Starter J.A. Happ is no stranger to Canada. He spent 2013 with the Blue Jays and part of ’14 as well before he was traded to the Mariners in exchange for outfielder Michael Saunders. He re-upped with the Jays on a three-year, $36 million contract this past November.
But there are still some things about Canada that Happ doesn’t get. Like its bagged milk system, as Sportsnet’s Kristina Rutherford found out in an interview. I’ve added last names to denote who said what.Rutherford: Is there anything you’re still not used to in Canada?
Happ: I think I’ve gotten used to most of the stuff. Grocery shopping is a little different. I still don’t understand the bagged milk situation here.
Rutherford: What?
Happ: You guys sell milk in bags and I don’t really get why, or what you do then with the bags. Other than that it seems like Canada’s doing a pretty good job. [Laughs.] But I don’t get the milk. Put it in a gallon jug so you don’t have the sloppy, messy bag.
Rutherford: You know you put the bag in a milk jug, right?
Happ: Where’s the jug? Do you have to buy the jug separately? Why are they not in the jug already?
Rutherford: Oh my gosh. You have to ask someone at the grocery store for help.
Happ: Why do I have to ask? I should just grab it from the counter and it should be ready for me to drink.
Rutherford: There’s an assumption that you know to put the bag in a milk jug and cut it open.
Happ: [Laughs]. They can’t assume that. I’ve never bought it because I see this bag of milk and I’m like I don’t get what I can do with this thing.
Readers responded to Rutherford’s interview on Twitter. She explained to one reader that Happ talking about bagged milk was “the most fired up he got in 20 minutes of conversation.”
Happ may not understand bagged milk, but he understands pitching at least. The lefty has been solid over 18 starts, putting up a 3.36 ERA with an 89/32 K/BB ratio in 112 1/3 innings for the Jays.
