Kevin Acee takes it upon himself to write about the Padres after winning a game of Candy Land with Nick Canepa

In the interest of fairness it is my duty to type kind words towards the U-T's Kevin Acee.

It took a week but a U-T columnist finally acknowledged the contract extension of Carlos Quentin. Of course the catalyst for the Quentin mention was the off-the-wall extension of closer Huston Street, but hey, complainers can't quibble. Or can they . . .


Of course they can! But I'm not going to.  I'll just suggest that you go read Kevin Acee's column, Street signing points in right direction,  providing this tasty nugget for you:

Clearly, what’s underway is an attempt to reverse history, to stem the attrition and to no longer be awful.

I enjoyed this line. Pointed and accurate, it's a piece of criticism that the Padres are deserving of, no matter how many positives future generations of ownership perform. The ownership of the hour in San Diego will always be paying for the sins of their Padres*. It is a disappointing reality based on more than 40 years of pain.

*Do you see what I did there? Padres = Fathers? Oh never mind.

And what of the Huston Street extension? When I heard that extension talks were underway with Street, despite his excellent numbers, I thought it was ludicrous! When I heard that the Padres and Street consummated the deal on Sunday I was incredulous!

Then I saw the terms of the deal. Two years at $7M annually for a relatively young guy who currently earns more than that in 2012? I'm not sure what Street's thought process is but I think that this was a good deal for the Padres. This is the deal the Padres would have liked to have given Heath Bell which we now see would have been like wiping our rear ends with $14M and then pissing on it and lighting it on fire. A disgusting proposition.

Huston Street's K/9 has jumped by 3 over the previous two seasons. Will this rate continue? If not what will Street look like as a Padre? And by what will Street look like as a Padre, I don't mean in 2013 and 2014, but in a matter of days?

In closing, I'm glad that Nick Canepa didn't write the linked column from above.

A Modest Proposal For Huston Street's 9th Inning Music

During Saturday's Fanfest at PETCO Park, Huston Street addressed his Closer's Music for 2012 while sitting on a forum panel moderated by Mud Grant. He said it would be a surprise. I have an opinion on this . . .

Since 1998 there have been two songs* San Diego Padres fans have heard in the 9th inning of a close game: Hells Bells for Trevor Hoffman and Heath Bell's Blow Me Away. Fourteen seasons with little variation, a remarkable feat.

*In 2003 Rod Beck took over for an injured Trevor Hoffman and saved 20 games. Who knows how Shooter would have rolled . . .

Is the discussion of entrance music frivolous? Yes. Am I going to write something about it regardless? Yes. Is my idea going to be more radical? Is it an election year?*

* Answering a question with a question is the way forward. Write that down . . .
When Huston Street was acquired by the San Diego Padres on December 7th, 2011 fans immediately chimed in with the obvious suggestions for 9th inning entrance music, most of which included the words Street or Streets referenced. But we don't need music from U2, The Cure, or the motion picture soundtrack to Annie*.

*I live in a household of females. Reserve judgement lest ye be judged yourself.

In my mind however, there's only one real song choice for Huston Street. I can't resist the idea that Street Fighting Man should be his music for the remainder of his time in San Diego.*

*A career which may or may not last past July 31st of this year.

But I wasn't talking about the Rolling Stones' Street Fighting Man. I much prefer a call to war: Rage Against The Machine's version of Street Fighting Man.

In 2000 RATM released Renegades, a collection of militant/anti-establishment/call-to-revolution type cover-songs. It featured a gritty, hard-edged Street Fighting Man that would subsequently be featured when ever someone wanted to show video footage of backyard revolution:

Whether this song played as the soundtrack  to Protestant and Catholic clashes in Northern Ireland or to the recent revolutions on the Arab Street the connotations were manifest: Rage!!!

Could this song get a moribund crowd to their feet during the 9th inning of a 2-1 game at PETCO?*

*Rhetorical question, you twit.

But Street Fighting Man is only one part of San Diego's 9th inning revolution, my good people.

While Huston Street charges out of the pen and begins his warm-up tosses there must be some sort of video montage projecting throughout the park. And since it's an election year I propose that the Padres focus on our current backyard revolution -- the battle against MLB to get ownership approved, specifically as it relates to current Arizona Diamondbacks owner Ken Kendricks and his vendetta against former partner and current Padres owner, Jeffrey Moorad.

I want a video montage with Samuel L. Jackson crushing snakes. I want to see video stills of Arizona Diamondbacks logos bursting into flames. There needs to be lots of fire! The city of Phoenix? Fire! Every place in the greater-Phoenix area should be ablaze with fire. A burning metropolis, one in which, only Peoria* survives the fury.

*The Seattle Mariners' locker room at the Peoria Sports Complex should burn to the ground.

Video stills of Ken Kendricks? He's the devil. He. Should. Be. ON. FIRE! Kendricks should have protruding horns from his ample forehead. And be holding a pitch fork! And he should be . . . on fire!!! There should be Molotov cocktails soaring through the air with Chase Field set in a fiery background. Chase Field's fate? Burned to the ground! This revolution shall be televised! Yahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

Kevin Towers and Sean Burroughs? Horns. Pitchforks. Fire!!! The literal bonds between the organizations of Arizona and San Diego . . . MUST BURN*!

*We will spare former Kearney Komet, Alan Trammel.

The video shall end with Jeff Moorad and Tom Garfinkel standing on the cliffs of Torrey Pines bellowing, "We are the San Diego Padres. And we approve of this message."

In summation: Rage Against The Machine's Street Fighting Man, Samuel L. Jackson, dying snakes, fire, connotations of devils, and more fire.

Good luck to Huston Street and the 2012 San Diego Padres.

The Padres and Cake (part 3): Indoctrination

In Wednesday's The Padres and Cake (part 2): A Commode Story, I told you that my reasons for deceiving you were pure . . .

Our topic is indoctrination.

Properly indoctrinating young children is no easy task. You might think it so but the process is painstaking and endless. Are my little ones Padres fans? Sure. But to what degree? They know the name of Gwynn and that the Dodgers and Giants are not to be trusted but can they sit through a game, appreciating nuance, and ultimately stay with the team and the game forever?

'Tis a daunting task, this indoctrination business. I suggest beginning with something more simple. Something like music.

I don't believe in listening to kids music. There is a fine line between giving into a child's wants and completely selling your soul. Consequently, the moment you begin to purchase the aforementioned crap a part of you has died. But fear not -- kids don't really want that music anyway. You give it to them. And then they want it. End the cycle now.

The little Avengers like to dance so we turn on Time Warner's Music Choice channels. During the baseball season this event generally cuts into the top half of the 2nd inning. I am fine with this.

Against the wishes of Mrs. AJM, I do my best to avoid the kids channel and all dance stations. If dancing is to replace Padres on the television then it will occur to an alternative soundtrack (found on channels 916, 917, and 918). These are good stations. Modern alternative. The Clash, Police, etc. Remember, we're indoctrinating kids here. What do you want them to listen to? Make them want good music. Stop the cycle of delivering crappy music and you'll extinguish their desire for crappy music.

As the Padres game plays. Kids dance. Missing the second inning is an acceptable trade-off. The Music Choice channels, in addition to playing the soundtrack for our own personal Dance Party U.S.A., display rotating pictures and biographical information about the musicians. While the music plays, the Padres never fully leave the room because invariably, Cake begins to play.

When Cake plays, and the pictures cycle through,  I don't see Cake's lead singer and guitarist John McCrea. I see Heath Bell.

The vast number of times I've had this thought forced me to create an odd narrative about a marketing opportunity for the Padres*. Carrying that narrative in my mind for the last 11 months nearly killed me and it was with great relief that I deposited segments here at AJM, in various parts this week. I feel like I can properly carry on my true work now: indoctrinating children into following a small market baseball team.

*The Padres and Cake (part 1): A Failed Marketing Campaign

Training children to be Padres fans and to listen to good music is not easy. And it never will be. You must thrust yourself into both propositions.

If the day comes that the little ones decide that baseball is not for them, and the little bonding session you once enjoyed over the game is sought elsewhere, there will surely be a reckoning in your world. If this day comes while driving the vocal majority will likely clamor for you to exchange the cacophonous tones of Ted Leitner for music on the FM dial. And if this is your fate you'll be forced to posit this question: Did I err when I chose not to attempt to indoctrinate the little ones into listening to my music?

Do not let it come to this. Baseball is no sure thing with humans*. But music is forever. Program them to listen to the good stuff. And do it now.

*But it should be. Alas, I do not make the rules.

The Padres and Cake (part 1): A Failed Marketing Campaign

During the Kevin Towers administration under Sandy Alderson I had a source in the Padres front office. I also had a source during the Jed Hoyer Era. To call them sources would probably be inaccurate. A source is a person with whom a trusting relationship has been cultivated whereas I just happened to know someone with organizational ties who I could bug for a little information.

I'm not a news breaker or anything so I rarely ever wrote about what my sources shared. But now with a change in administration I feel as though Deep Throat has passed away, moving on to a better place.

And so I share the following Padres Marketing plan from 2011 . . .

Buoyed by the mantra "Believe", the 2010 San Diego Padres went on one of the most improbable runs in recent memory. As Padres fans continued to believe throughout the summer the team went into a 10 game swoon in late August and never fully recovered, ultimately losing the NL West in game 162 to eventual World Series winners, the San Francisco Giants. The Padres lost yet somehow fans still Believed. It was a winning slogan.

Moving into the 2011 season the Padres marketing department needed a slogan that could build on both the notion of Belief but also cater to the idea that 2010 was not a fluke and that there was more that needed to be accomplished.

Padres marketing mavens presented the following: 2011 San Diego Padres: Going The Distance

This new concept would borrow from the band Cake's 1996 breakout hit "The Distance". 

Inspired by the uncanny resemblance between Cake's John McCrea and Padres closer Heath Bell executives looked to directly incorporate this coincidence into the marketing plans for the 2011 Padres.

The Going The Distance slogan spoke to the concept of redemption, something that could spur fans to carry-over their support from 2010 while simultaneously pulling-in any disenfranchised fans through the use of a catchy pop-rock tune.

There was also the symbolism of 1996 that the marketing team wanted to utilize. With Cake's song from 1996 being played in heavy rotation at the park the Padres could use it as a springboard for recognizing the 15 year anniversary of the 1996 NL West Champion team. While the '84 and '98 teams get regular recognition the '96 team is often forgotten. But in the proper context '96 was a necessary catalyst for the 1998 team's birth which ultimately lead to the construction of PETCO Park. 1996 was finally going to get its proper time in the sun.

Going The Distance would replace Believe as the primary Padres slogan and fans would receive a heavy dose of Cake's song when the Padres took the field in the top of the first and also after wins, replacing Macy Gray's Beauty In The World.

Part of this marketing ploy would also include a concert in the park during the summer of 2011 featuring Cake. During this concert the resemblance of Heath Bell and John McCrea would be played-up when Bell joined McCrea and Cake on stage.

The idea seemed rather brilliant. It was brought to upper management in late 2010.

I understand that it was considered but ultimately rejected at the end of the first week in December of 2010. This date represented the trade of Adrian Gonzalez and what appeared to be a massive overhaul of the overachieving 2010 squad. The Padres would be retooling in 2011 and the promotion of playoff aspirations by a team that would be clearly less than the sum of their parts seemed like a disingenuous message to sell to fans.

There was also the complication of Heath Bell himself. Scheduled to be a free-agent at the end of 2011 the likelihood of him remaining a Padre past the July 31st trade deadline did not seem plausible. Centering a marketing campaign around the resemblance of Bell and McCrea would be catastrophic if Bell were traded at the deadline. This issue was ultimately of less concern as the front office did not project the Padres to compete during the 2011 season and Going The Distance seemed too far fetched of an idea.

The plan was scrapped. The tentative appearance by Cake was cancelled and Dierks Bentley played the August 20th, 2011 concert at the Park in the Park.

The idea was creative. The idea was fun. The idea, in hindsight, was an impossibility. The San Diego Padres as constructed at that time would have been far too big of a gamble for such a marketing scheme.  Going The Distance was too ambitious. Or was it?

What do you think?

Games For The Weary: Padre-Punch

When I was a little avenger out on a road-trip with the family my brother and I yearned for entertainment. We found it in the form of a game called Slug-Bug. 

Each time a Volkswagen Beetle was spotted on the open-highways the objective was to shout the color of the Beetle and then the word "bug".

If I saw a red Volkswagen Beetle before my brother did I would shout "red bug"! This afforded me the opportunity to turn towards my brother, and with blood-lust, slug him in the arm.

Ah, Slug-Bug.

This last weekend I journeyed to Disneyland . . .

The family and I spent two days at Disneyland, a place renowned for hosting visitors from around the world. But it is the American visitors who I always pay the most attention. Based on their sporting attire, these folks share insights into their origins. It's magical. Just like Disneyland.

But through Day 1 at Disneyland I had yet to see a Padres fan. Sure there were a few damaged souls adorned in lightning bolts but nary an outwardly Padre fan was present to commiserate with. It was just me.

I needed a Padre fan. I needed one like a San Diegan needs Breakfast. And so I concocted a plan that would allow me to celebrate the occasion when a Padre fan would cross my path during Day 2. This plan came together in the form of a game. A game called Padre-Punch*

I decided that the next (and first) Padre fan I crossed paths with at Disneyland would receive a greeting.

I would garner their attention by shouting "Padre" and smiling like the Cheshire Cat of Disney's Alice in Wonderland ride.

Right as the fan recognized that I was a partisan I would lower the boom on their right shoulder while yelling "Punch"! It would be just like the days of yore. The days of Slug-Bug! 

Of course the reaction by my fellow Padre fan would be to recoil. In this instance they would either be constructing an escape route for the purposes of filing assault charges . . . or worse . . . they would regather themselves. Intent on revenge.

Only one thing could prevent either scenario from coming to fruition.

After completing the phrase Padre Punch it would be incumbent upon me to extend my arms and envelop this friend in a warm embrace. Yes. I say friend. Because that is what Padres fans are . . . friends. Friends through the bonds of hapless baseball endured through the decades.

In our embrace I would whisper in to their ear:

"It's good to see you. I know it's difficult that fan favorite Heath Bell has moved on but it was a wise financial decision considering his age and declining peripherals. But it will be OK. The payroll will start with a "5". You and I. We'll be OK. Now go punch a friend."

This last part of Padre Punch would always be subject to modification. For example, when the Padres finally sign their next television contract, the whisper in the ear might sound something like this:

"It's good to see you. I know it's difficult that the new Padres television contract is not nearly as much as what the Yankees or Red Sox earn on their respective networks. It is however a substantial improvement over the years spent at Channel 4. But it will be OK. We just have to weather the Dick Enberg Era. You and I. We'll be OK. Now go punch a friend."

Spawned by a trip to Disneyland, this Padre Punch was my new game. It was more than just a game. It was a celebration. A celebration of the rare instance when someone outwardly proclaims to follow the same baseball team as me. A friend.

With epic gusts of wind, Day 2 at Disneyland arrived. I dressed and prepared for my first round of Padre Punch . . .


*"Friar Crier" was an early favorite for corporate naming rights but after internal debate it was vetoed by a committee of one.

Heath Bell Contemplated Entrance Music Change

Heath Bell blows a save and the Padres win in 11 innings.

What are you going to do? After some untimely walks and a piss poor throw by Chase Headley that would have ended the game, Heath Bell remains tied with Trevor Hoffman for consecutive saves in franchise history.

What did Bell have to say after the game? 

"It's been tough. I've had long stretches where I wasn't getting into games. I though I might change my entrance music from Breaking Benjamin's Blow Me Away to Fugazi's Waiting Room." source

Fugazi is awesome. Who can argue with such a song choice (maybe the Padres hitters)? Let's take a musical break...

That was enjoyable. On to some more Heath Bell...

“I made a lot of bad throws before Chase,” said Bell, who entered the top of the ninth with a 3-0 lead and the anticipation of the 30,878 in the house who that they were on hand to see a record set. source

 Heath is a stand-up guy. I like that he acknowledged the walks he issued... even though Headley's throw was HORRIBLE!

“We won,” said Bell. “That’s the bottom line. And it’s on me and not Chase. If I hadn’t walked those guys, we would never have been in that spot. I guess we’ll just have to start another streak tomorrow." source

Wins are the bottom line. More wins. More Fugazi.

Get after it boys!

I don't believe in bad omens, I just believe in Heath Bell

Last night Heath Bell converted his 37th consecutive save (Via Corey Brock) opportunity. On a team that produces so few runs it is comforting to know that leads are often held by the back end (Gregerson, Adams, Bell) of the Padres' bullpen.

Do you know who Heath Bell's  last blown save was against? Of course you don't.

Heater's streak began on May 29th, 2010 at Petco Park against the Nationals but to find Bell's last blown save we need to look back to three days earlier (May 26th). Entering the 9th inning the Padres held a slim lead (1-0) against the Cardinals where upon Heath Bell gave up the game tying run after striking out the first two batters in the 9th.

After Skip Schumaker doubled... wait... do you even need to guess who hit the RBI single to tie the game? Go ahead, guess...

That's right, Ryan Ludwick. You get a slap in the face!

The guy who can barely keep his average above .100 was the last guy to deny Heath Bell a save. How painful. So, in a cruel but ironic twist, was it Ryan Ludwick who cost us a spot in the playoffs? The answer is no. The Padres went on to win the game 2-1 in the 13th inning after a Jerry Hairston walk-off HR.

So when was the last time Heath Bell blew a save that actually cost the Padres a win? You have to go back to May 9th when Bell blew his second game of the season and the Padres ultimately lost in extra innings by a  score of 4-3.

I remember the game vividly. Seriously, I do. I cling to this game as the Padres' playoff deal breaker in 2010. Bell came on to hold the lead in the 9th and it quickly evaporated when an easy ground ball was fielded by Padres shortstop Jerry Hairston, and then airmailed into the bleachers. It was a heartbreaking loss that should have completed a 3 game sweep.

Who were we playing? Oh, sorry.

The last blown save resulting in a Padres loss was at Minute Maid Park... against the Houston Astros.

I don't believe this is an omen. I believe in Heath bell.

Trying to remember the 2010 Padres: Game 10 (the most memorable of all games)

I went to 18 baseball games in 2010. Two involving the Lake Elsinore Storm and 16 featuring the Padres. My mind ebbs and flows. If only I had a sure fire way of remembering everything...

For series explanation and previous installments [go here]

GAME 10 of 18
July 29th, 2010
Padres v. Dodgers @Petco Park
(Thursday/ Upper Reserved Section 317... but we sat in the Park at the Park)

WHAT I THINK I KNOW...

On July 29th the time had come. Daughter #2 was about to go to her first Padres game while Daughter #1 was getting her second game. For this treat we offered the Los Angeles Dodgers to the baseball gods. Mat Latos was on the hill for the Padres and I think it was that crazy headhunter for Los Angeles.

***
My buddy Al met the Mrs. and I, along with daughters in tow, at the Park at the Park. We picnicked in the shadow of the greatest Padre of them all, taking pictures, running through the grass and watching as much baseball as little ones will permit.

***
The game extended to a precarious length for children accustomed to a structured bed time routine but we pressed on determined to see a regulation 9 innings. We agreed to leave if it went to extras.

***
Something told me that 9 innings was all it would take and if we could just make it we'd be rewarded. I believe it was Oscar Salazar who would eventually knock home the winning run in the bottom of the 9th and it was there at the Park at the Park that we celebrated a walk-off win dancing to the sounds of Macy Gray playing over the PA system.

Source: A child's first game... and a ticket stub.

RESEARCH SAYS...

The Padres won 3-2.

Mat Latos surrendered two runs as did Dodgers' starter Vicente Padilla (aka Headhunter). Latos (5IP) and Padilla (4IP) had unspectacular starts and did not factor into the decision.

The Padres bullpen pitched 4 scoreless innings giving up only 1 hit and striking-out 6 batters. The relief effort featured Joe Thatcher (1IP), Ryan Webb (1IP), Luke Gregerson (1IP), and Heath Bell (1IP).

***
Heath Bell worked a scoreless 9th and was credited with the win, improving to 5-0. Dodgers' reliever George Sherrill recorded only 1 out in the 9th inning getting the loss (1-2).

***

In the ninth inning Scoot Hairston singled and was sacrificed to 2B by a Tony Gwynn Jr. bunt. Oscar Salazar battled George Sherrill in an 8 pitch AB in which Salazar was victorious, driving a game winning single up the middle to plate Hairston.

***
Padres win. So much beauty in the world...

Attendance: 42,075. Sellout.


NOTABLE OMISSIONS...

Game time: 3 hours and 10 minutes

***
Throwback Thursday. Brown and Yellow '78s

***
Adrian Gonzalez went 2 for 4 lifting his average to .297. Adrian had a notable AB against Dodger reliever Hong Chih Kuo in the 7th inning. I believe that the statistic during this AB was that Kuo, a lefty, had not surrendered a hit to a left handed batter all year... or maybe something ridiculous like the previous 30 ABs. Whatever the exact statistic, the fact remains that Kuo held leftys to an average of .095 in 2010... which is crazy.  Adrian banged Kuo for a single.

***
Chase Headley: 1 for 2 with 2BBs. 1 R/1RBI.

***
When Oscar Salazar knocked the game winner he was pinch hitting for Everth Cabrera. Salazar's .237 avg. for Cabrera's .199. Makes sense.

***
Before the start of this game the Padres acquired SS Miguel Tejada for  minor league pitcher Wynn Pelzer.

***
The Padres moved to 60-40, 20 games above .500 for the first time in 2010

***
The win pushed them 7 games ahead of the Dodgers and 3 1/2 ahead of the San Francisco Giants.

***
Check out this video and sound taken from a fan in attendance... awesome!

***
Listen/watch to the audio/video at the Padres link below. Vin Scully gives the call on Salazar's game winning hit.

Source: Baseball Reference and Padres.com

LASTING IMPRESSIONS...

The whole reason I started this series was because I couldn't remember the first game I went to as a kid with my dad. This particular game, during a pennant race and against the rival Dodgers, turned out to be the very first game for the daughter. She won't remember it. But if she ever asks, there are pictures, ticket stubs, video, and this modest piece of writing to document when and where it happened.

***
I love walk-off wins. The last three write-ups I've done have all been Padres wins where the winning run was scored in their final AB (1 walk-off and 2 in the 8th).

***
Macy Gray's So Much Beauty In The World has grown on me. While I would prefer Pennywise's Bro Hymn, Gray's song has come to signify wins in San Diego. That's always good.

***
There are only 8 games left to catalog in my 2010 season and since I've recapped 8 Padres games (2 Storm) it's probably time for a mid-season review. I'll save it for Wednesday.

Trying to remember the 2010 Padres: Game 8 (the pitching heavyweights)

I had a schedule for the "Trying to remember..." series that dictated the completion of two game synopsis per week prior to the start of the 2011 season. Last week I only wrote one. I was busy but even more than that... game 8 needed to be discussed during the same week as game 9.

Why? Same opponent in back to back days... let's FLY!!!

For series explanation and previous installments [go here]

GAME 8 of 18
July 2nd, 2010
Padres v. Astros @Petco Park
(Friday/Field Box Infield 108)

WHAT I THINK I KNOW...

The Padres defeated the Astros in what was a great pitching match-up between Mat Latos and Roy Oswalt. Final score 3-2 or 4-3.

***
I believe Latos got the win after being lifted in the bottom of the 8th for a pinch hitter when the Padres were down by one. They scored 2 runs and took the lead after Tony Gwynn Jr. (?) and David Eckstein (?) helped scrape together a couple runs. Or something like that..;

***
Heath Bell entered to get the save in the 9th.

***
Both Latos and Oswalt were superb in their efforts.

I am near certain that it was Latos that faced Oswalt. Pretty sure that I already had tickets for the Saturday night game (Friarhood event) which leads me to believe that I told the Mrs. that I ABSOLUTELY HAD TO GO AND see this epic pitching duel. The higher priced ticket I purchased also leads me to believe that I wanted the close up view of potential greatness.

***
My buddy Al and I attended this game together.

Source: A desire for an epic pitchers' duel... and a ticket stub.

RESEARCH SAYS...

The Padres won 3-0. Latos got the win and improved to 9-4. Latos pitched 8 shutout innings (7K/7BB) giving up 4 hits. In a word he was... ridiculouslyawesomeandoverwhelminglydominant.

***
Roy Oswalt was fantastic as well in receiving a no decision that night. Oswalt went 7 shutout innings (7K/2BB) giving up 3 hits. He left the game after 7 innings and a 0-0 tie.

***
So I was wrong about the score which is cool. It's nice to remember a game as a pitchers' duel only to look back and find out it was an even more outstanding performance from each pitcher. Latos would show why he was one of the up and coming young pitchers in the league and Oswalt would show why contenders would be clamoring for his services within a few short weeks.

***

Tony Gwynn Jr. would start the two out rally in the 8th inning with a single to LF. David Eckstein would drive him home with an RBI double for a 1-0 lead and all the runs the Padres would need. For good measure Scott Hairston drove in 2 more runs to hand a comfortable 3-0 lead to Heath Bell who would enter in the 9th.

***
Heath Bell recorded his 22nd save on 13 pitches after striking out 2 Astros.

Attendance: 30,691. Friday night and fourth of July weekend with Latos and Oswalt pitching... still lacking in believers.


NOTABLE OMISSIONS...

This game was recorded in a blistering 2 hours and 17 minutes. Nice.

***
The first three batters in the Padres line-up (Gwynn, Eckstein, Gonzalez) scored the game's only three runs. None of these gentlemen are Padres anymore. Does this mean anything?

***
The two Padres pitchers (Latos and Bell) who combined to record a 4 hit shutout with 9 Ks and 0BBs will both be pitching for San Diego in 2011. Does this mean anything?

***
The Padres won without stealing a base but it wasn't for a lack of trying... Yorvit Torrealba was gunned down in the 7th after getting on via walk. Yorvit?

Source: Baseball Reference and Padres.com


LASTING IMPRESSIONS...

I love a good pitching contest and I'm glad I got out to see Mat Latos and Roy Oswalt get after it. I think it was 2005 or 2006 when Jake Peavy and Roger Clemens were scheduled to pitch and I didn't make it down to the park to watch it... as you can see, I still think about it. If you're a baseball fan you have to get to games where the pitching heavyweights square off because you never know what you might see.

***
David Eckstein is pretty amazing. He has no business coming up so big with such frequency yet he does. I wish he would just sit on the bench and pinch hit for the Padres this year... but for free.

***
Might have been my first time seeing Mat Latos pitch in person. He's pretty good.

***
Watching a left handed stroke is generally a sweet thing to witness (Ted Williams, Will Clark, Don Mattingly, Tony Gwynn, Josh Hamilton, to name but a few).

Lance Berkman however is the ugliest lefty I have ever seen. His righty stroke is horrible too. I cannot stand watching Lance Berkman play the game of baseball. Lance Berkman is the worst.

***
I'll be back on Wednesday from Ground Control for some more Astros.

Trying to remember the 2010 San Diego Padres: Game 5 (clowns on the field... twice)

You have entered a site engaged in a highly complex experiment... an experiment designed to test the parameters of my mind... and to be truthful... I'm feelin'... golden.

If you were at this game all by your lonesome say hello in the comments section. To do otherwise would be anti-social, a behavior we cannot tolerate. The tree is falling in the woods... prove that it makes a sound.

For further series explanation [go here]

GAME 5 of 18
May 17th, 2010
Padres v Giants @Petco Park
(Monday/Park Pass)

WHAT I THINK I KNOW...

I went to this game with my brother and his fiance on park passes. Our goal was to sneak down to some Field Reserved seats since it was a Monday night and the Padres still lacked Believers... not that it would change drastically in the coming months. The Brother and Missus were successful in their attempts to hijack Jeffrey Moorad's seats. I failed.

***
I watched the game from behind the plate in the standing room area. This is a fantastic spot to watch a game. A great perspective exists for everything but a view of the Jumbo tron in LF. Not a big deal but I like replays and examining player slash lines and numbers.

I stood next to a Giants fan and his girlfriend. She was very attractive and I could only think to myself, "Boy, did this fella in orange do well for himself." By year's end he could claim both the girl and a championship... a life complete! But on that night we talked baseball with special mention of the Padres recent dominance of his Giants. I would have the last laugh... that night anyways.

***
The Padres won this game. I believe the hard luck loser for SF was Matt Cain as always. I think he pitched well giving up but a couple runs. Final score of 3-1, perhaps? The method of scoring is mysterious to me.

***
Heath Bell raced in from the bullpen to Breaking Benjamin's Blow Me Away and proceeded to get his mind blown... by TWO SEPARATE incidents of clowns jumping on to the field to disrupt the game in the 9th inning. The second incident was especially memorable because the crowd dutifully began chanting, "Tase him, Tase him, Tase him." It's a unique moment when the laid back denizens of San Diego begin to beg for a fellow human being to get the taser treatment from security. I loved it. I could tell that Heath was bothered by the events, his delicate rhythm as a closer being disrupted. Ultimately the Giants got him for a run before shutting the door (I think).

***
Memorable moment: this was the game where Chris Denorfia got his first AB as a Padre. He would drive a single to CF to the right side of the second base bag and then steal second (maybe). Back to the hit... it was only a single... but it had that thunderous crack that resonates through a park leaving an indelible mark on your mind. A mere single. I liked Denorfia from that moment forward.

Source: The memory of clowns on a field... and a ticket stub.

RESEARCH SAYS...

Yes! I was correct. The final score was a 3-1 victory for the Padres. Clayton Richard got the win, improving his record to 3-2. Richard pitched 7 innings, surrendering 1 run on 3 hits. He walked 3 and K'd 5.

Matt Cain was the loser. He dropped to 2-3 on the season. Cain only gave up 2 runs but he walked 5. C'mon fella!

***
Heath Bell got the save, his 11th in 13 opportunities. I was wrong about him giving up a run though. He did give up a hit and struck out 2. I was correct about the clowns on the field... I guess the inning was so long it altered my memory.

***

Adrian Gonzalez put the Padres ahead in the 1st on a towering blast to dead CF. It was his 8th of the year. He was 1 for 2 (HR/ 1 RBI/ 1 Run) with two walks.

***
The go ahead (and winning) run came in the 5th when Chase Headley knocked a single to RF plating David Eckstein. An insurance run was tacked on in the 7th when Kyle Blanks was HBP resulting in the third run by... that man David Eckstein.

***
Attendance: 20, 558. I guess that's decent for a Monday night game in May....

NOTABLE OMISSIONS...

No GAB (Gregerson/Adams/Bell) during this game but there was an AB sighting. I prefer this anyway. I think a starter should work at least 7 innings... preserve the 'pen a bit and leave yourself with more options when needed. Adams (8th) and Bell (9th) is preferable if it means the starter went 7 innings. There will always be work for Luke Gregerson.

***
This win over the Giants was a big one as the Padres had just been swept by the Dodgers over the weekend at Petco. The Padres brought their season tally to 7-0 against the Giants and 11-3 dating back to 2009. Surprisingly, with a chance to move to 8-0 the following night, Latos couldn't get the win. He was on track however, until the wheels fell off in the 8th and the Padres lost in 12 innings.

***
Chase Headley was hitting clean-up with an OPS (.723) lower than #2 hitter David Eckstein (.724). In the bottom of the eighth, with Chris Denorfia on 3rd (I was wrong... no SB for Deno... he was sacrificed and advance on a ground-out) the Giants opted to walk AGon to get to Chase Headley. Chase couldn't pick up the runner and popped out to RF.

No more of those sign graphics. Fun while they lasted.

***
The Giants outfield on May 17th (Andres Torres, Aaron Rowand, Nate Schierholtz) was significantly different than the one that logged the majority of innings during the Division clinching game on October 3rd (Pat Burrel and (PH) Cody Ross / Andres Torres/ Jose Guillen and (PH) Nate Schierholz)

***
Juan Uribe struck out 3 times which I enjoyed. Because he's a fat shortstop. My mind is engineered to hate fat middle infielders who swing out of their shoes. Sue me. Enjoy LA, fat fella.

Source: Baseball Reference and Padres.com

LASTING IMPRESSIONS...

It was fun beating up on the Giants but clearly they were a different looking team come October. By that time they were playing us more competitively... and then they won the World Series.

***
I've seen Matt Cain pitch a lot and he always pitches well... and he always loses. It's great. I think my Cain winning streak dates back to this memorable game. Watch it here.

***
I'm perfectly fine watching a game by myself. I am secure.

***
That's 5 games in the books and the Padres are 3-0 (Storm 1-1). Winners are grinners.

Thirteen to go!

Trying to remember the 2010 Padres: Game 3 (Houston... we have a Beerfest?)

You have entered a site engaged in a highly complex experiment... an experiment designed to test the parameters of my mind... and it is about to seriously unravel.

If you were at any of the games I've been rehashing or remember watching them on the tube then join my little Irish Wake and splash the comment section with your alcohol laden commemorations! For further series explanation [go here]

GAME 3 of 18
April 30th, 2010
Padres v. Brewers @ Petco Park


WHAT I THINK I KNOW...

Beerfest?

***
There are serious recollection issues on this one, friends. Let me see...

I believe this particular game was a part of the brilliantly conceived but poorly executed Beerfest hosted by the Broken Lizard comedy troupe. I'm basing this quasi-gut-feeling on the opponent. I seem to recall the comedic connection between having a Beer Fest prior to a game against the Brewers. I guess it's not really that funny.

***
Like I said, great concept for Beerfest, but it was a logistical snafu right off the bat. I arrived with my buddy Al but we shunned the lines, instead settling for a Petco Park beverage over the choice microbrews of San Diego. There was just no denting the lines. We cursed Tom Garfinkel!

***
Perhaps a Friarhood meet-up as well? If so, I seem to recall sitting with SDPads1 of RJ's Fro and also meeting Mel from The Sacrifice Bunt.

***
The Padres win this game for sure. I'm going with a 3-0 shutout of the vaunted Milwaukee offense of Braun, Fielder, Hart, et. al.

***
Weren't we starting to feel pretty good about the Padres at this point? I think the Milwaukee series saw the Padres staff begin to really assert itself allowing maybe just a couple of runs in a 4 game (?) series.

***
I have no idea how the Padres scored. I have no idea who pitched. Did I just make up a bunch of stuff?

Source: An overactive imagination... and a ticket stub.

RESEARCH SAYS...

Phewwww! It was the Beerfest game! I guess I should be thankful that the opponent was the Brewers, giving me cause to connect the beer soaked dots.

***
The Padres did in fact win the game 3-0 with Clayton Richard (1-2) getting the "W" after throwing 6 innings and striking out 8. Dave Bush was the big loser.

***
With April coming to an end the Padres improved their record to 15-8 after blanking the Brewers in consecutive games by an aggregate score of 12-0. The Padres and Brewers would split the next two games; a 2-1 loss for Mat Latos but a series clinching win on Sunday for Jon Garland by a score of 8-0. Trevor Hoffman saved the lone win for the Brewers.

***
As I said, the Padres had taken the 1st two games of the series by scoring 12 runs. Care to guess who went 0 for 8 with 1 walk in those two wins? I think the Padres offense will survive in 2011.

***
Attendance-- 29,366. Pretty weak considering it was a Friday during a sustained run of success...with a BEERFEST promotion! Alas, it would be the attendance story of the season.

NOTABLE OMISSIONS...

GAB: Gregerson (7th), Adams (8th), and Bell (9th) made quick work of the Brewers resulting in a speedy game time of 2:46.

***

BRO-B-I in full effect: in a 1-0 game in the 7th, Scott Hairston hit a pinch hit blast plating he and brother Jerry. The HR was vintage Hairston. Since his arrival from Arizona in 2007 he hit quite a few memorable homers at Petco that looked just like this one. Scotty was never afraid of Petco; too bad we couldn't have seen more of these.

Give it a look... it was a no doubter.

***
Shutout streak of 24 innings for Padres pitching staff.

***
This was the Padres 10th win in 11 games.

***
New Padres catcher Greg Zaun was behind the plate for the Brewers going 1 for 3 with a walk.

***
Tony Gwynn Jr., the evening's hitting star, went 2 for 3 with a walk and a run scored. TGJ finished April hitting .255 with a .758 OPS. However, Gwynn the Younger, could not maintain his torrid April pace; he now plies his trade in what I like to refer to as an Overcrowded Version of Hell (Los Angeles).

Sources: Baseball Reference & Padres.com

LASTING IMPRESSIONS...

Shut outs are cool. An expertly planned Beerfest may have been even MORE cool. Going to games with friends and meeting more once there is the very definition of good times... and a hangover.

***
It's a beautiful day... let's play 15... more of these.

2003 Trades and 2009 Trades: A Common Thread

I've been thinking about the 2003 season a lot lately. Not so much the glory that was the Yankees losing another World Series. Nor was it the unfortunate Cubs collapse coupled with the Steve Bartman fall out. What I've been focusing on is a mid season trade that bolstered a certain team's playoff run. The trade in mind left me with one simple question at the time: "Whuuuut?"

In July of 2003 there was a team that sat 4 1/2 games back in the Wild Card race and felt they needed to make a move to position themselves for a run. Their team was built to win NOW with a nice mix of veteran ballplayers......pricey veteran ballplayers. This team's particular need was a closer so they put together a package to go get one. To get an elite closer the contending team offered up the following three players: an OF, a LHP, and a 1b. The trade partner agreed and sent the closer traveling eastward along with some cash to offset the pricey reliever's contract.

Now back in 2003 what gave me pause, forcing me to question, "Whuuuut?"?

The 1b that was a part of the deal was the overall #1 draft pick from the 2000 amateur draft: a local kid: the San Diego Padres' Adrian Gonzalez. I was in awe......how could his team give up on their #1 pick only three years later? Well his team was the Florida Marlins and I guess their front office was on to something because the closer, Ugueth Urbina, seemed to be the missing ingredient in helping the Florida Marlins to win the Wild card, defeat the heavily favored Cubs, and then the vaunted payroll of the New York Yankees in the World Series.

Florida certainly wouldn't redo their own trade that sent Gonzalez to Texas. Urbina eventually assumed the Marlins closer role and -- reunited with Pudge -- won three games, saved six, and posted a 1.41 ERA to help them get to the postseason. He then recorded four saves in the playoffs, including two in the World Series.

Why have I been thinking about this? Well there is no secret that the Padres not only stink but that the likelihood of them stinking will probably last for at least three more seasons (give or take a lifetime). It is also no secret that the Padres have virtually no trade chips that are major league ready.......by the standards of a contending club......and that could also bring the Padres some significant building blocks for the future. Do the Padres even have trade-able parts?

Jake Peavy is injured and had a no-trade clause anyways. Adrian Gonzalez, who's value brought a WS to south Florida, could bring a significant haul but a deal such as that could be debilitating for the Padres: he's a local icon with inroads to the Mexican market and probably most importantly he's the sort of star who could provide a Hall of Fame worthy career....or at least worthy of a statue next to Tony's which would give additional identity to an organization that seems to lack one. Kevin Kouzmanoff will probably ship out in the next couple of weeks but the only real benefit there will we the opportunity for Chase Headley into his natural position of 3b. Which leaves us with the most attractive trade chip..... with the caveat that there is a team out there in dire need of it. The " it" I speak of.....a closer.

Heath Bell makes 1.255 million per season. That's an attractive number for a team adding payroll mid year. While Heath Bell is an exciting player (on the rare occasion we hold a lead late in a game) and brings a refreshing dose of honesty (he says some of the craziest shit I've ever heard on the radio---sometimes it's fun to just shake your head in disbelief though) rather than the customary cliches we've become so accustomed to. There is currently an enormous paradox being ignored regarding these Padres though:

If the Padres rarely hold a lead entering the 9th inning and the expected outcome shall remain the same for the foreseeable future....why use financial resources on an unused human resource?

And he's 31 years old. I don't think that necessarily means his power arm is on the verge of injury although he does strike me as the sort of guy who could injure his arm falling out of a tree while playing with his kids. Heath Bell has value...he's a Great closer...and he could help further along the rebuilding process in San Diego. If he could bring back a few players in return, one of which was a top prospect, I say do it.

The question is whether or not there is a team out there that is built to win now and feels that giving up the sort of players Florida did back in 2003 would be worthwhile. That is for another post....one which will be titled: Part II.

Swapping Stories: The Urbina trade
The under-appreciated greatness of Adrian Gonzalez

Editor's Note: #1 While searching for pictures I came across a Miami based blog that made the same reference and suggestion that I proposed here.....that's what I get for lagging....I'm publishing it anyways since it's already written. The Miami based writer goes as far as suggesting that Heath Bell should go to Florida for Dan Uggla...check it out. A trade that makes sense for both sides

Editor's Note #2:
Steve Bartman gets a bad rap and the city of Chicago should be ashamed for attacking one of their own, a fella who clearly has passion for the lovable losers. To shun a guy for trying to catch a fly ball...inexcusable....the Cubbies blew that game on their own. Now the guy who introduced Da Curse of the Billy Goat ........ Chicagoans should be getting after that guy's ancestors!

Heath Bell: Tonight's nice piece of fish

Heath Bell comes in and gets four outs for his 22nd save. There's not enough closers who can come in and get the save when the fire starts in the 8th and Heath Bell did it tonight. That performance was a nice piece of fish....very dependable.

At the time we first used that phrase there was no Jack in the Box commercial available on YouTube for that famous old couple lamenting the death of Buttons and their nostalgic enjoyment of a fillet-o-fish from McDonalds. The commercial is now available! The quality is garbage...definitely NOT a nice piece of fish....enjoy anyways.

Order the Snuggie Blanket, as seen in this Jack in the Box commercial, [Here]

That is a nice piece of fish...very dependable

I apologize to the Faithful Eleven*. You are a small but devoted contingent and you deserve better than the infrequency of my random posts. But I'm here to proclaim that your visit shall pay dividends tonight. You are about to gain access to the official catch phrase of this blog......one of those little insider-only-isms.....and here it is:

That is a nice piece of fish....very dependable.

Yes.....I find the Jack-in-the-Box commercial for Mini Buffalo Ranch Chicken Sandwiches one of the funniest things going. That old man in the body wrap blanket waxing nostalgic about a McDonald's filet-o-fish sandwich kills me. What? You don't get it? Neither does my wife and that's ok....let's explain:

It's funny, no explanations needed. There are currently no internet representations of this commercial so you're forced to take my word on its awesomeness....the following You Tube video should be convincing enough as to all-around general comedy found in Jack commercials:

Now that you're a believer, how is it that you can incorporate our catch phrase into daily living? Quite simple really. Anything that is "good" should be modified as follows: That banned Jack commercial was dope! It's a good piece of fish...very dependable.
Let's try some more.....Heath Bell just pitched the 9th and 10th struck out FOUR, got the win and broke our losing streak: Nice piece of fish...very dependable.

Can you believe that Jessica Alba just had a baby? Look at that body! That is a nice piece of fish...very dependable.

Very Dependable

or......
How about that weather today? 74 degrees and breezy! San Diego: A nice piece of fish....very dependable.
This blog, brother? A nice piece of fish....very dependable (working on the dependable component). You get the point.

Go forth, Faithful Eleven, and propagate our message. We look forward to hearing this phrase reach critical mass across the 28 countries we've been exposed to....man up, Slovenia!

Become a part of the lexicon....2009's Truthiness.

*the Faithful Eleven is an arbitrary designation to those who check this blog frequently. It's not actually as low as eleven...on account of being huge in Europe's Eastern bloc.

The Heath Bell Effect

Below you'll find the Heath Bell Effect. What's that you say? It's what happens when he pitches and then opens his mouth: Padres win, people start talking.

After Bell saved game #1 in Citi Field's history he proceeded to bash ESPN's Baseball Tonight for never featuring the Padres and never even mentioning SD in the build-up to the Mets' opening night. Fair enough....we know that on the West Coast we play second fiddle. So I shall propose two things to you, San Diego Sports fan:

1. Check out the time-line below.....it is the chronology of The Heath Bell Effect.
2. After reading the chronology (and listening if you have the time) follow Heath Bell's lead and make a little noise....I have a suggestion.
   

April 14th: Heath Bell dogged ESPN in an interview with Scott & BR on Tuesday morning:
[XX1090-Audio]

April 16th: HB then went on Baseball Tonight and spoke with Karl Ravech:

Click:[ESPN Video Link]

April 17th: The following afternoon Baseball Tonight's Tim Kurkjian spoke with Darren Smith:

[XX1090-Audio]

April 17th: Miami radio personality Sid Rosenberg (a native New Yorker and Met Fan) and Scott & BR regular hooked up to talk about a few things...the last of which was a brief commentary on the Padres where he bashed them mercilessly!
[XX1090-Audio]

April 19th: Bell's remarks ring true about almighty ESPN
[Union Tribune-Nick Canepa]

That folks, is the Heath Bell Effect:

1. Heath Saves Games:
2. Heath Drops Mad Quotes:
3. People Start Talking About Heath....And The Padres.
   

This folks, is my proposal:

1. Let's E-mail Scott & BR's regular Radio Active guest: Sidney Arthur Rosenberg
   

Listening to that guy Rosenberg reminded me of Bleacher Bum Jordan (if you added a brain). Brash, loud, opinionated and completely New York-East Coast-Centric. He came off as an extension of the ESPN bias that Heath Bell justly attacked earlier in the week....so let us join Heath Bell in appealing to Common Sense......here's Sid Rosenberg's email address:

sidsback2001@yahoo.com

Dear Sid:
We ruined your opening night and took the series from you....we know, we know...we listened to your interview with Scott & BR---"The Mets didn't take the series seriously"---"The Padres are an awful baseball team"---"We only have two players, and some guy named Headly who gets lucky every once in a while"---"And when the season's over the Padres will be where they belong...in last place".

Well let's look at last year: The (last place) Padres took 5 of 7 from the Mets and the Phillies won the East by 3 games....do the math and chew on that Mighty New York Fan. Your overpriced team will likely cave again and we'll just keep on battling....see you on August 8th!

For those of you who are the regular rebel-rousing-Thomas Paine-types but lack the time required of a full-time insurrectionist: feel free to copy & paste the above gibberish. Or get creative as you keep in mind that the national information outlets think San Diego and its fans are a joke....so you don't have to be nice.

How many e-mails can we inundate ol' Sidney Arthur Rosenberg with?

Editor's Note: It appears that there is another component to The Heath Bell Effect......when someone else tries to close a game......it's kind of ugly. Well, you can't win 'em all. A great week had by both the Padres and....Dodgers.

Citi Field: Padres get all the 'firsts'

Some quick observations on the Padres 6-5 victory at new Citi Field:

• Jody Gerut: Good on ya Mate! Let us count the FIRSTS: Hit:Run:HR:RBI. Way to take the crowd out of it early!

• Wait a minute! Why are these JAGS so happy and High-Fivey!? That ball should have been fired right back on to the field....shouldn't it have been?
• The Friars have only played 8 games so let's not carried away with the accolades....but there's something going on here....and regardless of where we are at the 24/48/96 game marks, I think it's good.
• David Eckstein...he reached base four times on three hits and called a balk before even the umpire but that's not what stood out to me. It was his ten pitch AB where his walk was followed by a .......dead sprint to 1B! You just don't see that too often and when it comes from a two time World Series winner I think it brings two things to the table:
• Fire and inspiration.
• A much needed professional example.
  
• Walter Silva will continue to struggle to make it to the 6th...that may be OK though with Correia and Hill looking good. Here's to Jake and CY staying healthy!
• Jody Gerut/Scott Hairston monster could be powerful. I think Gerut needs to get the majority of the starts though. Situations permitting, Hairston can make a nice impact. Way to Christen Citi Field JG!
• Heath Bell got his wish: The 1st save in the new ball yard. Hoffy brought leadership and professionalism to pens past but HB is bringing fire and brimstone! I like it....what about you?
• The Mets arm patch is really bad and Channel 4's Mark Grant astutely noted, "....looks like a Domino's Pizza logo. You want bread sticks with that?" Could Mudcat Grant and I have been the only ones with the same thought? Research finds:
  

• Stephen Colbert thought the same thing back in January during his Tip 'o the hat/Wag of the finger Segment. Enjoy premium satire here: Click
  

For More Met Logo Bashing:
Mets inaugural Citi Field patch getting ripped on the web
[NJ.com]

With Lincicum defeated...the world is next!

Yea, we're in 1st place. True, seven games is not much of a sample size.....but we're in 1st place!
Let's enjoy the fellas having played some pretty good ball this week and having knocked off the NL's 2008 Cy Young winner.
Padres weak? Not during the season's opening week
[San Diego UT-Chris Jenkins]

Next stop Citi Field: New home of the Mets. An interesting test will be provided with this being the 1st road series and our 3rd, 4th, and 5th starters (still working on names) getting the nod against a pricey Mets squad. Need some Citi Field info? Click Here for some of the Park's features as well as the naming rights controversy.

With Citigroup Inc. paying $20 million a year for naming rights and having received in excess of $45 million in federal bailout money (your tax dollars) this new ballpark truly does belong to all of us......does that make it a home game?

Heath Bell is also excited to be visiting his former team in NY.....he wants the 1st save at Citi Field....Heath has big balls. Let's see him back it up.
Citi Field's debut has Bell buzzing
[San Diego UT-Chris Jenkins]

A message brought to you from Charger Girl: Don't forget the 2009 NFL schedule is released on Tuesday......Cleveland, Tennessee, or Pitt, Fellas?
To quote the dude from Snatch with the giant spectacles:

"Goody fuckin' gum drops!". Be sure to read that with a Limey accent.

This is the End of the week. Good Night, now.