Deep Left Field with Mike Wilner (Toronto Star)

Guests: Blue Jays starter Kevin Gausman, centrefielder Kevin Kiermaier, and reliever Jay Jackson.

This week in Deep Left Field, host Mike Wilner talks to Kevin Gausman about his start to the season and about getting to know Toronto, living in midtown and enjoying the local food scene, has his monthly visit with Kevin Kiermaier and plays Meet The New Guy with Jay Jackson!

Guests: Blue Jays World Series Champion architect Pat Gillick, Jays' 1980s centrefielder Lloyd Moseby, Twins' infielder Edouard Julien

This week in Deep Left Field, we celebrate both Tom Cheek's birthday and Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Week by talking to Blue Jays' legends and Hall of Famers Pat Gillick and Lloyd Moseby, and we get a glimpse of the future of Canadian baseball with Canada's 2023 WBC star Edouard Julien.

Guest: Joseph Daniel Votto

The greatest Toronto-born player in baseball history joins us to discuss his attempt to continue his career in his hometown, whether he’s got anything left and why he apologized once again for his anti-Baseball Canada rant of 2018.

Guests: Blue Jays DH Justin Turner and infielders Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Spencer Horwitz

This week in “Deep Left Field,” we talk to the resurgent Justin Turner, who has shaken off a terrible month of May to get back to his normal self in June. We catch up with Isiah Kiner-Falefa for his thoughts about the team’s current predicament and having to take over at shortstop with Bo Bichette on the injured list, and chat with Spencer Horwitz, who has done nothing but hit — and at a new position — since his call-up to the big leagues a fortnight ago.

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

Guests: Blue Jays 2023 MVP Bo Bichette, Pitcher of the Year Kevin Gausman, Rookie of the Year Davis Schneider, Unsung Hero Cavan Biggio

This week in Deep Left Field, host Mike Wilner hands out the Blue Jays 2023 End-of-Season Awards as voted on by the players and coaching staff themselves. Each of the winners joins us for a conversation looking back at their year and (unfortunately, as it turned out) looking ahead to the playoffs.

Guests: Blue Jays right-hander Kevin Gausman, catcher Danny Jansen, closer Jordan Romano and rookie sensation Davis Schneider.

This week in Deep Left Field, we take you right into the dugout and get to the heart of the Jays' playoff predicament with Kevin Gausman, check in with Danny Jansen and Jordan Romano about heading into a third straight tight, tense September race and catch up with Davis Schneider, who spent the month of August rewriting the Jays' rookie record book.

Guests: New York Post columnist Jon Heyman, Injury Expert Will Carroll of Under The Knife.

This week in "Deep Left Field," Jon Heyman joins us to express his bewilderment as to why anyone would be insulted when he wrote that Shohei Ohtani signing with the Blue Jays would have been bad for baseball. Also, Will Carroll talks about the health status of Rhys Hoskins, a free agent who could be a good fit in Toronto, and the Jays’ success with keeping their 2023 starting rotation healthy.

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.

Guests: Ex-Blue Jays and new Canadian Baseball Hall of Famers John Olerud and Denis Boucher, and Marla Barfield, wife of new Hall of Famer Jesse.

This week in Deep Left Field, host Mike Wilner brings you to St. Marys for the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame induction and talks to new inductees and former Blue Jays John Olerud and Denis Boucher about receiving the honour, looking back at their time on the field. And Marla Barfield talks about the heavy lifting she did behind the scenes to support her husband and many other young Jays.

Guests: Blue Jays Opening Day starter Alek Manoah, first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr., right fielder George Springer, closer Jordan Romano and catcher Danny Jansen.

This week in Deep Left Field, it's the Opening Day Extravaganza! We kick off our third year of the podcast by setting up the season with some of the most important players on the Jays' roster as they look to win the AL East for the first time since 2015. Opening Day starter Alek Manoah, leadoff hitter George Springer and slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. talk about building off last season and just how good this team can be in 2023, then Jordan Romano and Danny Jansen team up to give us the rundown on the team and tell us how many times they'll be shaking hands at the end of games this year.

Guests: Arkells’ bassist Nick Dika; Drew Fairservice, former host of Spin Rate; Paul Sun-Hyung Lee, star of "Kim’s Convenience"

This week in "Deep Left Field," it’s all about Ohtani. Host Mike Wilner convenes a "Shohei Fever" Roundtable with Nick Dika, Drew Fairservice and Paul Sun-Hyung Lee to discuss the Blue Jays pursuit of the reigning American League MVP, the likelihood of Ohtani actually choosing to sign with the Jays and what his arrival — or spurning of the Jays — could mean to the team, the city and the country.

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.

Guests: Blue Jays centrefielder Kevin Kiermaier, former Jays pitcher Ricky Romero and Baseball legend Dusty Baker.

This week in Deep Left Field, host Mike Wilner sits down with Kevin Kiermaier for his monthly visit, talking about the state of the Jays, the demotion of Alek Manoah and when fans boo the home team. Ricky Romero checks in to discuss his demotion all the way to A-ball in 2013 and Dusty Baker speaks with reverence about his former teammate Cito Gaston.

Guests: Blue Jays reliever Chad Green, Reds catcher and former Jay Luke Maile

This week in "Deep Left Field," we dive into Shohei Ohtani’s chances of coming to Toronto and talk about Cito Gaston’s possible election to the Hall of Fame this weekend as well as Ben Wagner’s dismissal from Jays’ radio broadcasts. Then Chad Green talks about his first year with the Jays, the playoff disappointment and the intricate, creative contract he signed last winter and Luke Maile joins us to talk about his Jays’ days and working with hitting coach Guillermo Martinez and new associate manager DeMarlo Hale.

Guests: Blue Jays infielders Davis Schneider, Spencer Horwitz and Ernie Clement

This week in “Deep Left Field,” host Mike Wilner gathers The Buffalo Bunch! Davis Schneider, Spencer Horwitz and Ernie Clement get together to discuss their time with the Blue Jays and Bisons this past season, watching each other succeed in the big leagues, their mutual admiration for each other and the impact they had on the playoff race.

Guests: Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr., centre fielder Kevin Kiermaier, right fielder George Springer, reliever Tim Mayza, starter Bowden Francis, associate manager DeMarlo Hale

It’s the Opening Day Extravaganza and we’ve got half a dozen Blue Jays checking in with their thoughts about the year to come! We check in with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and George Springer on how they plan to rebound from their worst offensive seasons, talk to Kevin Kiermaier about how good he thinks the Jays can be in 2024, chat with the longest-serving member of the team, Tim Mayza, and the newest member of the starting rotation, Bowden Francis. We also catch up with an old friend – DeMarlo Hale has been gone for five years, but he’s back to help return the Jays to the glory days of his first time around these parts.

Guests: Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette and manager John Schneider
 
Spring training has begun in Dunedin, Florida, and Mike Wilner is down there to give you the goods on what’s going on at camp. He’s also there to have incredible conversations with Bo Bichette and John Schneider. 

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.

Guest: Canadian Icon Paul Sun-Hyung Lee, star of Kim’s Convenience, The Mandalorian, Avatar; The Last Airbender

In this special Trade Deadline Extra edition of Deep Left Field, Mike Wilner and Paul Sun-Hyung Lee discuss what the Blue Jays did (and didn’t) do at the MLB Trade Deadline and how they’re set up for the stretch run.

Another night, another shut out at the hands of the Yankees. Gerrit Cole went the route on a two-hitter to finish off a Cy Young season and Aaron Judge blasted two homers. The Blue Jays, despite a scoreless homestand so far still hold the second wild card spot. We break it down, tonight and every night the Jays play!

Also, we answer your emails - send them to DeepLFPodcast@gmail.com! Or leave a question in the comments below.

Guests: Kevin Kiermaier, free agent centre fielder, and Gregor Chisholm, baseball columnist

This week in “Deep Left Field,” host Mike Wilner talks to Kevin Kiermaier about winning the American League Gold Glove and Fielding Bible awards in centre field, and what the future holds for him as he enters free agency again. We also check in with baseball columnist Gregor Chisholm on the Blue Jays‘ moves so far this off-season and what to expect over the winter.

Guests: Washington Nationals manager/former Blue Jays and Expos outfielder Dave Martinez; Ken Carson, former Jays trainer.

This week in Deep Left Field, we talk to Dave Martinez about the incredible start to his brief Blue Jays' career back in 2000, and about playing for the Expos then leading the Washington Nationals to the franchise's first-ever World Series title in 2019. We also catch up with Ken Carson, the Jays' trainer for the first decade of the franchise's existence.

Guest: Toronto Star Baseball Columnist Gregor Chisholm
 
On the eve of spring training, as host Mike Wilner prepares to join the Blue Jays in Dunedin, we bring you a special bonus episode featuring your questions! Mike and Gregor Chisholm, the Star’s baseball writers, answer your Jays questions about Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Alek Manoah, Ross Atkins and his quiet off-season, potential further additions before the season starts and many more!

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.

This week, on the 200^th episode of Deep Left Field, we catch up with some of our favourites. Kevin Kiermaier talks about the mess the Jays continue to find themselves in, his poor season, the injury to Isiah Kiner-Falefa, the DFA of Tim Mayza and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s all-star nod. Mark Budzinski gives his thoughts on the tough road ahead and how the coaching staff works to help the team stay positive and try to turn things around. Marcus Stroman looks back at his time in Toronto and how he’s changed since then.

Blue Jays President and CEO Mark Shapiro met with the media this week – for the first time since spring training – and we break down what Shapiro had to say. He touched on the Jays’ lost season, the future of Ross Atkins, what the Jays need to do to get back to being contenders and more. We analyze what Shapiro said, what he meant, and what that means to a fan base that seems to have lost faith in the front office and the direction in which they’ve taken the team.

Guests: Blue Jays centrefielder Kevin Kiermaier, reliever Jay Jackson, Arizona coach/former Jays 2B Orlando Hudson

This week in Deep Left Field, host Mike Wilner takes you right into the dugout with our regular monthly visit with Kevin Kiermaier, checks in with Jay Jackson about balancing work and a newborn in hospital and talks about the old days with Orlando Hudson.

Guests: Blue Jays legend Jose Bautista, reliever Jay Jackson and Phillies reliever Jeff Hoffman 

This week in Deep Left Field, host Mike Wilner talks to Jose Bautista about being elevated to the Level of Excellence, checks in with Jay Jackson about the bullpen, the baby and the stretch run and sits down with Jeff Hoffman, who was traded to Colorado in 2015 to kick off the greatest trade deadline in baseball history!

Guests: Blue Jays starter Kevin Gausman, top prospect Ricky Tiedemann, slugger Daniel Vogelbach

As we head into the final week of spring training, we take you back to the beginning with Kevin Gausman, who was scheduled to be the Blue Jays’ opening day starter. We check in with Ricky Tiedemann as he begins the season that’s likely to see his major-league debut and get to know Daniel Vogelbach, widely recognized across the game as an elite clubhouse presence. Plus, thoughts on the Santiago Espinal trade, the rash of Blue Jays pitching injuries and the Shohei Ohtani scandal.

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.

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!

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

Guests: Blue Jays top prospect, left-hander Ricky Tiedemann, new outfielder Daulton Varsho, potential third baseman of the future Addison Barger.

This week, Deep Left Field continues its coverage of Jays' spring training as host Mike Wilner catches up with Ricky Tiedemann, the 20-year-old who has dropped jaws all spring long; chats with Addison Barger, the rookie who homered up and over everything in the Jays' Grapefruit League opener; and plays "Meet The New Guy" with Daulton Varsho.

Guests: New Blue Jays DH Justin Turner, Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho, Phillies manager Rob Thomson

This week in “Deep Left Field,” we get to know the new guy, Justin Turner, who brings championship experience and an unflinching approach at the plate into the clubhouse. We catch up with Daulton Varsho, who knows what he has to do to win over Jays fans in his second year, and we talk to Phillies’ skipper Rob Thomson about one of his old teammates on the 1984 Canadian Olympic Baseball team, new Hall of Famer Rod Heisler.

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.

Guests: Blue Jays bench coach Don Mattingly, Team Canada WBC shortstop Otto Lopez, new Jays reliever Erik Swanson.

This week in Deep Left Field, host Mike Wilner talks to six-time all-star Don Mattingly about his new role as manager John Schneider's right-hand man, checks in with Otto Lopez before he heads off to play for Canada at the World Baseball Classic, and plays "Get To Know The New Guy" with Erik Swanson.

Guests: New retiree Joey Votto, Blue Jays starter Bowden Francis, Jays infielder Will Wagner, Cincinnati Reds infielder Santiago Espinal 

This week, we share highlights of the impromptu scrum that Joey Votto did at Rogers Centre just hours after announcing his retirement from baseball. Also, we sit down with reigning American League player of the week Bowden Francis, introduce you to hot-hitting rookie Will Wagner and catch up with a beloved former Blue Jay, Santiago Espinal, who was in town with his new team.

Guests: Blue Jays 1B/OF coach Mark Budzinski, Jays SS Paul DeJong, Red Sox 1B/DH Justin Turner

This week in Deep Left Field, host Mike Wilner talks to Jays’ coach Mark Budzinski for his assessment of the team at the 2/3 point of the season, introduces you to the newest Jay, Paul DeJong, and catches up with Justin Turner on his lengthy career and being college roommates with Ricky Romero.

Guests: Blue Jays pitcher Mitch White, former Jays 3B Rance Mulliniks

This week in "Deep Left Field," host Mike Wilner talks about the Jays’ signing of Justin Turner with Mitch White, who was his teammate with the Dodgers from 2020-22. They also talk about the strides White made at the end of last season and his outlook for 2024. As well, Rance Mulliniks joins us to remember former Jays’ manager Jimy Williams, who passed away at age 80 last week, and to relive the ups and downs of the glory years.

The Blue Jays blanked the New York Yankees with Chris Bassitt throwing a gem that culminated with striking out Aaron Judge to finish the regular season at a career-high 200 innings pitched. He’s the first Jay to reach that mark in seven years. With the win, the Jays could clinch a playoff berth as early as Friday night. 

Also, we answer your emails (send them to DeepLFPodcast@gmail.com or leave a question in the comments below).

Guests: Former Blue Jays and Diamondbacks shortstop John McDonald, original Jay and current Arizona 1B coach Dave McKay, and Mike Cieslinski, creator of Dynasty League Baseball powered by Pursue the Pennant

This week in “Deep Left Field,” we check in John McDonald about his days with the DBacks (including a trip to the playoffs), reminisce about the Blue Jays of the 1970s with Dave McKay and go over a wild and wacky World Series simulation with Mike Cieslinski.

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.

It’s the first edition of Deep Left Field Daily! We take you through the Blue Jays’ 2-0 loss to the Yankees on Tuesday, touching on the silent bats, the great start by Kevin Gausman, and Jordan Romano’s second straight rough outing. Also, we answer your emails to DeepLFPodcast@gmail.com!

Guests: Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho and reliever Erik Swanson, and West End Phoenix Photo Director Jalani Morgan

This week in Deep Left Field, host Mike Wilner talks to Daulton Varsho and Erik Swanson about their first series at home as Blue Jays, beating the unbeaten Rays and getting ready for New York, and has a in-depth conversation with Jalani Morgan about Jackie Robinson Day and so much more.

Blue Jays win their home opener behind “Bad Dawg” Jose Berríos - we hear from him, Davis Schneider and John Schneider and take your email questions and comments!

The Blue Jays lost their meaningless season finale, 12-8 to Tampa Bay, then partied afterward in celebration of their wild card playoff berth. We’ll hear from Deep Left Field regulars Kevin Kiermaier and Jordan Romano, along with Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and Matt Chapman. You’ll also hear John Schneider’s post-game speech to the team. And we answer your email questions to DeepLFPodcast@gmail.com as we get you set for the Jays’ first-round date with Minnesota.

Guests: Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette, manager John Schneider and pitcher Alek Manoah

This week in Deep Left Field, host Mike Wilner talks to Bo Bichette about his season so far and whether he has his sights set on Derek Jeter's career numbers, checks in with John Schneider for a state-of-the-team as he approaches one full year as a big-league skipper and catches up with Alek Manoah in New Hampshire as he comes off the start that got him called back up to the bigs.

Guests: Blue Jays catcher Danny Jansen and closer Jordan Romano; Jays outfielder Nathan Lukes; Orioles manager Brandon Hyde

This week in Deep Left Field, host Mike Wilner goes over the roller-coaster Jays' season with Danny Jansen and Jordan Romano in their regular monthly appearance, catches up with Brandon Hyde to talk about his surging Baltimore team, and checks in with Nathan Lukes on life on the bench in the bigs.

Guests: Blue Jays right-hander Nate Pearson, Yankees broadcaster Suzyn Waldman, Atlanta outfielder Kevin Pillar

This week in Deep Left Field, host Mike Wilner talks to Nate Pearson about finally beginning to establish a foothold in the majors as a reliever, goes over this week's nonsense with the Yankees with Suzyn Waldman and catches up with Superman himself, Kevin Pillar, looking back on his Jays days.

Guests: Blue Jays closer Jordan Romano and starting pitcher Chris Bassitt, White Sox reliever Kendall Graveman.

This week in Deep Left Field, host Mike Wilner talks to Jordan Romano about his and Danny Jansen's bobblehead night - and more! - in the first of his regular monthly appearances; checks in with Chris Bassitt on his strong start and his thoughts about the A's potentially leaving Oakland, and catches up with Kendall Graveman, who was drafted and developed by the Jays before being traded as part of the Josh Donadlson deal.

Guests: Former Blue Jays Player and Broadcaster Pat Tabler, Jays' DH/1B Brandon Belt

This week in Deep Left Field, host Mike Wilner talks to Pat Tabler about his three decades as a Jays' player and broadcaster, and looks ahead to his new gig in Cleveland, and plays "Meet The New Guy" with two-time World Series champion Brandon Belt.

The Blue Jays get no-hit, so you get a special bonus episode! My take on the Jays shooting blanks in Houston.

The Jays beat the the Rays 11-4, so the magic number is down to one. We'll record as soon as the the Seattle-Texas game is over to break down how the night played out.

Guests: Blue Jays centrefielder Kevin Kiermaier, Jays designated hitter Brandon Belt, Tigers pitcher Matthew Boyd

This week in Deep Left Field, host Mike Wilner talks to Kevin Kiermaier about the incredible start to his Blue Jays career, including robbing a home run and hitting one himself in the home opener; checks in with Brandon Belt about his rough start to the season, and whether chicken fingers are helping get him out of it; and catches up with Matthew Boyd, who was traded by the Jays to Detroit at the 2015 trade deadline in the David Price deal.

Guests: Baseball Canada Wall of Excellence member Michael Saunders and Blue Jays Assistant Hitting Coach Hunter Mense

This week in "Deep Left Field," we talk to Michael Saunders about being honoured by Baseball Canada, suiting up for his country and his 2016 season with the Blue Jays. We also take a deep dive into the 2023 Jays’ hitting woes with Hunter Mense.

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.

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.

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.

The Jays lose 3-1 to the Minnesota Twins and now need to win two in a row to keep their season alive. We’ll hear from Bo Bichette, Brendan Belt, Erik Swanson and manager John Schneider

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.

Guest: Gregor Chisholm, baseball columnist

Spring training is over and before we bring you the opening day extravaganza, we are dipping into the “Deep Left Field” mailbag! Baseball columnist Gregor Chisholm and I answer your Toronto Blue Jays questions on this bonus episode of “Deep Left Field.” 

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.

Guests: Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Geddy Lee, lead singer and bassist of seminal Canadian rock band Rush

This week in Deep Left Field, we are joined by honest-to-goodness Canadian rock royalty. Geddy Lee is here for an in-depth conversation about baseball and the Blue Jays, two of his great loves.

We remember Jays history and discuss what went wrong this year, what he thinks of the current front office, and the renovations that forced him to move back a couple of rows at Rogers Centre. We also talk about his music, his family, his bandmates and more. Geddy’s book “My Effin’ Life” is currently available wherever finer books are sold.

Guests: Former Blue Jays right fielder Shawn Green, ex-Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi, New Hampshire Fisher Cats pitcher Sem Robberse

This week in Deep Left Field, host Mike Wilner talks to Shawn Green about his days with the Jays in the late-90s, catches up with J.P. Ricciardi about running the show in Toronto over the decade after that and looks ahead to the next decade with Sem Robberse, who represented the Jays in the All-Star Futures Game this year.

Guests: Blue Jays' closer Jordan Romano, Oakland 2B/OF Tony Kemp and Giants' pitcher Ross Stripling

This week in Deep Left Field, host Mike Wilner gets Jordan Romano's thoughts on the Jays at the halfway point, checks in with Tony Kemp about the A's troubles on the field and off and celebrates the return of Long Toss With Ross as Ross Stripling visits from San Francisco!

Guests: Blue Jays legend Joe Carter, utilityman Cavan Biggio and infielder Ernie Clement

This week in Deep Left Field, host Mike Wilner reminisces with all-time Jay Joe Carter about his World Series-winning home run and gets his thoughts about this season's club, chats with Cavan Biggio about playing all over the place and coming into his own offensively, and introduces you to Ernie Clement, who grew up right on the other side of Lake Ontario.

Guest: Former Blue Jays left-hander and all-star Ricky Romero.

This week in Deep Left Field, host Mike Wilner goes deep with Ricky Romero about the Blue Jays as they head into the final stretch: How pitchers deal with the tear-your-hair-out frustrations of the Jays' offence, what needs to change the rest of the way and how every game needs to be treated with the urgency of a playoff game from here on out. Plus, his experience at Bautistapalooza!

Guests: Canadian television greats and huge Blue Jays fans Aaron Abrams (Children Ruin Everything) and Paul Sun-Hyung Lee (Kim's Convenience, The Mandalorian).

This week in Deep Left Field, host Mike Wilner convenes a round table with Canadian small screen greats Aaron Abrams and Paul Sun-Hyung Lee to look back on the first week of the Blue Jays season: What went wrong (Chris Bassitt), what went right (Daulton Varsho) and what to expect the rest of the way (World Series or bust?).

With the Blue Jays fighting against heavy odds trying to get back into a wild card race as they head toward the all-star break, we talk to a couple of former Jays about their all-star experiences back in the day. Tom Henke (1987) and Marco Estrada (2016) made the all-star team once each as Blue Jays and they get together to share their stories about being a part of the midsummer classic.

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.

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.

Guest: Toronto Star Baseball Columnist Gregor Chisholm

In this special bonus episode of Deep Left Field, we recap the Blue Jays’ comings and goings at the trade deadline that just passed. The Jays traded eight members of their major-league roster and got back 13 minor-league prospects (plus one 32-year-old big-league reliever). How did they do? Did they do enough? Has Ross Atkins saved his job? We answered those questions and more with The Star’s Gregor Chisholm.

The Blue Jays have been swept in back-to-back series. They’re playing their worst baseball with the most important week of the season beginning Monday – three games at Boston and then four at home against the first-place New York Yankees. With the team taking on water, literally and figuratively, it was time for an emergency bonus episode of Deep Left Field!

We take your comments and questions: Should the Blue Jays sell, and if so, who? Retool or Rebuild? Should Ross Atkins be the one to oversee the changes? Who is really in charge? What to do with George Springer? Was Orelvis Martinez cheating or did he make an innocent mistake?

These questions and more answered on this special bonus episode!

Guests: Blue Jays starters Chris Bassitt and Kevin Gausman, Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Kevin Kiermaier

We move into August with the Jays having dealt away nearly one-third of their big-league roster, including Kevin Kiermaier, who gave us his last 1-on-1 interview as a Blue Jay before being traded to L.A. You’ll hear his thoughts on a season gone sideways, his impending retirement and what he’ll take from his time in Toronto. Also, Chris Bassitt and Kevin Gausman join us to talk about how tough it is to go through trade deadline limbo on a team that’s out of the race and where the Jays go from here.

This week in “Deep Left Field,” we talk to two members of the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum’s Class of 2024 — Ashley Stephenson, current Vancouver Canadians coach and the greatest female baseball player in Canadian history, and Paul Godfrey, who is largely responsible for Toronto getting a major-league baseball team and for SkyDome being built. We also discuss new homes for old pals Jay Jackson and Ross Stripling and talk about Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s arbitration win.

The Blue Jays worked overtime on Saturday trying to clinch a playoff spot, but didn’t get it done. We break down the 7-5, 10-inning loss to Tampa Bay that made the road to a playoff berth that much tougher. We’ll also hear from John Schneider and George Springer, and answer your emails to DeepLFPodcast@gmail.com.

Guests: Blue Jays closer Jordan Romano, catcher Danny Jansen, third baseman Isiah Kiner-Falefa and breakout pitcher Adam Macko

This week in “Deep Left Field,” host Mike Wilner brings good pals Danny Jansen and Jordan Romano together to talk about their expectations for the Blue Jays in 2024, introduces you to one of the new Jays, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, and gets to know Canadian lefty — by way of Slovakia and Ireland — Adam Macko, who will be pitching for the Jays in the Spring Breakout game on March 16.

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.

Guests: Blue Jays Bench Coach/Offensive Co-Ordinator Don Mattingly, Jays prospect and Baseball Canada Outfielder Dasan Brown

This week in Deep Left Field, we talk to Donnie Baseball himself about his new role, what needs to change about the Jays’ offence and the addition of DeMarlo Hale to the coaching staff. We also chat with Dasan Brown, coming off an Arizona Fall League championship with the Surprise Saguaros.

Guests: Blue Jays past and present all-stars Ricky Romero, Jordan Romano and Vernon Wells.

This week in "Deep Left Field," we convene an all-star roundtable with Vernon Wells, Jordan Romano and Ricky Romero, who combined to make six all-star teams as Blue Jays, to discuss what it's like to play in Toronto and how much opposing players enjoy coming here. The table also pushes back against some recent opinion columns from south of the border that suggested having Shohei Ohtani sign with the Jays would have been bad for baseball.

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.

Guests: Blue Jays pitcher José Berrios, Minnesota Twins manager Rocco Baldelli

This week in “Deep Left Field,” we are live from the opening of Toronto Blue Jays’ spring training in Dunedin, Florida! We kick off the 2024 season with a look back at how ’23 ended, talking to José Berrios, who started the Jays’ final game of the post-season, and Rocco Baldelli, who managed the Twins to the series victory. Also, the Jays sign Eduardo Escobar and I give my thoughts on the team’s newly-announced radio crew.

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Guests: Blue Jays centrefielder Kevin Kiermaier, free agent pitcher Jay Jackson.

This week in Deep Left Field, host Mike Wilner talks to Kevin Kiermaier about returning to the Blue Jays for another year of Gold Glove defence and chats with Jay Jackson on the former Jay's experience in Toronto, his free agency this winter and baby JR coming home for Christmas.

Guests: Blue Jays bench coach Don Mattingly and infielder/outfielder Whit Merrifield, Brewers first baseman Rowdy Tellez

This week in Deep Left Field, host Mike Wilner gives his thoughts about Alek Manoah's struggles and the Anthony Bass controversy, then does a one-third-of-the-season check-up with bench coach Don Mattingly, checks in with Whit Merrifield about speed, defence and robot umpires and catches up with Rowdy Tellez on his first games in Toronto in almost four years.

Guests: Blue Jays catcher Danny Jansen, starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi

With the trade deadline looming, the Blue Jays are sellers for the first time in five years. Two of the most prominent free-agents-to-be, Danny Jansen and Yusei Kikuchi, who are very likely to be traded, join us to talk about what it’s like to be living with the uncertainty of where they’ll be playing next week, how they’re managing to stay focused and what playing in Toronto has meant to them.

Guests: "Kim’s Convenience" star Paul Sun-Hyung Lee, Andy Kindler ("Bob’s Burgers," "Everybody Loves Raymond") and Chris Calogero ("The Movie Guy")

This week in "Deep Left Field," host Mike Wilner convenes "The Roundtable of Frustrated Fan Bases!" Paul Sun-Hyung Lee talks the Blue Jays, Andy Kindler talks the New York Mets and Chris Calogero talks the Yankees as we commiserate over each team’s disappointing 2023 on the field and off.

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Guests: Former Blue Jays first-round pick and top prospect Travis Snider

In a special episode of Deep Left Field, we focus on mental health. Travis Snider joins us to discuss his career and why he wound up being a journeyman big-league outfielder as opposed to the can’t miss superstar that he was projected to be. Snider talks openly and honestly about mental health, the fragility of confidence, the weight of expectations – both his own and those placed upon him – and how to avoid the roadblocks that prevented him from fulfilling his potential on the field.

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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Joey Votto signed a minor league deal with his hometown Toronto Blue Jays. Votto has been the toughest hitter to get out in the 21st century, so if he's healthy, this could be a big deal. Mike Wilner gave his initial thoughts on the signing in this bonus episode.

Ross Atkins addressed the media in the wake of the Blue Jays’ early playoff exit and missed the opportunity to be a leader. We discuss the continuing fallout of the decision to remove a cruising Jose Berrios in the fourth inning of Game 2, go over Atkins’ dance with the media and lack of accountability and answer your e-mail questions on this special edition of Deep Left Field!

Guests: Team Canada veteran Scott Mathieson, Blue Jays starter Chris Bassitt, Phillies' starter Taijuan Walker

This week in Deep Left Field, host Mike Wilner talks to Scott Mathieson in the aftermath of Canada's elimination from the World Baseball Classic by Mexico, plays "Meet The New Guy" with Chris Bassitt, and chats with Taijuan Walker, a former Blue Jay who never got the chance to wear the uniform in Toronto.

Guests: Blue Jays starter Jose Berrios, reliever Chad Green, New Hampshire Fisher Cats starter Adam Kolffenstein

This week in Deep Left Field, host Mike Wilner talks to Jose Berrios about bouncing back from a very rough 2022, introduces you to rehabbing righty Chad Green, who is on his way back from Tommy John surgery, and checks in with 2018 draftee Adam Kloffenstein as he makes his way through the Jays' system.

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 broadcaster Buck Martinez, former Jays farmhand (and son of Tom Cheek) Jeff Cheek

This week, we honour Tom Cheek, the forever voice of the Toronto Blue Jays, on what would have been his 85th birthday. We remember the Hall of Fame broadcaster with stories and memories from Buck Martinez, who Cheek pushed toward a post-playing career behind the mic, and Tom’s youngest son, Jeff. We also look at the Cavan Biggio trade and preview Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Weekend.

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

Guests: Blue Jays right-hander Chris Bassitt and outfielder/pinch-runner Cam Eden.

This week in Deep Left Field, we talk to post-season veteran Chris Bassitt, who goes into his final start of the regular season looking to move into a tie for the American League lead in wins and we meet rookie Cam Eden, whose elite-level speed could play a very large role for the Jays in the playoffs.

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: 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.

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It was Blue Jays' President Mark Shapiro's turn to address the media in the wake of the Jays’ early playoff exit, following Ross Atkins' suboptimal display a few days prior. We discuss the continuing fallout of the decision to remove a cruising Jose Berrios in the fourth inning of Game 2 and go through Shapiro's comments about the frustrations of the season, the team's inability to score and the front office's credibility issues. We also answer your e-mail questions!

Guests: Los Angeles Angels outfielder Kevin Pillar and infield coach Ryan Goins, Blue Jays prospect pitcher Jake Bloss

This week in Deep Left Field, we catch up with a couple of former Blue Jays who are now working together on the west coast. Kevin Pillar talks about contemplating retirement and Ryan Goins, already onto the next chapter of his baseball career, looks back on his days as Pillar’s teammate on those great Toronto teams of 2015-16. Also, we introduce you to right-hander Jake Bloss, the only piece of the Yusei Kikuchi deal who has yet to appear with the major-league team. For now.

Guests: Blue Jays starter Alek Manoah, outfielder Joey Loperfido

On a special Monday bonus episode of Deep Left Field, and his insight into what’s been a miserable season for Bo Bichette. We also get to know one of the new guys acquired by the Jays at the trade deadline – Joey Loperfido, one of three players who came over from Houston in the Yusei Kikuchi deal.

The Blue Jays season is over. They scored one run in two playoff games, which is bad enough, but there was so much more than that. We will dive into the decision to pull Jose Berrios while he was cruising, hear from Berrios himself, John Schneider, Kevin Kiermaier, George Springer, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette and answer your many e-mail questions on this final daily edition of Deep Left Field for 2023.

Guests: Former Blue Jays outfielder Teoscar Hernandez, Team Canada closer Matt Brash, Blue Jays bullpen catcher/catching coach Luis Hurtado

This week in Deep Left Field, host Mike Wilner takes you right into the dugout, catching up with Teoscar Hernandez in his first trip back to Toronto since being traded to Seattle last November, checking in with Kingston, Ont.'s Matt Brash, who also came to town with the Mariners, and introduces you to Luis Hurtado, who started his managerial career in pro ball at the age of 28.