Talks of the apocalypse were premature

On August 6th, 2012 Anthony Rizzo returned to PETCO Park.

Two days short of his 23rd birthday Rizzo entered his old stomping grounds (These grounds stomped Rizzo. Not the other way around) with the distinction of being one of the hottest hitters in the game. Coming off a monster July Anthony Rizzo's numbers through 33 games with the Cubs looked like this:

Click it! Sh*t is tiny!

With 9 HRs and an OPS a shade under .900, Padres fans screamed, "We always trade away our golden gods!!!" 
They didn't actually say that. I made that up based on a variation of what Padres fans do say and Cameron Crowe's film Almost Famous in which Billy Crudup jumped off a roof into a pool proclaiming himself to be a Golden God. But that is neither here nor there. The point remains: fans were not happy to see Rizzo's success while Andrew Cashner* sat idle on the mend from an oblique injury.

*Disgruntled fans also made the Rizzo/Alonso comparison and will continue to do so. Forever . . .

But Petco Park happened to Rizzo and he cooled during the most humid month in San Diego's recorded history*. Rizzo went 1 for 12 with 3 strikeouts and the Cubs were swept out of San Diego.

*I can't substantiate this. My crude measurements are based on the frequency in which I sweat through my t-shirts in places other than the armpits.

Anthony Rizzo is now 23. Since he entered PETCO on August 6th the first baseman's journeys to the plate have yielded the following:

Click it! Sh*t is tiny!

It was @Ducksnorts who pointedly noted this Anthony Rizzo cooling trend yesterday on Twitter. As I look out to my patio, watching an ever so slight breeze affecting the local flora, I am provided pieces of hope.

Hope: That as Anthony Rizzo cools and Yonder Alonzo grows, talks of an apocalypse will subside for a time.

Hope: That Andrew Cashner shall soon return to fill out the rotation and start more than three games before succumbing to injury.

Hope: That, this is a one t-shirt day.

Ballast Point Brewing: The Padres and Pints Rapid Fire Poll

Last week we met Geoff Young from Ducksnorts over at Ballast Point Brewing (see part 1 and part 2).

The last segment, comprising a rapid fire segment began with a 5 question warm-up. The responses did not require explanation. They were meant only to be quick, honest answers to get the brain moving.

These questions were specifically designed to get inside the mind of Geoff Young. While they were first posited to Geoff there's no reason you cannot challenge yourself too.

Begin . . .


The first question involves a prediction between a new arrival in San Diego this off-season and a hopeful arrival sometime in the near future. The players are not connected by age or ability but in name only. Which Padre property do you prefer in PETCO?




You are faced with the prospect of naming your first born boy and only to names are left on the table. Do not ask how or why. Such inquisition ruins the scenario. Which name do you choose?




You are watching a game and a player hits a weak blooper that falls between a converging CF and SS for a base-hit. Which is the better weak fly ball adjective?




Depending on how you answered the previous question, whose Ducksnorts / Texas-Leaguers do you prefer?




You're invited to a back-alley dust-up and you need someone to fight by your side. You get to choose 1 former Padre to be a part of the fray. One is a Vietnam veteran who starred in one of the greatest baseball brawls of all time. The other is trained in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Who do you choose?




Depending on how you answered the previous question who would you choose to have your back?

 


The answer to all questions is Joe Randa. Thanks for playing.

Over At The 'Fro: Padres and Pints Episode One: Part Two

The much anticipated conclusion to episode one of Padres and Pints with Geoff Young at Ballast Point Brewery has arrived. In part two we talk about stuff. Pretty much baseball related. And then we try to be funny. Grab a beer and be the judge [Padres and Pints]

Over At The 'Fro: Padres and Pints Episode One: Part One

Last week the guys from RJ's Fro and I got together with Geoff Young (Ducksnorts and Baseball Prospectus) to talk baseball and beer. We met at Ballast Point Brewing and Spirits in Scripps Ranch, where we received some background on the best selling craft beer in San Diego.

From there we discussed the local media's influence (or lack thereof) and the message Padres management is attempting to send to fans.

It was a fantastic time. Check out Episode 1: Part 1, over at RJ's Fro.

Padres and Pints: An Rj's Fro and AJM Joint

The proprietor of weird ideas here at AJM and the fellas over at RJ's Fro have teamed up to bring, what can only be described as, the best of both worlds. Our worlds of baseball and beer are now colliding.

Craft brewing is thriving in San Diego. In fact, it's one of the few things San Diego is doing well at all right now. What better way to celebrate this success than to pair it with one of our favorite things: the Padres. 

On a semi-regular-ish basis the 'Fro and I will choose someone (first guest -- Geoff Young of Ducksnorts and Baseball Prospectus) and we will meet-up somewhere (first stop -- Ballast Point Brewing). I don't think I could have described that any better. Check out a preview . . .