Oh come on. I can't believe that this is any sort of controversy. Booing the opposing team is part of being a fan. Just wait until Clemens or Wells makes an appearance at a Jays game. Choosing Matsui is strictly because he's the big name signing. If it wasn't him, they'd have chosen Contreras (if he was starting) or whoever else they signed for big money. The Yankees are the "big bad guys" of baseball. It is who you want to beat every time. The Jays used to be that way (1992/93) so it's no big deal. And if Matsui is worried about fans booing him, just wait and see what happens if he goes 0-for-16 to start the season.
Thanks, jerseygirl. Now I don't agree with the ad, because you aren't trying to beat Godzilla. You're trying to beat the Yankees. I was just in Toronto, and I really don't think anyone up there gives a crap (haHA!) about the Jays anyhow. If it ain't Leafs, it ain't shite. Ufez: Well, you're talking about my performance-art alter ego, Jonathan Dumpenstein. Posting just one picture would short him of his whole range of work, including the Republican Contract with America, the Eiffel Tower and, ironically, a portfolio of Robert Mapplethorpe's work. I say we leave him out of this.
Us Torontonians (and surrounding areas) don't care about the Jays as long as the Leafs are in the playoffs. The moment they are out (and hopefully not before June), we take notice. So any publicity is important for the Jays, and I think that it was part of the reason for the "risky" advertisement idea. Small story on the popularity of the Leafs in Toronto: Back when the Jays were playing the Phillies in the World Series (1993), I went to Skydome to watch Game 5 on the JumboTron (with about 25,000 other people). It was being played in Philly, but they opened up the dome for everyone to come in (for a small charitable donation). It was a great time, but the Jays lost. The biggest cheer of the night (including times when Toronto scored or got out of jams) was when between the 6th and 7th innings the Jumbotron showed the final score of the Leaf game. They had won, beating Tampa Bay and had set an NHL record for winning their 10th game in a row to start the season. World Series be damned, the Leafs stole the show.
Insane, ain't it, grum? I know there has to be backing for the Jays, because of the attendance records. The Leafs are it, though. I was stunned that fully 25% of Toronto males were wearing Leafs' jerseys on game day. Amazing. I still think "risky" is being nice ... "tasteless" is a better word. And why attack Matsui? Why NOT Clemens or Wells, who were a couple of knobs in leaving Toronto?
RBI single on the first pitch. Take that, Boo Birds!
