Halladay not starting All-Star Game would be complete travesty
• Early impressions of new (sort of) Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston, from Jays right-hander A.J. Burnett: "A lot of trust in his starting five (rotation)."
• Make that two managers in the post-Tony La Russa days who have nothing but high praise for third baseman Scott Rolen. After fired Toronto manager John Gibbons raved about Rolen earlier this year, here's Gaston's early thoughts: "He might be the best third baseman I've ever seen. Kelly Gruber was great, and Doug Rader was, too. But nothing like what I've seen from Rolen these last three weeks. His throws are right on the money. He makes plays on grass, turf ... it's easy to see why he's got seven Gold Gloves."
• It's all about the pitch counts. And some human beings are capable of counting higher: Halladay threw 115 in Monday's complete game. Gaston, an old-school manager, says the numbers he has in mind for his staff "depend on the person. I can remember Jimmy Key, at best, going 105, 110. Other guys, maybe a few more. Jack Morris was a guy who always had high pitch counts. It depends on the guy. I'm not big on running much longer than 120, 125." On the other hand, Seattle coach Sam Perlozzo was talking about when he had Erik Bedard in Baltimore, and the numbers usually were much lower. "Sometimes he'd be 85 and done," Perlozzo says. "He's a max-effort guy. There would be times Leo (Mazzone, former Orioles pitching coach) would say, 'He's about done.' And I'd say, 'Leo, it's only the sixth inning and he's only at 85 pitches.' And Leo would say, 'Yeah, but they were a hard 85.'"
• Look out when the bases are loaded and Cleveland is in the field. Indians pitchers have served up eight grand slams already this year. The club record is nine.
• Yes, it's true: Detroit's Brandon Inge reinjured his oblique ... reaching for a pillow. Something about being in bed with his wife and his 3-year-old son, and he attempted to readjust a pillow. Let that be a lesson to you: It's better for children and their parents if the kids sleep in their own bed!
• Rainmen: The Yankees have had 12 games either postponed or delayed by rain so far this year.
• You know how one of the great things about baseball is you have a chance every day to see something at the ballpark you've never before seen? Well, Seattle shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt walked Wednesday night -- yep, really, in the seventh inning. Five walks now this season for the Impatient Mariner -- in 298 plate appearances.
• Have a safe, happy Fourth of July, and keep the fireworks where they should be: In the sky or at a game in which Barry Zito is pitching.
