If you ever get the chance to see a guitarist named Barry Flanagan play, by all means do so. He’s from New Jersey but he combines Hawaiian slack-key style with elements of Chet Atkins, Mark Knopfler, Wes Montgomery, and Al DiMeola. Formerly of Hapa, Flanagan is a treat to watch.

Pardon the diversion, but I just saw him play the other night for about the fifth or sixth time, and the guy simply blows my mind. Just wanted to share that with you. Now back to our regularly scheduled program…

Kevin Towers the other day referred to recently acquired Bernabel Castro as the Padres’ future leadoff hitter, possibly as early as 2004. He’ll jump up to Double-A Mobile this year and be paired up with young shortstop Donaldo Mendez. Interesting how with a few small moves second base has become an organizational position of strength. The acquisition of Ramon Vazquez pushes D’Angelo Jimenez to second at the big-league level, making the slick-fielding Damian Jackson a backup. The acquisition of Castro from the Yankees, the drafting of Josh Barfield, and the transition of Jake Gatreau to the position have all made second base a real hot spot in the system. Talk of Xavier Nady and his troublesome elbow moving to second has all but died, with left field being his new projected future home.

My first ballgame of the year starts in about 20 minutes. Oregon State is in town to face my 8-0 Toreros. Woo-hoo!