Put Back Together With Hooks...

Jake Peavy is getting warm and fuzzy Padres retrospectives from sportswriters far and wide tonight. Why should it be any different here? One of my favorite lines cane form the Union-Tribune:

To make it as simple as possible, three surgical hooks now hold the muscle and his pitching future in place.

Hooks. Hooks holding muscle together...

I'd like to take this moment to thank Arizona D-Backs General Manager Kevin Towers for his timely trade of Jake Peavy in 2009.

Jake Peavy Detached His What?

When the trade deadline passed in July of 2009 and Jake Peavy had been moved to the White Sox for four pitchers I knew little about, I made the following remark:

Jake has an ailment of some sort each year and I'd hate to see a guy commanding 25% of the payroll spending time on the DL. 4 for 1---Two quality left handers.

Most Padres fans would have said the same about Jake's rate of injury so I am no prophet. Fast forward to July of 2010.

Jake Peavy is likely done with a detached Latissimus dorsi. I said yesterday, that in all of my years watching and playing sports I had never heard of a human detaching their Latisimus dorsi. I mean it's detached... from the bone! Yikes. Think about the times you tear apart a chicken breast from KFC and then go listen to injury expert Will Carrol describe Jake's problem (h/t to 619Sports).

I hope the best for Jake but as a Padres fan I always hope for what's best for me, first and foremost. So thanks to Kevin Towers for dumping Jake's salary and penchant for injuries......detached Lat? Ouch!

Started-me-a-wonderin': The San Diego Padres and Yunel Escobar

After turning on the Padre game in the 8th inning, (EST start threw me) I saw Atlanta shortstop Yunel Escobar make a play and it started-me-a-wonderin'.

The Padres almost dealt Jake Peavy for Escobar and a few others back in November. I wasn't really in favor of the deal at the time for a couple of reasons:

1. I was delusional; not fully grasping the financial plight a divorce could bring on our club.
2. I didn't know too much about the players involved and really didn't want to do the research; laziness and a state of delusion conspiring together.

Today Yunel Escobar is hitting .303/.370/.452

The Wonderin':

1. Would the haul from the Jake to Atlanta trade in November of 2008 have been more beneficial than Jake to the Sox in July of 2009?
2. Would we have taken Everth Cabrera in the December, 2008 Rule V Draft had we traded for Escobar back in November (I think yes because ECab was a 2B)?
3. If we did take ECab would he have seen any playing time---being blocked by Escobar at SS and the Great Eckstein at 2B---may he have been returned to Colorado because he wasn't crackin' the line-up?
4. How would the Padres look with Escobar at SS and Cabrera at 2B?

Some of my wonderment is unknowable (2 & 3) but feel free to speculate and discuss, it may be fun.

The remainder of my reverie won't be revealed for a while (1 & 4) although if someone wants to look up the 2009 stat lines for the players and then draw some comparisons, I'd be stoked if you did.......by the way the Padres won in the 12th; Latos 7 shut out innings.

Scouting Reports: Aaron Poreda, Clayton Richard, Dexter Carter, Adam Russell

I am quite excited right now. The Union Tribune, being a joke of a newspaper, has done little to illuminate San Diegans on the four pitchers received in the Jake Peavy trade. Of course, the UT let its Padre beat writer go, so what do you expect?

My excitement is furthered by the fact that I shelled out $26.93 for the 2009 Baseball America Prospect Handbook back on July 7th (I use receipts for book marks and it should be noted that the book retails for $30.95 but I had a killer 20% coupon). Without further adieu:

Aaron Poreda

• He was Chicago's top pitching prospect and overall #3.
• Lefty. 6'6". 240 LBS. Will turn 23 on October 1st.
• 25th overall pick in 2007
• Ozzie Guillen has described him as "a real No. 1 guy." Has a Mid 90's fastball that can touch 100mph. Sometimes it's too straight and gets hit.
  
• Has a power slider (not a plus pitch). Good enough to keep hitters honest. Change-up is a work in progress. Durable and throws strikes.
• Needs to change speeds better and refine his other pitches.
• "Some scouts see Poreda as a dominating reliever, but he will remain a starter for the time being."

Clayton Richard

• He was Chicago's 2nd rated pitching prospect and overall #5
• Lefty. 6'5". 240 lbs. Will turn 26 on September 12th.
• "A taller version of Mark Buehrle". Works quickly, throws strikes with 3 pitches.
• 88-92 MPH with sink producing a lot of ground balls.
• Plus command and mound presence.
• Doesn't have a put away pitch. Change is average and breaking balls are inconsistent.
• May be better as a reliever utilizing sinker (also has shown ability to bounce back quickly out of the bullpen)
• Could be consistent enough to have a long career as a starter.

Dexter Carter

• Overall #23 prospect
• Righty. 6'6". 195 lbs. Turned 22 on February 5th.
• Played at Old Dominion. Kind of a disaster in college but showed potential. now he looks like a bargain at a signing price of $32, 500.
• Posted "eye popping" numbers in hitter friendly Pioneer League.
• TWO PLUS PITCHES: 92-93 mph fastball that touches 96 mph and a swing and miss curve ball.
• Has refined his delivery and worked hard to develop the consistency he didn't have in college.
• Change-up has potential but is far behind his other pitches.
• Athletic, big frame allows him to work on a downward plane (sounds like Latos, no?)
• Projected as a middle-of-the-rotation starter or more.
• Dexter Carter write up on July 22nd, 2009 [Baseball America.com]
  

Adam Russell

• Overall #27 prospect
• Righty. 6'8". 250 lbs. Turned 26 on April 14th. (I erroneously reported that AR was 6'4" yesterday...either this was a mistake on Baseball America's part or he has grown 4"...either way it's not my fault.)
  
• Low 90's fastball which occasionally reaches 95.
• Curveball rates as a plus pitch...at times.
• Worked as a reliever in 2008.
• Inconsistent control and command because of a varied arm slot and "high maintenance delivery.
• Doesn't have much of a change but as a reliever it won't matter.
  

Baseball America Prospect Handbook 2009

There is nothing too original from me in these bios. Baseball America was my source (for what it's worth) and I just broke down the summaries into bullets. I felt it was necessary because the UT has given us very little outside of 2009 stats and Paul Depodesta's Propaganda must be taken with a grain of salt.

I hope this information on our newest additions encourages some of the distraught Padre Fans to remove their mouths from the exhaust pipe, abandon claims of becoming an Angels fan and to rejoin the Friar Fold......this trade will work out....if for no other reason than money being freed up to sign our 2009 draft picks, which we have roughly 17 days to do.

More info @ The Sacrifice Bunt

Editor's Note 8/1 (12:00pm):
If you have any additional information on the FNGs, please add it to the comments. If the UT isn't going to provide then we're on our own, Friar Fans.

Peavy To The Southside: What Are "They" Saying As The Trade Deadline Passes?

Former Pale Hose hurler, Jack McDowell, writes a Sox blog and it's pretty solid. He's opinionated yet informed and very involved in discussion with his commenters. Here's Black Jack's initial response to the Trade Deadline deal:

I don't understand why the White Sox would trade away two quality lefthanders and two other prospects at this time for this guy. Add to this the fact that Peavy recently had a strained ligament in his throwing elbow. I'm not guaranteeing a breakdown, but I've noticed over the years that strains seem to quickly lead to Tommy John surgery even after the initial healing of the strain.

I love Peavy, great arm, great pitcher, great guy. But he's NOT an American League #1 pitcher. WOW. [Black Jack on the White Sox]

I like the way that sounds for the Padres. Jake has an ailment of some sort each year and I'd hate to see a guy commanding 25 % of the payroll spending time on the DL. 4 for 1---Two quality left handers.

Possibly the most important aspect of this trade (IMO) was brought to light this afternoon by former Padre beat writer Tom Krasovic:

The Padres say the trade will help their chances of signing several draft picks, including Donavan Tate, whose adviser, agent Scott Boras, is seeking $6 million and perhaps more if the money is spread up to five years. For what it's worth, the Padres regard as first-round talents all of three of their unsigned players taken in the top four rounds. Doesn't do much good to draft them and not sign them.

What's more, by my math, the Padres had spent less than half of the $3 million that their CEO at the time, Sandy Alderson, said in January was budgeted for international signings this year. Presumably, some of the Peavy savings could help them meet their planned spending there, too.

With Adrian Gonzalez eligible for free agency after the 2011 season, the chance of retaining him may have improved today with the Peavy trade. Moorad has said the club will listen to serious inquiries on Gonzalez in the off season, yet even if the Gonzalez talks rekindle, which I expect they will, clearing the $17 million due Peavy in 2012 gives the Padres more leeway to offer big bucks to Gonzalez. [InsideThePadres]

This economic relief will be crucial for the Padres. If they fail to sign Tate and the other dynamic talent taken in June the Padres are doomed.......it also opens up money for Adrian Gonzalez. Check out Tom Krasovic's blog.....he knows the Padres even if your only real concern, on this July 31st, 2009 AD, is the San Diego Chargers.

How about White Sox fans? Do they feel they got the better end of it? From Luol's Dong:

Now, if you're even close to a regular Dong reader, you already know why I don't like Peavy. I wrote that bit in reference to him coming to the Cubs - all of those negatives are amplified and then some when you talk about putting him on the White Sox. Not only does the ERA get the usual "moved from NL to AL" boost, but you've got the California "whoa dude chill out" personality of Peavy mixing with the "HEY KID! $%!& YOU TRY $%#&ING HARDER!" of Ozzie. I don't expect it to end well.

There's also the fact that we traded just about every pitching prospect we have to get him. Seriously. Poreda, Richard, Carter and Russell all went away, leaving the next viable AAA starters of Carlos Torres, Kelvin Jimenez...Jeff Marquez...and Freddy Garcia. Notice the drop-off there from "might be useful in the future" to "it's only an acid enema." This is not the way to grow youth.

But hey - I can't bitch about having him now that we do, so WELCOME TO CHICAGO, JAKE PEAVY. I invite you to try our luxurious medical suites, hospital food, and reclining beds as you ride the disabled list to success.

Side note: Watch Clayton Richard completely dominate for the rest of the season in the NL. Book it. [Luol's Dong]

I disagree with the assertion that Jake Peavy has a "California 'whoa dude chill out' personality" and that it could cause his failures in Chicago. If anything it will be arm ailments that do him in. I love the Clayton Richard projection, though.

This is a fantastic trade. Jake Peavy gave us a great tenure and while his post-season performances left something to be desired I'll fondly remember his time in San Diego. When I go out to the park I'll proudly wear my 1984 retro Peavy jersey.

But we must face a grim reality as fans of the San Diego Padres. The economic constraints of this organization will not allow us to keep players for the duration of their careers. The only way the Padres can become a viable entity is to develop young talent, control young talent, and then trade that mature developed talent for a surplus of youth. It is our cycle of rebirth, the Padres' Samsara.

DO NOT GET ATTACHED TO THESE PLAYERS.

They must go to replenish our team and provide opportunity for future success. Be a Buddhist in your support of the Padres or any team for that matter.....attachment leads to suffering.....detach yourselves, Padre fans, and accept that these teams must be ephemeral to ensure future success. So while Kras' points out that there is now money available for a possible Adrian Gonzalez I am instead preparing myself for the inevitability that he will be dealt to the Red Sox in the off season and I will be the holder of another Padre jersey whose name sake is off playing in another city. It is OK......

As a fan I have converted to Buddhism. So too should you.

Improvise, Adapt, Overcome

Here's to Jake Peavy helping out the bullpen by getting through 7 innings on a bum ankle. To paraphrase Clint Eastwood's Gunny Highway,

"I say he improvised, he adapted, and he overcame."

I could only find that particular quote in a Spanish version of Heartbreak Ridge so you'll instead be treated to this highlight reel of Clint Eastwood's awesomeness...

Bullpen: "Just Say No, Jake!"

Comparing Jake Peavy's start this evening to being on par with playoff baseball would be crazy talk. To say that it is the game that the season may hinge on is also gross hyperbole. The Padres are not on a run to the playoffs in '09.

But in a game that was finished in the 18th inning by a back-up shortstop tonight's match up will pose unique challenges as bullpen options will be limited. There is importance in this "day after" game and it is similar to last season as the Padres crumbled in the wake of that 22 inning affair with the Rockies. After a defeat that used up so much of the team's human resources out of the 'pen, the 2008 Padres collapsed. Today could be (maybe not) the difference between the Padres competing the rest of the year or going into a swoon.

Jake Peavy has no choice but to keep the 'pen out of this one. A complete game is in order, and barring that, he needs to go a minimum of 7 innings or 'pen fatigue could begin the downward spiral of this club (or has it begun? 1-5 at home.).

It was less than a week ago that Jake's illness caused him to bonk.......is he strong enough mentally and physically to take over tonight's game? I know I'm still carrying the effects of a virus two weeks later let alone a short six day turn around. Jake knows he has to show tonight.....

Will he?

Jake Peavy Hates You Bloggers

On Tuesday Jake Peavy was on the hill to disastrous effects. At the time I wanted to analyze it and perhaps make some comparisons to previous athletes who had to face adversity (sickness, injury, etc.) yet battled through it. Eventually I optioned out because it required research which I didn't have time for and I didn't want to "call out" Jake Peavy....dude wasn't feeling well, and he's about all we've got to claim as our own.

However, I decided I would touch on the Peavy Start, and would look at in a broader context based on something I read over at Gaslamp Ball. What was written over at GLB was a break down of Jake's comments of a radio interview with Darren Smith on XX1090 on Thursday afternoon. After reading the quotes I listened to the interview so I could get the context as well as hear the tone in which Jake gave them. The whole interview essentially revolved around Jake's illness and subsequent reports that were either visible on Twitter:

or other 'inaccurate' reports on blogs by fans:

The above quote is what shall drive my attempt to be as fact based as possible in looking at Jake's career.......that's right, it's stats time!

Jake Peavy has asserted that blogs are riddled with inaccuracies so it is with that in mind that we have turned to ESPN to provide Jake Peavy's game log for each season in question so as to give the most accurate view possible. I want to look at this week's start as well as some of the more important games from the last few seasons.

2009 Season
On June 2nd JP started at home against the defending champions. His start had been pushed back a day due to a sprained ankle in his previous start against Arizona. Jake pitched poorly against Philly and most of the camera angles were geared towards his left 'plant' foot to try and explain the problems. He didn't seem to favor the ankle but lasted just one inning. We would later hear that JP was suffering from an upper respiratory infection.
L 10-5 to Philadelphia 1IP 3H 4R/4ER 0HR 2BB 0K

2008 Season
On June 18th, with the season essentially over, JP got the start on a Wednesday night in The Bronx. The game lacked true meaning but at the minimum was a stern test that would be covered ad nauseum by ESPN. I was at this game and in Jake's defense he was thrown off his routine by approximately 6o minutes due to rain delay....a lot can happen in an hour.....especially in a beer garden (It wasn't a beer garden. Yankee Stadium was a dilapidated shit hole so really it was a beer stand next to a bathroom....but there was no line/it was dry/and we had an hour to drink/.......so it might as well have been a beer garden)
L 8-5 to NYY 4IP 6H 4R/3ER 1HR 2BB 4K

2007 Season
On June 24th the Padres were facing the eventual 2007 WS winner at home. The Gaslamp Quarter was teeming with Massholes and WE had just watched Chris Young pitch the series even on Saturday night (We were the guys skewering JD Drew all night out in RF). Jake had the opportunity to get the series win on Sunday afternoon against Josh Beckett.
L 4-2 to Boston 5IP 9H 3R/3ER 1BB 3k

On September 5th Buddy Black decided to pitch Jake on short rest to try and halt the surging Arizona Diamondbacks.
L9-6 Arizona 4IP 7H 8R/8ER 2HR 3BB 4K

On October 1st after having debated throwing Jake on short rest in game 162 against the Brewers they instead opted to have him on full rest in case there was a game 163 in Colorado. The Rockies hadn't lost in a month and Trevor blew game 162 when Anthony Gwynn Jr. scored after hitting a triple. Jake took the hill in Denver on full rest the next evening:
ND/L 9-8 Colorado 6.1IP 10H 6R/6ER 2HR 4BB 6K

2006 Post Season
On October 3rd JP had a home start in the opening round of the playoffs. The Cards jumped Jake like a back alley mugger and I sat in the LF bleachers in painful dismay......by the mugging and the fact that Cardinal Fans wearing Pujols jerseys walked through the aisles with impunity. Not even a 'go home', a 'you suck', or a 'stick it in his Pujols'. 'Tis baseball in San Diego.
L 5-1 St. Louis 5.1IP 11H 5R/5ER 1HR 1BB 2K

2005 Post Season
On October 4th JP started in St. Louis. He got bombed. It was later discovered that he was pitching with a broken rib received during a celebratory dog pile the previous week.
L 8-5 St. Louis 4.1IP 8H 8R/8ER 2HR 3BB 3K

The above games are factual in that the statistics are accurate however they are accompanied with my opinions as well as perceived value which I have attached to each game.

Nobody would argue the importance of the '05 and '06 playoff games nor game 163 in '07. It is my opinion that the '07 Red Sox game was of importance in that it was an opportunity for a home series win in an always difficult inter-league schedule as well as an opportunity to go against Josh Becket who was dominating the AL coming into that game. It is also my opinion that the short rest AZ start in '07 was an excellent opportunity for Jake Peavy to assert himself as a big game pitcher by dominating during a pennant race.

With nothing to play for but pride in an abysmal 2008 season Jake had a shot at the Yankees during their Stadium's farewell season. I'm personally irked by that one because I was there for the series and the Padres did nothing to convince New Yorkers that they weren't a AAAA team.

As for the game against Philly this week: I seem to recall Michael Jordan not only playing with the flu during an NBA championship series but dominating and winning. I think we can all agree that the demands on the human body made by basketball are significantly more than that of baseball. Didn't John Kruk famously say,

"Lady, I'm not an athlete. I'm a baseball player." ?

I was disappointed to see that Jake couldn't gut it out a little more and at least save the bullpen. As a pitcher it was he who controlled the pace of the game and this should have allowed him to last if he was ill (I'll go ahead and say that I feel entitled to demand more from Jake since I completed a game in my sport after having dislocated a shoulder and detached my left retina...not saying I'm bad-ass.....I'm just saying).

So while I have included indisputable statistics this post is riddled with my opinions thus making it unpalatable for Jake Peavy. That's fine. What I'm more concerned with is that Jake Peavy seems so surprised with the fact that someone twittered his whereabouts on a game night or that someone speculated that something might be amiss because he wasn't at a gym working out...

It is precisely because people care about that crap that he's able to make $11 million dollars a season.

For Jake to be peeved about a a fake Twitter account is understandable but to discuss fan interest in a tone that suggests contempt is bothersome to someone who has long been a fan of #44. The information age and instant access is making you a lot of money pal, and you'd be wise to acknowledge this fact.

Maybe all of those blogs (see:fans who write them) written out in the big cities like Chicago, Philadelphia, and New York are on to something about our Ace.......maybe he is scared....maybe he knows he'd fail pitching under a microscope......God knows there are no microscopes in San Diego......This is merely speculation and opinion: the kind of 'inaccuracy' in blogging that so upsets Jake Peavy and his handlers.

Editor's Note: I'm a huge Jake Peavy fan and I wore my #44 to the game yesterday. I have also written defenses of JP on the following two blogs:
Peavy: scared or smart?
Peeved about the Peavy hype
While I love the usual competitive fire, I'm starting to grow a little tired of the off-field comments (trade speculation and fan critique) and the lack of results when the stage is at its biggest.

Alternative Sports on the Tube/Laughing your Ass off/Week in Review/The Future of this Blog

Where to begin? Let's get right to the sport of watching television. In the last three days I've seen three of the funniest things ever---busting my gut, coughing, tears flowing from the eyes. I must share and I don't feel in the least bit guilty that these videos are off of our topic of sports. This is sport!

DATING:
For those who enjoy watching train-wreck television we bring you Daisy of Love. What happens when you lock up a bunch of dudes in a house with an unlimited supply of alcohol and they irresponsibly leave the patio doors wide open? Naturally, a skunk will wander in to house and drunks will try to trap it. What ensues is the funniest shit you will ever see (think Stand By Me during Gordy's tale about Lard-Ass and the pie eating contest.....)

FIGURE SKATING:
I had never seen the Will Ferrell film Blades of Glory and I still haven't. But I did watch one scene and I believe it was the first time they skated together in competition. In searching for a video that best captured the same disaster on ice that I witnessed, I settled on this one. It also has the perfect song to go along with it. Enjoy.

MOTHER LOVING:
This was the Justin Timberlake/Andy Samberg follow up to Dick In A Box. It originally aired a few weeks back for Mother's Day and then I saw it at the beginning of the week.....and then it re-aired last night. Perhaps not as good as D.I.A.B but hilarious none the less...

SDSU AZTECS:
Stephen Strasburg got his first loss of the year on Friday night against Virginia in the opening game of the Irvine Regional. Dude pitched like crap.....gave up two runs.....only struck out 15. At least he went out guns blazing. SDSU was eliminated tonight by the UCI Anteaters who are facing UVA as we write and looking to force another game against the Cavs tomorrow. I'd like to see Irvine representing SoCal in Omaha so we'll throw our support behind the Uncircumcised Penises of UCI. For more on SDSU's season you should go to 619 Sports.

PADRES:
Padres went 3-3 on their road trip this week to maintain their .500 winning percentage. Jake Peavy is still a Padre. Adrian Gonzalez is destroying National League pitching--hit his 20th HR today and The Effect picked up his 15th save after blowing one last night. While there has been talk of when Jake Peavy will be dealt and not if, SI.com's Jon Heyman proposes that the Padres would be much better off dealing Adrian Gonzalez. It pains me to say it but he's right. AG's contract is so cheap relative to his talent (Gold Glover and potential HR leader) that the Friar's could get a boat load for him. Not to mention that we have two 1b prospects as well as the possibility that with the 3rd pick in the draft we might take a kid out of UNC who plays...1b. I'd hate to see him go though.....he's a guy who could end up being like Gwynn: Synonymous with the San Diego Padres. A legitimate retired #....unlike Winfield and Garvey.

In addition to trying to write entertaining blogs I also try to collect and gather other good examples from the field. I came across a great blog by a Twins fan called The Daily Something. Great analysis and a nice little piece on the mystery that is The David Eckstein Love Fest. It's a reasonable question to ask of a player who's hitting .220 but has been described by GM Kevin Towers as our 2009 MVP. I did my best to explain it to him in that blog's comment section....maybe you could add something about the little fella.

More Peavy trade potential as well as the downward spiral of Khalil Greene from SI.com's Jon Heyman.....poor guy. And to think I actually thought that the Padres could have held him until July and sold high...waiting 'til July would have got us a bag of balls and a case of Budweiser from the Cards.

VOTE FOR MANNY:
Other good blogs I came across: It is about the money, stupid and Vote For Manny. Both of which come from a New York blogger named Jason Rosenberg. The former is his primary site and the latter is a little movement to get Manny into the All-Star game. Purpose: to shed light on the stupidity of the whole process as well as to make Bud Selig acknowledge the PED issue as it pertains to Manny being elected while serving a suspension. It's a great idea on many levels the least of which is to show how bogus the selection process is (Suspended player ManRam is running in 4th place so as an OF he needs to move up one spot where as Adrian Gonzalez is running in about 8th place....PEOPLE...He plays in a pitcher's park and has 20 bombs! Do The Right Thing!). I wrote a post on it so go read it and then sit on-line for 10 minutes and cast 25 votes for Manny Ramirez and Adrian Gonzalez. BTW: Manny Ramirez is an unequivocal A--HOLE!

CHARGERS:
SI.com's Jim Trotter writes about some Running Backs who he thinks are on the rebound in '09......take a guess....

NFL NEWS:
A good site for NFL/Entertainment news is FJuice @ nfljuice.com, and it's not just because we got linked from there. If you want a great way to start the day check out Morning Wood....isn't that the way everyday should start?

THE FUTURE:
We have changed our URL and exported all of our posts here. The previous URL is shite and was never intended to be a long term address primarily because we never really intended to do this long term. Anyways, this new address honors San Diego sporting history and will have a post written shortly to explain why we're even doing this.........aside from the fact that all parties involved are somewhat crazy. Await further word, ye Faithful Eleven.

Padres Week 3: Rough Weekend @ The $9 buck cup

Three weeks down and the Padres are sitting 2 above .500---2 1/2 behind LA. It could be worse. The disappointing news is in that we were swept by the Giants (only a 2 game set) and then dropped a series to the Pirates at home.....our pitcher's park....where Jake Peavy can't seem to....well, pitch! The Padres are over .500 and Jake is under .500 (2-3).

While the team is beginning to come back to earth they still exhibit elements of entertaining baseball whether it be the fundamentals (moving runners over, backing up positions), hustle (see David Eckstein), sound hitting (Adrian Gonzalez crushed one like no other ever hit at The Bark, yesterday) or the youth movement (Headley, Hundley,--insert bullpen pitcher here--, the injured Evereth Cabrera). Those are all positive things and when coupled with good prices they are reasons to stay on the bandwagon.

More interesting Padre bits and pieces:

• Geoff Young looking at the last week and the overuse of a certain pitch by a certain pitcher, in his column Eight Sliders Sliding [Ducksnorts]

• Padre Unis....after all, a Friar does wear a brown robe not Blue [The Sacrifice Bunt]

• A struggling Peavy and yesterday's debacle against the Pirates [San Diego UT]

• A podcast by Craig Elsten and Chris Ello regarding the Padres "surging" (tongue-in-cheek) to a power ranking of #10 in MLB [619 Sports]

Three game set against the Rockies gets going at 5;40 pm today.....Chris Young must right the ship.

2009 Opening Day Part I

Sean M. Haffey/Union-Tribune
Dodgers 4 Padres 1

After the Padres hosted opening day at The Bark Park..... a game in which attendance records were set (45,496) thanks to The Park in the Park busting at the seams with cheap Dodger Fans.... a game in which we saw our Ace give up 4 runs and our "offensive" case of anemia carry over from 2008.... this fan visited his parents, put the game in the past, and watched women dance.

....and then receive judgement. Is this the sort of season we're in for (talking about Padres not DWTS)?