On this current homestand I would have expect to see good crowds with three good quality teams, St. Louis Cardinals, Washington Nationals and New York Mets. Yeah Yeah I heard the fans might come out when the weather gets a bit warmer, but for crying outloud this is San Diego ! Not North Dakota ! Even where I work, I ask a few people why haven’t they been out to the games, and I get the same response all the time. It’s the Padres, they are lucky. I stand before them and say check out my blog, watch a game on TV, even better go to one game and be a judge for yourself. What truly amazes me, is we are damn lucky to even have a professional baseball franchise and a good one at that. Come on folks ! Many of you had criticized the Moores and Alderson regime, why not support this trio of Moorad, Garfinkel, and Hoyer? What I always hear from colleagues at work and abroad the streets of San Diego is. The team can’t win with a lousy hitting. Even the Nation wide sports writers are starting to notice the Padres, though I am sure they are also doubting that this team can make it to the playoffs.

Well since we are speaking about the Padres and their lack of potent offense, let me bring a few real examples of teams that did make it deep into the playoffs and even two teams won the World Series.

• 1906 Chicago White Sox – The 1906 World Series featured a crosstown matchup between the Chicago Cubs, who had posted the highest regular-season win total (116) and winning percentage (.763) in the major leagues since the advent of the 154-game season; and the Chicago White Sox. The White Sox, known as the “Hitless Wonders” after finishing with the worst team batting average (.230) in the American League, beat the Cubs in six games for one of the greatest upsets in Series history.
• 1983 Philadelphia Phillies – The average team age of these 1983 “Wheeze Kid” Phils was 32 years, a contrast to the cast of “Whiz Kid” Phillies of 1950 who averaged 26 years. Wags in Philadelphia joked at the time that this older team even played in Veterans Stadium. Joining 42-year-old first baseman Pete Rose were 1970s Cincinnati Reds teammates, 41-year-old first baseman Tony Perez and 39-year-old second baseman Joe Morgan. But the real batting star on this team was 33-year-old Mike Schmidt, who would have another MVP-type year with 40 home runs and 109 RBIs. No other teammate would hit over sixteen home runs (Joe Morgan) or drive in over 64 runs (Bo Diaz). Veteran pitcher, Steve Carlton had a mediocre year at 15–16—his first losing season since 1973 when his record was 13–20. In his first full season with Philadelphia, John Denny, would win the Cy Young Award with a league leading 19–6 record, and a 2.37 ERA winning thirteen of his last fourteen decisions. Closer Al Holland would finish second in the league with 25 saves and win the NL Rolaids Relief Award. Hanging around for their swan songs were relief pitchers, 40 year-old Ron Reed and 38 year-old Tug “Ya Gotta Believe” McGraw, who wouldn’t see any World Series action. The 1983 Phillies had the lowest overall batting average (.195) for a World Series team since the 1974 Oakland Athletics.

• 1988 Los Angeles Dodgers – The Dodgers’ team batting did not finish in the top five in any offensive statistical category except batting average (fifth), at .248—no regular or backup hit over .300 or drove in over 90 runs. Kirk Gibson’s 25 home runs led the team but was only good enough for seventh in the National League. Slugger Pedro Guerrero had a sub-par year and was traded in July to the Cardinals for pitcher John Tudor. No position player was good enough to make the All-Star Game. However, the Dodgers were sixth in the NL in runs scored and backed that up with excellent pitching. Despite dealing All-Star pitcher Bob Welch to Oakland prior to spring training and an injury to Fernando Valenzuela (5–8, 4.24 ERA), the Dodgers were second in the NL in team ERA and runs allowed, and led the league in complete games and shutouts. The staff was anchored by Cy Young Award-winner Orel Hershiser, who led league in wins, won-loss percentage (23–8, .864), complete games (15), shutouts (8), and sacrifice hits (19). Hershiser was backed-up by a pair of “Tims,” Tim Leary (17–11, 2.91) and rookie Tim Belcher (12–6, 2.91), and the July acquisition of John Tudor further strengthened the staff. The bullpen was outstanding, headed by Jay Howell (21 saves, 2.08), Alejandro Peña (12 saves, 1.91), and longtime New York Mets closer Jesse Orosco. The Dodger bullpen led the league in saves with 49.

Now, the above facts speaks for themselves. Two out of three teams had WON a World Series, it’s so overlooked by those who expect big bombers and lot’s of runs scored. If you take a deeper look at those three teams above, the 1988 Los Angeles Dodgers were far more awful in terms of offensive performance than the 2010 Padres so far. Even the Padres pitching staff is performing above the 1988 Dodgers team. So, folks in San Diego, stop your whining about this Padres team that can’t hit. Give them time, there are many youngsters on this team that are learning the ropes of the Major Leagues while holding tight onto 1st place. Give them credit ! Come out and support them ! Cheer them on !

As I wrap up this post, the Padres are on the verge of closing out the 2nd month of baseball and it’s time for San Diegan’s to get that BOUNCE in their legs and head down to Petco Park. It’s time to support this exciting team ! With that being said, the music video is of Blues Musician, the Blind man from N’Orleans Bryan Lee with the song titled “The Bounce”.