Doc likes what he sees in new-look Jays lineup

[BronxBomberz]

The first-inning at-bat by Scott Rolen may have seemed a mere footnote in the tapestry of yesterday's 4-1 Jays victory over the Pirates, but as the veteran third baseman was grinding out a nine-pitch base-on-balls, there was one very interested observer in the home dugout – ace Roy Halladay. Halladay had spoken out earlier in the spring about last year's missing "sense of urgency" in the clubhouse. What he has seen thus far in spring training is different and reflected by Rolen's efforts. "Even today, guys are rooting for each other and guys are trying to do the little things," Halladay said following his five shutout innings. "Guys are having good at-bats. Scott Rolen had a great at-bat and drew a walk. There are just little signs." In addition to the workmanlike walk, Rolen demonstrated his highly regarded baserunning instincts. Lining a ball to left, Rolen paid close attention as Andrew McCutchen took a second look at Vernon Wells heading for third and double-clutched. Without breaking stride, Rolen raced for second, not drawing a throw. Halladay feels that his voice will not be the lone voice in the Jays' wilderness of leadership. "(Leadership) is something everybody's conscious of at this point," Halladay said. "I think we have the right guys for it. I really do. The guys that have been here are starting to get ... not frustrated, but we're tired of finishing the same every year and not really seeing the progression we'd like to see. That and the fact we added guys that play the game the right way makes the difference." What are the differences in a season, from last spring training to this one where Halladay can see the difference in attitude and leadership? Last spring, the Jays had signed the veteran Royce Clayton as the shortstop, trying to revive his own career, had thrown three veteran starters against the wall, hoping one or two would stick and were dealing with B.J. Ryan who was very concerned about his hurting left elbow. This year, the intense Ryan is back and healthy. Rolen and David Eckstein, both with World Series rings this decade have arrived. Matt Stairs is comfortable taking charge when needed and starters Dustin McGowan, Shaun Marcum and Jesse Litsch all have arrived and feel important after being incidental, at best, last March. "As an organization everybody knows that we're not in the rebuilding process," Halladay said. "We're trying to go to the next level. . . . It's not going to be a learning process as much as (with) a rebuilding team. They realize that it is our responsibility to go out and start winning games and not just progress ability-wise." If perception is reality, how will this renewed sense of urgency that Halladay feels reflect itself over the course of 162 games? "For me, it was just a matter of treating every series like we do Boston and New York," the '03 Cy Young winner said. "We play those guys so well and then there's kind of an emotional letdown when we play some other teams. We just can't afford to do that in our division. We have to have an attitude of trying to bury teams every chance we get." Obviously, no major league team can expect to compete for the post-season on attitude and honouring the game's fundamentals alone. The Jays' offence has been dormant this spring, but yesterday the bats showed some real signs of life. In addition, Halladay has already reached a point of health and comfort where he has begun treating these games like the regular season. With three starts left for Halladay before his opening day assignment at Yankee Stadium, this is the earliest the Jays' ace has declared himself ready to go in years.

TheStar.com | Baseball | Doc likes what he sees in new-look Jays lineup

And I hope that new look Jays lineup blows up