recent weeks. An announced crowd of 42,326 on Tuesday was the fifth consecutive game the Jays have topped the 40,000 mark coming out of the break and was a season high. UP NEXT The six-game homestand ends on Wednesday with the rubber match of a three-game series with Jays righty Chris Bassitt facing Yankees lefty Max Fried, he of the 11-3 record and 2.43 ERA. Canada Canada Olympics Columnists Entertainment
Toronto Sun
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
Bichette leads way as Blue Jays drop Yanks for record 11th consecutive home win
Get the latest from Rob Longley straight to your inbox Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette (11) throws to first base against the New York Yankees during fourth inning MLB baseball action, in Toronto on Monday, July 21, 2025. Photo by Thomas Skrlj / THE CANADIAN PRESS Until a little less than three weeks ago, Bo Bichette had never played on a first-place team this late in a big-league season, though he had thought about it often enough. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account As the Blue Jays continue to cement their position atop the American League East, the shortstop rather likes the feeling. 'It feels like it's something we've been striving to do,' Bichette said before playing the hero in a 4-1 Jays win over the New York Yankees at a rocking, sold-out Rogers Centre on Monday, the latest magical night in a summer piling up with them. 'It's the first time in my career. It feels good coming to the park every day with a bunch of teammates that are willing to do whatever it takes to win. When you do that, the best version of yourself will come out.' It came out again in the opener of a three-game series, on a night when the schedule told you it was Game 100 for both the Jays and the Yankees, but it felt as though it was much more than a beautiful Monday evening in July. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. It was a brilliant summer night under an open roof at the downtown dome, a showdown between the top two teams in the division played before a sellout crowd of 41,788, the type of throng that is becoming commonplace for the most exciting Jays team in a decade. It was a battle early for the Jays on their way to a franchise-record 11th consecutive home win, but the will to win that is becoming the hallmark of this Toronto team took over in the decisive fifth inning. The big blow of the four-run inning was a two-run double from Bichette to give the Jays their first runs and first lead of the night. The 27-year-old sensed the importance of the moment as well as he ripped a double into the left-field corner off of Yankees southpaw Carlos Rodon and celebrated animatedly as he reached second and watched first George Springer and then Vlad Guerrero Jr. scamper across home plate. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'I think I've played with joy for a lot of my career,' Bichette said when asked about the uplifting environment of playing on a team that extended its bulge atop the AL East to four games. 'But this is just a group of players that make it enjoyable to come to the field. 'Winning helps. I mean it's something that we all had a goal of, but once you start seeing the wins come across the board, it becomes easier. 'And having a bunch teammates that are willing to do whatever it takes to win makes it easier as well. So it's been a great group.' The all-for-one, one-for-all chorus that is driving the narrative for these 59-41 Jays may cause cynics to roll their eyes, but with wins in 17 of their last 21 games — and now four in a row since the all-star break — there's something real about the vibes. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Witness the reaction to Davis Schneider, two batters after Bichette in the fifth. He fought Rodon through an epic 15-pitch at-bat that eventually resulted in an out, but it certainly softened the Yankees starter. As Schneider was being celebrated in the Jays dugout, a pair of Yankees errors helped the Jays to two more runs. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Witness the festive atmosphere all night as fans from field level to the 500s revelled in what felt like a huge win. And witness the celebration as closer Jeff Hoffman recorded his 24th save on his bobblehead night, no less, as the vocal crowd erupted in approval. 'I think some of it is personalities,' manager John Schneider said of the clubhouse mentality. 'Some of it is we've shown to be resilient. We've shown to just move on to the next thing, whether it's in game or after a game. They're pretty well-versed in just saying 'OK, what's important right now?' 'It's nice that they're a very stable group.' For further insight into what's happening with his team, Schneider was asked if he was surprised that these upstart and highly entertaining Jays have a better record than the defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Read More The manager didn't flinch before his profound response. 'It's baseball,' Schneider said. 'Teams on paper are teams on paper. There's certain things that aren't objectively qualified, but we've always had a lot of trust in the group. It's funny how it works out. There's still 63 games (62 after Monday's win) and a lot can happen. (But) it kind of shows what guys are made of and they believe they can play with anyone and they should. 'This is where we had hoped to be, where we are really competitive in a tough division.' It's also brought the Jays back to a place Bichette remembers when he first took note of the Jays back in 2015, the year before he was drafted by Canada's team. 'I remember they were a super fun team to watch with a lot of great hitters,' Bichette said. 'They made splashes at the deadline. The atmosphere in the stadium was always super attractive. 'I don't really ever remember watching Blue Jays baseball before that. That team put baseball in Toronto on the map.' The group he's a part of now is bringing them back. Celebrity Canada Columnists Canada Toronto & GTA
Toronto Sun
21-07-2025
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
Forget AL East crown, Blue Jays taking aim at top of AL or MLB
A summer of opportunity awaits for a first-place Blue Jays team playing with a purpose and growing sense of something special Get the latest from Rob Longley straight to your inbox Toronto Blue Jays' George Springer, right, is doused by teammates after they defeated the New York Yankees in Toronto on Thursday, July 3, 2025. Photo by Thomas Skrlj / THE CANADIAN PRESS The Blue Jays woke up on Monday in first place in the American League East, preparing to defend that honour with another three-game series against the New York Yankees. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account And as crazy as it sounds, retaining that placing could be the least of their goals, given their recent surging success. Yes, as they prepare for their 100th game of a season rapidly steaming to the most important stretch, the Jays have the second-best record in the American League and almost incredibly, the fourth-best in all of Major League Baseball. Yes, the sudden, scintillating rise through the standings as they approach being two thirds through the season has manager John Schneider's team in position for much more than its first division title in a decade. And yes, when the Jays attempt to set the franchise record with an 11th consecutive home win on Monday night against Aaron Judge and the Bronx Bombers, there are heady, higher aspirations within their reach. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Perhaps getting comfortable and more confident with the division lead – where they've sat for the past 19 days now – another series win against the Yanks would entrench that status and increase the three-game margin currently in place. But here's where things get seriously enticing for the Jays, who with that 58-41 are now hot on the heels of the only team better than them in the American League, the Detroit Tigers, who at 60-40 lead the AL Central. Chasing down the Tigers for the league lead has huge benefit come post season but even the No. 2 seed is of huge significance, should the Jays be able to retain it through the remaining 63 games. To get a bye through the wildcard round that has yielded such crushing disappointment the previous two times they participated in the post season, is a potentially huge development. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. With so much of the season remaining, there could be a temptation to pump the brakes on some of the most exuberant enthusiasm. There is surely a downturn to come at some point, though it feels as though the Jays are better equipped to deal with a slump than they've been in a while. There are health concerns and persistent needs for the top half of the order to contribute offensively in a more meaningful way. And pitching wise, there will be a need for reinforcements. But countering any of those doubts is the way the Jays have reached their current spot and the growing sense of something special developing within a resilient group that is finding ways to win in multiple ways. And here's where what happens off of the field over the next 10 days matters in a large way. With a fired-up fan base, a united clubhouse and a team that seems to be relishing the intangibles of what a winning team feels like, it's on general manager Ross Atkins to enhance what's happening in a meaningful way. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. As obvious as the comparisons to 2015 are, it's impossible not to draw parallels to a decade ago. The players feel it. The fans feel it. And a renovated Rogers Centre feels like the place to be in the peak of a Toronto summer. Which brings us back to the present. The week ahead certainly serves up a stout test on a couple of fronts for the Jays. First, you can bet the Yankees won't roll over like they did earlier in the month when they were swept away in the four-game series that allowed the Jays to surge to the division lead. Toronto Blue Jays' George Springer celebrates after slugging a home run against the Angels on Saturday. CHRIS YOUNG/THE CANADIAN PRESS Following that, there's a four-gamer at the other end of the 401 when the Jays meet the Tigers in perhaps the most important showdown against their closest geographical rival in decades. Over the seven games, the Jays will face the Yankees top two starters — Rodon on Monday and Max Fried on Wednesday. And in the Motor City, they'll take on ace of aces, the Tigers Tarik Skubal on the weekend. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. As for the Yankees, when they previously arrived in Toronto on June 30, they held a three-game lead over the Jays before the four losses — including a resounding Canada Day celebration — caused them to surrender top spot. Since then, the Jays have been on an historic run in terms of franchise accomplishments. There was a 10-game winning streak, matching the club mark. There have been the 10 consecutive wins at the dome, equalling another franchise record and what a way to eclipse it with a fifth consecutive Toronto win over their division rival. The Jays are well aware of what's at stake — it's impossible not to be. They can read and digest the standings like you and I, they can feel the energy at the Rogers Centre, which is full or close to it every day and night now. Presumably, they're also well aware of what got them to this place (on pace for 95 wins) and that's a laser focus on the immediate task and to quickly flush the big win or loss the previous night. With TV ratings through the roof, and sellout crowds watching the team with the best home winning percentage in baseball, a summer of opportunity awaits. Toronto & GTA Uncategorized Editorial Cartoons Football Canada
