first pitch: 1:05 p.m., PT
television: Channel 4
matchup: Tim Stauffer (1-4, 4.78 ERA) vs Jason Schmidt (6-3, 4.81 ERA)
previews: ESPN | CBS | Padres.com
Great Rickey Henderson moment at Saturday night’s Surf Dawgs game. You need to remember that Henderson is the all-time Major League leader in runs scored and stolen bases, has 3000+ hits, and is a sure-fire first-ballot HOFer. But here he is, playing in front of a few hundred folks at Tony Gwynn Stadium, getting on base and causing his usual havoc on the bases (and starting in center field – at age 46!).
So he’s on third when a teammate, the right fielder, strikes out to end the inning. And this guy is pretty fired up (he wasn’t sure about one of the earlier pitches in the at-bat that was called a strike). Dude throws his stuff to the ground and slowly walks back out to his position.
Henderson, meantime, has gone back into the dugout to get his glove and cap, and then starts trotting out to center field. But, noticing his teammate standing out in right without his stuff, Henderson heads back to the dugout, grabs the dude’s gear and trots out to right field to hand it to him. Henderson proceeds to spend the entire “warm-up” time huddled with the right fielder, just talking to him. When it’s time to start the inning, Henderson flings the ball (which has been sitting in his glove this whole time) back to the bench and takes his position in center field.
Anyone who might question Henderson’s motives for playing indy ball this late in his career hasn’t seen the guy out on the field at a game. He is truly a pleasure to watch, both in the way he plays the game and in the way he carries himself.
So, Back to the Padres
Good to see the Padres win last night. Midway through the season, they are 44-37 (same as last year). I managed to catch most of the game on replay. Woody Williams looked shaky early but battled back to get the win (interesting but useless: David Wells, the pitcher Williams replaced, notched the Pads’ 44th victory in 2004). And how about Eric Young and Ben Johnson! Nice to see Young back out on the field again. He’s one of those guys loaded with intangibles – you know, that stuff we can’t figure out how to fit into a neat little equation. 
As for Johnson, he joins Xavier Nady and Jake Peavy as members of the 2001 Lake Elsinore Storm currently with the big club. That 2001 Storm team dominated the Cal League and finished with the best record in all of the minors (they were declared Cal League co-champions when the championship series was cancelled due to 9/11, but make no mistake – they would have beaten the San Jose Giants pretty handily). Johnson played right field on that team, while Nady was at first base. Just like last night. And last night, Johnson came through with a two-run double for his first big-league hit. Congratulations, and thank you! This team needed a little pick-me-up.
More on Quantrill
Who is Paul Quantrill? His recent stint in the Big Apple notwithstanding, the recently acquired right-hander actually has had a great deal of success as a big-league reliever. Here’s how he’s done since moving to the bullpen full time in 1997:
G IP ERA H/9 HR/9 BB/9 SO/9 631 664.2 3.28 10.06 0.56 2.17 5.32
Around the plate, keeps the ball in the yard. Also, very resilient. He’s led the league in appearances in each of the past four seasons (which may help explain his recent ineffectiveness). Here’s Quantrill’s record from 1997 to 2003 (i.e., before he went to the Yankees):
G IP ERA H/9 HR/9 BB/9 SO/9 523 537.1 2.81 9.56 0.52 2.23 5.78
He is 36 years old, so it’s entirely possible that his best days are behind him. But considering that the Padres were able to move two ineffective pitchers off their roster and save $190k, I think they did okay.
I’ll be out at this afternoon’s game. If Kevin Correia can beat Jake Peavy, then Stauffer can beat Schmidt. Right?
Go get ‘em, boys.
sorry, keep forgetting you are on radio…Greene, Nady and Roberts all converged on the short pop-up…Khalil was called off and peeled away and it looked to me like Nady cut off Dave…
Quantrill is warming up…
Leitner sort of (NOT!) described it. Your description gives me a different picture, not surprisingly.
End of seven. I don’t know if a two-run lead will hold.
warm up the bell-ringers…
I’d still like a couple more insurance runs.
And we’re getting one right now, as EY scores!
alright! that one had a white cane and a dog….
I won’t be as nervous when the bells ring.
Hell’sBells…
well, even the second base umpire is shocked that was called a strike…
Apparently a rundown ensued when the inning was already over?
Death.
Taxes.
More bells
Yes, and everybody was shocked the inning was over at all…that’s how bad the call was…
good night now!
Hoffman!
Padres win!Padres win!Padres win!Padres win!Padres win!Padres win!Padres win!Padres win!Padres win!Padres win!Padres win!Padres win!Padres win!Padres win!Padres win!Padres win!
Thanks for hangin’ out, Rich. Have a terrific Fourth!
…off to ESPN to see who gets selected so I can moan about who gets left off…
Nice win. Gaints have a lot of LHP relievers. Bad match ups for Klesko, Roberts and Sweeney. I would have hit some RH in there somewhere instead of just delivering outs. Put we won.
Giles is the best player on the Padres. I thought he got snubbed, but I guess they had to take other outfielders and get someone from every team. Dammit!
Peavy is the best player on the Padres … too much emphasis on “this season” cost Ramon his spot … Hoffy had to get some consideration also … I’m OK with only Peavy going … this team is about depth …
I was at today’s game … got a bit upset with Roberts when he backed up on JT Snows “single to center” in the top of the 1st … he took 2 steps back, then it dropped in front of him … between the Burroughs OLE yesterday and Roberts’ false start today, our pitchers are getting a few extra ERs on their record … if I were official scorer, I’d be a bit tougher on defenders … gotta make the plays!