In Toronto, Laura Armstrong notes the Blue Jays "drew criticism on Victoria Day when red-hot" 3B Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was "left out of the lineup for the opener of a four-game set" against the Red Sox at Rogers Centre. Guerrero's "hot streak coupled with a holiday Monday matinee crowd" helped draw 26,794 to the game, the Blue Jays' "third-largest of the season." Blue Jays Exec VP/Baseball Operations & GM Ross Atkins said that he "regrets not talking" to manager Charlie Montoyo about the "'importance of Victoria Day' to Canadians." Atkins "seemed to regret the decision" not to play Guerrero, as well as the "uproar it created." However, he added that this situation is "bound to happen again on a day with a large crowd at hand" (TORONTO STAR, 5/22).
GOOD MORNING JETS: The Jets, in the wake of firing GM Mike Maccagnan, "won't be hiring a search firm/consultant to help them" fill the position like they "did for the previous two GM hires." However, the Jets have said that NFL Network's Peter Schrager "could be contacted for assistance on prospective candidates." The feeling is that the Jets "believed they could turn to Schrager for opinions, suggestions and/or intel on quality candidates if they needed help" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 5/22).
MERCURY RISING: Poet Christopher Owens is "roughly halfway to his goal of selling out the upper level of Talking Stick Resort Arena" for the WNBA Phoenix Mercury's home opener. Owens said that he has "fewer than 4,000 tickets still available" for the nationally televised game against the Aces on May 31. Owens "purchased the entire 7,000-seat upper level and is selling the tickets as a discounted $2 to $5." Owens is "still seeking sponsors to buy 50-ticket packages, at a bargain of $100" (AZCENTRAL.com, 5/21).
