Newcomer John Buck has taken over a huge responsibility with the Blue Jays, inheriting the No.1 catcher's job from Rod Barajas.

Buck's job, more than any offensive production he might provide, is in handling a young starting rotation, keeping their inexperienced heads above water, making sure they don't drown in a Doc-less bay. Thus far, he likes what he's seen.

"I was surprised when I got over here how ready they are for the big leagues, for the task at hand, each one of them," Buck said. "The only thing I had to go on was the guys coming into Kansas City in the same situation a few years back. I think they were just pushed too early before they were ready. I just feel these guys are ready and they need to be in this situation. Obviously time will tell."

This might seem like merely an attempt to restart his career after being non-tendered by the Royals at the end of '09, but Buck does not allow himself to see it that way.

"You can label it however you want," Buck said. "Obviously, you go out every season with a fresh slate and try and be prepared, be ready for the upcoming season. You don't have to put a label on it. It's not going to change how hard I play or how I prepare."

Part of the inspiration for the professional way Buck prepares, is his late brother Paul, who died at age 17 in 2000. He wears his uniform No.14 to honour the relationship he had with his younger sibling, who remains in his thoughts, as a driving force for his hard work.

"I was always No.11 growing up and he was 44," Buck explained. "His birthday was April 14, so 11 and 44 you take one of each and the number is 14 and his birthday. Even when a 44 of an opposing team comes up I see it and I think of my brother. He never did anything half-heartedly. It was always 110 miles an hour. If I find myself getting complacent, whether it's a workout or wind sprints, whatever, he was always the one you hated to run the sprints with. He was always running all 10 of them all out. I do that (same thing) because I have that No.14 on my back."


    Buck signed a one-year contract for $2 million (U.S.), about half of what he could have earned in arbitration from the Royals. But the reality is that he, along with Jose Molina and Raul Chavez, are keeping the seat behind the plate warm for the stud catching prospects in the farm system, led by J.P. Arencibia and Travis D'Arnaud.

    "The Jays got in touch the first day that they could," Buck recalled. "They called us and talked to us along with two other teams and I just felt it was the best opportunity to get the most at-bats here. Alex (Anthopoulos) made it feel like they really needed me to progress and made me feel wanted enough that it was a place that I wanted to come."

    Buck has taken an accelerated month-long crash course with the Jays' pitching staff, making sure he catches each of the five in game action, including Ricky Romero's start on Thursday against the Orioles. Buck added a little bonus when he homered to straightaway centre in his first at-bat.

    "Even though they're young, I feel (the starters) complement each other well," Buck said, "with going right-left, right-left and the different types of righties we've got. (Shaun) Marcum moves the ball all over the place, changes speeds. (Brandon) Morrow is pretty aggressive with his fastball, more of a power pitcher. They complement each other well. Then the lefties we have slated in there, you're not getting the same type pitchers two days in a row. I think it's a good mix."

    If Buck can start at least 120 games and help guide the youngsters through the sporting minefield of a full major-league season, it will have been worth the one-year investment.

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