iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Len Lumbers @thegoldenyear.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Helluva record, Francis. A late-September perennial in my ears.

Len Lumbers @thegoldenyear.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Sharpen your quills, 1984 BBWAA voters: Stieb’s in a six-way tie for eighth in wins. I can just see the think pieces at Labour Day weekend in ‘84: “Sure, he’s kept them in games. And the winning percentage is good. Good ERA. But, tsk-tsk, tut-tut, the wins? Not enough wins.”

000

Len Lumbers @thegoldenyear.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Enjoy, one and all. Until Stieb’s number’s retired, I don’t do Jays games. But I hope the HOE is a fair testament to Blue Jays history. But I sure hope those damn nameplates haven’t been removed from the interior facade. It’d be a careless move.

010

Len Lumbers @thegoldenyear.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

RIP John Douglas (1963-2026) Awful and shocking news. Trashcan Sinatras are one of the great bands of the last 30-odd years, and by all accounts he was a sweet guy. Walked into him just before a show at Toronto’s Horseshoe Tavern in ‘18. He liked striped shirts. Photos from June ‘18 and Oct ‘19.

010

Len Lumbers @thegoldenyear.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

Well, I think of Brian Wilson all the time. He’s always adding some music to my day. But today is one year since his passing: a natural one, thankfully much later in life due to a great support system. To those who believe and celebrate: let his music take you higher. #BrianWilson

000

Len Lumbers @thegoldenyear.bsky.social · 23/05/2026

Takeaways: Stieb/Santana really are the class of the peak > duration crowd, but Cone/Saberhagen aren’t far behind. Pettitte barely snuck into the 7-year WAR top 10 ONCE… and he was 10th! Getting lots of BBWAA traction for longevity > peak. Felix effectively getting the love denied Stieb/Santana.

010

Len Lumbers @thegoldenyear.bsky.social · 23/05/2026

@jayjaffe.bsky.social Sending rando good vibes out. So much less of this kind of thing would be in my head if it weren’t for thought pioneers ‘n’ sages. You’re one. Obviously the 45-65 bWAR pitcher band fascinates me. And I don’t know whatever they’re going to do about it.

010

Len Lumbers @thegoldenyear.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

Colbert sings himself off while Costello backs McCartney. As instant nostalgia, it’s cool. The Colbert wrap’s not just a bell tolling for late-night talk shows or a strike against expression of opinion over mainstream airwaves. Rock music’s in its eleventh hour, too. Nuts, huh?

151

Len Lumbers @thegoldenyear.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

Understand we’re not comparing full careers here. Coxie’s Braves rotation ran out three no-doubt HOFers who had bigger and longer careers. But it’s a nice thought experiment to place Stieb’s multi CYA-worthy peak in context. He was that good. That Braves rotation won six CYAs between ‘91 and ‘98.

010

Len Lumbers @thegoldenyear.bsky.social · 09/05/2026

Bobby Cox (1941-2026) The best manager in Toronto #BlueJays50 history, and an all-time MLB great. Our hero Dave Stieb’s favourite, too. Took the emergent Jays to their first competitive era. Could’ve managed there forever but for a plot twist. A field boss for the ages. RIP, Coxie.

031

Len Lumbers @thegoldenyear.bsky.social · 26/04/2026

@graemethomson.bsky.social Every so often I re-read a section of Themes For Great Cities. This week: RTRC into E&D. The book tackles some of our most exciting, challenging music, and comes out like roses. It’s a titan. (JDB’s treatise, likewise a triumph.) Good luck w/ the Talk Talk! Will buy!

110

Len Lumbers @thegoldenyear.bsky.social · 17/02/2026

@rockingbob.bsky.social I’ll wait ages to play music in preferred settings (eg. sunny winter days are for Premiers Symptômes or Fifth Dimension), and so I only cracked this today. Turns out it’s lovely pop for watching snow melt (those are drips falling above the booklet). Cheers, it’s wonderful!

020

Len Lumbers @thegoldenyear.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

@jayjaffe.bsky.social Seems to be a tidy 1:1 thing happening, re: that sore-arsed challenge in the Lolich/Wood comments. Happy to contribute! Ace piece, btw and thanks. In my dreams, after ‘27’s lockout(!) there’s a JJ-authored book with simpatico bios of every non-HOFer of substance. Mad, I know.

010

Len Lumbers @thegoldenyear.bsky.social · 06/02/2026

Hard not to think of health as a driver, but Buck Martinez is transitioning to the fully private life and it’ll no longer be any of our business. He’s been part of the city’s fabric since 1981. That’ll continue for years to come. Thank you for your career here, sir. #BlueJays50

010

Len Lumbers @thegoldenyear.bsky.social · 30/01/2026

Catherine O’Hara (1954-2026) Laughed, of course I laughed. All the time. She was world-class at the comedy game. Elevated everything she appeared in. But I always come back to her 1994 John Candy eulogy. It’s the loveliest thing. youtu.be/rKHKTfrWL5w?...

youtu.be

Catherine O'Hara John Candy Eulogy (with cleaned up audio)

YouTube video by Grant Barrett

000

Len Lumbers @thegoldenyear.bsky.social · 11/01/2026

January 11, 2016, 1:35 a.m. It’s been 10 years, David.

000

Len Lumbers @thegoldenyear.bsky.social · 07/01/2026

Calling all vintage soul music listeners! Can’t recommend this enough: Rob Bowman’s one of the most well-travelled, insightful, appreciative, support systems any musical genre could have… …and as an educator, he’s accustomed to sharing his knowledge. The result’s a joyful chat about music.

062

Len Lumbers @thegoldenyear.bsky.social · 05/01/2026

@torontomike.com You’re doing god’s work with the whole CFNY thing, btw. The Schichter ep? Riveting. The Gordon/@tyleracampbell.bsky.social followup? Ups all antes. It’s not the doc rollout I expected. But as an ol’ Spirit-head with 6,000 albums on his shelves, I’m here for the fireworks.

051

Len Lumbers @thegoldenyear.bsky.social · 13/12/2025

Dick Van Dyke Show Ep. 3.13 Airdate: March 18, 1964 [Dick Van Dyke, aged 38, greeting his T.V. father] Rob Petrie: Good to see you. Sam Petrie: Well, may you say the same on your hundredth birthday and may I be here to say ‘thank you.’ Happy 100th, DVD. Good to see you.

010

Len Lumbers @thegoldenyear.bsky.social · 03/12/2025

RIP Steve Cropper (1941-2025) Tone. Licks. Groove. One of the greatest, most important guitarists of all time. I swear you could drive a truck through the notes of every ripping chord he struck, crisp and clean as country air. Whatta roll call of tunes he played on, too.

010

Len Lumbers @thegoldenyear.bsky.social · 22/11/2025

November 21, 2018 10:54 p.m. EST The last three photos I took of Brian Wilson on the occasion of my 11th and final BW concert. Miss you being around, old paint.

000

Len Lumbers @thegoldenyear.bsky.social · 21/11/2025

This was The Big Thinkpiece, and I reference it around the fansphere all the darn time. We’d run a rolling five-year over on the Stieb Twitter account in ‘23, but the rolling seven-year, stretched back to WW2, is the macro study the SPs-for-HOF space NEEDS. Perpetuating kudos for that, Mike.

000

Len Lumbers @thegoldenyear.bsky.social · 17/11/2025

It’s not quite Leon McQuay grade, but that’s pretty unfortunate timing for the Als. #GreyCup

020

Len Lumbers @thegoldenyear.bsky.social · 15/11/2025

Fangraphs’ RA9-WAR (basically, their nod to BBREF’s version) ranks Jun-Sept ‘89 thus: Saberhagen 6.9 Stieb 5.0 Blyleven 4.5 Bankhead 4.3 Ryan 3.9 Henke 3.9 Still Saberhagen in a landslide. But there’s Stieb, providing the AL’s second-best value, to crickets at the BBWAA ballot.

010

Len Lumbers @thegoldenyear.bsky.social · 03/11/2025

<sighs deeply> The work continues. Thanks, as usual, for your efforts in pushing your own stars’ cases, @BlueJays. Doubt they lifted a finger to promote Carlos, either.

010

Len Lumbers @thegoldenyear.bsky.social · 02/11/2025

Been brewing awhile. If Boston had its Bambino, Toronto can have this.

010

Len Lumbers @thegoldenyear.bsky.social · 02/11/2025

Feel rotten for the players. Really likeable club. Feel rotten for the city. It’s my hometown. And I love baseball. Still hate the front office with the heat of a thousand suns. What a brilliant, beautiful World Series this was.

010

Len Lumbers @thegoldenyear.bsky.social · 02/11/2025

This is some of the best damn drama ever ever ever ever ever ever ever

000

Len Lumbers @thegoldenyear.bsky.social · 02/11/2025

Seeing Susan Slusser’s name there in the condemnation of Morris, jeez: Slusser is former chairperson of the BBWAA, and shared a veteran’s committee seat WITH Morris in 2023. Are either of them on the 2026 committee? Don’t know.

010

Len Lumbers @thegoldenyear.bsky.social · 28/10/2025

Boston, 2018 Tampa, 2020 New York, 2024 Toronto, 2025 In the last eight seasons, Clayton Kershaw and his #Dodgers have now faced 80 per cent of the AL East in #WorldSeries play. (Whither your competitive window, Baltimore?)

010

Len Lumbers @thegoldenyear.bsky.social · 17/10/2025

It’s insane what Toronto had him doing before he’d built his arm up. Less than 150IP of college + minor league work, and he’s dumped in at the deep end. Seven straight CGs at one point in his first full MLB season? The *MOST* IP in MLB, 1982-85? No wonder the elbow falls off in ‘86.

031

Len Lumbers @thegoldenyear.bsky.social · 13/10/2025

Want to foreground this. Will think about it through tears as we relive the last days of the 1985 ALCS agaaaain. #BlueJaysPTSD Dave Stieb's first two 1985 ALCS starts still rank in the top 15 all-time Jays playoff starts. It's the only case of the same guy/same series appearing twice.

000

Len Lumbers @thegoldenyear.bsky.social · 11/10/2025

The full 71-start #BlueJays list’s wild. Some day we’ll share the whole bit. There’ve only been FOUR runless Jays starts, and two are mere “bullpen” games. Jack Morris in 1992 produced two of the worst five. Estrada’s got four of the best 11. Last week: Gausman 21st; Bieber 55th; Varland 32nd.

020

Len Lumbers @thegoldenyear.bsky.social · 09/10/2025

@toak.bsky.social Greenwell, huh? Obligatory eff cancer. He was central to our torment in that 1986-1990 AL East. A .300 average always seemed to follow him around. And every fan could recite the Fenway LF lineage: Ballgame ➡️ Yaz ➡️ Jim Ed ➡️ Gator. RIP

120

Len Lumbers @thegoldenyear.bsky.social · 08/10/2025

I thought this felt familiar: down 2-0 in games and (at one point) trailing badly in G3 at home, Jays’ toughest oppo hitter ties G3 with a series-changing HR. Aaron Judge, meet George Brett. By WPA, two of the costliest playoff HRs in Toronto history. #RepBX #WantItAll

000

Len Lumbers @thegoldenyear.bsky.social · 06/10/2025

On our cutting-room floor: the Leading Off teaser S.I. always foregrounded in their magazine - Tony Fernandez at second base. Most photos from Aug. 31-Sept. 1 '85, with Chicago in town.

000

Len Lumbers @thegoldenyear.bsky.social · 04/10/2025

Probably not often a team punts 3/5ths of the starting rotation that had ‘em four games up by late-August (Bieber debuted Aug. 22nd) and successfully replaces them for October baseball. But the Blue Jays are gonna try it. #WANTITALL

010

Len Lumbers @thegoldenyear.bsky.social · 01/10/2025

As ever, Stieb’s achievements were overlooked: MLB focussed on Hershiser’s concurrent shutout streak. In Canada, the Ben Johnson scandal owned the news cycle. AL Pitcher of the Month went to Bruce Hurst (2-2, 2.42), not even his own team’s best starter (Boddicker 3-0, 1.85). Stieb? 4-0, 1.50.

031

Len Lumbers @thegoldenyear.bsky.social · 01/10/2025

Maybe the most extraordinary feat of actual excellence to end in “failure” in baseball history. Or… Sports history?

000

Len Lumbers @thegoldenyear.bsky.social · 28/09/2025

Might have been the first time we were all together in the same room, @torontomike.com, @coopincanada.bsky.social. One of baseball’s wildest sub-narratives, right here, @keeganmatheson.bsky.social.

151

Len Lumbers @thegoldenyear.bsky.social · 21/09/2025

Since 1956 (the last 70 seasons), Morris easily leads the field in "cheap wins” (4ER in a win). He's also first - by an even laughably larger margin - in 5ER wins. Stieb's way down on both lists: 325th with three 5ER wins 217th with 12 4ER wins, or one-quarter Morris' total

000

Reposted by Len Lumbers

logandaniels.bsky.social @logandaniels.bsky.social · 14/09/2025

@torontobluejays.bsky.social, i t's time to retire #37. Dave Stieb has been overlooked by the Hall of Fame voters for too long and likely will be again in 2026, but he deserves his plaque. He helped build the Jays as much as any other player, so we should honour him, even if Cooperstown won't

Blue Jays all-time WAR Leaders graph. Led by Dave Stieb

0167

Len Lumbers @thegoldenyear.bsky.social · 15/09/2025

Last time someone threw ≥149 pitches: Edwin Jackson, June 25, 2010. There’ve been four ≥149-pitch starts this millennium. Last Jay: Roger Clemens, May 13, 1998.

000

Len Lumbers @thegoldenyear.bsky.social · 14/09/2025

Keep your speech notes, Dave. You never know when you might need to haul ‘em out again! #Retire37 @baseballhall.org

010

Len Lumbers @thegoldenyear.bsky.social · 12/09/2025

By the metric we use in ranking @davestiebtoday.bsky.social’s best starts (weighted Game Score, RE24, WPA) Gausman’s game last night is 76th best in Jays history. Best Jays start since Bassitt’s May 12 ‘23. It’d be: Stieb’s 8th best Halladay’s 8th Key’s 8th Hentgen’s 10th (ooh, Pat!) Clemens’ 5th

020

Len Lumbers @thegoldenyear.bsky.social · 12/09/2025

A HUUUUMUNGOUS series in OG Blue Jays lore. Difficult to convey how different playoff chases were in the pre-three division/three-wild card years: 14 teams (12 in the NL), two spots. Montreal had kept blowing its chances, c. 1979-83. The establishment’s assumption was Toronto would here, too.

020

Len Lumbers @thegoldenyear.bsky.social · 07/09/2025

No wonder they boo him. Vlad Jr.'s production in three major rival ballparks is historically great - there's literally NO other oppo hitter with a >1.000 OPS in EACH of @yankees.com's, @orioles.com's and @redsox.com's current parks. He's JUST gone over 1.000 at Yank Stad III. Current park ranks:

000

Len Lumbers @thegoldenyear.bsky.social · 07/09/2025

Stieb: 4-0, 1.50, 3 SHo, b2b no-hit bids narrative Langston: 5-1, 0.50, 3 SHo 18 sub-3.00 SPs. Gubicza throws 2 SHo. Anderson locks up ERA title w/ 4-1, 1.66. CYA winner Viola has a messy month. Bruce Hurst: 2-2, 10th-best 2.42. Media: “Hey, Sox won the East. Let’s pick him!“

010