Deep Left Field with Mike Wilner

Guests: Former Blue Jays pitcher Jason Grilli, Jays’ associate manager DeMarlo Hale

This week in “Deep Left Field,” we get Jason Grilli’s thoughts on the surprise (and welcome) retirement of Angel Hernandez and check in with DeMarlo Hale for his assessment of the Blue Jays through one-third of the season. Also, thoughts on Hernandez’ legacy, such as it is, as well as Alek Manoah’s injury and the Jays’ City Connect uniforms!

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Guests: Blue Jays centrefielder Kevin Kiermaier, Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash, Jays fan Liz McGuire

This week in “Deep Left Field,” we hear from Kevin Kiermaier on the Blue Jays’ rough first couple months of the season, including the virus that tore through the clubhouse and what he believes we’ll be seeing from here on out. We also catch up with former Blue Jay Kevin Cash, now the most-winning manager in Tampa Bay Rays’ history, and we check in on Liz McGuire, who garnered international attention after being hit in the forehead by a 110-m.p.h. foul ball off the bat of Bo Bichette.

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Guests: Blue Jays 2B/LF Davis Schneider, former Jay and current Minnesota Twins pitcher Jay Jackson, Blue Jays mental skills coach John Lannan

This week, we sit down with Davis Schneider, who has been one of MLB’s best hitters since coming to the big leagues last August, catch up with old pal Jay Jackson to see how he’s doing with a new team and to get an update on 10-month-old J.R., and introduce you to John Lannan, whose job it is to help out the Blue Jays between the ears.

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Guests: Once-and-future Blue Jays pitcher Aaron Sanchez, Dodgers reliever (and former Jay) Daniel Hudson plus your e-mail!!!

This week in “Deep Left Field,” we dip into the mailbag to hear your thoughts on what’s been an incredibly frustrating couple of weeks in Blue Jay land, then we talk to two pitchers traded by the Jays on the same day back in 2019, Aaron Sanchez and Daniel Hudson. They’re both trying to bounce back from a rough last few years, and Sanchez is getting the opportunity to do it back in the Jays’ organization, having signed a minor-league deal this week.

Guests: Blue Jays closer Jordan Romano and starter Kevin Gausman, Los Angeles Dodgers/Baseball Canada slugger Freddie Freeman

This week, we celebrate Markham’s own Jordan Romano joining the 100-save club, check in with Kevin Gausman for an in-depth look at the Blue Jays’ disappointing first month of the season and catch up with all-star Freddie Freeman, who honours his late mother by suiting up for Team Canada.

What you would like to hear on Toronto Star podcasts? Let us know in this survey and you can enter to win a $100 gift card.

As Shohei Ohtani weekend comes to a close, we answer your questions about where the Blue Jays stand one month into the season. What’s wrong with the offence? Should Vladdy be given a few games off? How safe is Ross Atkins? What about the hitting coaches? Do clutch players exist? Are the Jays at risk of losing their fan base? All these and so much more!

Guests: Former Blue Jay pitcher Ross Stripling and Colorado manager and ex-Jay Bud Black

This week, we give you “Long Toss With Ross” once again, as Ross Stripling joins us to talk about his tough start to the season with the Oakland A’s. We catch up with Rockies’ manager Bud Black, a Blue Jay for two weeks in the pennant race of 1990, and talk about the glory days and his part in breaking Jays’ fans hearts while with the 1985 Kansas City Royals. Also, a look back at the week that was, focusing on a couple of games the Jays gave away.

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Guests: Blue Jays DH Justin Turner, third base coach Carlos Febles, rehabbing starter Alek Manoah

This week, we do a deep dive into the confluence of events that led to the Blue Jays using the bullpen the way they did in their series-ending loss to the Yankees — the first blown save for the Jays this season — and then check in with Justin Turner for his thoughts on the first home stand. We introduce you to new third-base coach Carlos Febles and hear from Alek Manoah on the lessons he learned from his terrible 2023.

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Guests: Blue Jays outfielder Kevin Kiermaier, third baseman Isiah Kiner-Falefa and pitcher Paolo Espino; former Jays pitcher Trent Thornton 

This week, Kevin Kiermaier checks in for his regular visit despite a 3-for-31 start to his season. We talk to Isiah Kiner-Falefa about his first home opener as a Blue Jay and his strong start to the season, catch up with former Jay Trent Thornton, now a Seattle Mariner, and get to know Paolo Espino, who spent 11 years in the minors before making it to the big leagues.

What you would like to hear on Toronto Star podcasts? Let us know in this survey and you can enter to win a $100 gift card.