Notes and Links: Special “Winning Is Fun” Edition
Tue, May 31, 2005
by Geoff Young
Today’s edition features recaps of the latest Padre victory, injury updates, changes at the hot corner, a couple of tasty interviews, and more of the best out on the web.
- Pads Win Again Despite The Geoff Jenkins Show (San Diego Spotlight). Rich gives a nice recap of Monday night’s 2-1 victory over the Brewers. Geoff Jenkins was absolutely ridiculous out in right field. The ball that Khalil Greene hit should have been a double.
- Gaslamp Ball’s Dex was at the game and asks if it’s possible to be better than ‘98 good. I’m not going to say yes to that question, but I think it’s time to start giving it serious consideration.
- And the local papers give their recaps: NC Times, U-T. The NC Times also has an injury update on Sean Burroughs and Andy Ashby. Burroughs is “a few days away,” while Ashby is having more elbow troubles. Speaking of Burroughs, he may not be starting when he returns anyway, with Geoff Blum apparently keeping the job. That’s what a .294 slugging percentage will do, I suppose.
- Exclusive Interview: John Weisbarth! (Gaslamp Ball). Channel 4’s Weisbarth talks about his memories of the 1984 Padres, Ramon Hernandez, Greene, Phil Nevin, and more. Good stuff.
- Baseball Digest Daily Welcomes Mr. Bill James!. Thanks to LynchMob for finding this one. The best parts are the bits on Earl Weaver and the declining importance of defense as strikeouts and home runs increase.
- Richard over at Friar Faithful looks at Dave Roberts‘ contribution to the Pads’ success this year. It’s tongue-in-cheek, but the numbers are compelling: over the past two years, teams have a .735 winning percentage when Roberts plays (117 games), as opposed to just .516 when he does not (223 games).
- Richard also breaks down the Pads rotation and bullpen. We knew the relief corps was good, but damn! And speaking of Richard, congrats on the new gig over at Beyond the Box Score. Be sure to check it out when you have a moment.
- The Best Team Nobody’s Talking About (Sports Central). Derek Daggett gives the Friars a little love.
- Ranking the General Managers (Hardball Times). Kevin Towers was seventh from the bottom for 2004 according to this study. If it helps, the Dodgers’ Paul DePodesta checks in four slots below Towers.
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May 31, 2005 at 11:59 am
Thanks for the link to Derek Daggett’s article about the Padres … which was classic in the misperceptions (IMHO) … and so I posted a few clarifying comments … gotta get those guys straightened out!