Archive for October 2007

Did Giles Bounce Back, and Where Does He Go from Here?

Wednesday, October 31, 2007
by Geoff Young
As part of the book-writing process, I'm going through pretty much everything that we've covered here at Ducksnorts over the past year or so. One question we asked last November was whether Brian Giles' 2006 was a blip or the beginning of a slide. Among other things, we looked at a slew of historical comps for Giles and found that most of the guys who continued to play didn't experience further catastrophic decline. There were a couple notable exceptions (Fred Lynn, Ray Lankford) that haunt Padres fans in particular, but in general, we were looking at a group of players that didn't fall off the proverbial cliff at age 36. Thankfully, Giles didn't go Lynn or Lankford on us. He ...

Slow News Day

Tuesday, October 30, 2007
by Geoff Young
Between working on the book and transcribing an interview I did last week (which I think you'll enjoy), I'm a little short on time. That and there isn't much going on right now. I wish the list of six-year minor-league free agents would be released. I always like digging around for potential bargains. Probably says more about me than it does about anything else, but there it is. So, I dunno. What'd you have for dinner last night? I had spaghetti with meatballs. Mmmm... Winter Leagues Mesa 13, Saguaros 12 (box | recap). What a goofy finish. This was a 2-2 tie headed to the seventh. The Saguaros scored five in the top of the ninth to take a 12-6 lead, then coughed up seven ...
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Weekend Winter Wrapup (29 Oct 07)

Monday, October 29, 2007
by Geoff Young
Congrats to the Red Sox on their World Series victory or whatever. Stephen said it best in the comments: Nothing warms my heart more than seeing Tom Werner standing on the podium to accept the WS trophy. For those who may have forgotten why we detest Werner in these parts, here's a handy reminder. Aside from the fact that he almost destroyed baseball in San Diego, I've got no real problems with the guy. To the winter leagues... Friday, October 26 East Rising Stars 3, West Rising Stars 2 (box | recap). Matt Antonelli batted second and went 0-for-2 with a walk. Interesting that he bats in the #7 or #8 hole for the ...

Friday Links (26 Oct 07)

Friday, October 26, 2007
by Geoff Young
I'm terrible at faking enthusiasm. This World Series means nothing to me. I'd just as soon not see Tom Werner win another championship, but I don't even care much about that anymore. Does this make me a bad baseball fan? I dunno. Maybe... Nevin: Poway looks like 'Mars' (San Diego Union-Tribune). Several Padres (and Chargers) have been affected by the fires. It's very foggy in my part of town this morning; hopefully folks on the front line will benefit from this weather shift. Yankees likely to offer Jorge Posada $40 million (New York Daily News). Some folks have mentioned Posada as a possible target for the Padres. ...

Kings of the Road

Thursday, October 25, 2007
by Geoff Young
I was hoping to have the next installment of our Operation Center Field series ready, but I'm still hacking through the data jungle. Instead, I'll share a few items I found along the way that might help you win a bar bet or three: MLB Road Home Runs in 2007 Brewers: 110 Padres: 99 Phillies: 97 Yankees/A's/Braves/Mets: 94 Source: ESPN. MLB Road Doubles in 2007 Padres: 196 Braves: 194 Tigers: 188 Phillies: 180 Yankees: 176 Source: ESPN. MLB Road Extra Base Hits in 2007 Padres: 307 Braves: 302 Phillies: 297 Yankees: 291 Tigers: 284 Source: ESPN. Don't feel bad; everyone gets these wrong. And even if you don't win any bets, at ...

Guys You Wish You’d Forgotten Were Padres

Wednesday, October 24, 2007
by Geoff Young
We're still safe here; hope you are, too. If you're looking for info on the fires, ways to help, etc., check this thread. Otherwise, by request, here is a stupid follow-up to last week's stupid post: PlayerYear(s) Shawn Abner1987-91 George Arias1997-99 Mark Bellhorn2006 Sean Bergman1996-97 Dewon Brazelton2006 Chris Brown1987-88 Sean Burroughs2002-05 Vinny Castilla2006 Jeff Cirillo2004 Deivi Cruz2002 Ben Davis1998-2001...

Cogs in a Machine

Tuesday, October 23, 2007
by Geoff Young
San Diego Fires Yeah, our city is going up in flames. I'm okay, but a lot of folks I know aren't doing so great; I hope you're not one of them. If you want to follow what's going on or learn how to help, I've got a thread open for that; otherwise, and intending no disrespect to anyone affected by the fires, we'll keep doing what we do around here. Whatever helps us keep our sanity, right? Peace... As you know, I've been re-reading the old Bill James Baseball Abstracts this off-season. There's an interesting discussion about ballpark tendencies in the Houston Astros section of the 1983 edition. I wonder if some of this might apply also to the Padres and their current environment at Petco Park: Fenway ...