Middle defence heart of Jays’ rebirth
Goins, Martin, Pillar, Tulo one of best combinations in defensive runs above average
DUNEDIN— They are not inseparable, but Blue Jays second baseman Ryan Goins is usually within whispering range of shortstop Troy Tulowitzki in the clubhouse.
The two are a league-leading double-play combo since Tulowitzki arrived last July and form a unique bond as baseball soul mates.
“Our team is full of household names . . . it elevates your own game, makes you play to their standards,” Goins said Tuesday, after the Jays improved to 6-1 in spring training with a 9-3 win over the Twins.
Tulowitzki, who brings veteran leadership to the Jays, created a slogan to acknowledge the league-leading status of its middle defence of catcher, shortstop, second baseman and centre-fielder.
“Strong up the Middle” is a badge of honour among the foursome. Catcher Russell Martin, centre-fielder Kevin Pillar and Tulowitzki and Goins established themselves as the best up-the-middle defence in the American League during Toronto’s charge to the post-season in 2015.
Now, the phrase is spoken between them like a handshake. It also reaffirms not only the status of the foursome on the diamond but the bond they share off it as friends.
“Strong up the middle . . . Tulo came up with that, and it was something we obviously believed in, being strong up the middle for the whole season,” Goins said.
Behind that phrase is a resulting bond that sees the players share commitment, laughs, dinners and even at trip to the barber.
On the field, the foursome owned the best combined stats for defensive runs saved by a player last season. For this coming season, many predict the foursome will be baseball’s best in defensive runs above average.
Jays manager John Gibbons welcomes the bond and the resulting
“As good as our offence had been, we never took off until our defence improved.” JOHN GIBBONS BLUE JAYS MANAGER
dedication to defence. He has also been around the game long enough, as a manager and formerly as a catcher with the Mets, to understand the significance of strong defensive play.
“Really, they’re great friends . . . if you see Tulo, there’s a good chance Ryan is somewhere behind,” Gibbons said. “It’s a unique deal, it really is, it happened so quick when Tulo got here.
“Up the middle defence is important, but the game got away from that for awhile. There were times when you’d have a great catcher, but he was great because he could hit but maybe his (defence) wasn’t as good as his hitting. And offence was a huge part of things, so getting away from that (defence), teams suffered because of it, the game suffered because of it.
“As good as our offence had been, we never took off until our defence improved.”
Goins is quick to point out the entire roster bonds together quite well. After taking over from the injured Devon Travis last May, Goins earned his keep with his best offensive season in addition to his glove work.
To kick this season off, Goins followed his regular off-season preparation, but also took advantage of study into body movement, a growing specialty among professional athletes.
Just after the New Year, Goins spent time with Pillar, Chris Colabello and a few other Jays in Tampa to continue training under Jose Bautista’s trainer, Ryan Bruggerman.
“Every year you strive to get better, so mentally this season I came here to get my work done but I also feel better about myself, where I’m at,” Goins said. “I had a good year last year, but now I think I can do things better and be a better player.”