Friday Links (28 Apr 06)
Fri, Apr 28, 2006
by Geoff Young
First off, apologies for the recent technical difficulties around here. I am hopeful that the powers-that-be have resolved those — if you do notice any problems, please drop me a line (and thanks to folks who did this time) so I can pester the appropriate parties. One of the beauties of being “indy” again is that not only am I the head writer at Ducksnorts, I’m also the admin.
“Hey, Geoff, great story; tell us more!”
Right. Onto the links:
- Somebody please hit ‘PLAY’ (San Diego Union-Tribune). Everyone’s frustrated by the Padres’ slow start. Not to make light of it or anything, because they do need to start playing better, but if they beat the Dodgers tonight, the Pads will have the same record after 22 games as they did last year when they won the division. Then again, counting on another 22-6 May isn’t the best strategy.
- Padres reliever earns his keep (North County Times). Nice piece on Scott Cassidy, who has been one of the early bright spots in a surprisingly good bullpen. He’s certainly helping the Padres a lot more than Adam Hyzdu, for whom he was traded last summer, would have. No disrespect to Hyzdu, it’s just that the Friars have more than enough outfielders. Reliable relievers? Not so much.
- Top 100 San Diego Padres: #90 Jerry Turner (Friar Faithful). Lance and Richard continue their countdown, Casey Kasem style, to #1. The writeups are great, and so are the graphics. Check out the sweet ‘fro on Turner.
- Hit Tracker. Thanks to reader LynchMob for passing along this gem. I don’t even know where to begin. More than you ever wanted to know about home runs — you can see distances; speed off bat; elevation angle; apex; and impact due to wind, temperature, and altitude of every round tripper hit in the big leagues. For example, Mike Piazza’s 400th homer (congrats, BTW!) traveled 416 feet, came off the bat at 119 mph, and reached a height of 163 feet. Or you can examine each homer hit at Petco Park in excruciating detail. I don’t know about you, but I intend to waste a lot of time here.
Okay, that’s all for now. Dodgers are in town for the weekend, starting tonight. Assuming no further technical issues, we’ll be doing the IGD as per usual. Meantime, TGIF!
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April 28, 2006 at 7:40 am
That link from LM is fantastic. Another baseball site which will occupy my time . ..
Hope the Pads can get out of their funk this weekend. I gotta say the last few days have been pretty crappy. I hate when they get swept.
April 28, 2006 at 9:33 am
If the bats don’t wake up for this series, its time for Dave Magadan to be fired!
April 28, 2006 at 10:18 am
HitTracker’s “atmospheric forecast” for tonight @ Petco is … 63 degrees, wind = 7mph L to R … with a net impact of -19 feet on fly balls hit to LF, -4 feet on fly balls hit to CF, +9 feet on fly balls hit to RF … http://www.hittrackeronline.com/index.php
April 28, 2006 at 11:34 am
Hm, I wonder if that weather pattern is consistent. If so, it would explain, at least in part, the poor right handed power numbers in Petco so far (I still say the Padres lack of right handed power is part of it). -19 feet is a pretty significant impact, or so it seems to me.
Great site, LM; thanks!
April 28, 2006 at 12:05 pm
Maddux is doin’ it again … http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/boxscore?gid=260428116 … I love it!
April 28, 2006 at 12:35 pm
Cesar with a good outing last night … http://tinyurl.com/zvjex … just no run support … so he’s getting used to be a Padre
Kottaras with 2 doubles … now hitting .308/.416/.692
April 28, 2006 at 12:37 pm
Ekstrom & Jamison doin’ the job for the Storm … http://tinyurl.com/fcvqu … Headley showing ZERO power @ .239/.345/.324
April 28, 2006 at 1:06 pm
Guess you can help hitracker out by observing HRs in your local park or on video, timing ball flight and noting the landing area, then emailing the info to hit tracker.
http://www.hittrackeronline.com/spotters.php
Might be a boring job at Petco;o)
April 28, 2006 at 4:58 pm
Former Padres in the news …
Phillies recalled RHP Clay Condrey
Nats designated C-R Wiki Gonzalez for assignment;