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Where is some of that nastiness ?……

Saturday, September 4th, 2010

Since last saturday’s game with the Philadelphia Phillies, I’ve noticed some lack of nastiness with the boys. Though, the opponents have been coming hard and with vengeance at the Padres. I will give you two factual incidents and they are as followed:

  1. Against the Phillies last saturday afternoon, Phillies’ C Carlos Ruiz went in hard at Padres’ 2b David Eckstein with a late slide to break up the attempted double-play which led to a Phillies run. It was a very crucial moment in the game that allowed the Phillies to pull away.
  2. Today’s game, Rockies’ P Esmil Rogers threw a hard and high one at Padres’ 2b David Eckstein which sent David down on the ground. Eventually, Rogers struck out Eckstein to kill the rally and leave the sacks loaded.

So, where am I going with this ? Well, I don’t see the same tenacity in the Padres. Here are my points:

  1. Last Saturday against the Phillies, Padres’ C Nick Hundley was attempting to score from 2b on a base hit to right field. As Hundley approached home plate, Phillies’ C Carlos Ruiz was essentially an open target as  Ruiz was waiting for the ball from right field. Instead of taking out Ruiz and making him feel the affects of such a collision, Hundley decided to slide. This was a great opportunity to light a fire on the fuse for the Padres. Create something !
  2. When is the last time, that you’ve seen a member of the Padres pitching staff throwing high and inside against the opponents? Once again, a lack of tenacity. You got to try to make something happen, being passive is not the effective way to winning baseball games.

It’s time for someone in that dugout to get their uniform dirty and spark this team. Who’s going to be the Ron Artest on the Padres? I know one qualified candidate but he’s on the DL currently.

Buddy it’s time for a major line-up shake up…….

If I were Buddy Black, I would make out this line-up for Sunday’s finale against the Rockies. Something needs to be done immediately, a potential 10-game losing streak could be very damaging. I equate this to the stock market dropping for 10 consecutive days. You start to lose confidence quickly.

  1. 2b David Eckstein
  2. Rf Aaron Cunningham
  3. 3b Chase Headley
  4. 1b Adrian Gonzalez
  5. Lf Oscar Salazar
  6. C Yorvit Torrealba
  7. ss Miguel Tejada
  8. Cf Scott Hairston

Come on boys ! It’s time for someone else to Pay the Price ! Let’s flatten someone and get back that tenacity on our side of the field. With that being said, I’ll close out this post with a Blues Music video by Chicago Bluesman John Primer, titled “Pay The Price”. Who would have thought the Padres would collapse before the Stock Market ? Not me that’s for sure, but then again that’s why they play the games. It’s September and we are still in the lead !!

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O’fer since Enberg……

Wednesday, September 1st, 2010

Well, it’s been two weeks since I last posted. I’ve been terribly busy after returning from the Chicago trip to see the boys. Maybe, the boys brought back some of the Chicago nostalgic of not winning a championship. God Forbid, I hope not ! It’s been a rough EIGHT days for the boys and many people throughout the City are already doubting this team. For me personally, I still believe in the boys and every team has their slumps. Unfortunately, this tailspin is occurring during the pennant race and has more nation-wide attention. Coincidental, the team has been o’fer since Dick Enberg has left for other commitments. All I have to say is, Get Back Soon Mr. Enberg ! The team hasn’t been playing well in the last FOUR games, committing crucial errors and lack of timely hitting. Maybe some good ole home cookin’ will do justice for this ballclub.

Disappointment with San Diego Fans…..
During the last homestand, one where the Padres were coming off a 7-3 road trip I was extremely disappointed in the lack of fans in the stands. There are no excuses at all, in the week prior at Chicago I was amazed the following and spirited fans attending the games despite the Cubs being out of the race completely. So in my humblest opinion, the Fans in San Diego are just too wishy-washy. Even against the Phillies, I could not believe an entire section directly behind the Phillies dugout was taken by Phillies Fans. Now come on ! You can’t tell me that everyone behind the Phillies dugout is a season-ticket holder and Phillies fan. All I know, probably a few season-ticket holders sniff at the greenbucks and chose them over the Padres. There lies the truth, it’s all about what can you do for me, instead of supporting the team at the most crucial time of the season. It’s no different then the public not knowing what is actually going on with the economy let alone the Arizona illegal immigrant situation. Heck, I bet only 5% can recite the 10th Amendment.

Young Kid Offered Millions And Chooses School…..
Padres number one pick Karsten Whitson turns down 2.1 million and chooses to attend University of Florida despite the unraveling economy before him. WOW ! Is all I got to say. Can you imagine if someone were to offer you 2.1 million when there are 500,000+ unemployed people in the country looking for a job ? Oh, Karsten wanted to go to college. Yeah ok ! Sure ! Let me tell you something about that. Give me 2.1 million to pitch in the minor leagues and if I were to fail ! I still have 2.1 million. No wait a minute ! I would have 4+ million after 2 years of investments. For example, a Canadian Energy Trust Fund named Penn West Energy Trust is going about for 19.00 per share and pays a monthly dividend of .14 per share. If I had 2.1 million, I would immediately invest 500,000 dollars and that would give me roughly 26,315 shares. Now, how much would my divided income per month would be? 26,315 * .14 = 3,684.10. Oh baby ! How many 18 yr olds are pulling down 3,600 per month, have 2.1 million in the bank and playing baseball too ?? Furthermore, now we take into account the stock price when barrel of Oil goes from 80 dollars to 150 dollars. The stock price for Penn West Energy Trust will easily hit 35.00 per share. Now, let’s do the math ummm you don’t have to be college student either…hint hint….26,315 shares * 35.00 = 921,025 dollars. If I were to fail at baseball, I would be getting paid 3,600 per month to go to school ! and have about 3+ million in the bank….ENOUGH SAID….Thank god we didn’t sign Karsten.

As the dog days of September are here and our boys are reeling at the moment, it’s time for a blues song to reflect the current state of affairs for the Padres. Here is Blue’s Artist Duke Robillard with a song titled ‘Do The Memphis Grind’ as the boys grind it out.

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Thriller At The Windy City…..

Tuesday, August 17th, 2010

After spending the entire day touring Field’s Museum and Millennium Park on foot, I had to rest my feet from that all day walk and ended up at Mother Hubbard’s Cub’s Sport Bar. The bar was packed with sports fans and there were 30 flat screen tv’s throughout the bar. I kept my eyes on two particular screens, one where the Giants and Phillies and the other Padres and Cubs. The boys jumped out for a quick lead and the way the game started, I’d sworn the boys will continue to add more. The locals (Chicagoans) were very concerned coming into this game, as they were fully aware of the Padres’ starting pitcher Jon Garland. If you hadn’t caught on yet, Garland had pitched in Chicago actually the Southside for 6 years. The locals in the bar knew if the Cubs didn’t get to Garland early it may be a long night. As it turned out, they were right on with their pre-game sentiments. I was the only Padres fan in the bar wearing the Padres cap. Luckily, I managed to walk out with a slight smile of my face and made it safely to the hotel.

Tomorrow morning, I will be heading north on the subway to visit Wrigley Field for my first time as the Padres take on the Cubs again. I plan on taking lots of photos and videos, in a few days I should have them hosted up on here. In the meantime, as I wrapped up this post. My stomach feels like the pizza I had at Mother Hubbard’s was cooked in old grease. Needless to say, here is a blues music video by blues musician Jeff Chaz tilted “Cookin’ In Old Grease”. Let’s go boys and pad the lead on those Giants.

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At The Windy City And Awaiting For The Boys……

Monday, August 16th, 2010

Oh the boys took care of business in the city of the bay by winning two out of three games from the Giants. Way to go boys !! Our bats did all the talking in the series with the Giants. I must say I kept on checking on the score at an upscale bar and grill named RockIt in downtown Chicago. I arrived here on Saturday afternoon to enjoy the city only to get a taste of the humidity. On Saturday night I went to a blues club called Blue Chicago and heard some awesome Chicago Blues. Needless to say at the Blues club people were commenting on the Chargers vs Bears game. All I did was grin and acted like we (San Diegans) been there before. No need to get overly excited over a pre-season game. On the very next day (Sunday), rode the subway to US Cellular Field and took in a ballgame as the White Sox hosted the Detroit Tigers. It was an old fashion American League slug them type of game as the Tigers pounded the Sox by the score of 13-8. Literally, there was some pounding going on in the Tigers dugout as P Armando Galarraga was going at it with C Gerald Laird. I had great seats, 3rd row adjacent to the Tigers dugout. Throughout the two days, I kept glancing at my cell phone for scoring updates on the Padres and Giants. It was great to see that the boys managed to add another game to the lead.

On the side note, I will have many photos and videos to share when time allows. I planned to also give my review of the City and provide valuable information if others from San Diego ever wish to visit the Windy City. It’s a must for any sports fan.

Prior tonight’s game with the Cubs, I only want to say the Padres “Welcome to Chicago Boys” and let’s wrap up business in the Windy City. As I have thoroughly enjoyed the Windy City so far and We Believe the Boys. We Believe so much we traveled all the way across country from America’s Finest City to the Windy City to cheer on the Boys. As I wrap up this post, it’s most befitting to have the well known Chicago Blues Artist Buddy Guy music video titled “Sweet Home Chicago”.

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City By The Bay, Here We Come…..

Friday, August 13th, 2010

It’s middle of August, no one outside the clubhouse and a few loyal fans believed in this team. Any fan who had played baseball throughout their childhood and early adult years could see the blueprint on the wall. Though, there were many doubters and those who had their spreadsheets and analysis models. I am from the old school, first criteria is to see if a player is athletic and very agile. Everyone tends to get over analytical with statistics and the old adage is “Paralysis by over Analysis”. Just like picking junior gold mining companies, do not over analyze the companies. Just keep it simple with the winning formula (Cash on hand, no debt, near term producer or producer currently) and never fall in-love with your stock. This Padres team has the talent to bring home the shining hardware in October to San Diego. We Believe ! Come on Fans, Let me hear You…WE BELIEVE.

Taking Care Of Business

Ahh Yes ! That just remind me of the song by Backman Turner Overdrive (BTO) song “Taking Care of Business” as the Padres swept the Pirates. I knew Padres’ RF Ryan Ludwick would have a profound impact on the line-up, it was only matter of time when Ryan would relax and let baseball come to him. Ludwick had THREE Homers and two of them were very impressive shots over the centerfield fence. Even Padres’ SS Miguel Tejada got into the act with key doubles and singles. Soon enough the entire offensive attack will be firing on all six cylinders, until then the boys are going to continue to collect those W’s. Just win baby !!

Bulletin Board Material In Frisco

This is not the time to get excited about the comments made by Giants’ P Jonathan Sanchez. All the boys have to do is show up one day at a time and dictate the momentum of the game. Sanchez prediction on the Giants sweeping the Padres and never giving up hold of 1st place, is along the lines of many of those people in financial markets saying that China will bailout the US Economy. For one thing, the Chinese economy is still heavily export-driven, and the exports are almost all consumer goods. Americans will simply not able to spend the way they did pre-2008, and they won’t be for years to come. That’s going to affect tens of thousands of Chinese factories and tens of millions of Chinese workers. They’re geared for patterns of consumption that no longer exist, and are going to have to re-orient themselves. Now, the Giants are going to have to face the fact our boys aren’t going away as well. The Padres team is stacked with pitchers and reloaded with a few veteran hitters. Ignore Sanchez hot air, and let the play on the field speak the loudest boys ! The Padres act like they have been there before.

Well it’s about 3 hours and less before the 1st game with the Giants. So far, the boys have won 8 out of 9 contests and hold a 2 1/2 game lead over the surging hot Giants. As I always do, I will close out this post with a blues music video by Nick Moss & Flip Tops featuring Jason Ricci titled “I Got My Brand On You”. How befitting so far as the Padres have played the Giants very tough. Let’s get a “W” tonight Boys !!

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What The Hell Were You Thinkin’……

Monday, August 9th, 2010

When I woke up this morning to the radio show of Scott and BR, I thought the world was coming to an end. Scott repeatedly mentioned the Padres blew it this weekend and will not recover from this latest setback. I equate this comment by Scott like Treasury Secretary Geithner wrote in his op-ed in The New York Times, titled “Welcome to the Recovery”. Ummm, both have something in common. Plain and simple stop blowing smoke ! The Padres are alright we are still in 1st place and let’s act like we’ve been here before. Oddly enough, I hope for our sake (San Diegan’s), Scott and BR don’t throw a party before the playoffs as they do with the Chargers. Oh we won’t go there, the results speaks for themselves.

The boys pulled out a win on Sunday in Arizona and remain in 1st place, business as usual. This upcoming brief homestand series of three games against the Pirates is an odd entity thanks for the weird scheduling. Hey, we won’t complain just do it boys and take care of business. I expect the team to start jelling again during this homestand. It’s been 8 days now they have gotten accustomed to each other and players settling into their respective roles. It’s normal and human to adjust, sometimes these events takes time to settle. The key is the boys are still in 1st place. We Believe !

Come out San Diegan’s, root on for the Padres. It’s a great time to be a Padre Fan and the boys are in contention !! As I close out this post, a most fitting blues music video by Big Joe & The Dynaflows called “What The Hell Were You Thinkin’?” goes out to Secretary Geithner, Scott and BR for their ridiculous off the wall remarks about a financial recovery and demise of the Padres.

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The Dawg Days of August have arrived……

Sunday, August 8th, 2010

The first seven days of August, boys have posted a 3 – 4 record and have lost 4 of the last 5. Can you say the Dawg Days of August has arrived for the boys ? For Padres’ Clayton Richard it seems this is to be true. In Clayton’s last two starts, he has been sub-par and was very fortunate to win against the Dodgers when the offense bailed him out with 10 runs. Last night’s performance against the Diamondbacks was down right awful and the boys need Clayton to snap out of his funk quickly. Fortunately, the other teams in the division are losing as well though this is a wasted opportunity to widen the gap and make a statement.

Today’s game is crucial for the boys as they attempt to get a win in the series and even out their August record. As with all good teams, no team is immune to a bad streak and the key is to remain even keel. The baseball season is a long one and it’s best end the season on a high note, so don’t give up Padres’ fans.

As of late, the boys have been struggling and appears they have been stepping on a high wire. This leads into the closing blues music video by Chris Cain Blues Band, titled “Steppin On A High Wire”. Come on boys, let’s get out of the desert with a win and come back to some home remedy. We Believe in you, boys, We Believe !

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It’s all about keeping an even keel, you gonna have good days bad days…..

Thursday, August 5th, 2010

On the night when the Padres took the final game of a four game series from the Dodgers, the boys earned a split. Mission Accomplished ! Mission Accomplished ! I know, I know, the past two evenings things were awful and many fans in San Diego and most likely around the nation were doubting the Padres. It’s one reason why I stayed away from posting, because two games do not make up a season at all, WE BELIEVE in this team. Let’s be realistic there are far more important current events going on besides a two game losing streak where the boys were handed their bottoms by the Dodgers. If you disagree with me, check out the latest from our rivals in terms of supreme power for the world. Not only is there a power shift in the National League West, but there are rumbles as well in the challenge for the World’s Power.

Bums losing ground……

Starting last Tuesday night 27 July, the Padres were 6 games ahead of the Dodgers before a crucial 7 game series in 10 days with the Bums. After tonight’s game which the Padres won 5-0, the Dodgers have lost 2 games in the column and are now standing 8 games behind the Padres. This is a major accomplishment, because in all fairness this was an opportunity for the Dodgers to cut down the lead and make a stance. Fortunately, our Padres held the fort and hunkered down while reloading the ammo (aka, trades of Tejada and Ludwick). Can we chant outloud BEAT LA ! BEAT LA !

How fast fortunes in baseball can turn around….

Padres’ OF Chris Denorfia went from chump to champ in 24 hrs or so. On Tuesday and Wednesday nights, Denorfia had a rough time out in centerfield, committing several errors despite throwing out a runner at 3rd. As a pinch hitter in tonight’s game (Thursday), Denorfia basically beat a ball down on the hard surface of Dodger Stadium which kangarooed over the head of Dodgers’ 3B Casey Blake. As the squirrels ran for cover while the ball rolled down the left field foul territory, Dodgers’ OF Scott Podsednik misplayed the ball and Denorfia raced around the horn to score as it was ruled as an inside the park homer. Oh My ! Oh My ! as Padres’ Announcer Dick Engberg would rejoice.

Closing out the Post, Good Days Bad Days…..

Ahh Yes ! Padres Fans ! It’s that time, as I wrap up this post with a blues musical video by Blue’s musician Coco Montoya titled “Good Days Bad Days”. Yes, sums up what every team will endure through this grueling baseball season, some Good Days some Bad Days. The key is to remain positive and have an even keel. Way to go Boys (Padres) !! Get them Snakes (Diamondbacks) Next !!

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Padres’ GM Hoyer not satisfied and pulls trigger on another deal….

Sunday, August 1st, 2010

An legit big bat is coming to San Diego, it’s about time !! Many of us loyal season ticket holders have been waiting for this day to come. Thank You ! Padres’ GM Jed Hoyer. It has been years since the last big bat arrived in San Diego (Greg Vaughn in 1996). Joining the Padres on Sunday will be OF Ryan Ludwick and he will bring the much needed protection behind Adrian Gonzalez. Let me repeat this San Diegans, the Padres Front Office is very serious about winning the division and going deep into the post season. Remember “We Believe“, that is the motto for the 2010 Padres season. Now, I wonder who will have to be removed from the 25 man roster to accommodate Ludwick ? Let’s take a look at the personnel in question, based on my perspective.

  1. OF Tony Gwynn Jr. This past week Gwynn has come up in critical key situations and strike out looking. Tony is currently hitting at .217 and offensively is regressing very rapidly. Sure, he has a great glove and dynamic speed. Though, I am sure Luis Durango can do the same and better. Gwynn Jr. is a good candidate to be sent down if he has options.
  2. OF Chris Denorfia. As with Cunningham, Denorfia has options but has heavily contributed this season. In fact, Denorfia has been hitting the long ball in July and provides speed as well. A demotion to the minor league does not make any sense but the same could be said for Cunningham.

In terms of pure production overall, I would have to say that Tony Gwynn Jr. is on the bubble. But, just like with the US Economy the bail-out packages are not the best interest for the American public, debt on top of debt impedes the Economy. In baseball terms, a demotion for Denorfia is highly probable and it will not make any sense baseball wise.

Playing left field has been an adventure as of late….

Padres’ OF Scott Hairston has been facing the demons from the outfield the past 2 out of 3 games in left field. On both occasions, Scott has allowed the ball to dictate his awful approach to it. Both times, Scott hesitated and made two critical errors which led to runs for the opponents. Could you have said, Ludwick is arriving just in time ? Perhaps, Will Venable will be starting in Center or Left on Sunday against the Marlins.

Alright Padres Fans, it’s time to close out this post. A blues music video by Eric Sardinas titled “I Can’t Be Satisfied” is dedicated to both Tony Gywnn Jr. and Scott Hairston. How come? Well, Gywnn for striking out way too frequently in key situations with runners in scoring position, and Hairston for his “Barnum and Baily Circus Routine” in left field.

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The Bums leaving town all Blue on Black…..

Thursday, July 29th, 2010

Ohh how sweet it is ! The Padres won a series from the Dodgers in a late thriller at Petco Park. Let’s hear it Padres Fans “We Believe“. That’s right San Diegans, it’s the Padres motto for this 2010 season “We Believe !” Just one game at a time and no one can ever take away the W’s from the Padres. This is no time to let down as the Florida Marlins are coming into town for the Weekend Series at Petco Park. Wouldn’t it be nice to pry Josh Johnson away from the Marlins while they are in town? Ohhh !! there’s nothing like dreaming and at times, dreams do come true.

What’s going on ?

Before the Dodgers vs Padres series, Dodgers’ Manager Joe Torre said this series he will find out the make-up of his ballclub. Ok, I get it, Torre is trying to motivate his team. But I have one serious question to ask. If that was the case, why did Torre have 3B Casey Blake, CF Matt Kemp, and C Russell Martin on the bench for the final game? All I know is, if I were the manager there is no way would I sit those players down during an important series. Well, Joe Torre’s handling of his ballclub brings back memories of Bruce Bochy (aka handling of Xavier Nady). Anyways, the Padres capitalize on this wonderful opportunity and took care of business.

Padres dip into the Bird’s nest for more resources

The Padres completed a trade with the Baltimore Orioles for 3B/SS Miguel Tejeda. I like this deal very much, and Tejeda will bring in some killer instincts to the Padres ballclub. Miguel will provide the much need protection behind Adrian and make the line-up even better than it is now. Hopefully, Tejeda will enjoy some of that San Diego Fountain of Youth (Sunshine and Wonderful Weather) that will ultimately rejuvenate his competitive juices during a pennant race. Welcome to San Diego, Miguel Tejeda. We Believe !!!

As the Padres defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers by the score of 3-2 and took the series from the bums of the North as the bums left San Diego all Blue on Black. A classic blues rock music video by Kenny Wayne Shepherd band titled “Blue on Black”.

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