In 2006 the Toronto Blue Jays signed Left-Handed Closer BJ Ryan to a monster deal (47 million over 5 years). At the time it appeared the then 31 year old deserved every penny of it due to recent performance. Over the two seasons prior to signing with the Jays he struck out 222 batters walked only 61, while holding an ERA below 2.50. BJ put in one good season with the Blue Jays before getting injured and sitting out almost all of 2007. 2008 was a good year for Ryan again but he was injured late in the season and has clearly not returned to form for the 2009 campaign. 

Now according to the Fan590’s Radio Jockey Brian Douchey-Bignose. BJ Ryan only ever threw at a velocity of 91 MPH, he really relied on his quirky technique and excellent command. As a Blue Jays viewer I whole heartedly disagree with him . Last season BJ Ryan constantly hit 93 MPH and was rarely near the strike zone with his ridiculous looking slider, this season BJ has maxed out at 88 MPH but has mostly thrown 87MPH. Now as I listened to the radio show Brian informed me that his velocity is not an issue because its only a a difference of 2MPH. WAIT! WHAT?! 91-87=2? and if you use what he actually used to throw 93-87=2? man this guys numbers rock! The reality is BJ has lost a good 5-6MPH which may not seem like much, but it can be the difference between a foul ball and a crushing home run hit by Michael Young.

Now onto what this post is really about, BJ Ryan getting thrown down to the minors at minimum. BJ is a two pitch pitcher who now throws an 87 MPH “Fastball” and an 84 MPH Slide type thing. He has almost no change in speed and his slider has the most obvious looping action in the Bigs. The Blue Jays are an organization chalked full of young pitching that can come in and fill in a missing spot. Now I am not saying the Blue Jays bring up Wolfe or Bullington to be the Closer, BUT you could bring up one of those guys to fill out the bullpen while lets say Scott Downs or Jason Frasor takes over spot as closer, OR even better yet bring Jeremy Accardo back up tomorrow and let him do the job again. At least Accardo hasn’t blown a save in less than 5 opportunities this year, mind you it is at AAA Las Vegas, but with closers it’s not about where you are pitching but how you are pitching and let me tell you Accardo is getting the job done. And before everyone gets on me about being a “Frasor-Lover” just watch the guy pitch this year, he is 100% the best there is in the Blue Jays bullpen right now since he added the Change-up to his pitching repertoire. 

After last nights ball game it was announced that BJ has been moved to the disabled list. The official injury as quoted by Cito Gaston is, “BJ sucks so much right now and he is making me look bad, plus he is a big white guy from the south, I don’t like him, never had, and I think he and Lyle Overbay should make terribly ugly kids together.” The actual reason is an upper shoulder strain, it is pretty vague and no one, not even BJ is buying into it.

I will leave you with this. BJ Ryan successfully blew his second save of the season and it all started by walking the number 8 hitter for Texas, don’t be like BJ, walking is never and option.

(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

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