Friar Horsehide

Cameroon

2005-11-17T05:15:00.000-08:00

Cameroon is an African country where I guess the Padres will be moving their operations if all the reports are correct from last night.It seems that in a brash move, John Moores has gone off the deep end and actually purchased a foreign land . While the geography is beautiful, ranging from plains to mountain streams, the work force is much cheaper, therefore allowing the team the luxury of more clubhouse attendants and secretaries.On the downside, the ballboys will all have to be completely retrained to recognize a baseball instead of a soccer ball. Expect ticket prices to reflect that. Road trips will continue to haunt the Padres as we await the 2006 season.

My mistake....the Padres have instead, traded Xavier Nady to the N.Y. Mets for outfielder Mike CAMERON.

The deal is expected to be officially announced Friday, the earliest that a physical of Cameron can be completed. If you remember, he and teammate Carlos Beltran had that horrendous head to head collision at Petco that shattered most of his facial bones and put him on the DL for the remainder of last season. The physical is to see if there are any lingering effects of the collision on his eyesight.
The Padres are expected to pick up all of Camerons salary, close to $7 mil a year, while cutting loose Nady at $1.5 mil and never really letting him get settled in San Diego to see if he could stick in the bigs as an every day player. Personally,I had hopes that the X Man would make an impact here after seeing glimpses of big power and adequate defense from his sparse starts.
Word is that Cameron will be moved back to his natural position in center, moving Dave Roberts to left and (Please Santa,this is all I want!) keeping Brian Giles in right.

Also in Padres news, unnamed sources also have Sean Burroughs' name on the trading block if, and when the Padres can talk his dad out of retirement.

After an exhaustive search that spanned the world of sports, the Dodgers yesterday named Nick Colletti, 11 year assistant GM to the SF Giants, as GM of the team.
Pee Wee Herman and Tonya Harding will be notified that they are out of the running.

Hernandez....The Great Debate

2005-11-14T02:07:00.000-08:00

Shamelessly borrowed from the MetsGeek site, a debate on whether they should get Ramon or not....

"Andrew Hintz: When it comes to Ramon Hernandez the most talked about thing isn't his batting average (.290 overall, .302 at Petco Park — a ballpark even more cavernous than Shea Stadium) or his fielding (ignoring a rough, injury-shortened season last year, he's a Gold Glove candidate every year) or the fact that he's considered one of the best game-callers in MLB. No, it seems that every conversation that revolves around Ramon Hernandez ends up back at the same thing: just how much money will he make this offseason?

Earlier this season Hernandez turned down a four year, $24 million dollar offer by the Padres, and let them know he was looking more towards the Jason Varitek four years, $40 million dollar deal range — even threatening to take on Scott Boras as his representation. But Hernandez isn't likely to hit that monetary range, as he's never been the focal point of a franchise or the on-field leader of a team. The more likely scenario is he winds up with a four year deal near around a little over thirty million. Though still not an insignificant amount, the big question is this: is Hernandez worth it?

Ramon Hernandez brings a lot of tools to the table: with the exception of speed — he's slightly above Jason Phillips level in that regard — he's an above average catcher in all other fields: he hits for average (his average has climbed four years in a row), he hits for power (twelve homeruns last season in 369 at-bats, five in 172 at-bats in a stadium that held Brian Giles to six), and his arm strength (above average) and arm accuracy (Ivan Rodriguez-like) are both pluses. Even the major knock on Ramon Hernandez coming into this season — an inability to block balls in the dirt — has turned around, and his range behind the plate has improved dramatically. This is not even taking into account what every pitching staff Hernandez has led has praised him for: his intangibles. Jake Peavy on Hernandez: "his preparation, his knowledge of hitters, his willingness to set ego aside, his ability not to carry poor at-bats onto the defensive side of things are irreplaceable". Scott Linebrink: "The biggest thing is how easy Ramon is to work with. He is definitely a guy we want to hang onto." And, speaking of pitching staffs, Hernandez and Rick Peterson have not only worked together in the past, but Hernandez is a Peterson fan. With a catcher and pitching coach already on the same page to kick off the season, it can only mean good things for the younger pitchers on the team.

So, what is Hernandez looking for, besides forty million dollars? His agent has declared Hernandez is interested in: "a club during the course of his contract that he thinks is going to be a contending-type ballclub. He's going to look at the makeup of the club currently and what the plans are going forward." Apparently, Hernandez has decided that the Mets fit that bill, as his agent followed that up by saying Hernandez is interested in the team (and, of course, their money). The best part of it all, Hernandez will turn thirty years old on May 20th of next year. This would mean his contract would end at age thirty-four — which most consider to be the point in a catcher's career where their stats go downhill.

Though the money amount may not be ideal, the player and what he brings to the table is: get Ramon Hernandez, and settle the catching position for another four years.

Eric Simon: Ramon Hernandez is a fine player. At 4 years/$24 million I would be riding the Ramon Hernandez float at the Thanksgiving Day parade. At nearly $8 million a year I have to take a hearty pass, and here's why.

Among MLB backstops with at least 350 plate appearances last season Hernandez was 10th in OPS at (out of 27) at .772, right behind Mike Piazza. Much of that Hernandez' offensive value comes from his power, as he was 8th in slugging at .450. Hernandez does not do a very good job of getting on base, as despite his .290 BA his OBP of .322 was only good for 16th among catchers and his 18 walks were bested by all but two qualifying catchers.

Kudos on mentioning park factors, as Petco Park is notoriously tough on hitters. Here's the kicker, though: Shea Stadium affects right-handed homerun hitters almost as much as Petco does (71 park factor compared to 65 for Petco, specifically for HR by RHB). Shea would help out Hernandez' average a bit, one would presume, so he would have that going for him.

As far as his age is concerned, I'm less optimistic about Hernandez' inevitable decline. Prime years for a ballplayer are around age 28-32. A player typically hits his peak around age 30 and gradually declines until he's a worthless husk. Most people would agree that catchers age more aggressively than other position players, what with the wear and tear on their bodies. So let's say that a catcher's peak is actually around 28, at which point he begins to decline. Hernandez will turn 30 in 2006 and would be 33 — five years past his prime — when a four-year contract expires. Case in point: Mike Piazza:

Age 28: 1.070 OPS
Age 30: .936 OPS
Age 33: .903 OPS

In this case, a declining Piazza is still a world-class hitting catcher. Mike kept himself in good shape and he dropped off quite a bit. This doesn't guarantee that Hernandez will, but catchers don't typically start playing better after they turn 30.

With regard to Hernandez' defense, his CS% has declined each of the past three seasons and he nailed just 26% of would-be base-stealers in 2005, just 13th (out of 21) in the Majors. Most of the rest of a catcher's defense is subjective, so I'll suppose he is something like an average catcher in most other areas.

And now we come to one of life's unsolved mysteries: calling a game. How do we evaluate that? Not really sure we can. Pitchers seem to like pitching to him, and that's important I guess. Not as important as having good pitchers, but it's probably worth something, say, 13.5 on some arbitrary scale I just invented that doesn't measure anything in particular. One semi-legitimate way to measure a catcher's rapport with pitchers is to compare how the staff fared when throwing to Hernandez in comparison to other catchers on the team. We'll use CERA, or catcher ERA:

Hernandez: 4.04 CERA
Padres C: 4.13 CERA

That's about a 2% difference. The Padres' team CERA includes over 200 innings by first-basemen Robert Fick and Phil Nevin, and you've got to assume Hernandez is better at calling a game than those two, right? Throw them out and it's basically a wash. If Hernandez' otherworldly game-calling ability had any affect on his pitchers' performance I'm just not seeing it.

To summarize: Hernandez has plus power and terrible plate discipline. Above-average hitting catcher for sure, but not quite Jason Varitek or Victor Martinez. He has an average caught-stealing rate and he's apparently no better at affecting the success of his pitchers than any other catcher on his team. All this for $8 million a season? Two words: Ramon Castro.

Here's how he did compared to Hernandez last season:

AB BA OBP SLG CS%
Hernandez 369 .290 .322 .450 27%
Castro 209 .244 .321 .435 31%Castro made $500k last season and might make $1.5 million this year. He will also turn 30 next year. His batting average is a good deal lower than Hernandez', but he makes up for it with a ton of walks, making on-base percentage a dead heat. His slugging percentage is just a shade lower. These are two very similar players, one of which will be looking to make $6-$7 million more than the other. In the battle of Ramon vs Ramon, I'm definitely taking Ramon.

Castro, that is."

News from the wild ,wild West

2005-11-12T19:18:00.000-08:00

Nothing...................................or pretty much so.

The Dodgers made an overture to BG, testing the waters I guess........their GM will be advised as soon as he's hired.
Omar Minaya, the middle eastern samurai and GM for the Mets made an appointment to meet with Ramon Hernandez.

Aki had his option picked up while Eric Young's wasn't, as expected.

Rumor now has Dave Roberts and Sean Burroughs going to Boston for Boomer.
There have been reports that the Rangers and Pads are talking about sending Alfonso Soriano and OF Laynce Nix here in exchange for Adam Eaton and Mark Loretta.
The Pads are rumored to be looking at japanese catcher Kenji Jojima as a replacement for Ramon, and might possibly have an interest in Mike Piazza.

Piazza? What the hay....that would fit right in with the (aged) hiring trend so far.The only competition I see is with Wal-Mart, since we're raiding their door greeter stock.

Don't buy any jerseys with names on them yet, this off season looks like it will definitly change the dynamic of the team............or the whole team period!

GM Vacations...err meetings

2005-11-07T17:12:00.000-08:00

Well, all the GM's have convened in Indian Wells for the annual meeting to set the table for trades and acquisitions. KT looks to be busy trying to nail down a lot of help. According to Tom Krasovics article, he'll be looking for catching help, outfielders, role players , and relievers.
Sounds like a whole new team to me.

KT wants speed in the outfield, something that's been lacking with Giles(who is average, but can carry a team with his bat ) and Klesko(who is subpar in both speed and defense, but is the best damned $10 million bench player in the majors!). I don't believe they plan to retain Dave Roberts, which IMO, would be a shame. The man was a spark for us and manufactured runs.
He's been quoted as saying there are only two untouchables, that being Jake Peavey and Khalil Greene, so in other words, this is a rebuilding of sorts.

No word yet on anything regarding Ramon Hernandez, Brian Giles , or Terrell Hoffman(who isn't appreciated). Hey Trevor, loyalty is a two way street , and money shouldn't be the criteria by which it's judged. I didn't see you returning any money in 2003 when you had surgery. Yes, I'm still chappped at the publicity stunt, since you ask.

It will be interesting to see what shakes out in the next few days when the big boys bang heads(and wallets).
Al/NL Cy Youngs, Managers of the Year,yada,yada, will be named during the next week at the meetings.

I Don't Get it

2005-11-03T17:51:00.000-08:00

We traded B Law to the Nationals for Vinny Castilla? It's not as if decent pitching just grows on trees, plus we could have resigned Randa and spelled him with Seany at third.
What does this portend? Let's break it down.

1. Randa won't be resigned
2. Seany will be a PTP'er at third.....or traded
3. While Castilla was a great home run hitter in Colorado, he fell back to earth at sea level with the Braves and the Nats, and while he may use the Western Metal Building foul pole as his personal playground, I don't see him replicating his past feats in the rarified air of Coors country.

He did rank second in the NL in defense, but we were adequate there already with Randa.

Were the Pads scared that B Law had lost a lot this year as he showed for a stretch during the stretch?

Or is it the Mexican connection again, gaining more fans from the South by having them identify with Castilla, something they lessened when Ollie went bye bye.

Or is this part of a bigger plan that they haven't released anything on?

Last time I heard B Laws name mentioned , it was in a rumor that had he and Aki possibly going to Boston for Boomer.

I still don't get it.........

HOFFMAN SIGNS CONTRACT WITH PADRES!!!!

Uhhh, Glen Hoffman that is. Trevor's brother is now our third base coach, replacing Rob Picciolo, who was let go after the season.It'd be a shame if they let Trevor get away

Grady Fuson was officially named VP

Vedddy Interestink !

2005-11-01T21:34:00.000-08:00

(start vent)
So, this is how it's going to be. Trevor and his agent takes his fight to make even more millions to the media, in front of God and everybody, in hopes that it will sway the paying public to his side......or so it seems.

Don't you think that when they're dealing with the obscene amounts of money they play for and pay for, is being bandied about in dark rooms with a lot of cigar smoke in the air ( undoubtedly lit with $100 bills), that it should remain behind closed doors?
Unlees they're willing to kick down for the MRF ( motes retirement fund),or pay my SDGE bill for a year, I really don't care if they ever settle it.

I mean come on, you want sympathy from some regular Joe who's sweating it out if he'll be able to buy the big bag of Fritos this week at Albersons?

Keep it quiet...fill us in on how it's going once in awhile...make your announcement and move on. That way the common folk will only resent you for a little while for being overpaid prima donnas.
(end vent)

Anyways, since Theo Epstein walked from the Red Sox, the question has arisen taht maybe KT wouldn't mind being reunited with Larry Lucchino. Or that maybe Epstein would like to return to San Diego. Stat Man(Epstein) and Moneyball(Alderson) would make a nice fit don't you think?

Pat Gillick , who interviewed for the Dodger GM position has signed on the be the Phils GM...so LA still needs to find one.

Aki and Eric Young both have options for 2006, $1.75 mil and $850,000 respectively, and buyout clauses for $250,000 and $100,000. Word has it is that the Pads will pick up the option year on Aki, but not EY, instead buying him out for the $100,000. Would be a shame to see EY walk for all the leadership and good play he brings to the club. I'm wondering if the Pads are resigning Aki to package him with B Law to send to Boston to bring Boomer back here?

Looks like things are starting to heat up a little.

More later!

The one that got away

2005-10-31T16:37:00.000-08:00

Wow....Theo Epstein and the Boston Red Sox hit a snag in contract talks and it ended up with Epstein resigning his post , one year removed from taking the Sox to the WS.

That throws a monkey wrench into the mix. He's a stat hound and so is Sandy Alderson....need I say more?
Of course, LA is also looking for a new GM and I'm sure will have talks with him. I can see someone of Epsteins record going to the highest bidder in a place he wants to be of course. I'm not advocating firing KT, but you can't ignore Epatein's success. Interesting!

Read in another beantown rag that it's up to KT and Epstein to package a deal that would bring Boomer back into the Padre fold. Talent that's rumored to be given would be Aki and B Law in the deal. The Sox covet Eaton, but the Pads supposedly wouldn't part with him. After saying that, remember about Epstein resigning, so where that put's the prospective trade.....I don't know and wouldn't want to hazard a guess.

The next week or so might get interesting...more later

GM Hunt

2005-10-29T15:36:00.000-07:00

It's just like an Easter Egg hunt only different.........and it costs a lot more money.

Been awhile since I posted anything, but by no means has nothing been happening.
Arizona has gone ahead and signed Josh Byrnes from the Bosox. He was an assistant under Theo Epstein who apprenticed in San Diego and has yet to resign with Boston. Aparrently he and Larry Lucchino, the architect for getting Petco Park built, don't exactly see eye to eye.
In an article on the DBack site, it quotes general partners of the club as to what they were looking for in a new GM..."They wanted someone with a background in player evaluation and development, someone with character, intelligence and leadership skills. "...Kevin Towers,you listening?LOL
Brian Cashman, who's name had been mentioned as a possible replacement for KT, should he leave, resigned with the Yankees for 3 more years and $5 mil.
That would leave Theo Epstein,GM of the Red Sox,who's currently negotiating with Boston for a contract extension, and David Forst, assistant GM to the A's as possible replacements.

Breaking news!!! The LA Dodgers have fired Paul DePodesta as their GM after a horrible season. The manager, Jim Tracy was fired a week or two ago and has since signed with Pittsburgh as their manager.Looks like a total revamp for our neighbors to the north, starting at the top and I'm sure wending it's way through personnel and coaches. It will be interesting to see what happens up there as it has a direct correlation to us as they are a division foe.
Names in the hunt for manager are Alan Trammel, Orel Herschiser and,Terry Collins,director of the farm system.

Speaking of KT, it seems that since the position at AZ has been filled, he will be back to head the Padres for at least the year 2006,is signed through 2007, and has an option for 2008.who knows after that.
A lot of fans have been calling for his and Boch's head since the team has yet to win a World Series.
Me? I tend to look at teams like the White Sox who haven't won for 88 years, or the Astros, who aside from the fact that they were an expansion team before us, this was their first appearance in the Series. I don't even want to get into the Cubs!
Anyways, I refuse to be the fan that calls for all out remodels of the whole team after every season because my team didn't win it all.
Unless I see wholesale blunders being made on a consistent basis, I will be there roooting my team on.
Yes, I know that Boch at times makes some unorthodox calls during a game, but there has to be a reason that he's respected so much among his peers.
And I also realize that KT has made some bad trades, but when you're banking on consistency from something as frail as a human....LOL....good luck with that. It's impossible to explain why a guy will tank in one place, yet do great in another. Could it be chemistry?
To quote Toby Harrah, "Stats are like a girl in a bikini, it shows a lot, but it doesn't show everything!"

Anyways, it looks like KT will be here for another year at least, operating under the auspices of Sandy Alderson and Grady Fuson, who I'm sure will be keeping close tabs on "Barney Fife" as he was referred to in the SD Union Tribune.
As much as the management is saying that they're happy with each other, and it's business as usual, it wouldn't surprise me to see KT moving along at any time if things don't go as Alderson plans. The team is under his control now and I'm sure that he wants to put his stamp on it,in fact he already did by bring up Grady Fuson and giving him the director of scouting and player development job....a fancy monniker for being a shadow, wouldn't you think?
We shall see as Spring Training approaches.

Damian Jackson has moved on to the Washington Nationals, signing a one year free agent deal. I suspected that he would be allowed to walk if he chose that route.Personally, I would have preferred that they keep Geoff Blum, you know him...he's that guy that filled in for Khalil when K was hurt and on the DL, and he also hit a huge dinger in the Series! Congrats to you Blummer!
Giles was offered a 3 year $21 mil contract, but will hear other offers that are out there....scary if we lose him!
Trevor and the club are talking,along with Glenn, Trevors brother, to be looked at for the 3rd base coach position. He last coached for the Dodgers, but is looking around while the Dodgers hunt for a new manager, and now, general manager.I'm sure Trevor,if resigned, would appreciate having his brother here, as would Brian Giles, if we could mange to wrest him away from Atlanta...not likely though and we still have M Lo .
Speaking of the Braves, they hired Roger McDowell to be their new pitching coach, replacing Leo (The other Rocker) Mazzone, who left for the Orioles.

Padres who have filed for free agency lately are P Pedro Astacio,U Mark (Show your Pelo) Sweeney, and U Robert Fick who upon hearing about free agency was quoted as saying," give me all you got if they're free"

Interesting that the agent for Ramon Hernandez is saying that Ramon would like to stay in San Diego, but hasn't had any talks with Sandy Alderson or KT for that matter since May, when Alderson took over, yet Alderson is saying that Ramon wants more $$ that the Padres are willing to offer. Is Ramon getting railroaded out of town without a decent chance to negotiate? Time will tell who's making up the media spin.

Tye Waller, who was the director of player management in the minors, was given the job of first base coach,replacing Davey Lopes, who was let go along with 3rd base coach Rob Picchiolo

Now Where Were We?

2005-10-23T21:21:00.000-07:00

Yeah...it's been a few days since I posted anything, but that doesn't mean I can't be a sportswriter.
I can drink ,eat ,run up an expense account and tell whoppers just as good as the next guy.

Just give me a chance!

On the baseball free agent front.....not much.
Heard word that Theo Epstein, the Red Sox GM that apprenticed here in Dago before he was awarded the keys to the executive washroom might be a fit here....along with Boomer, who requested a trade out of Beantown for the final year of his contract. I always liked Boomer and he proved he was a good acquisition before he left here.
That would be on the back burner for now, since neither club has signed their respective GM's yet.

Other than that, not a heckuva lot going on in Padre world. That might be because the World Series has everyones attention. And what a World Series it is. Yeah, it may be lacking in the usual suspects(Yankees,Boston,etc), but I for one find it refreshing to see two teams that aren't common words in your baseball language.

For the Astros, it's their first trip to the Big Game in their history, and I'm rooting for them because I remember fondly when they were in our division and I watched the killer B's grow togwether as a team. I hope they do well.
On the other hand, it's nice to see another Chitown team get some press besides the Cubs. And also, I remember when Ozzie Guillen came up with the Padres when he first started out. Man...I'm old,huh?
Anyways, it's nice to see a sparkplug lie him get his chance in the sun. I hope the Sox do well also.

As it stands, in the first game, Houston had a chance to tie it or win it late, but the Sox closer, Jenks was bringin it ay up to 100 mph and was unhittable.Sox win
In tonights game, it was a different story as Jenks gave up a couple of hits and runs that allowed the 'Stros to tie it up in the 9th, only to be deflated by a walk off by Podsednik off of Lidge. Sox up 2-0 with a get away day tomorrow to head to where the stars at night are big and bright. Hopefully, the Stros can get a couple back at home and make this thing exciting.

The Bolts lost to the Eagles today with 1 minute and change left when they went for a field goal that would have put them up a touch with the defense playing well and stopping the Eagles ...but alas, it was blocked and they ran it back for a touchdown to go up 20-17. The Chargers were making a run to score again when Caldwell had the ball stripped from him at the Eagles 20 yard line where they ran out the clock.
So much for brotherly love.

Jimmie Johnson got passed by Tony, er Goat Sneward in the closing laps to finish 3rd in the race at Martinsville. Ironically, Mark Martin had a terrible day(fire,crashes,locusts)
Jeff Gordon won it with the boys heading to Atlanta next week and the fastest track they race on all year,Richmond.

Back to the World Series. So far we've seen two virtually unheard of teams with a host of no names on both, striving to excel in the grandest game that baseball has to offer. It's the first and (maybe) last time for some of the guys playing to make an appearance in a Series.
It never ceases to amaze me to see guys that look like they could be you grocery bagger, rising above mediocrity, if only for a short time in October, to indelibly mark their names to the hallowed scrolls of baseball immortality.
It's nice to see the sportsmanship and all out "get dirty and dive headfirst" attitudes they have while being exhausted(I'm sure)from the grueling day in, day out monotony that is the regular season. Herculean efforts that won't go unnoticed when you think back on the memories of this past season in a few years, and yet, one question remains unanswered......................

...........when will Tim McCarver shut the hell up !!!!!!

What's up Tiger Lily?

2005-10-18T12:57:00.000-07:00

What about the title?
I don't think there's a good division between the sides of my brain and stuff is free to wander back and forth without restriction...that's probably the sloshing sound I hear when I walk!

This taken right off of the Twin Cities Pioneer Press

") Look for free-agent Twins outfielder Jacque Jones to end up with San Diego or St. Louis."

So far , that's about all I've heard about any rumors of off season moves.But if that's true, that would be a great acquisition for us, adding coverage in the vast expanses at Petco, and power and average in the lineup !
OK, KT. JM has given me power of attorney and his blessing to inform you to take pretty much any means necessary to sign Jaque !

KT's status is still up in the air....Brian Cashman still hasn't signed with the Yanks, but has talked with the head honchos.

Heard that Jim Thome wasn't going to sign back with the Phils,he would look good at first in Petco, and with him being a left handed power guy with Petco Porch looming out there, he might be a good choice to pursue although he is due to make $12 mil in '06 and $14 mil '07and '08, with a $13 mil option in '09.....ehhhh, maybe they (Phils) will be willing to eat some contract and take Ryno in trade, and we'll throw in KT since they fired their GM and are actively looking to hire someone!

With catcher Ramon Hernandez more than likely moving on to secure the big $$, it's a question of "will the Pads look elsewhere for veteran catching help?"
The answer might lie north of us in Anaheim, where Benjie Molina is due to try his hand at free agency.
He made $1.05 mil in '05, but said he wouldn't take the "hometown discount " to stay in Disneyworld. We could offer him more , but it would probably be the San Dieg discount instead of the Anaheim discount. Still, something to look at as I'm not sure that Miggy could could go the long haul as the first string backstop.

On to baseball....congrats are in order for the Go Go Sox, who set a record with having pitched all those complete games and sending the Angels to a crushing defeat in the ALCS.
Ozzie has his guys playing well and with his unconventional managing moves definitly gives his team a chance to go all the way!

Talk about crushing defeats...The Astros last night were one out away from clinching the NLCS from the Cards, when Albert Pujols did what he does and sent a 3 run dinger into the deeeeeep left field seats to salvage the win in Houston and give hope to the struggling Cards.
I truly thought that the Cardinals would breeze through the next round with Houston after having smoked the Padres like a Christmas Ham, but the gritty 'Stros have shown a ton of heart and talent ,to give the Redbirds all they want to handle. Hats off to them !!

Saturday, #48 Jimmie Johnson overcame flat tires, a failing alternator, mid race battery replacement, and other problems to win his namesake race at Lowe's Motor Speedway. That's FOUR consecutive wins there. To say he's consistent in North Carolina would be an understatement. That puts him back at the top tied with Goat Sneward (Tony Stewart), as my son calls him, for the lead in the Race for the Nextel Cup Crown.

Heh heh heh heh....Goat Sneward!

You need to understand that I taught him Tony Stewarts name when he was 3 years old and he couldn't pronounce it well, and that name stuck,and we don't care for Mr. Sneward anyways. My boy also doesn't like the Dodgers or the Giants, but does love the Padres and Chargers.......like father like son?....damn straight !!!!!!

The Bolts fell into a Black Hole last Sunday and didn't even get dirty. They beat the Raiders in their house handily as LaDanian Tomlinson played Superman again and ran, caught, and threw for touchdowns in the victory. He also set the record for rushing for a touchdown in consecutive games, at 18.
And to think he's only going to get better gives me hope for the future of the Bolts. The "O" line played good, while the defense, particularly the secondary, stepped up and put the wood to the passing "machine" of the Oakland Gang ( pun intended).
Next week we visit the Campbells House of Chunk(y soup), and take on Donovan McNabb, his Mom, and the rest of the Eagles.

David Forst...not Frost

2005-10-15T03:09:00.000-07:00

OK...another unsubstantiated rumor that I missed.

David Forst Assistant GM to the A's has had his name bandied about that he might be a pick for the Padres GM spot should KT head east for Arizona.

Let's recap, these are the names that I've seen for consideration for the Padres for the GM position that isn't even vacated yet

Grady Fuson....Padres Special Assistant to the GM
David Forst....Assistant GM for the A's
Brian Cashman.....GM for the Yankee's(hasn't signed new contract yet)

Stay tuned as the sands run through the hourglass of the days of your lives !
Confused? You won't be...

Welcome to the off season carousel

You Go First

2005-10-14T23:41:00.000-07:00

In the start of ,shall we say, early Spring Cleaning, the Padres announced the release of some coaches on the team. Here's one article..

Alderson era begins: Lopes, Picciolo contracts not renewed, DJ clears waivers

"In the first moves in what might turn out to be a chaotic offseason for the Padres, San Diego today announced that the contracts of first base coach Davey Lopes, third base coach Rob Picciolo and advance scout Jeff Gardner would not be renewed. In addition, the Padres released infielder Manny Alexander and Damian Jackson elected free agency after clearing outright waivers. Furthermore, Kevin Towers is considering a job in Arizona.

The Padres made a lot baserunning errors this season, but in reality Picciolo and Lopes fell prey to management's temptation to clean house after a mediocre or disappointing season. After joining the team midseason, this truly marks the beginning of the Sandy Alderson era in San Diego.

"We would like to express our sincere thanks to Davey, Rob and Jeff for the time they have invested in the organization and wish them the best of luck in their future endeavors," said Executive Vice President/General Manager Kevin Towers via a press release today. "However at this time we feel it necessary to head in a different direction entering the 2006 season."

Lopes, 60, rejoined the Padres coaching staff in November of 2002 after spending the previous two-plus years as the Milwaukee Brewers manager (2000-02). Lopes originally spent five seasons (1995-99) as the Padres first-base coach before accepting the Brewers managerial post in November of 1999. Lopes, who also served on coaching staffs in Texas and Baltimore, hit .263 with 155 home runs, 614 RBI and 557 stolen bases during a 16-year big league career. A veteran of nine postseasons -- six as a player and three as a Padres coach -- Lopes earned a World Series ring with the 1981 Los Angeles Dodgers.

Picciolo finished the year extending his record as the longest tenured coach in Padres history to 15 years, his last three as the club’s third base coach. Picciolo, who managed the Padres’ Northwest League club in Spokane in 1986 and 1987, earning NWL Manager of the Year honors in ‘87 after leading the Indians to the league title with a 54-22 record, instructed Padres minor league infielders from 1988 until becoming Padres first base coach on July 11, 1990.

The 52-year-old Picciolo spent nine seasons (1977-85) as a player in the Majors with the Oakland Athletics, Milwaukee Brewers and California Angels, appearing in 730 games. He broke in with the A’s in 1977 and subsequently appeared in a career-high 148 games that season.

Gardner, 41, worked in various capacities for the Padres over the past 10 seasons, serving most recently as an Advance Scout this past year, his second stint in that role. He managed at Short-Season Eugene (2001-02) before becoming manager of Single-A Lake Elsinore in 2003. Prior to his managing at the minor league level, Gardner was the Padres Advance Scout from 1996-2000. An infielder during his playing career, Gardner played parts of four Major League seasons with the New York Mets (1991), Padres (2992-1993) and Montreal Expos (1994). He enjoyed his best season while with San Diego in 1993, and as the club’s starting second baseman, Gardner appeared in 140 games, batting .262 with 24 RBI and 53 runs scored.

Jackson, 32, batted .255 (70-for-275) with five home runs, 23 RBI, 44 runs scored and 15 stolen bases in 118 games for the Padres in 2005. Over parts of 10 Major League seasons with Cleveland (1996-1997), Cincinnati (1997-1998), San Diego (1999-20001, 2005), Detroit (2002), Boston (2003), the Chicago White Sox (2004) and Kansas City (2004), Jackson has a career batting average of .245 (513-for-2093) with 28 home runs, 188 RBI and 132 stolen bases in 760 games.

Alexander, 34, appeared in 10 games for the Padres in 2005, batting .111 (2-for-18) with a double. Over parts of 10 Major League seasons with Baltimore (1992-1996), the New York Mets (1997), Chicago Cubs (1997-1999), Boston (2000), Texas (2004) and San Diego (2005), Alexander has a career batting average of .232 (287-for-1237) with 15 home runs and 111 RBI in 572 games. "

Expect more , this is just the precursor of things to come.
I think one of the biggest things right now, is the question of whether Towers is going to abandon San Diego for Arizona in light of the fact that Grady Fuson's role was increased earlier this season, while KT's was diminished. I would think that if we're going to get a new GM that it would be the first order of business, since he would be "The Man" with a large amount of input into free agent acquisitions and re-signing free agents.
And speaking of free agents, here's a link to an article in todays UT about the possible departure of Kevin Towers for greener (if dustier) pastures.

Another read is this one from The Arizona Republic about how if KT decides to go to Az,that he could drag Ramon Hernandez with him.

The Carpenters sang once,"We've only just begun...."

Heads Up!

2005-10-12T20:13:00.000-07:00

Just got back from playing softball (we won) and managed to catch the end of both the NLCS and ALCS.

The Cards went one up in the series handing Houston a 5-3 loss.Isringhausen looked like he struggled a bit to close it out. I don't believe the Cardinals are even playing their best ball yet...but when they do.........WATCH OUT !!

Controversy over on the AL side of the LCS. AJ Pierzynski was up in the bottom of the ninth with 2 out and no one on when he swung and missed on the third strike, but ran to first after the catcher rolled the ball back to the mound. He stated that he didn't hear the ump call out and that he thought the ball skipped in the dirt. It was heads up play on his part, and after many minutes of arguing the call and making appeals to different umps...the play stood and the Angels had to retake the field. A pinch runner took Pierzynskis place and the next batter, Joe Crede, took two strikes allowing his runner to steal second. Crede then managed to hit a blue dart liner into the left field fence to score the winning run and send the series back west tied up 1-1.
You haven't heard the last of that play, I'm sure the media will end up ramming it down your throat until you're sick of it. (Please don't let it be McCarver!!)

Not much happening on the Padre front. I did read an article on their site that pretty much said what I had posted earlier in the week about free agents.
Have heard a rumor that the Padres might be interested in Jacque Jones of the Twins. He is originally from the San Diego area and might be enticed to give the left coast a go. Good outfielder....280 career hitter with decent power.I think his quickness and ability to cover a lot of ground would fit in nicely at Petco.

Jim Tracy was fired by the Dodgers and hired in Pittsburgh, where for the last 13 seasons, mediocrity has been the keyword. He'll fit right in.

One last item...a close friend and fellow Padre fan recently lost her Dad to diabetes. In his honor, she and her Mom will be taking part in the American Diabetes Association walk here in San Diego on Oct 22.
If you could see your way to sponsoring them or maybe making a donation to the association, it would be greatly appreciated not only by them,but by the thousnads who are afficted with the disease. If you would care to, contact me here and I will forward your request to her and have her get a hold of you. That act of kindness will only beget more of the same !

Now what?

2005-10-10T16:02:00.000-07:00

Well.....let's see...the Chargers are playing the Steelers tonight no Monday Night Football...should be an exciting game with the Bolts finally getting LT involved in the offense !

Mark Martin won the Banquet 400 at Kansas Speedway. Been a long time, and with Mark retiring at the end of this season, it was nice to see him finally get a win. Must be old timers season...Dale Jarrett last week, Mark Martin this week.

Next race is UAW-GM Quality 500 at Lowes Motor Speedway....that's my man Jimmie Johnson's territory, and he could use it!

In about an hour, the final and deciding game between the Angels and Yankees starts up at the Anaheim/Los Angeles/Riverside/Moreno Valley/ESPN/Disney/ABC Big "A", or whatever it's called these days .
Yanks came back to win it last night and force tonights game.

Anyone watch any parts of that marathon Atlanta-Houston game?.....without getting up to go to the bathroom? You're a stud....and waterlogged!

OOOO, here's something.
The Riverside Press Enterprise states that Trevor wants to break the bank ($10 mil)...get rid of Ryno or Park and we can afford that easy!

Here's a link to an interview with the Skipper on the sweep by the Cardinals, and another on the Padres going quietly into the night. The last also has some stuff on Trevor and his resigning here.

Slow news day...maybe things will heat up soon!

Stayin the course !

2005-10-09T17:58:00.000-07:00

Just a note to say that that was one heckuva record setting game between the Astros and Braves that went into the 18th inning until the 'Stros ended it with a walk off dinger to clinch their series and move them up to face the Cards.
Judging from what I've seen, the Astros could give the Cardinals a run for their money, but if I were a betting man, I'd still take the Cards.

The Yankees and Angels have just started their game that was delayed from yesterday because of rain. Score is 0-0 in the fourth.

Let's play golf !!!

2005-10-09T11:51:00.000-07:00

I suppose all you can do is try, and try we did, but to no avail as the Almighty Cards came to town and put us down.

Statiscally speaking, the Cards did just what they were supposed to do, but speaking as a fan, I hoped for the miracle of '84, but we were plain overmatched in pretty much every department.

I wish the Cards luck and hope they can go all the way and represent the NL well when they hold the World Series trophy high.(plus, then we can say we lost to the eventual champions. Yes, at this point, we're trying to minimize the damages of being beaten badly in the first round)

Quick rundown....Starting pitching

Starting pitching was pedestrian AT BEST, with last nights outing by Woody an absolute nightmare!

Numbers for Woody were ,6-11,1 homer, 3 doubles, 1 HBP, ! walk for a 1.182 slugging perc., .642 OBP, and a 27.00 ERA.

Not to just pick on him...ALL our starters were hammered in this series, giving up big numbers that were all but impossible to overcome.

Position players did their jobs defensively, but no one hit with any consistency,
and actually hit below their season averages.

We couldn't string a rally together until we got into the Cards bullpen, but by then it was usually too late becuase their starters gave them quality starts.

Too little too late.

Emotionally, I didn't see the same fire as I did during the season. It's nothing that can be quantified through numbers, it's just a gut feeling that the boys weren't as cohesive as during the season, couldn't get the mojo working.

So that brings a close to this 2005 season and although they only made it to the first round and are going home...I'll still give kudos for working hard and getting to the playoffs with what they had, after all, they're STILL my team !

Take a look around at this team and bask in their glory, because the off season will bring big roster changes and it's likely that you have seen the last of a few good players in a Padre uniform.
That's the price you pay for free agency.

Running down a quick list of free agents, we're looking at a large, if not total revamping of the team.

Free agents and their contracts are,

Trevor Hoffman $6 mil in 2005
Sentimental favorite, who at age 38 has lost a lot on velocity , but has overcome that with location and selection. He's ready to break the All Time saves record and is a fan favorite. He likely will resign with the club.
Linebrink would, if the worst case scenario happens, make a decent closer.

Ramon Hernandez $2.38 mil
You build a club strong through the middle,Jakes locked up,Khalil and M Lo anchor the infield, and the Dr., Dave Roberts in center. Ramon will command a great deal on the open market and we would really have to shift a lot onf $ around to attempt to sign both he and Giles. NY Mets have been mentioned in rumors of clubs interested in him.Miguel Olivo is a good catcher, but I don't think he's ready to be the starter. David Ross waits behind Miggy.

Brian Giles $7 mil
Could get $10 mil on the open mkt. Big concern here, he was a catalyst most of the season and at times carried this club on his back.I would think that the Padres would rearrange some $ to make a serious run at him. He does like playing in his hometown, but big $$$ speaks volumes. Will Dave Roberts return? How much of an effect will Ben Johnson have in naming the outfield?

Joe Randa $860,000
Will he replace Seany who makes $1.68 mil,but has youth on his side? His bat is better from what we've seen, and his defense I'd say was better than Seans, but Sean has time on his side and should get better both with the glove and the bat.

Robert Fick $400,000
Versatile and can plug a lot of holes. Would like to see him stick around, I'm sure his monetary worth will decide his fate,

Mark Sweeney $580,000
Consumate pinch hitter,average first base. I'd say on the bubble depending on what he wants

Pedro Astacio $150,000
Was brought over signed to minor league contract, but did admirably with a 4.69 ERA and was a steal with the money we paid. His ERA was a bit higher than his career avg., but in the stretch run proved he was capable (we'll discount his postseason start). Borderline on staying if something comparable's out there. Again,$$ will be the deciding factor.

Rudy Seanez $550,000
I think he was a great buy and would like to see him return if he doesn't price himself out of the ballpark had a couple rough outings, but throws a different look out there and still has an overpowering fastball ( 92-95 mph)

Chris Hammond $750,000
Lefty with the blazing 64 mph breaking ball,decent ERA in 2005(3.84), and as I mentioned before, is a LEFTY! Look for him to stay.

Damian Jackson $320,000
Fills in ably as a position player in this, his second stint with the club. Expendable IMO

That's a list of free agents along with my (probably wrong) predictions of what will happen with them. There are so many other contributing factors that any guess is a crapshoot and I'm lousy at craps!

There are some players that IMO are on the bubble and are making HUGE sums of money and could be let go or traded this winter.

First and foremost is Ryan Klesko. No longer feared as a power hitter, he became a platoon guy and his numbers dropped in the second half of the season. His back spasms and host of other excuses of why he wasn't producing weren't apparent as he just dropped off the face of the earth.
For a guy that's making $10 mil, with another $10 mil due him next year, I would definitly look for him to be sent somewhere to free up that money in hopes that we can resign someone.
Secondly, Chan Ho Park, who in a salary exchange, came from the Rangers in a contract trade for Phil Nevin( who in the end, ended up riding the pine).
Park,who sported a bloated 5.84 ERA, actually did ok when he came over, mainly because for some unexplained reason, we scored a lot of runs for him. But for another $10 mil, you want something a bit more than his ERA I'd venture to guess.I think he'll be shipped somewhere.

Like I said, these are just my guesses and that there are a lot of extenuating factors on who will be resigned and who will be relegated to Boys Town.
You have to look at the up and comers in the minors who might be given the chance next year to see if they can hang with the big club.
Some of the names are

Ben Johnson OF
Came up and proved he can can play the postion AND most importantly, hit big league pitching. Look for him to make an impact and soon.

Paul McAnulty
Got a sniff this season and was on the post season roster. The man can hit,needs to work hard to prove he should stay.

Josh Barfield
Enigma. A lot of people expected him to be called up as the next second baseman, but was left lingering in the minors because of the steady play of M Lo

Freddie Guzman
Injured and out for the season, should be ready to play next season and atttempt to crack the big league lineup

More minor league players that could make a difference in who we sign/resign
Tim Stauffer
Chris Oxspring
Tagg Bozied
Jon Knott

Wow...season's not even over and I'm already ready for next year.
Things are going to be iffy with the host of free agents that can leave our sleepy little town, so I'm approching the off season with guarded enthusiasm. I know we'll be sad to see some players go, and happy to see others go. As of this time we have to look at management to do the right thing, providing that management (K.T and Bochy) are still around. There has been the rumor that Towers is in the hot seat and that he could go to Az if not rehired here and that Brian Cashman(Yankees) might be open to come here. He didn't sign with the Yanks yet. I know there's a lot of people out there that are upset with Bochy and his moves, but I for one, like him as manager,and K.T. as GM. I would hope that Moores will realize how close we are and open his purse strings a bit more to sign some impact guys instead of betting that mediocrity will carry us through.

It's been one helluva roller coaster season and we ended up stuck upside down in the middle of the tracks....but at least we had a ticket !!!

Have a great winter and keep checking in, I'll be posting tidbits of interest as I find them.

In My Mind I'm goin' To Carolina.......

2005-10-08T12:09:00.000-07:00

That's what I said....Carolina....CarolinaPadresFan.....who , as a devout (yet maddeningly normal) Catholic, has forwarded a prayer from one of the many and diversified patron Saints of the particular religion.
So I give to you, Padre fans, St Didacus, in all his glory, extolling his flock to take the path of righteousness and good and to prevail in their duty and be all they can be in their quest to conquer the enemy !

If This Is It...

2005-10-08T09:38:00.000-07:00

"...you'd better let me know,
if this ain't love you better just say so..."

Huey Lewis never spoke any truer words.Us, the fans, have shown our love to you, the team in untold ways.

We proved it at the gate
We hung tough during the rough times
We bought your damned $7 beers and overpriced Kathy Lee Gifford produced souvenirs
We took off of work to catch a day game
We even put up with Ted Leitner on the radio when there wasn't any tv.
We cheered from across the country and from the suburbs of San Diego.
We felt the pain after a loss.
We shared your elation after a win.
Don't brush us aside as if we weren't there...we ARE the 10th man, and we bleed blue and orange.

So tonight, when Woody takes the mound against Matt Morris (sounds like a 70's P.I. show, a Quinn-Martin Production !), we ask that you bleed for us.
We won't try to sell you a $7 beer or anything else,just show a little love for the people who give their summers to you.

To you, the fans that have supported the Pads for many years including this one. If you're going to the game...let's hear you from the opening pitch until the final out, after all we ARE the 10th man. I don't know if any of you remember the 10th man bumper stickers they made because the fans were so vocal that even the team admitted they made a difference, but.....there you go.You can make a difference and at this point,particularly this point, should be doing anything and everything you can to give the boys an advantage, short of beaning the batboy with a D cell battery.....that's NY Giant territory.

Let's get out and make some noise, both on the field and in the stands...we did this in '84 and although the chances are slim, we can do this again. Wouldn't you like to be remembered in baseball history as THE most unlikely comeback to ever happen AND to go on and win the World Series?????

OK, the Gipper has tired and gone to take a nap, so lets just use OUR field as an advantage. We know the quirks here and how to play station to station in our home...it SHOULD be an advantage. Get loose...everyone looks like their playing as tight as a ballerinas hamstring.

In other news....The Red Sox won't be repeating as World Champs as the White Sox sweep their series 3-0

Hot 'Lanta and the Astros are tied in their series , while the Yankees took it on the chin from the Angels , who crushed the Big Unit last night.

Inmates Running the Asylum Dept:

Gagne says owners need to open wallet...
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2183529

Hey CPF, here's something that seems to have been written for you...
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/playoffs2005/columns/story?columnist=crasnick_jerry&id=2184258
Nothing a couple of Red Bulls and sitting on a sewing needle can't cure !

So what we have is Woody to keep our playoff hopes alive, I would look for a quick hook if he struggles at all, who, I don't know, but at this point you have to throw something out there to hold the Cards....or outscore them(something we haven't been able to do due to blown chances).
We need to get into their bullpen early and give ourselves a chance.

"It's not over, you have to win three games, we're going home,'' Padres manager Bruce Bochy said. "We've got to stay optimistic here, that's the only way to approach it.''

Execution....

2005-10-06T21:54:00.000-07:00

....is something we are NOT doing. Today is another prime example....men in RISP and being left there......hitting into DP's(can or should we move the runners?).....walks that turn into bad situations.....small ball(for the Cards.

10 hits today and 2 runs scored because we chased ourselves out of the inning by hitting into the double plays.

Seanez losing a couple of walks that snowball into unearned runs (we loved you when you were a Padre Reggie, but you can go away at any time now)

Watching Pujols, one of the elite power hitters in baseball, hitting behind Edmonds, to move him into scoring position. That's small ball right there, giving up a potential blast or double. to GET THAT RUN INTO SCORING POSITION.

I have no answer. I know the Pads are playing their hearts out and that the Cards have some things going their way, but a lot of the positions the Cards get themselves into are manufactured with one thing in mind...getting a run or runs.

Maybe the managerial decisions could be changed to do some unconventional things, move the guys, get our game in motion,hit and run,run and hit, and of course, what happened to us today...the squeeze.

We need to get something going...it's late and we've done the same things in two games that have given us the same result...two losses.

I don't know the answer, but have faith that things will turn when we get home !

Jake got broke....revisited (link)

2005-10-05T22:40:00.000-07:00

OK....now there's talk that there might be a possibility that Jake would be available to pitch for the fifth game?
You have to ask yourself, "self...he may be able to take the mound, but how effective would he be?"
Don't get me wrong, people do extraordinary things in times of stress and I love Jake , but that nagging question sticks in the back of my mind. On the other hand, if we're at the fourth game and ned to win...of course you would want to have your ace of the staff out there and give him the ball.

Whos' available....Eaton will have just pitched...Woody would be on two days rest....B Laws been designated for long relief in the series, but could spot start. You know...I think I would have to vote for giving Jake the ball and see how things pan out for a bit.
If things go awry, B Law (if he hasn't pitched his guts out the last two nights), could step in in a heartbeat to take over and take it from there.Maybe even Astacio.

Again, it's all speculation...lets just win the next three and end the guessing games...everybody in favor raise your hand to be counted!

Angels beat the dreaded Yankees 5-3 tonight to even their series at 1-1.

Hockey is back!
I like the rules changes that are meant to make for more and faster offense and stop that damned neutral zone trap(sorry Devils).
The goal line was moved back two feet and the blue line was moved out two feet , thus enlarging the offensive zone, while at the same time making there less room behind the net.
The red line is no longer in effect so that there won't be any more two line off side passes and will make the defense REALLY work to stay up. They can't trap in mid ice when two liners are allowed...they'll be behind the play.

Also, as Barry Melrose called it, the Marty Brodeur rule has taken effect. No longer can a goalie take the puck anywhere he likes and effectively stop play or play it at his leisure. He's now allowed to play it in front of his goal line or in a box they painted on the ice behind the net. The corners are now fair play. If the goalie does play the puck out of the box and in back of his goal line, it'll be a two minute minor for delay.

Game on,eh?
Take off hoser.

So what's that got to do with baseball playoffs?
Nothing...........I like hockey and am glad it's back.

Game tomorrow is at 1:00 PM PST...ESPN2

Jake got broke.... (link)

2005-10-04T16:27:00.000-07:00

OK....we knew St Louis was strong team loaded with power throughout the line up, even without Scott Rolen, and had a great pitching rotation, but instead of being happy with having a perennial pennant winning team.....they went and broke Jake....that's not very neighborly, and if they weren't such pleasant fans, we might have to go Tony Stewart on them.

But as an alternative to the 8-5 drubbing handed us by the Redbirds, I've decided to call upon and use...our mulligan!
Yes Padre fans,it's a little known gem that is usually kept rolled up in the tarp that covers the field, and I happened upon it on accident one day and inquired as to it's powers.
It's essentially the same thing as a golf mulligan....do overs....had our fingers crossed behind our backs,that sort of thing.
Good thing we have it too, now we can throw out Pedro to pitch and replay the first game as if nothing happened!

Seriously, Jake was taken to a local hospital and found to have a fractured 8th rib and they were still trying to determine if his 9th rib was broken.How it happened, no one knows. In fact, the team didn't know until after the game.
(Edit: In reading up on it, it turns out Jake felt a twinge in his rib cage when he was celebrating clinching the NL West with his teammates.....of all things)

Go ahead.
Tell Jake a secret....he can keep it.
Jakes broken ribs, and the fact that the Cards murdered us today, and puts a real damper on our situation.
Down 1 game in a 5 game series with our ace out for the rest of the year.

Pedro goes Thursday against Mulder ,then Woody ( who replaced Adam in a surprise move by Bochy) on Saturday at home, and if needed Adam will get the call on Sunday , then it looks like B Law could get a start if it gets that far
If ever there was a time to sack up and have career days, this would be that time. I implore you guys to step up and git 'er done.

I didn't get to see the game yet(tape) but from what I heard, Jake came out bringing it(does he know any other way?), and gave a first inning homer to Jim Edmunds.

In the third, and I quote, it was a "flare,a bloop,a squib and a stumble" that got some more for the Birds.
"The Other Eck", David Eckstein flared a single, Edmunds followed with a bloop that landed for a double, Pujols was intentionally walked to load the bags, and then Jake tripped on the rubber for a wild pitch,scoring Eckstein.
Reggie Sanders the rolled one down the firsat base line that Sweeney couldn't handle and it went into short right to score two more.
In the fifth, Peavy lost control and loaded the bags for Reggie, who prompyly deposited it into the stands for a Grand Slam and his record setting 6 rbi's.

The Padre offense was stymied by hitting into double plays...4 of them, to stop any threats, real or imagined, from being carried out.
Finally, in the sixth, after Carpenter left with cramps in his throwing hand (does Midol work for that?), the Padres finally scored.
Sweeney doubled,Papi singled and Khalil sac'd home the run.
In the eighth, EY went yard pinch hitting, but we left two on base when Papi grounded out.
In the ninth, the Padres made some noise and scored three and got the tying run to bat , but that's as far as the threat went . I guess it has some redeeming value to it though, it's what I've been saying, that the Padres are a gritty bunch of no names, who, if they get rolling, will be a force to be reckoned with and could surprise a lot of people.

First...we need to get it rolling. Maybe someone can pick up some slack, pick up a teammate, lead by example and get hot. I know the desire is there, it's a matter of maximizing our chances, play solid fundamental ball and suffer less mistakes as the opposition.

I say we play unconscious, I've said that before (of course it was in the 70's at a kegger), so the context is different this time, but play above your heads as if there's no tomorrow, because there might not be.

See the ball.......hit the ball.......be,be the ball........ Let's get it done, NOONAN!

Next game, Thursday, 1:00 PM our time,ESPN 2....how are YOU going to celebrate the win?

Some reads on the first game..

FoxSports http://foxbball.notlong.com

ESPN http://espbballn.notlong.com

Yahoo http://SoSDbball.notlong.com

SignOnSanDiego http://SoSDbball2.notlong.com

USA Today http://USofAtoday.notlong.com

CBS Sportsline http://hereoncbsbball.notlong.com

MSNBC http://hangon.notlong.com

Sports Illustrated http://SIbball.notlong.com

Sporting News http://SNwsbball.notlong.com

St Louis Post-Dispatch (how appropriate......Dispatch(ed))

http://postdispatch.notlong.com

That's probably enough articles on the Cards win to actually replicate the pain of when salt gets in an open wound....so read 'em and weep and let's move on to our first win!

GO PADRES !!!

Alabama Fan (with the rest of us)

2005-10-03T20:54:00.000-07:00

If you click the title bar, it will take you to a nice article on Jake Peavy.

It's by Mark Kreidler of the Sacramento Bee.....nice to see a different article saying something other than the Padres are sacrificial lambs.

Maybe they'll surprise everyone and get their goat !

Dodgers Say Buh Bye to Tracy(link)

2005-10-03T19:59:00.000-07:00

In a move that probably wasn't altogether unexpected, at a press conference in LA, the Dodgers and Jim Tracy agreed that he would not return in 2006 to skipper the Angelenos.....he then ,with a hint of tears in his eyes, turned and walked out the wrong door and into a janitors closet.

THAT....is how his season went.

So far, Alan Trammel and Jack McKeon are available.....might as well throw Jim Leyland in there since Detroit hasn't signed him yet.

ESPN Picks (click on me)

2005-10-03T15:42:00.000-07:00

First and foremost, let me say that Buster Olney has always been a favorite of mine !

Playoff Theories

2005-10-03T10:04:00.000-07:00

Yes..another ESPN link.

Click the title to view an article on theories for winning in the playoffs. It's actually pretty good,which is the reason I could never get paid for writing.lol

Sad news from the Motor City. The Tigers ate their own and fired Alan Trammel after another dismal season. They might think about kicking down a little more green and getting some proven guys instead of saving 50 cents and hiring Skippy, the lunch line monitor to hit home runs.
Rumor is that Jim Leyland is in the hunt for the job ( Must need cigarette money)

Bochy , when asked about his second game starter said " that he would be a bi-lingual pitcher", a strong endorsement of Pedro Astacio, who I didn't realize went that way ( it's a joke ,son)

Weekend Update's Point/Counterpoint

2005-10-02T13:24:00.000-07:00

Jane...you ignorant slut!.....

LOL, man , I loved that show with the originals.

Da Bolts went to Chowdah Land and threw a Carne Asada Party, beating the reigning SB Champs in convincing fashion 41-17......."Holeeee sheep s***"

"I coulda been a contender.........I AM a contender!!"

Good job Chargers for getting a good game plan(get LT the ball) and sticking with it. If we could only have those first 2 games back.

Padres wrap up the regular season win a convincing pitching performance by Adam Eaton...where have you been ?
His line...7 IP...1,that's ONE hit.....0 walks....11 K's, which is one shy of his personal best.
The offense was Eric Young, who singled and scored early,doubled in Seany in the 5th, and walked in the 7th.
Looks like we head into the next step with relatively everyone healthy and a good attitude to attempt to shut down Busch Stadium for good. It would be a nice send off for the venerable stadium who will be demolished to make room for a new place.

First game of the playoffs will be Tuesday in St Louis at 10:00 am our time on ESPN
It will be Jake Peavy vs Chris Carpenter in the first game of the best of five series. We really need this one to get off on a good start against the team with the best record in baseball this year

Second game is Thursday 1:00 PM our time on ESPN2
Pitchers will be announced, but I read that Bochy was thinking Astacio, then Eaton..anything after that is a crapshoot. I would think that Bochy would give Jake another shot if the series was close

Third game Saturday,fourth Sunday,fifth Monday...times to be determined.

Steve Phillips of Baseball Tonight has already called for the Cards to sweep the Pads in four...same for the Astros sweeping Atlanta.Conversely, Chris Berman says, regardless of their record , the Padres are in and will make some noise

I won't make a prediction other than the talking heads are usually wrong and that's the reason they play the games.
I like our chances......am I crazy?
Of course I am....but I still like our chances !!!

Congrats to Dale Jarrett, one of the classier jouneymen in NASCAR , for winning his first race in a loooooong time. There was only really one BIG wreck , and that came about halfway through the race. If you want to see it, I'll post a link to the video I captured and made my own little movie out of.

The link is...http://Talladega1.notlong.com...enjoy!

It's been a long and frustrating baseball season...I'm going to hit the rack and dream of advancing to the NLCS, where on a count of 3-2 in the last inning of a tie in the 7th game, Robert Fick hits a weak grounder to short who picks up the ball in plenty of time and promptly throws it into the announcing booth and knocks out Tim McCarver....the Padres win, to go to the World Series and in an anti-climax, win it in four,going away. Tim McCarver is briefly struck dumb and can't talk anymore.....everyone wins !

I love sweet dreams

GO PADRES !!!

Park at the Park

2005-10-02T12:22:00.000-07:00

Tough night at the yard last night as Chan Ho Park attempted to beat his old team but came up short as we try to end this season on a winning note. He pitched almost 7 innings giving up only 2 runs on 6 hits and ended up walking 4 with 3 K's.
The Padres reverted to pre clinch mode, refusing to get any offense for the pitcher they usually support and in the end ran up one run for the home team. In fact, Chan Ho had to drive in a run to attempt to beat LA singlehandedly....it failed

So with a record of 81-80, we head into the final game of the regular season . Adam Eaton will try to make it an 82-80 record as we face the Dodgers for one last time in 2005.He faces Elmer Dessens, who at 1-1 with a 3.65 might give the once again struggling? Padres offense a little trouble. But we shall see.

C'mon guys, we have the chance to proceed further than we have in 7 long years, so let's use today as a springboard to head into Tuesday on a roll !!!

Remember, Rally Monday is at the Park at the Park starting at 5 pm and lasting until 7. Food,entertaiment,and give aways. Be there to support our team and give them a little giddy up into the post season !!!

NASCAR Talledega...one wreck so far....#48 spins #38 Sadler and causes a medium sized brou haha. Took out the #6 Mark Martin though...you hate to see that happen, Mark is such a class act and this being his final season? and being in the Chase For The Cup.....you want to see him do well....at least I do. Lil E also smacked the wall pretty good...but he doesn't impress me, so if he gets back in or not..it doesn't bother this race fan.
Waiting and watching for "The Big"one" which will undoubtedly come as the race nears the finish and guys in the hunt for the Chase will be trying to move up in this (ugghhh) restrictor plate race.

CHARGERS!..are puttin the wood to the defending Super Bowl champs, New England Patriots 34-17 in the second half. Brees is using all his weapons to mix it up and get through NE's defense. He looks good and the Bolts are on a roll. Now idf we can teach Quentin Jammer to quit interfering with receivers, we can get the ball into the offense's hands even more

I'm All In

2005-10-01T13:57:00.000-07:00

Don't know if you're watching right now, but the World Series of Poker-Heads Up Challenge is on, hosted by none other than........our own Matt Vasgersian,alongside with Mr Kotter himself,Gabe Kaplan.

Wonder if there'll be any "Santa Maria's!" ?

It's Chris "Jesus" Jones going against Phil " I whine more than most" Hellmuth in the final ..........I just got religion

End of the Year Awards

2005-10-01T00:33:00.000-07:00

Want a good read?
Here's something from Jayson Stark at ESPN.

http://Those-other-awards.notlong.com

And yes....some Padres do get mentioned...can you guess who they are?

Sportin' Wood....

2005-09-30T22:12:00.000-07:00

...is a good thing in this case .
Woody looked sharp as he went 7 strong innings while giving up only one run on three hits and two walks.
Aki Seanez got the eighth and Trevor Linebrink came in for his first career save !

Derek Lowe was singing the blues as the Padres got all the runs they would need in the third inning when Lowe hit McAnulty....M Lo and The Fick got walked, and Giles hit a ball to Jose Cruz, who promptly booted it and threw wild to third letting Lo and The Fick to score.

Two errors on one play must suck !

Dodgers answered with a dinger the next inning and that was all she wrote !

Pads win and send the Dodgers to their fourth straight defeat

Tomorrow is a new day as we try to wrap up this season above .500, with Edwin Jackson vs Chan Ho Pet Co Park who has done admirably since joining the team.

In other pertinent news, the Astros lost to the Cubs while the Philly's won against the Nationals to trim the lead to one game with two games remaining for the wild card.

Phils win...we face Atlanta....Astros win......we face St Louis.
Who ordered the Pats Cheesesteaks for good luck????

Dave Roberts, who was due back tonight but sat out, might be back in for tomorrows game.
Playoff rotation will be announced on Sunday.

Mark McGwire STILL won't talk about steroids...probably because his use and abuse have atrophied his jaw muscles.
You may not know any major leaguers, but I knew a guy once that that ALMOST made the Arizona Fall League, and he told me that it's common knowledge that on the long bus rides , with all the bumps from our crumbling infrastructure, does in fact cause involuntary isometrics, which in turn, given the right gene base, will cause a player to balloon into a caricature of his former self.
And also that Sammy Sosa was the REAL Tooth Fairy !!

Don't read anything into that last statement, rumor has it that it's someones opinion, but it makes you wonder why the fans of St Louis don't give a damn if Big Mac ever shows his face in their town again.....must be an epidemic of Fruited Plains Sickness or something.

Better late than never

2005-09-30T18:07:00.000-07:00

Where were we? Oh yeah, the Pads faced the Giants for the last time this season last night, with B Law hoping to work out some kinks in his game and get back on track to the B Law we know.
Well, if last night was any indication,I'd say he was ready to start the post season right NOW. We finally see the old B LAw who can snap off a breaking ball with the best of them.
His line was 9IP,3H,2w,and 5K's,outstanding...just outstanding. Now you need to repeat that outing in the 2nd season and we'll be alright.
As predicted, the Red Alert Squad filled in admirably. Damian Jackson turned out to be the hero of the game coming up with 4 hits including the game winner in the 11th hour....I mean inning...but these guys are always counted on in the 11th hour, and I don't think they'd have it any other way. They have what you call....sand!
I think they should play Rushs' Early Distant Warning" when one of them comes in.....
**"An ill wind comes arising,
**Across the cities of the plain,
**There's no swimming in the heavy water,
**No singing in the acid rain,
**Red alert......
**Red alert...... "

That could be their song as a group,The Red Alert Squad !

Other notables, Eric Young got on base 3 times leading off, Ben Johnson got a double and Manny Alexander got a couple,including a double.
I think that the important thing is that B Law found out he can still pitch and still get guys out....anyone else ??....Woody??

On to tonight...the last time the Dodgers will be here for the year.

Sure...they get to go play golf and go swimming and BBQ after Sunday while the Pads have to stay after class and play ball

Those guys are SO lucky!

Since we have to stay after,we might as well make the best of it and practice hard to be a ,dare I say, a champion.

Tonights a good time to start..Woody gets his chance to rediscover himself as a front line pitcher while facing Derek "Cruel to be Kind" Lowe. Sorry, I was compelled by some unseen force to throw that in , since it was Nick Lowe that recorded it.

"Hi, my name is Chris Berman and I make up bad nicknames "

" HI CHRIS"

C'mon Woody.let's work on some stuff and git 'r wound up for the post season!

No word on the rotation for the first series, but Boch is speculating that Jake might get 2 starts because of off days, and Pedro Astacio has earned a start because of the way he's been pitching.

Adam Eaton will start the last game of the season on Sunday,which means that he'd miss the first two games of the Atlanta/St Louis series.

REGULATORS....RALLY UP !!

Monday at Petco, the Padres will stage a fan rally at the Park at the Park starting at 5:00 pm until 7. The first 5,000 in will receive towels...rally towels.

The next 2,500 will receive bars of soap.(kidding)

Food and refreshment will be served and the crowd will be whipped into a frenzy resulting in untold amounts of property damage to the Gaslamp Quarter.(kidding again)

This will be moderated(too much time on message boards) , MC'd by none other than Matt Vasgersian and Mark Grant and........... Billy Ray Smith??????

Steve Poltz will have live entertainment( He's good), along with appearances of baseball legends like Archi Cianfracco, Kurt Bevaqua and others.

I shouldn't make fun of it because I'll probably take my son there ! LOL!

One last thing...vote early and often for Trevor Hoffman for the DHL Delivery Man of the Year...he deserves it !

GO PADRES !!

Coming down is such a drag......

2005-09-29T18:44:00.000-07:00

Well....has the excitement died down? That exhirating feeling that you searched for so long for still fresh in your memory?The champagne getting stagnant on the shirt you tossed in the corner after you got home from the Gaslamp after party?Eyes burning from the flashbulbs, but no voice to complain about it becuase you lost your's sometime between the 1st inning and midnight?

Well, put it on the back burner, we still have a season to finish.
Tonight we finish off the years schedule with the Giants and the Dodgers roll into town afterwards to finish off the regular season. I expect to see minimal playing time for regulars, with the Red Alert Squad filling in quite nicely I'm sure. It's good that this thing didn't go down to the last second, at least now we have a few days to heal the wounded and map a game plan.
Looks like it might be the Cardinals we face if the Astro's win the wild card, of course, should Philly win it , then it would be Atlanta, and remember what happened last time when we faced them in this scenario.
Either way, the hometown nine , if playing like they should, and not tenatively like they have, should have a good chance against either team, although I'm sure most would rather face the Bravos.If Philly's going to win it, they better hurry. They're 2 1/2 games down with not a lot of games left and Houston is really going to have to tank for them to win.

B Law faces Noah Lowery tonight in the last game of the year between us and the Giants. B Law needs to get on track and establish himself for duty in the playoffs. In the U-T today, there was an article stating that Bochy wouldn't hesitate throwing Clay Hensley into the mix, since he's been pitching so well. He used to be a starter in A ball. Woody is a whole different story of the same color? He hasn't been up to snuff lately and needs to get on track if he expects to help the club.

The World Baseball Classic Championships announced that the finals for the WBC will be played at Petco in March.
The USA will be sending the baseball version of the "Dream Team" to compete. Should make for some good international play.
Their website is at www.worldbaseballclassic.com/ if you'd like to read more on it. You can also subscribe to email alerts.

I'm gonna go watch the game, you want me to save you some pizza?......

My condolences go out to the families of both Corky McMillan and Ed Hale.
Corky and Ed both passed within this last week and the Baja 1000 and short track stock cars will miss them dearly.
They were both still racing at the time of their deaths.

The Wait (Weight).....

2005-09-29T09:35:00.000-07:00

.........is gone and all in the world is right.
Last night it all came together as the Padres finally played up to their potential in the game that matttered most.

Astacio put together 6 2/3 strong innings of shut out ball together while Ruuuuudy came in and held things steady for who else? That's right, Trevor Hoffman !

Even though there was no save to be had, it was only fitting that the longest tenured and most respected and beloved Padre get the last three outs to clinch the NL West title, leading to an unparalelled celebration to which only '84 can hold a candle to !

Hey CarolinaPadresFan ! Just as you said in your last comment...I'm glad you stayed up late to witness a great celebration...the boys must have heard your demand and went out and did as requested. Hope you and your family had a great time !(and your sister got a decent rental car)

Hits!

Something that has been sorely missed for quite awhile, were in abundance last night !

Quick overview:

Brian Giles 2-5 triple 1 RBI

Khalil Greene 2-5 double 1 RBI

Ben Johnson(r) 3-4 triple 1RBI 1.250 SLG

M Lo 3-4 double 2RBI's

Papi Hernandez 2-3

Joe Randa 1-3 1RBI

Mark Sweeney 1-3 2RBI's

Robert (the Alien) Fick 1-1 1RBI

Heck , even Ryno took two walks to help the cause (since he's not hittng)

That's the kind of production that this lineup is capable of, and with starters doing their job, I believe this team can hold their own with anyone. The mystery this season (barring May), is ,which team is going to show up?

Thankfully, the right team showed last night. I think they got the hunger when the finish line was in sight and it showed.

Schmidt didn't look like the Schmidt that we knew as their staff ace, as he was hampered by short rest and a strained groin (doesn't Gerber make that?), but you still have to give him credit for going out and attempting to keep the Giants playoff hopes alive....................no you don't..................give OUR guys credit for getting it done and fighting through injuries and ignoring the media bashing and naysaying fans and sticking it out in a season where in the end, THEY became the champions !!

So ends the Bonds headlines which IMO, were getting nauseous....the media WAS all over his @!%%@!#$#$ as if he were the second coming,would eclipse every record in the book, could train your dog, cleaned AND polished in one step, and could cure perpetual dandruff................ENOUGH ALREADY!

He was held to 2 hits , kept in the yard and crept away to avoid the inevitable questions of "Why didn't you win the series one handedly?"

You know....I'm going to savor this for a couple of days....it's been a long time coming, and while the wait was a bundle of nervousness,frustration,and elation...in the end, the job was finished!

To some though, it's still not enough. I guess I'm directing this to the Padre message forum where negativity and degradation of the club from the owner to the ballboys and peanut vendors, is ALWAYS the home team, and you won't find a bigger collection of armchair managers who ALWAYS have the right answer and can throw every stat in the history of major league baseball at you as if they accomplished it themselves.

"Stats are like a girl in a bikini, they show a lot, but they don't show everything!"-Toby Harrah 1983

I have but one thing to say, after almost 5,000 posts on that board and meeting a bunch of great fans who became friends, you people moved in, and even according to posters from other forums, totally took what was a good discussion board and made it so negative that the standards of negativity are judged by your often inane and ridiculous posts. Stats ain't everything, and as they repeated ad nauseum last night during the celebration by both the media AND the players....CHEMISTRY. plays a huge part in the makeup of a team and that's something that can't be quantified with a pencil and a piece of paper.

Sorry bout your luck............DEAL WITH IT !!!

That being said, with the excitement at a zenith about the prospect of our going further in the playoffs and unlimited enthusiasm at an all time high,I'd like to invite all National League West fans to my board, the Padres Pub, located at www.motes.notlong.com, to post relevant arguments and engage in scintillating conversation with your fellow denizens of our division.

Yes, I had to make my own board because I couldn't stand one more day of trying to make a valid point with the pinheads in the Pads forum....hell, I couldn't even carry on a decent conversation without some yayhoo calling me out because HE'S right and will hold his breath until you concede that .

Reminds me of a kid,"why?..why?...why?...no...no.....no....(tantrum)"

Anyways, if you know me, you know the board already...if you are reading this by chance...come by and have your say and chat with the fans of the Padres Pub....................both of us !! LOL

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE SAN DIEGO PADRES, WINNERS OF THE 2005 NATIONAL LEAGUE WEST DIVISION !!!!!

Edit: Did you see Robert Fick douse the Colonel, Jerry Coleman last night as Jerry made his way into the clubhouse?

Classic! That man has either no fear or no brains or a combination of the two.......but I'm glad he's on OUR team !

What happened?

2005-09-27T22:16:00.000-07:00

So there it is....one of the wins we were looking for .....finally.
What sucks is that I'm selling a truck and a potential buyer showed up at the beginning of the game. We ended up taking the battery out of his truck to try to start mine because it's been sitting. When we returned his battery to his, it wouldn't start because his alarm sensed that it was being stolen and disabled it.
The bad thing was that his son lost the clicker thingy ,so he was SOL,if you catch my drift. 3 hours and many cut wires and a dismantled dashboard later...he got his truck to start. Me? ......I was making every excuse possible to go in the house to catch what snippets I could of the game.

My synopsis: missed the Bonds homer(doesn't bother me)

saw Tomko load the bags

missed all of Adam pitching

saw early that Tomko was gone

saw Fassero groove one to Papi...who promptly sent it
into Petco Porch for ,as Matty would call it."Get out the
mustard and rye bread Grandma...it's Grand Salami
time !!!".....at least I think that was him.

Trevors last out

post game highlights

I think it's time to sit down , take a rest, and roll in the mudhole of glory that is the Padre victory .......Thank God for the replay, I can celebrate again!

*

Tomorrow can be the clincher with the magic number down to 2.
Thanks for playing Backs, we have a nice parting gift for you on your way out(according to rumors,it may be our GM in the off season)

You're combatants will be..

Pedro Astacio.....5-10....4.85 ERA
and
Jason Schmidt...12-6....4.29 ERA...and a whole supporting cast of characters and miscreants on either side.

Kudos to Papi for his huge night of a triple, grand slam, and 7 rbi's.....that's some kinda niiiiice !

We have a WINNer

2005-09-26T21:43:00.000-07:00

....hhhhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.........

That is the sound of inhaling..............................exhaling..........
........inhaling.....................exhaling....repeat mantra repeatedly until all the bad karma is released.

Somebody call Nuke Laloosh and find out how this third eye thing works because we need the help.

Man, I thought tonight is the night we at least cut the magic number in half to 2.
Jake was lights out after giving up an early run, bearing down to handle the meat of the Giant lineup. Bonds...Alou...you name it, Peavey was all over it .breathing fire and just plain bringing it!
One small matter though...Randy Winn, who on the night was unstoppable. He was the Giant offense with hit after hit.

Dateline:9th inning...Trevor comes in to the usual serenade of Hells Bells and the crowd alive with the knowledge that this game is as good as over.....until the aforementioned Mr. Winn triples to the deepest part of the yard. Gilley goes up above the wall and flashes leather and we catch a glimpse of the ball in his glove as his trajectory causes his glove hand to hit the top of the fence on his way down,him crashing to the warning track.....I swear you could have powered a balsa wood glider around the world at least twice with the collective exhalation of the crowd as the ball comes loose and rolls around.

There it is in a nutshell, we get 8 STRONG from the stud of the starting corp and Klesko puts us up with a huge blast, and then ....nothing ......for the rest of the game.

I still know in my heart that we will prevail, it's the journey that's killing not only me, but it has to put a damper on the club.
Snakebit? It's only a word....pleasepleasepleasepleasepleaseplease let it be JUST a word. LOL!

JT Snow got the winner with a single to right....looked good didn't he?
I'm not saying anything about free agent, so you didn't hear it here.

So the race is on and we let the first one get away.
Tomorrow is another game and another chance to wrap this thing up.

Adam Eaton 10-5 4.18 goes up against former Padre

Brett Tomko 7-15 4.48 for a 7:05 start at the Bark Park.

Adam might want to watch out for Fonzie and Durham, who are both hitting .500 against him and especially J.T. Snow who is .667 vs Eaton and probably can't wait for tomorrow. Bonds is a pedestrian .333 so no worries.

On the other side of the coin, Joe Randa and Lo have handled Tomko with .667 and .500 BA's respectively. The Dr. , Dave Roberts is hitting .500 against him also , but the last I heard was that he expected to be back tonight after his injury in Az.

We saw that wasn't true and can only hope we can get our catalyst back in the lineup..........and hope that he can be a distraction as he is wont to do.

Mark Sweeny is hitting 1.000, but that might be in PH duty, although he did play tonight.

Latest rumors heard.....Mets are seriously interested in Ramon Hernandez to bolster their catching staff.......Grady Fuson might be the Padres GM next year (he previously worked with Sandy Alderson) or Brian Cashman, if he were to be let go by the Yankees.........Kevin Towers is rumored to be on the hot seat and could possibly head to Arizona....

Sempra Energy...

2005-09-26T09:03:00.000-07:00

....could have taken a lesson on generating electricity from the crowd at Qualcomm yesterday when the Chargers not only defeated, but schooled not so much the NY Giants,but Eli Manning...he of "The Snub".
Ironic that his last name would start with the very thing he's trying to become while acting like a spoiled little brat throwing a tantrum in the check out line at Target because his Mommy won't buy him gum.
The apple doesn't fall far from the tree, eh Archie? Tell Veronica and Jughead I said hi..whatever

45-23.....covered the line on that one !

The Bolts played inspired ball yesterday, and most importantly, played it 90%-95% of the game.....no let up.
I'm sure a lot of the Padres players were watching yesterday....please take a note of the intensity because some more Giants are coming to town tonight.
They don't have an Eli Manning, but Barry Bonds should make a good replacement,just close your eyes and imagine....

On to "the" series at Petco. Here's some probables...

Monday: RHP Jake Peavy (13-7, 2.95ERA) vs. RHP Brad Hennessey (5-8, 4.96 ERA)• Peavy vs. Giants: 1-0, 2.08 ERA in two starts• Hennessey vs. Padres: 0-1, 15.43 ERA in one start• Keep an eye on Bonds -- who else? He's 5-for-16 (.313) with three homers, 11 walks and four strikeouts against Peavy and knows the right-hander will be dealing premium gas.

Tuesday: RHP Adam Eaton (10-5, 4.18 ERA) vs. RHP Brett Tomko (7-15, 4.48 ERA)• Eaton vs. Giants: 0-1, 4.50 ERA in three starts• Tomko vs. Padres: 0-1, 7.27 ERA in one start• Keep an eye on Mark Loretta. He's 13-for-29 (.448) with four doubles against Tomko and likes to go the other way with the right-hander's outside fastball.

Wednesday: RHP Pedro Astacio (5-10, 4.85 ERA) vs. RHP Jason Schmidt (12-6 4.29 ERA) • Astacio vs. Giants: No record in 2005• Schmidt vs. Padres: 0-1, 6.75 ERA in three starts • Keep an eye on Mike Matheny. The Giants catcher is 8-for-14 (.571) against Astacio with a homer and double and has been tough in the clutch.

Thursday: RHP Brian Lawrence (7-15, 5.06 ERA) vs. LHP Noah Lowry (13-13, 3.90 ERA)• Lawrence vs. Giants: 2-1, 3.86 ERA in three starts• Lowry vs. Padres: 1-1, 4.42 ERA in three starts• Keep an eye on catcher Ramon Hernandez. The Padres catcher is 7-for-14 (.500) with a double and two homers against Lowry, and he's been sizzling down the stretch.

I will always cheer for my hometown Padres, but the way they are playing now, the flood of doubt is ready to breach the levee of my fandom.

Wait.....a friend of mine just emailed me and assured me that the Padres will win 2 from the Giants.....I feel so much better.

C'mon guys...if ever there was a time to get down with your bad selves....this is it.

9 hours till game time.....think I'll take a nap ..........

Junk Bonds

2005-09-26T08:59:00.000-07:00

A nice heartwarming story from ESPN's Page 2
Click on the title ,it'll link you to the story

HUH?......

2005-09-25T17:57:00.000-07:00

HUH? Do my eyes deceive me?
Did the Bolts actually take the ball and drive it down to get a touch....and actually let LT get his hands on a swing pass?

I guess Marty Schottenburg(as Dave Rickards on KGB called him in an interview)finally got the idea that when you have a back like LT...it's OK to change the playbook to accomodate him.

7-3 Bolts over the hated and evil Eli Manning....you know.....Archie's boy.....the one that Archie speaks for and probably STILL changes his diaper.

I know.. it's a baseball blog, but I already swallowed the bitter pill the Padres gave me today and I need some diversion while I wait for tomorrows game.
Just as I'm a long suffering Pad fan...I wanted to share the grief and be a long suffering Charger fan too.....

Corky's be gone...

2005-09-25T16:55:00.000-07:00

You might think that Aki would pay less attention to his endorsement deal and more time trying to actually locate a pitch within a specified zip code...especially at this crucial time of year, but alas...it wasn't to be today.
Aki's control left a lot to be desired...speaking of control issues,if he were a bladder, he'd be wearing a Depends hat!
Can't lay it all on Aki's doorstep though, especially with an offense that gets 2 hits to 13 for the Backs...all that tells me is we don't have enough hits and Az leaves a lot of guys on base.
Joe Randa had to be our saviour today , but only could manage a dinger and and a double...everybody else must have been in the clubhouse fighting over the last box of Ho-Ho's.

The Backs clinch the series with a hit by Chad Tracy in extra frames, which keeps alive their hopes to win(although slight) the division.
Our loss and Giants win in Colorado today keeps the magic number at 4 and the Giants are heading into Petco to what truly might be a showdown for the NL West.

I like our chances tomorrow with Jake tossing against Brad Hennessey the cognac king....but the way things have panned(or not) out lately, I don't want to get my hopes up too high.
After all...the Giants have shown "the Hunger", while we act like bloated carcasses at the buffet of baseball.

Last note....Woody went almost six and held the Backs to one run..that's encouraging,even with his 5.06 ERA. Khalil and the DR, Dave Roberts had the day off to mend boo-boo's. Both have stated that they expect to be back for the Giants series.

SHOW ME THE OFFENSE !!!!!

Jerk Jocks

2005-09-25T15:05:00.000-07:00

Are they above the law?

Do they live by a separate law than you or me?

Should they get a free pass because they're in the spotlight?

Inquiring minds want to know,so click on the link (title bar) and read up on it !!

not Dove Bar.....DOVER!!!

2005-09-25T14:17:00.000-07:00

Well....it seems I've lost my WYSIWYG interface....so life goes on in black and white !

Dover...#48 Jimmie Johnson wins the race at Dover to help his cause in trying to win his first NASCAR Nextel Cup title. Teammate Kyle Busch comes in 2nd, with Rusty(Last Call) making a last second charge to get by Mark Martin (who took 2 tires on his last stop) and take 3rd.

Way to go JImmie...bringin' it home for the Cajon Zone!!

Right now the Padres are in the 3rd inning at AZ and LOSING 1-0 to "Cy Young" Vasquez.
He's not only pitching, but also drove in AZ's lone run on a sac to left field after 2 consecutive hits.
Woody...we need you to prove you can bear down and still get it done !!!

Sure.....drag it out

2005-09-24T21:43:00.000-07:00

In what could have been ...should have been a celebration of getting rid of 2 pursuers in the division....the bullpen decides that we don't have enough drama and decide to let the Backs dictate the situation by coming back from a 5-3 deficit to notch an 8-5 win over our all of a sudden struggling bullpen(yes..it happened overnight). Aki took the 8th as usual, but gave up a hit and 2 consecutive walks, he left for Chris Hammond who inherited 3 runners and promptly gave a bases clearing double. The Backs went on to score 2 more runs and shut down the good guys in the 9th , thus presrving their miniscule chance at the West crown.

What are you gonna do? It's been this way all season ...maddening I tell you !
I can , like most fans, hope the Pads get something in gear for the playoff run...some kind of continuity...some kind of rhythym to carry them onwards...or it's going to be a short postseason !

I'm happy on the fact that the Padres will more than likely win the NL West, but looking forward into the first round, they look....well...discombobulated.
Woody and BLaw have both had awful outings lately,neither of them lasting many innings,putting undue stress on the relieving staff and on the nerves of Padre faithful that have waited for a pennant for a long time ('98).Shouldn't we be dialed in at this time of the year? Maybe they're both having there dead arm period late and will snap out of it sayyy....their next start.
Gilley didn't have too good of a night,had an 0-fer (forgiven for all the times he carried the team offensively)....Papi hit one out and M Lo looked good after a not so good series in Colorado.

Khalil was lifted for the night after getting an identical shinburger in the same spot as last night. Leave the extremeties alone...we need your glove and bat for the playoffs!

So I guess it's now a balancing act for the Skipper...to decide who to play to win the division, and who gets rest so they're fresh.

Sure...easy for him.......all I want is EVERYTHING, NOW !!

I'll just sit over here and wait for that to happen,lol.....

Overheard from Matty on Russ Ortiz' breaking pitches...

.."he's throwing up 74 mile per hour PUS balls...."

Good news

2005-09-24T19:23:00.000-07:00

Well that's some good news....as I sit here watching the game and picking spaghetti out of the couch from my son...4SD has the grace to inform the viewing public that the Rocks put the wood to the Giants in Colorado,6-0 with Sunny Kim (sounds like a fruit drink) throwing a CG shut out.

You take your help where you can get it !

That puts the magic number at 4 with the Pads leading AZ 2-1.
So far our O looks like it's getting in some good hacks....they have to be instinct swings though,they HAVE to be asleep, because we're facing the man who the "human rain delay" monniker was named after...Russ "snails look like Carl Lewis next to me" Ortiz.

I'll wish you all a Happy Birthday right now, because at this pace, you just might HAVE another birthday before the 4th inning !

"Max!....Kodi!......c'mon dogs....there's spaghetti for everyone....just get it off the floor , or the couch,whichever you prefer...."

Welcome to my world !

2005-09-24T13:59:00.000-07:00

Well... the website didn't work, and as a matter of fact, it was getting to be too much trouble to keep updated.
The first Padres Pub fell victim to updated software (I decided to change it), and the heir to the Padres Pub message boards lies in limbo with a small...and I mean SMALL (but dedicated) group of posters.
Whats my latest endeavor for posting my feelings for the San Diego Padres and MLB in general?
You're looking at it !

Welcome to my weblog, hopefully keeping tabs on the goings on with my favorite baseball team,the San Diego Padres.
Hopefully, you'll join me in posting your comments about them, and other MLB related falderol as we trudge through the mud and guts that is the baseball season.