Jays honour shooting victims, families
DUNEDIN, FLA.— On the first day of spring training games, the 30 majorleague teams wore hats with the letters S.D. to honour the 17 victims of the recent shooting tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkdale, Fla. It was a solid gesture by all of baseball.
The Blue Jays planned to sign the caps and return them to the school to raise money for charity.
Jays manager John Gibbons, wearing the commemorative cap, spoke of the need to remember, and to improve.
“It’s sad as can be,” Gibbons said. “The problem in our country is it’s happening too often. Something needs to be done and (the hats) put the spotlight on the tragedy and honours the victims and their families, which is a great thing.”
For Jays pitching coach Pete Walker, the day and the hats had a special meaning. Walker is a lifelong resident of Connecticut, where the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting took place in December 2012. Twenty children and seven adults were killed that day. Walker has three daughters who have gone through the various levels of the state’s education. He feels the pain.
“It’s absolutely gut-wrenching,” Walker said. “Experienced it with Sandy Hook, closer to home. It seems like it happens too frequently these days and certainly it’s something that you can’t quite explain. With three girls that have gone through the school system in Connecticut . . . you always think it’s so far away, but it’s a lot closer than everybody thinks.”
Walker knows the ups and downs of growing up from his teenagers. But the reaction of the surviving students and the activism they have started among their peers, nationally, gives Walker tremendous hope for the next generation.
“I would expect that from them and my girls as well,” Walker said. “There comes a time when it’s nice to see them put their foot down and express themselves in such a great way. Something needs to be done. Something needs to be done drastically to end it. It’s uplifting to see how they’ve reacted.”
The former major-leaguer believes that, with the next generation of voters already exercising their constitutional rights, things are headed towards change.
“With a young population that’s a huge issue, the gun laws and what they do from this point forward,” Walker said. “So any politicians that get on board (with gun control), I have a feeling, will have a strong, youthful following.
“It’s an unbelievable privilege to be able to put that hat on. Obviously, it’s a situation that everybody would never want to be a part of. Anything we can do in a small way to reflect that and express our feelings of compassion.”
Walker, who has rebounded nicely from the foul tip that felled him at batting practice earlier in the week, was asked about the progress of right-hander Aaron Sanchez, who missed all but eight starts a year ago battling blister issues.
“(Sanchez) threw another tremen-
dous side today,” Walker said. “The ball’s coming out of his hand as good as I’ve seen it. His arm is free and easy. The action on the ball is as good as I’ve seen it. He feels really good about where he’s at.”
VETERAN VALUE: Jays GM Ross Atkins was just waiting for the right moment to add another starting pitcher this winter. That moment came a week ago when the Jays added veteran left-hander Jaime Garcia to the starting mix on a one-year, $10-million (U.S.) contract plus a club option. Walker likes what he sees.
“Garcia understands his delivery,” Walker said. “He’s an intellectual. He’s someone that really takes pride in his craft. He understands his delivery. He knows what he needs to do on the mound to be successful. He has tremendous experience and a good track record and he’s a pleasure to be around and work with.”
QUALITY ARMS: A year ago, the Jays had what they believed was a solid starting five and the belief was that, if they remained healthy, the club could compete for a playoff berth. Unfortunately, Sanchez and J.A. Happ suffered injuries early and Francisco Liriano was ineffective and dealt at the deadline. The organization’s lack of starting depth became evident and the Jays struggled to 76 victories. They are younger and deeper this spring.
“There’s still some inexperience at that 7,8, 9, 10,” Walker said of the system’s starting depth chart. “But there are certainly quality arms that not only have good stuff, but they have a decent track record at the minor-league level and it seems like they’re on the cusp of pitching in the big leagues and having success.
“You can tell by watching Ryan Borucki and some of these other young kids, the way they throw the ball that they’re different.”
The Jays’ top six starters at the start of the spring are Marcus Stroman, Sanchez, Happ, Marco Estrada, Garcia and Joe Biagini.