Padres and Pints: Societe Brewing with Bob Chandler

Last week we met with former Padres announcer Bob Chandler over at Societe Brewing for the latest Padres and Pints. 

The occasion was significant for us at Padres and Pints as Bob Chandler holds the distinction of being the original guest -- only then we called this little video-taping session Beers with Bob. Since then, with a rotation of guests and a moving set, it has evolved into Padres and Pints.

And if you watch closely, you'll see my screen debut. But it's quick! It's like that scene in Fight Club with the giant . . . oh, never mind. Just keep an eye out and say ya saw me so I can feel like more than just a sexy hand that occasionally raises itself during toasts while taping.

Fox Sports San Diego's Cary Chow also showed up to tape us taping Bob. And then, just to mess with Cary we started filming them, filming us, filming Bob. Wahhhhhh! So we might be on TV. Who knows . . .

While viewing Episode 5 of Padres and Pints entertain yourself with a little drinking game called  “Find the Fox Sports SD Camera!”

Intro and the Evolution of Beers with Bob

0:00-2:10

Bob’s take on the 2012 Padres (Includes bright spots!)

2:11-5:00

How will the rest of the season shake out?

5:01-6:10

Do you even get the Fox Sports San Diego channel, Bob?

6:11-7:02

Thoughts on Ownership Future and Past

7:13- 12:17

Societe Brewing: Douglas Constantiner breaks it down for Padres and Pints

12:18-15:22

Rapid Fire!!!! (Conducted at a leisurely pace . . .)

15:24-18:55

Outtake with Cary Chow of Fox Sports San Diego

19:17-20:01

Padres and Pints: Green Flash Brewing with Craig Elsten

Last week we met-up Craig Elsten of XX1090 over at Green Flash Brewing for the latest installment of Padres and Pints.

 We talked about a wide array of topics including the deliciousness that is GREEN FLASH!!!

 Now this particular episode of Padres and Pints is nearly 40 minutes long but objectively speaking it's worth EVERY second of your time. Craig is insightful and witty. We are moronic and funny. It's a delightful marriage of sport, humor, and beer . . .


But if you haven't the time to watch the entire video here's the breakdown for each segment:

INTRO and Craig Elsten’s Move to XX1090

0:00-2:33

Tim Sullivan Discussion

2:33-6:13

Bringing the spirit of the 619 to XX1090

6:15-8:33

Tony Gwynn Criticism

8:34-11:49

F’ing Ownership Issues

11:52-17:00

Carlos Quentin and his oft-injured forefathers, Phil Nevin and Ryan Klesko

17:05- 24:15

Damn Park Effects

24:19-28:42

Green Flash Brewing: Tasting Room Manager Dave Adams breaks it down for Padres and Pints

28:43-32:12

Rapid Fire!!!!

32:14-35:40

Sisterhood of the Traveling Jersey/ Kevin Elster Jersey Outtake

35:57-39:21

Choose your interest and jump in. Then go back and watch the WHOLE thing! Go forth and watch Episode 4 of Padres and Pints.

As always, thanks for supporting.

Padres and Mariners: Vedder Cup action resumes this Sunday

As we approach the first game of spring the anticipation is palpable. This Sunday when the Padres take the field they do so against their hated rival from the Pacific Northwest -- the Seattle Mariners.

Since 1936 these cities and their baseball teams have done battle but it was not until last year that the clash took on a name -- The Battle for the Vedder Cup.

After holding the Vedder Cup in 2010 the Padres lost the Cup back to Seattle during a tumultuous 2011. In Peoria, Arizona on March 4th, our San Diego Padres prepare to confront the detested Sea Men of Seattle in a precursor to the 2012 Interleague showdown.

This Sunday's Spring Training opener serves as a mere preview to what will come in 2012 but it's a barometer of sorts, nonetheless. Each side will look into their opponent's eyes and evaluate their prospects -- their prospects of either retaining or RETAKING the Vedder Cup!

As pitchers and catchers prepared to report to Peoria in 2011 I wrote a detailed history of this epic but little known rivalry . . .



Published at RJ's Fro last February, I attempted to connect the dots for the uninitiated:

After the San Diego Padres destroyed the Seattle Indians in the first home game in team history things would never be the same. The Padres would finish ahead of the Indians during both the ’36 and ’37 campaign and shortly thereafter Seattle would abandon the name it carried from 1903-1937 in favor of the Rainiers.

What does it all mean? Has the history of this matter been subverted in an attempt to hide unsavory truths?

Seattle was a city founded on a belief of synergy amongst those inhabiting their corner of the U.S. and would ultimately choose a team mascot that reflected that particular ethos. In contrast San Diego opted for a mascot that was in conflict with the indigenous people of their corner of the U.S.

I will posit that the Padres and Indians may have had a betting proposition in place… a loser-leave-town type of arrangement where the team finishing lowest in the standings after two seasons would drop their team name. Perhaps PCL Padres owner, “Hardrock” Bill Lane, because of his gambling nature as a gold prospector, entered into a betting agreement with the Seattle Indians’ owner Bill Klepper, a man reported to be both greedy and gutless. Or maybe the gutless Klepper tried to do something right, for once in his life, by preserving his team’s name while eliminating one that arrived to the west accompanied by strife.

The above may be examples of the wild speculation that occurs when a detailed history is conspicuously absent. But it cannot be denied that the Seattle Indians vanished after 1937 as Klepper sold the team to Emile Sick who rechristened his PCL team the Rainiers, a horribly unpopular move at the time. The name Rainier referred not to the famous volcanic peak (Mount Rainier) but instead to Sick’s other business: The Rainier Brewing Company.

In 1938 the name of Indians was dismissed and the Rainiers were born. The Seattle Rainiers went on to enjoy immediate success in the Pacific Coast League where they would be fondly remembered as the precursor to the Seattle Mariners.

I implore fans to read the entire article over at RJ's Fro. To fully engross oneself in the narrative, is to seek understanding and ultimately education. Know your history and prepare for the 2012 Battle For The Vedder Cup.

Padres and Pints Episode 3 Preview: Port Brewing/Lost Abbey

 This is the REEL Episode 3. The FAKE Episode 3 was the special edition of Padres and Pints at Fanfest. But this is REEL. Just listen to the music . . .

Padres Fanfest: The Padres and Pints Rapid Fire Poll

On Saturday the San Diego Padres held their annual Fanfest.

We met for a special episode of Padres and Pints with Padres COO and President Tom Garfinkel to discuss Fanfest, 2012 promotions, and San Diego's craft brewing scene at PETCO Park.

Mr. Garfinkel also fielded the ridiculous set of questions that have come to be known as Rapid Fire.

Now have your say with the Rapid Fire Poll . . .

The questions began with the usual content: Breakfast.




Garfinkel is a good sport regarding the Breakfasttown talk and why he shouldn't he be, really? Breakfast is fairly awesome.

Tom made an interesting point regarding breakfast in San Diego. He said that he's never stood in line for dinner in San Diego but he sure has for breakfast. Well I've stood in lines for both but none are more epic than the queues coming out of my favorite breakfast places. Hear, hear, Breakfasttown U.S.A!

I'm going to combine the next two Rapid Fire questions into one since both revolved around breakfast dishes.





Clearly there are many other choices . . . perhaps, a skillet? The above four however, were the first to pop into my head. I apologize if the absence of your breakfast mainstays has left you feeling slighted.

Tom and I began to riff during Rapid Fire and I asked him about Breakfast destinations. I'll go on record as saying, I'm a moron for not originally asking it.




As President of the Padres Tom Garfinkel is required to toe a line of political correctness which made the next question a bit wasteful. But there's no reason you can't sound off. It's not an easy one . . .




And finally a college football question to round it off. Garfinkel is a Michigan guy and I'm a Notre Dame guy but I'll amend it slightly so as not to ruffle your delicate sensibilities.




I need to set the parameters for a Notre Dame/Michigan bet with Garfinkel. Hmmm . . .

Until next time, this was your Rapid Fire!

Over At The Fro: Padres and Pints Episode 2 (part 2) at El Cajon Brewing Company

Here's the conclusion to Padres and Pints at the El Cajon Brewing Company featuring Corey Brock: Episode 2: Part 2.

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 2 (part 1)

Last week we met at The El Cajon Brewing Company to talk with Padres beat-writer, Corey Brock. Enjoy part 1 of this episode in all its splendor* over at RJ'sFro.

*The volume/sound doesn't suck this time.

Padres and Pints Episode 2 Preview: El Cajon Brewing Company

Last week we met with Corey Brock over at the new brewery in El Cajon -- appropriately called The El Cajon Brewing Company. The ECB is home to El Cajones IPA, a real fine beer. It is also the home of a nice quiet area amongst the barrels of beer, perfect for filming.

What did the Padres beat-writer for MLB have to say about Josh Byrnes' busy winter? Here's the preview to Episode 2:

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.

19 Reasons: Let's talk about #balls

Right before the start of the 2011 season San Diego Padres pitcher Mat Latos signed three baseballs, to be auctioned off for charity. He signed them, "I Hate SF!"

It. Was. Awesome! Then San Francisco Giants fans completely melted down over the whole affair and it became even more awesome. 'Twas our own personal nirvana.


The #balls affair was an epic prelude to a season which, unfortunately, failed to deliver. Mat Latos missed the opening series against San Francisco and a lifetime passed before his spot in the rotation matched up with the Giants. By the time a showdown did occur reality had set in. The 2011 Padres were not a good team and any illusions of contending for the division had long since passed.  But boy did the #balls episode kick things off right.

RJ's Fro made t-shirts to commemorate the dust-up, emblazoned with what had become the rallying cry of Padres fans on twitter: #balls. One simple word that continued to pop up through out the season. But what made #balls so great was that it brought fans together -- Padres fans still suffering from a bitter 2010 late-season collapse to the Giants. Amazingly, #balls became the catharsis I needed as a fan of the Padres.

I also loved that the cute little Padres who never make headlines suddenly had a player that others hated. Not just because he spoke his mind but because he was really good. And could make you look stupid with bat in hand.

Little pissing contests, like the "I Hate SF" #balls story, help to build great rivalries. The Padres and the NL West will miss Mat Latos. Though it pains me to say it, I'll miss former Giants pitcher Jonathan Sanchez, and all the crap he talked. I loved hating that guy. And I'll venture a guess that Giants fans might say the same about Mat Latos.

I'll miss the guy too. I always felt like something big might happen each time he took the hill. Best of luck to him in Cincinnati where I hope he  wastes no time signing a few baseballs, "I Hate St.L!"

This all begs the question: With Mat Latos gone have our #balls gone with him?

I'd like to think that the spirit of #balls will continue. An us-against-them type of irreverence that is essential for teams like the Padres who attempt to do battle on very uneven terrain. For success in such a rough and tumble world one needs #balls.

#balls

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 . . .

Talking Baseball With Padres Beat Writer Corey Brock

Yesterday we gathered in the name of Padres baseball and beers over at the Randy Jones All-American grill. RJ's Fro arranged the meeting with Corey Brock of MLB.com and it was open to all.

What did we talk about?

Sorry but the conversation was off the record. You should have been there. It was enlightening and the pitchers were 50% off.

Get yourself there next time.

Follow Corey Brock on twitter: @FollowThePadres

What on EARTH is the meaning of this?

On April 3rd you must come to the Randy Jones All-American Sports Grill to watch the Padres play the Cardinals in St. Louis. It's gonna be huge!

For a line-up of those in attendance as well as food and drink specials, click here.

Over At The Fro: Where Jerry Crasnick makes fun of the Padres and I solicit input

In this post I give a reaction to ESPN's Jerry Crasnick and the article he wrote earlier this week on the 2011 Padres. I've also recapped all previous posts in the series, our own Spring Training, if you will. 

I'll be continuing the Pacific Coast League Padres series over at RJ's Fro and I was wondering if I might bother you for some input? If you have any interests, ideas, or suggestions drop them in the comments section over at The Fro.

Trying to remember the 2010 Padres: Game 12 (into the breach)

Come with me to Los Angeles. A fine place to visit when seeking reaffirmation that you indeed have a soul...

For series explanation and previous installments [go here]

GAME 12 of 18
August 3rd, 2010
Padres v. Dodgers @Dodger Stadium
(Tuesday/ Section 158 LG)

WHAT I THINK KNOW I KNOW...

So this is an easy recollection for me because I did a big write-up on it over at RJ's Fro right after the game. I had gone up to Chavez Ravine with the Fro, and despite the Padres loss with Latos on the hill, it was a blast.

Why should you go read it? Because there's a lot of talk about Blue Moon beer and a detailed conversation about the ugliest players ever to wear a uniform. Oh, and a Woody Williams sighting too! And we got lost in a parking lot. It's good stuff. Check it out.

Source: The Seventh Circle of Hell... and a ticket stub.

RESEARCH SAYS...

The Dodgers win 2-1

***
In his first start as a Dodger, deadline acquisition Ted Lilly picks up the win, improving to 4-8. Mat Latos got the loss dropping him to 11-5. Latos pitched really well but was the victim of an anemic offense and some suspect defense.

***
Chris Denorfia threw-out Russell Martin at the plate on a beautiful play. This was good Norf. Bad Norf-- the one who plays an overzealous CF-- over played his hand earlier in the inning when he made an ill-advised dive which led to two runs scoring. It would be all LA needed.

This was a play that Tony Gwynn Jr. would have made and he should have been in a game where runs would have been at a premium. I love Denorfia but he's no center fielder.

Attendance: 38, 866. Place was empty. They showed up late. They left early. This is not a stereotype of  many Dodgers fans.

NOTABLE OMISSIONS...

***
Miguel Tejada hit his first HR as a Padre. A short lived lead.

***
Quotable:

"I didn't help myself by falling behind in the count," Latos said. "I didn't do a good job of attacking hitters."

The walks proved painful for Latos, as Russell Martin lined a pitch to center field that Chris Denorfia couldn't come up with on a diving attempt, and two runs came across.

"It was a slider, he just left it in the middle of the plate. I was just thinking right-center, and it was a good pitch to hit," Martin said. "... It was nice to see it dive and go by him, too. Finally got a break."

See what I mean? Latos good. Denorfia bad.

Watch the entire disaster unfold here.

***
The Padres record falls to 62-43 with the Giants right at their heels (1 GB)

Source: Padres.com (Corey Brock) and Baseball Reference


LASTING IMPRESSIONS...

Road trips for baseball are fantastic and so is Blue Moon on a hot August day. Go to Chavez Ravine but take care not to get lost. Navigating a circle can be surprisingly tricky.

David Newhan Gettin' Some Pub

Over the weekend I read an article by John Maffei of the North County Times in which the trials and tribulations of MLB veteran David Newhan were chronicled. You see, David Newhan went for a surf back in 2009, and suffered a broken neck. Yet here he is today, at 37, trying to make the Padres roster. It's amazing. It's inspirational. And it should be read.

Why don't more people know of this story?

David Newhan played for the Padres back in 1999 and 2000. Those were dark times for Padres fans. A World Series had just left our rear view mirror and the construction of a ballpark, while imminent, seemed like light years away because of assholes named Henderson and Aguirre. I simply don't remember David Newhan's stint as a Padre. It was forgettable.

Over the years I recall hearing David Newhan's name from time to time but never knew too much about him until I was reading the blog of former Padre, Morgan Ensberg. Ensberg plugged a blog being written by David Newhan and his father Ross who incidentally was a noted sports writer. Their posts were well written and informative but unfortunately, sporadic. I didn't keep up with it.

Not too long ago, the bear known as Beautown, awoke from his blogging slumber and wrote something about David Newhan. It was a cool anecdote about a minor league game Beau had attended in Las Vegas where Newhan was playing. Beau and his pops formed a bond with Newhan that day. And in reading I learned a little more about David Newhan.

Which brings me back to the Maffei article describing Newhan's ordeal of a broken neck. I wondered how I could have been a baseball fan yet not heard this story. I wasn't the only one who felt the same thing...

The next day I received an email notifying me that Morgan Ensberg had written a new post on his blog. Morgan has been sporadic with his posting as well but when he writes it's generally an interesting read.

I clicked the link and arrived at a very short post, no more than a paragraph, describing a friend of his who had broken his neck in a surf accident and was in Spring Training trying to make a team. It was Ensberg's plea that reporters would begin asking around so that his friend's story could be told. He never mentioned a name but it didn't take much to connect the dots on this one. I dropped a link to the Maffei story in the comment section of Morgan Ensberg's blog and went on my way.

Within a couple of hours I was alerted to a story about David Newhan at HardballTalk, the baseball blog for NBC Sports. I went to check it out and sure enough the story of David Newhan was being recounted on a national website. In the story, writer Bob Harkins mentioned the John Maffei story in detail and provided a link. At the end of the article Harkins provided the proper courtesy to Morgan Ensberg (a hat tip or h/t) for alerting him to the story.

I was incredulous! Didn't I deserve a hat tip from one of the biggest and far reaching baseball blogs on the internet? Clearly it was the link to the Maffei article provided by me which allowed Harkins to write his article. A link from Craig Calcaterra's HardballTalk would have been huge!

Fortunately the internet is awesome. I sent a tweet to Bob Harkins and in my best Carl Spackler voice essentially said, "Hey, How bout a little something... you know... for the effort?"

And just like the Dalai Lama providing total consciousness on Spackler's deathbed acknowledgment arrived via Tweet and the name of ~Avenging Jack Murphy*~ appeared in bright lights over at HardballTalk. With a link!**

Bob Harkins is my Dalai Lama.

This blog has now devolved (as it does so frequently) into a piece about me and my baseball writing hubris. For that I apologize. This is about David Newhan. I wish him the best in his pursuits with the Padres and it is my sincere hope that he is providing a veteran bat off the bench by mid summer.

* If the lights aren't bright enough for you... scroll to the bottom of the article.
**Of course the link went to my AJM Twitter page rather than my AJM website so the traffic increase was negligible but that is neither here nor there. I feel like a guy who just got a cup of coffee in the bigs, knocked a hit only to return to the minors the very same night. Kind of like those guys you've heard about over at Ducksnorts.

Pictures From Peoria

I went to Spring Training this last weekend with Beautown and SDPads1 of RJ's Fro. It was cool. Saw the Padres open up against the hated Mariners of Seattle. I haven't had a chance to write yet but here are a few pictures.

 

 

Over At The Fro: February of 1936 with the PCL Padres

AJM went to the library. Came up with all sort of good stuff from February of 1936.  From naming the team to acquiring players and building a park, see what it was like as San Diegans anticipated their first season of professional baseball. Over at The Fro.

Over At The Fro: PCL Padres, Flux Capacitors, and DeLoreans

Doesn't the title really just say it all?

Go for the history. Stay for the Back To The Future references. Enjoy it [right here]