JS03

Toronto turns to ace in effort to wrest an opening-Day win
April 2
Globe and Mail: "For a record-setting fifth year in a row, the Jays will send 29-year-old Halladay to the mound to try to open the season on a winning note. It appears to be a wise move."
<hr> A blue-Collar ballplayer
April 2
Toronto Star: "Frank Thomas is a throwback. From his see-saw swing to his 'let's play two' attitude, Thomas exemplifies baseball's golden-age virtues."
<hr> No doubts for Thomas
April 2
Toronto Sun columnist Bob Elliott: " Yesterday, we were sitting along the west wall of the visitors clubhouse of Comerica Park to talk with the injury-prone, new Jays DH -- Frank Thomas, also an ex-footballer. Thomas, who turns 39 next month, is as healthy as a three-year-old stakes contender at Woodbine -- though he has yet to hit the Rogers Centre turf -- as the 2007 schedule begins this afternoon. "
<hr> Tigers find a ring for Jays' Stairs
April 2
Toronto Sun: "Larry Walker isn't the only Canadian getting a ring from the 2006 post-season. Blue Jays' backup outfielder Matt Stairs, of Frederiction, N.B., will be presented with a Detroit Tigers American League championship ring. "
<hr> Optimism reigns supreme
April 2
Toronto Sun: "The Blue Jays ended spring training in a positive frame as they managed to escape Florida without any serious injuries. Their lone setback involves right-hander Brandon League, who was slotted to be their setup man."
<hr> Tigers GM shows leadership
April 2
Toronto Star columnist Richard Griffin: "Call it a tale of two GMs. The baseball careers of J.P. Ricciardi and Dave Dombrowski intertwined briefly in the autumn of 2001 when they were both leading candidates for the vacant Blue Jays job as general manager."