Posts Tagged ‘Towers’

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Has anyone really noticed what Alderson and Fuson has done ?….

Sunday, June 27th, 2010

There has been much credit given to Former Padres GM Kevin Towers on the current success of the 2010 Padres. Though, there are a few players that were drafted under Alderson and Fuson who are having an impact on their teams. I am speaking of Cardinals’ 3B David Freese and Yankees’ OF Chad Huffman. The latter was a re-assignment during the last few weeks in Spring Training where the Yankees end up claiming. It was no surprise they did so, why? Because who is the scout for the Yankees, yes that Former Padres’ GM Kevin Towers. This time, he will get credit for picking up Huffman but the truth these type of players were never drafted under his leadership as the GM of the Padres. This Padres franchise is loaded up with some great prospects in the farm system and credit is all due to Sandy Alderson’s leadership. Let’s not forget what Sandy Alderson did for this organization when it was in shambles in terms of minor league talent. I am glad to see a couple of former Padres minor league talent make it with other teams.

Homestand coming up…..

This upcoming 3 game series at home with the Rockies is very important. The Padres have a chance to make the lead larger by beating the Rockies while the Dodgers and Giants battle each other out.  A Padre win guarantees, two western division teams will lose a game in the standings. I bet, everyone on the club knows of this. The weekend series against the Astros will not be a cake walk either. The Astros are playing much better and there is a fella named Roy Oswalt on that team who’s a damn good pitcher. The Dodgers and Rockies will be battling each other during this time, so once again a Padre win correlates to one team in the division standings losing a game in the standings. It all comes down to putting more pressure on those teams who are chasing the Padres in the standings. So with that being said, Come on San Diegan’s attend a few games this week and holiday weekend. The Padres are for real.

As the Padres ended the Florida Trip with 5-1 record, here’s a music video by Joe Cocker titled “Feelin’ Alright”. I am sure the Padres are feeling alright as well as many San Diego Padres fans throughout our wonderful Nation.

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The New Kids on the Block…..

Saturday, May 1st, 2010

As April closes, the Padres are in FIRST PLACE in the National League West Division. Yup ! You heard that right Padres Fans ! With all due respect, I take my hat off and congratulate Ex-Padres CEO Sandy Alderson and Ex-Padres Baseball Operations Grady Fuson. These two people laid down the foundation and literally built up the farm system from ground zero. A few journalist who covers baseball fail to acknowledge this and give credit to former GM Kevin Towers. I disagree completely, though I will admit Kevin Towers did make some trades, most notably the Jake Peavy and Scott Hairston which brought in a handful of pitchers. Fox Sports baseball analyst Ken Rosenthal had alluded that Kevin Towers had built this team. If Rosenthal had did some homework, he would have found over the course of 15 years, Towers was never known for his farm system.

May is here and things are going to get even more interesting. So far the Padres are making news around the league and some players have been on ESPN and MLB Network highlights. According to Fox Sports Baseball Power Rankings, the Padres are 8th and if you don’t believe me check this out here. I still believe this Padres team will end up the NL Wild-Card entry. The style of baseball they play can legitimately be successful in any ball park. This team reminds me like those St. Louis Cardinals, that Whitey Hertzog had with the rabbits (Vince Coleman, Ozzie Smith, and Willie McGhee) and Bomber (Jack Clark). Though, our Padres version has more power with Adrian, Kyle Blanks, Will Venable and Chase Headley.

Player of the Month – April

This is a tie between LHP Wade LeBlanc, 3B Chase Headley, and RHP Tim Stauffer. All three players had a profound affect on the Padres record during April. LeBlanc, substituting for Chris Young has been very impressive and surely earned a starting spot in the rotation. As I had mentioned before on a previous post, the Padres are going to make a move or two before May. Well May is here, give and take a week or so, the move is coming. Headley has assumed the clean-up spot and providing great protection for Adrian Gonzalez. Not only that, Headley has driven in runs when the opposing pitchers have walked Adrian intentionally. As for Stauffer, his value continues to skyrocket just like a few silver junior mining stocks are doing at the moment. Stauffer has provided the Padres outstanding long relief and has been vital in keeping the staff fresh. Kudos to these three players, and Padres fans, let’s give them a round of applause during the games when these player names are announced.

As I close out this post, and the Padres are creeping up on the so called experts charts, here’s a song titled ‘The Creeper’ by Blues artist James Cotton. Let’s Go Padres, send out a signal MAY DAY !…THE PADRES ARE FOR REAL !!…

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The Trigger has been pulled twice on one day……

Saturday, August 1st, 2009

On this Saturday morning 1 Aug 2009, one day after Padres GM Kevin Towers had pulled the trigger not ONCE but TWICE in his attempts to rebuild his mess that has occurred under his watch. Let’s really analyze what took place on Friday 31 July:

  • GM Towers sent Padres Staff Ace and Homegrown talent Jake Peavy to the Chicago White Sox for 4 pitchers, Clayton Richard, Aaron Poreda, Dexter Carter, and Aaron Russell. Hmmm, okay that is fine and in a span of two weeks the Padres have acquired 7 pitchers. But the real problem has yet to be addressed –Offense–.  As I continue on with the analysis, quoting Towers directly “Maybe there’s a Jake Peavy in the bunch” Well if there is one, it is highly probable that in a couple of years the Padres will once again trade great talent for prospects. Even Sox GM Kenny Williams said after the trade “To get a number 1, you have to pay the price. Clayton Richard, we believe, especially going to the National League and in San Diego’s ballpark,” Sox GM Williams told him.  “You are about to be a very successful and rich man. You are going to do well over there.” See article posted on Padres.com. As I alluded before, I surely hope the Padres do attempt to keep the players they acquired from this trade for a good time frame like 4-5 years. This franchise needs stability and consistency from the coaching staff to the players.   I am not against that at all, but what seems to be a consistent behavior pattern here is the Padres have no real plan. Hello ! it’s the offense that needs some major league talent, and you can have the best pitching staff while still losing close games. Speaking of the Offense, my second vital point is about to be made.
  • Padres’ GM Kevin Towers once again fails to admit failure in his inability to grab the best qualified hitting coach and fires coach Jim Lefebvre. This is the FOURTH batting coach change in the last FIVE years, once again a consistent pattern. In the current software business, companies who acknowledge they have failed, are the ones in the long run who will become successful. Simply, because they shown they care and take the accountability for their own actions. Having fired FOUR coaches in FIVE years simply tells me, the person in charge of hiring is unsuccessful and a failure at trying distinguish good coaching abilities from the crop of wealth that remains in the leagues.

So, the real question is when will the other two triggers will be pulled. I am specifically referring to either Gonzalez or Bell trade and the firing of Towers. Before the public (fan base) can learn to trust the Padres’ Baseball Operations, the Baseball Operations must learn to trust the public’s knowledge of the game. What really is the point here is, the truth about truth is itself counter-intuitive. Corrections do not diminish creditability. Corrections enhance creditability. Standing up and admitting your errors makes you more believable, it gives your audience (fan base) faith that you will right your future wrongs.  Being willing to be wrong is a key to innovation and for all successful organizations. The ball is in the Padres’ Front Office and Baseball Operations court now, the clock is ticking.

As for the team, the Padres have been on a winning streak and showing signs of life which is very entertaining.To wrap up this post, I have a song by Aerosmith, titled “Train Kept on Rollin”. This is a cool video by some young man playing his guitar to the song.

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Listen to your fans, if you want the fans to return….

Monday, July 27th, 2009

In today’s web environment, successful companies like Google, Amazon, Dell, and others listens to their customers and builds services based on customer’s desires. It’s time the Padres Front Office listens to their fan base and make a bold move before 31 July 09 trading deadline. This organization has not made ONE major transaction since the off-season trade for Adrian Gonzalez and Chris Young back in winter of 2005. It was recently reported that Kevin Towers said the Padres might make a few small trades before the trading deadline. Hmmm, hasn’t Towers been making small trades all this time ? Towers should trade Adrian Gonzalez and get back atleast 4 players who can play at the major league level now. If Towers is afraid of losing the fan base, he and the others in the Front Office should check out the attendance at the last home game (12K).

I have been posting repeatedly, Kevin Towers needs to show the fan base he is willing to pull a trigger vice talking a good game. It’s do or die for the Baseball Operations as the product on the field is very reflective on the baseball operations. If Florida Marlins, Tampa Bay Rays, and Minnesota Twins can produced great young talent from the farm system, there is no reason why San Diego can’t do the same. For now, all things are looking to the GM’s seat as everything has occurred under his watch. Pull the trigger and shake up the entire organization, the resort-like atmosphere shall not be tolerated.

Come on Towers shake your booty and pull that trigger, give us Padres fans a chance for some hope. Here’s a closing video, KC & The Sunshine Band, titled “Shake Your Booty”

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More shuffling the cards of decks though the dealer remains the same….

Saturday, July 18th, 2009

The second half of the season has begun and unfortunately for all Padres fans, the results remain the same. Padres just called up Pitcher Mat Latos and will make his major league debut on Sunday against the Rockies. The Sandy Alderson and Grady Fuson protege will finally show those people who had lack of confidence in the Alderson regime that their drafting philosophy was in fact legit. The roster continues to be overhauled with majority of talent that was drafted by Sandy Alderson’s regime. Though, since Alderson has been let go the most prominent front office personnel is Kevin Towers. I would imagine, Towers is being closely watch and observe thoroughly these last few months of the season. As with all cases, new ownership and CEO usually want their own hand pick people, given consideration that recently hired Bob Melvin has been given the title of assessing the current minor league system. This move is quite significant, Towers and Fuson may be the next ones to be let go from their current responsibilities and titles. I, personally think the Grady Fuson has made a huge impact on the Padres minor league system. In my most humble opinion, it is Towers who should be shown the door. With that being said, what will be Mgr Bud Black status? I would re-sign Black for 3 yrs and let him work with the youngsters. Black had worked with many throughout his days with the Angels and deserves a fair shot given consideration the situation he was placed in by Kevin Towers.

The Padres should demote P Josh Greer and cut their loses with Greer. Let’s bring up Carrillo, Buschmann, and any other pitcher who should have a legit shot of starting. I like the fact Tim Stauffer is looking rather quite emotionally and physically strong. I still believe in Stauffer, and most Padres should remember Stauffer was already hurting physically when he got drafted initially. I foresee a starting rotation of Jake Peavy, Chris Young, Kevin Correria, Tim Stauffer, and Mat Latos

It’s time for the Padres to have some fun, and I will conclude this post with a music video by Con Funk Shun, song titled ‘FUN’. Do enjoy Padres fans and let’s have some fun while going to the games.

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Time to step up and make a bold move, fire the GM…..

Saturday, July 11th, 2009

If you think that Wall Street has hit the bottom, think otherwise because sometime in the fall the market will fall to a threshold of 4500. The Padres have reached the bottom literally in one week, they were nearly involved in a no-hitter, following night they were in fact NO-HITTED, and they settled at LAST PLACE. How did they get here ? From horrendous drafts from 1996 through 2005 and who’s accountable ? Gone is all the former CEO’s, some scouts, coaches, and a manager. Though, only person who’s accountable still remains with the ballclub, the GM.

It’s time for the franchise to step up to the plate and be honest with not only to those fans who are true baseball fans, but to those who have supported the franchise for a very long time. Ray Kroc, back in the 1980′s apologize, what has changed since then ? The Padres have a new stadium, in downtown and though the results remain the same despite a growing town in terms of population and wealth in comparison to the 1980′s. Just maybe, Towers can go out and bring back Joey Hamilton since he has already brought back Brian Lawerence to the Padres.

Trading Scott Hairston for a three-pack of prospects is like a financial adviser telling you to sell google stocks for three junior miner stocks who have limited funding and potential earnings. We call that high risk investments, and thank god Towers isn’t my day financial adviser or I couldn’t afford my season tickets because I would be broke. Let’s trade Towers for a few GM prospects, just maybe this organization will get in the right direction.

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Cabrera brings synergy to the Pathetic Padres….

Sunday, June 21st, 2009

If there was a turning point in this season with the Padres, I would have to point on that Sunday in Philly against the Phillies when the Padres were winning the game on a very successful early season road trip through New York and Philadelphia. On that Sunday afternoon not only did the Padres lose the game but lost Everth Cabrera to an injury. Since then, the Padres have been boring and shown no speed what so ever until the acquisition of Tony Gywnn Jr. Last night, while at the game I’d witnessed some synergy from the Padres who had Kyle Blanks in Left field and Everth Cabrera at Shortstop. Even Mgr Bud Black had a twist to the line-up with Pitcher Walter Silva batting in the 8th slot and Cabrera in the 9th slot. That gave Black an advantage with two speedsters back to back in the order with Cabrera and Gywnn Jr. Though, it didn’t help at all and as usual the Padres lost another interleague game to the visiting Oakland A’s. You would think, based on the Padres lack of speed, they would have an advantage playing these AL West teams. So much for wishful thinking and as I had alluded before this season is history, only now we await for further roster moves. Speaking of moves, P Josh Greer wouldn’t be on the roster nor would I have re-signed P Brian Lawrence. Just a typical Kevin Tower’s acquisition, like an old-time miner trying to find gold in an historic gold mine which hasn’t been in production in over several decades. Going to the well too many times will eventually burn you and maybe it’s time to trade Towers for a couple of prospects. Hahaha !

All I have to say to all the Padres fans out there, the few weeks before the trading deadline are going to be exciting and we will all be taking a voyage, a fantastic one at that ! Here’s a video by Lakeside, called ‘Fantastic Voyage’

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Is it worth watching anymore?…..

Sunday, June 14th, 2009

I am back to posting after taking leave due to the fact I had sustain an elbow injury to a nerve. In that time span, I have seen the Padres have a winning and losing streak. People had asked me what do I think about the Padres last winning streak and my response was “This streak resembles much like the Market’s Bear Rally. It’s just a mirage of what’s head of us –storm and turbulence–”. The latest set back of Jake Peavy along with Scott Hairston, has set the tone for the rest of this season. This team is out of it and all fingers are now pointing towards Padres’ GM Kevin Towers. Everything has occurred under his tenure with the Padres and time has come to hold someone accountable for this. This is surely not General Motors, Wait a Minute ! Maybe it is and Padres fans are paying out their pension plans. Hahahaha…Hey Padres fans, most of you hated Sandy Alderson and who’s next for this latest debacle? Let me hear your thoughts, don’t be shy. Who should be accountable for this ? Sound off. Remaining status quo is unacceptable in any failing organization/company, unless it’s the government and we won’t go there.

As a long time season-ticket holder, I am entertaining thoughts of raffling off my remaining season tickets for 10.00 per game. I will most likely entertain 20 bids per each raffle. Not bad, considering they are toyota terrace seats and in this economy, hell it’s a deal ! Stay tuned for more details later. Otherwise, let’s hope this organization’s Front office wises up, otherwise this Bear Padre Rally can only last so long.

Ahh, it’s Dangerous now, both economically and baseball wise for San Diegan’s. Here’s the Ying Yang Twins song called ‘Dangerous’

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Say what embarrassing ? More like down right pathetic !….

Saturday, May 16th, 2009

I have been purposely staying away from blogging due to the fact, I believe in keeping up some class and not focusing on the negative so much. As you are all aware, there’s been nothing but negativity with the Padres since their downward spiral. The entire organization from Front Office to the low minors are all facing the heat of the pathetic major league ball club. Though, I have been listening to Mighty XX Padres sports-talk station, reading blogs and various news outlets regarding the Padres. Plain and simple, the fans are fed up with the excuses and propaganda that is thrown to them. The latest from Padres’ GM Kevin Towers stating in today’s Union-Tribune, that he is embarrassed about his club. Well, that is very much in tune what Ex-Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan said about the economy. Greenspan re-iterated in the newspaper, his lowering the interest rates from 2001-2003 did NOT create a housing/mortgage crisis. Hmmm, okay if you say so Greenspan ! Now, a few days later Towers admits he’s embarrassed about his club. This is the second time in a year that Towers has said that and who’s been the GM of the Padres for the last 15 years ? You guessed it Kevin Towers. I know I know, for some of you this is a known fact for others who are just wondering, maybe the light went on as you can see through the propaganda.

So what has been Tower’s MO for 15 years ? Pick-N-Save, grab the players who have lost value and squeeze out something from them in terms of production. If lucky, then probably use them as trade bait. Hey, I am all for that philosophy as it had worked on occasion. But like a gold/silver investor, that’s like saying I am going to purchase several mining exploration companies who are selling for .05-.09 on the stock market in hopes of hitting a 5-bagger (5 times potential growth in terms of wealth). It’s called Speculation and when you perform some speculation, you best hope you have eliminated the majority of the risks associated with that investment philosophy. In terms of baseball, the Padres have done nothing in regards to player development and they have been going too much into the well for speculation on so-so talent. Bold organizations make bold statements as I have been professing the past 8-9 months. So far, this Padres organization is not a bold organization, as no one has pulled a trigger that could shake up this entire pathetic organization. It’s time to admit this team will be torn apart and build from ground zero, the loyal season ticket-holders earned that respect. Afterall, those loyal season ticket-holders are the backbone in supporting this organization. A few might not like the ‘philosophy’ on how the baseball organization is executed. Though, they are simply there to witness some good baseball and when it comes to that basic fundamental thinking, the Padres organization must come through on their behalf.

May June bring a sense of freshness, starting with the Amateur Draft. This time, the Padres HAVE NO EXCUSES, the front office is up to the dish and the count is 0-2, bases loaded, bottom of the 9th and they are trailing 4-3. Is the front office going to be 0-6 with prospects in the 1st round ? Almost replicating the ballclub’s horrendous RISP percentage. If the Front Office goes 0-6, soon a few will be Dust in the Wind, as this leads into the next video of the day. Kansas playing ‘Dust In The Wind’

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Will someone please stop the bleeding…..

Sunday, May 3rd, 2009

Losing streak extends to FIVE games as the Padres were swept by the Dodgers. Just plain old miserable is what sums up my thoughts on the Padres right now. Once again, opportunities were there for the Padres to take and grab control of the game. But as usual, on a consistent manner unfortunately the Padres FAIL to CAPITALIZE on key situations with runners in scoring position. It’s becoming quite evident the Padres do not have anyone else besides Adrian Gonzalez to step up. I don’t want to be in GM Kevin Towers seat right now, because he’s steering the ship along with Mgr Buddy Black that represents the Titanic. Just maybe, the spot price of silver will hit 25.00 per ounce before the Padres win their 25th game of the season. Here I thought only Wall Street Market is in a sucker rally but evidently the Padres start from the opening gate was also a sucker rally. There has to be a blockbuster deal soon, otherwise it’s going to be a long very long year and the fan base will eventually erode as well. I know we are in some hard economic times but there were a few people back in 2000 that knew this was coming (credit followed by the soon currency crisis). In baseball terms, I am sure a few front office personnel in the Padres also seen this coming (lack of talent) as well.

To sum up this entire weekend in which the Padres were swept under the carpet like some lost critter on the cold flooring, here’s a music video by Leona Lewis vs Duffy titled ‘Bleeding Mercy’.

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