NCAA Tourney

You know I don’t care much for college hoops, but holy smokes, the Toreros are going to the dance! They haven’t been in the tourney since a few months before I got there back in 1987. Way to go, guys!

Spring Training Update

• Say it softly: Vazquez at short (U-T). Ramon Vazquez was named the starting shortstop and leadoff hitter for the Pads. He was expected to hit lower against lefties, but with the season-ending injury to Phil Nevin, Mark Kotsay likely will bat third every day, which keeps Vazquez at the top.
• Eaton, Loretta have big games in 6-6 tie (U-T). Adam Eaton worked four innings Wednesday, and Bruce Bochy opined that his young right-hander is fully recovered from 2001 surgery.
• Addition by subtraction? (U-T). The Padres are looking to unload players with long-term contracts such as Bubba Trammell, Kevin Jarvis, and Wiki Gonzalez. They have expressed interest in the Yankees’ Raul Mondesi, the Orioles’ Brook Fordyce (?), and the Mets’ Jeromy Burnitz. Also, some in the organization share Rick Sutcliffe’s fascination with Donaldo Mendez and believe he may eventually push Vazquez to second base. You can pick yourself back up off the floor now. Bochy compares catcher Michael Rivera to the Braves’ Javy Lopez. He also said that lefty Mike Bynum is making a push for the fifth starter spot. Now that would make for an interesting rotation.
• Nevin-less Padres aren’t dealing yet (NC Times). Phil Nevin’s surgery went well. Kevin Towers isn’t panicking, and so far has resisted efforts by "ambulance chasers" to make a trade. In addition to Mondesi and Burnitz, Tampa Bay’s Ben Grieve (intriguing) is mentioned as a possibility. BTW, if you don’t already know it, Shaun O’Neill at the NC Times probably covers the Padres better than anyone else in town.
• Kotsay inherits No. 3 spot in order (NC Times). Brian Lawrence worked four strong innings. Luther Hackman became the first Padre reliever to pitch on back-to-back days. Xavier Nady missed yesterday’s game because of groin tightness; it’s not serious and he’s expected to play today. Sean Burroughs experienced soreness in his throwing shoulder but it was attributed to "normal spring soreness." Jaret Wright is recovering well from his strained left oblique; Jay Witasick’s elbow has been slower to heal. Michael Rivera continues to impress.

Reading Material

Picked up John B. Holway’s The Baseball Astrologer the other day. This is basically a collection of unusual baseball stories. Holway is a bit "out there"–ouija boards, UFOs, and of course astrology–but this makes for an interesting read. For instance, thanks to Tony Gwynn and Rogers Hornsby, Tauruses have won the most batting championships. It’s a fact. Take it for whatever you think it’s worth.

What’s really cool about this book, though, are the anectodal pieces. The story of shortstop Jack Lohrke repeatedly defying death is fascinating, as is that of Jim Busby’s 1958 season. An outfielder, Busby played in 113 games for the Orioles that year, hitting an unremarkable .237/.320/.330 (OPS+ 84). But according to Holway, the O’s went 74-37 in games Busby started. When he sat, they went 0-42. Yep, you read that right. They lost all 42 games in which Busby wasn’t in the lineup. I ran a quick Google search but couldn’t come up with anything more about this bizarre feat, so I’ll have to assume Holway, who has written several baseball books–most notably about the Negro Leagues–has done his research. Heck, he thanks Pete Palmer for helping out with stats.

I’m barely in to this thing, and I don’t really know what to make of Holway. But his book certainly is entertaining. And in the end, isn’t that the whole point of baseball anyway?

Here, There, and Everywhere

Thanks to one of the legion of Jeffs for helping me out with the ending to The Langoliers. I feel much better now.

Thanks to another of the Jeffs for pointing out the new Petco Park webcam the other day. Oh, that reminds me. We’re getting a Yahoo fantasy baseball league together. At last check there were eight teams; we’re looking for four more. Drop me a line if interested, and I’ll send you the details.

That’s about all for now. My band Tunesmith will be at Janie’s in Chula Vista tomorrow and Saturday night. Stop by and say hey if you’re in the neighborhood. I’ll be wearing the Hawaiian shirt and Elsinore Storm cap.