Reality: You’re Soaking in It
Tue, Oct 2, 2007
by Geoff Young
Where do I even begin? That this isn’t the way I’d wanted to see the season end seems so beyond doubt that it hardly bears mentioning, and yet I just mentioned it. Even though a thing is obvious, it still needs a voice.
I hate writing this. I hate thinking this. Honestly? I hate everything about this.
But you can’t go through life hating, right? Well, you can, but it’s probably not a good idea. Besides, it’s just baseball.
“Just baseball.” I hate that, too. Like that somehow negates it all, makes the experience less important, less real. Yeah, buddy, screw you.
Anyway. Now you see the problem. I can’t even get started. Do I whine about Monday night’s outcome (box score), or do I express gratitude at having witnessed a tremendous game that most teams didn’t have the right to play? Do I make excuses for Jake Peavy, Brady Clark, and Trevor Hoffman, or do I give the Rockies their props for outplaying our guys?
Yeah, I said it. They outplayed the Padres. Deal, yo.
Or maybe we can think about Milwaukee. Sure, let’s play “what-if” there instead. Why did Hoffman throw eight bazillion change-ups in a row? What if he shows Tony Gwynn Jr. a fastball? (What if Gwynn hits it?) Or perhaps we’ll go back further and pin the blame on Mike Winters for baiting Milton Bradley, Bradley for gobbling it up, and Bud Black for taking out his own guy in the process. Or we could…
Here’s what happens when you go down that road. Aside from the fact that you make yourself miserable, you’re not even being honest with yourself. Replace every “should have” throughout the course of a 163-game season with “could have” and see what happens. When you say “should,” you’re basically conceding that games don’t even need to be played. Yeah, probability and all that. Okay, fine; I get it. But on the field, none of that matters. The only legal tender currency is what actually happens — you may know it better as reality.
Painful? Sometimes, yes; sometimes, no. But it remains constant even as it constantly changes.
I’m not making sense again. Sorry, it’s been that kind of life.
Another approach would be to take pride in knowing that the Padres, despite missing two of their starting outfielders and getting negative contributions from the best starting pitcher and best reliever in franchise history, pushed an improbably hot Colorado team to the edge of a mile-high precipice. This one might work better a few months from now, when the throbbing is less intense.
How can we reflect at a time like this? How can we analyze and be philosophical? Why would we want to even if we could? Now that the season’s over, it’s not like there’s a sense of urgency. Grieve, mourn, vent. Whatever it takes. Then sort through the rubble over the winter and return in spring with maybe a more prominent chip on the collective shoulder.
We can’t play in the big game? But, but… well, then, do it already. Nobody gives us respect? Oh, but they do; they give us exactly as much respect as we have earned. Want more? Okay, play better. Until then, suck it up like everyone else and get back to work.
The Padres have completed their fourth straight winning season. That’s the first time in franchise history if you’re scoring at home. They’ve made the transition from lousy/mediocre to good. How do they get from there to great? I don’t know, and I’m not prepared to think about it just yet.
I do know that this organization is in better shape than ever and that the better it gets, the more I want. This is a credit to the folks who run the club but also a burden for them. Not that the Padres have anywhere near the same track record, but I’m beginning to understand why the Braves couldn’t sell out home playoff games in the ’90s. At some point, as obnoxious as it sounds, reaching the playoffs isn’t enough.
To say nothing of not reaching the playoffs…
* * *
Man, this post sucks. I keep writing because… well, I don’t know what else to do. Is it spring yet?
Picking up where last year's version left off, the Ducksnorts 2008 Baseball Annual provides in-depth analysis of and commentary on the San Diego Padres. Get your copy today.
October 2, 2007 at 8:00 am
(clap clap clap clap)
Well said.
October 2, 2007 at 8:04 am
The men that were on the field last night were the 2007 Padres.
And I’m proud of them.
October 2, 2007 at 8:09 am
I didn’t get to watch any of the game, but I’m still pretty much in shock. I’m not depressed as a Padres fan, because I think that’s awfully selfish.
I fell really terrible for our boys. They kicked, and clawed, and fought, and scraped all night. They had to overcome a sub-par outing from their ace and a sizzling offense on the other side of the diamond. But they never gave up. They fought for everything they had. When my fiance texted me to tell me Hairston had put us up, I was pretty sure it was over then.
It just sucks that all of the efforts of our guys on the field were negated by one truly awful call at the plate. If that call is right, who knows what happens. Completely changes the game, as it’s now tied with 2 down and a man at second.
I know this is totally homerish, but I really can’t recall a season in which we consistently had so many problems with the umpiring. Is this just a trend in baseball? Am I over-analyzing this? I can name several situations this year where the umpires had an impact on the complexion of the game. Correct me if I’m wrong, but they’re not supposed to have any impact, right?
The season just wasn’t supposed to end like this, but it did. Now we rebuild. Unfortunately, it appears that the Rockies and the D’backs will only be better next year, with their young players further maturing and developing. We’ll need to find a way to keep pace. I believe in the front office and I beleive in the team. I don’t believe in the impartiality of MLB umpires.
October 2, 2007 at 8:16 am
Thanks for saying what I was feeling but couldn’t articulate, Geoff. I may have to refer my brother, “Mr. Pessimism,” to this entry.
October 2, 2007 at 8:17 am
Suggestion for a new Ducksnorts t-shirt: “Ducksnorts: where we’re still waiting for Matt Holliday to touch home plate” - I’d buy one, and I don’t care how bitter it looks.
Ugh. I realized last night how miserable it must have been to be a Red Sox fan pre-2004. Having a crappy team is one thing, and it robs baseball of any fun, but being good but not able to win the big one is a torturous thing. Now I get why some Red Sox fans would openly question whether they were being bad parents by bringing their kids up as Sox fans - how can you hook another generation on something that gives this much pain? Take how we’re feeling and extend it to, what, 86 years? How do you take that?
But think about it this way - how sweet will the high be if the low is this low? You can’t really enjoy the big moment as thoroughly if you don’t have a memory bank full of this sort of pain to expunge.
I kind of feel like we lost the game on the coin flip - not that we haven’t won in CO this year, but Jake hadn’t pitched there and if he were to lose any of the movement on his pitches (which is what that thin air does) he might get hit hard. Hoffman basically had the same problem. He must have location and movement and he wasn’t getting either. Bell, Brocail and Thatcher are different in a way. Bell’s breaking pitch doesn’t have to move a lot. It just has to move a little and be 10-12mph slower than his heat. Thatcher’s arm angle, when he’s in good control like last night, leads to a lot of his success. But for Jake it’s all about that biting hard slider and late life on the heater, and he wasn’t getting that last night.’
I’m convinced we would lose the NLDS against Philly - maybe we take 1 like last year, but no way this taped-together semi-AAA lineup with 2/3 of it’s starting pitchers not themselves due to injuries wins a series. It’s painful b/c 30 days ago with a healthy rotation, MB and Cammy, a flexible bench w/ Hairston, Mackowiak, Ensberg, etc., this was a dangerous, WS-possible team.
I worry a lot about next season. The two teams most committed to their young talent are the two returning playoff teams. The Giants will be lost for a few years, and between the Dogs and us I still think we’ll own them given Ned Colletti not being as smart as he needs to be. But CO and AZ are for real it seems, barring some sophmore slumps I guess. We have some glaring needs to address and won’t be able to do it on all homegrown talent (again):
- #4 and #5 starters
- LF, CF
- 2B
- backup C
I would keep Blum as utility IF - as much as we rode him on this site this year, as long as he’s not a regular I think he has value. Barrett will be gone - his value is his bat and it wasn’t good this year. Bard outcaught and outhit him and should be the presumed starter. But he can’t catch 162 so we need to find a reliable backup.
Getting the #4 and #5 SP slots will be the easy part I think - FA pitchers should be falling all over themselves to come to Petco. Filling the OF holes will be really tough in the FA market - prices are high and I think a lot of hitters will be scared off from Petco.
Sigh. Enough typing. If you’re still reading, thank you and sorry for babbling!
October 2, 2007 at 8:22 am
I hate to point out the 800 lbs. gorilla, but is Trevor done? I know he often blows a few at a time, but even when he’s been “on” there’s been such a small margin of error. He hasn’t looked “on” (whether he was saving games against Pittsburgh & San Francisco or blowing them against Milwaukie & Colorado) in quite awhile…
October 2, 2007 at 8:26 am
well atleast we have the Chargers…..Do’h
October 2, 2007 at 8:28 am
We do need to reload this winter. No more Petco Survivors in the 4th and 5th spots. We need some legitimate upside in the rotation; CY has been hurt two consecutive years, and with his body, he’s always going to be at risk. Peavy may never be this good again, and it would be foolhardy to count on another 36 VORP from Maddux. If you try to limp along with Germano/Wells/Cassell in the rotation for six months, you end up in tiebreaking WC games that rip your heart from your chest and show its bleeding pulp to your before you die.
Obviously I’d love to trade for Santana if he’s available, but we’re probably unable and unwilling to match what the Dodgers or others would give up. My second target, right now, is AJ Burnett. The Toronto GM doesn’t like him, he’s not tough, but he still did throw 168 very good innings this season. And he can opt out of his contract after 2008, so we’re not tied to him.
October 2, 2007 at 8:34 am
On the final play - that was honestly one of the greatest clutch double-plays ever in baseball. Fantastic throw by OG (was it cut off? I doubt it but can’t recall clearly), fantastic block of the plate by Barrett. This is why coaches coach catchers to set up their block first and worry about the ball second - if you keep the runner from the plate, he can’t score and that’s what Barrett did. Holliday even said he “got his hand stepped on” - well, look at the replay! Barrett’s foot definitely wasn’t on home plate, so neither was Holliday’s hand!
Think about the result if the play is correctly called - two outs, man on second. I believe it was Hawpe on deck…is that right? Maybe Hoffy gives up a base knock to score the runner, maybe he gets a pop up, maybe he gets a nubber to Blum…maybe we get a chance to hit against Ortiz again or whatever garbage Hurdle had left.
October 2, 2007 at 8:36 am
Re: 6 I think Hoffy will be back next year, he has one year left on his deal and I dont think he wants last night to be his last big league game.
October 2, 2007 at 8:38 am
That sucked yesterday and I am concrened that the window of opportunity in the division has closed.
Colorado is loaded offensively and their young pitching is very impressive.
LA/Arizona also have very good farm systems with very good young players.
LA could cause huge problems if healthy and if the rumors of a Santana deal are true.
KT is going to have his hands full this off season because bringing back this same team is going to lead to a 4th place finish
October 2, 2007 at 8:39 am
The only thing I can post without going into total rant mode today is that our team showed us a lot yesterday. I won’t go into the ump or Trevor or any of the BS that I could dig up and dwell on but seriously our guys really fought their asses off last night and we should be proud.
*Heath Bell and Joe Thatcher were such freaking men last night it was out of control. They took a mountain of pressure on their shoulders in a hostile enviornment and made future CY Young winners and future HOF Closers look like f-ing CHUMPS!
*Scott Hairston is my vote for Padres MVP. To me his impact in the last month was more important to us getting to last night than I think almost anyone. To step up and prove your worth time after time after time with limited opportunities and put the team on your back the way he has to me is incredible.
*I love Adrian Gonzalez plain and simple. On the national stage last night he really did a lot to make the Padres look like more than just Jake Peavy, Chris Young, and a big ball park.
*Kevin Kouzmanoff had a very good defensive game last night. He made a couple of plays last night that really were huge IMO.
*Mike Cameron… If he isn’t back next year, THANKS A LOT DUDE!!! So that’s what a center fielder looks like. He showed some guts last night and I think everyone in the dugout, especially a guy like Milton Bradley could take some tips from Cammy on how to go about your business and be a major league ball player.
Okay so it did go into full on rant mode. I am sick in my stomach from the outcome but it was nice to see us come out and compete to the end. Some of our guys really made us proud last night.
October 2, 2007 at 8:40 am
Re 10: Yeah, but if he doesn’t think he has it anymore, I don’t think he’ll come back and let himself be embarrassed.
In #6 I only asked the question, I don’t know where I stand on the issue. If he is back, Black will need to keep him even more rested than he did this year - maybe groom Bell for the job for ‘09.
I don’t know…
October 2, 2007 at 8:45 am
Re: 13 he still had 42 saves this year. Trevor has just not done well in the playoffs
October 2, 2007 at 8:45 am
5. I would buy one of those shirts.
6. In a word: yes.
11. Excellent point about the division. I know y’all don’t want to hear this, but if you’re not moving forward, you’re falling behind. The days of winning the NL West with less than 90 wins are over. This team needs a masher in the middle of the order to bat behind Adrian and gobble up any base runners Adrian doesn’t drive in. It’s time to make a splash in the offseason.
October 2, 2007 at 8:49 am
14.
Or world series, or all-star games, or playoff clinching games, or Trevor Hoffman Bobble Head Alarm Clock Statue night.
October 2, 2007 at 8:50 am
Re: 15 I think Kouz may be able to fill that role next year
October 2, 2007 at 8:50 am
Here’s a fun note, from the SI.com writeup:
” It was the first time San Diego had a two-run lead in extras and lost since June 13, 2004, when the Padres dropped a 6-5, 12-inning decision at Yankee Stadium, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.”
Picked a super time to do it too.
October 2, 2007 at 8:55 am
#18: Ugh, thanks for the reminder…
http://ducksnorts.com/blog/200.....-hope.html
October 2, 2007 at 8:57 am
Great so we’re going to count on Kouz to improve, yeah he probably will but wouldn’t it be nice to actually have a good offense next season?
Let’s face it a team starting Brady Clark and Blum isn’t a playoff team, especially when its rotation includes both Tomko and Cassell.
The rotation also needs help because the likelihood of Peavy/Young/Maddux being as successful as they were this season is fairly small.
October 2, 2007 at 9:01 am
Re: 20 who can they get? Clark was a 5th OF its not like the Pads planned on having him in the lineup last April.
October 2, 2007 at 9:02 am
I’m bitter, damned bitter. That game was ours, punked by crappy umpires two weekends in a row and it cost us the playoffs, and blue just waddles down to florida for the winter, no consequences. Bitter too at Hoffman. While still a clubhouse leader, his physical skills are gone. Next year, he helps transistion Bell to closer and goes softly into the braodcast booth. Who was the philly reliever who gave it up to Joe Carter in the WS and never returned? Right now I don’t want to forgive, forget. rationalize, philosphize, psychologize, think about the future, move on, take stock, remember the good times, no of that crap. I just want to be bitter, ugly and bitter (like met fan). Soon enough the fall sunshine will seep in and like all San Diego sports fans, I will mellow, wonder how I could possbly be unhappy living here and move on. But now, right now, its a gloomy day, a gloomy week, a gloomy month.
Thanks again, geoff, for this great blog and your timely, heart-felt writing.
October 2, 2007 at 9:03 am
I think that brings up an organizational depth problem….they only had 1 CF in the entire organization last year: Cameron and he has a history of getting hurt. He’s been on the DL a lot over his career, shouldn’t you have some sort of back up plan?
They also chose to start the year with a AAA outfielder in Sledge starting.
October 2, 2007 at 9:07 am
At least you guys don’t have a dreaded goat to contend with.
October 2, 2007 at 9:08 am
Could someone, anyone, put together something OBJECTIVE which shows Trevor’s declining performance? Sure, he blew two saves in a row, two crucial saves, two HUGE saves; it was disastrous, horrible, awful, but two blown saves DOES NOT equate to a decline in performance. A poor second half for a pitcher who throws fewer than 65 IP DOES NOT equate to a trend.
The last four years he has done the following:
IP 54.2, 57.2, 63, and 57.1
K 53, 54, 50, 44
WHIP .91, 1.11, .97, 1.12
BAA .211, .235, .205, .228
I don’t see the problem there. I see nothing which indicates he is not capable of performing at a similar level, and of being effective, next season. No, he is not the best pitcher or best reliever on the staff. No, he is not as dominant as he once was, BUT he is perfectly adequate and effective at what he still does, which is get 3 outs in the 9th with a lead and no one on base.
If you prefer to go to more advanced metrics, BP shows him as being:
PRAA 23, 12, 22, 20
PRAR 56, 47, 52, 54
Those are better numbers than his four seasons prior to surgery in 2003.
So if you’re hammering on Trevor, please put up something reasonable showing he deserves it (beyond the unfortunate and unlucky fact of blowing two saves in a row in a crucial situation, which quite simply happens in baseball to even the greatest of players), or just SHUT UP.
October 2, 2007 at 9:14 am
re 25: Seriously? Why can’t people be upset? We spend a ton of time following the team and it is frustrating to see 2 of the highest paid players on the team unable to perform when it counts.
-Peavy hasn’t shown that he can pitch well in the playoffs(3 starts, 3 horrible performances)
-Hoffman has been much, much worse in the playoffs then the regular season
October 2, 2007 at 9:16 am
Re: 25 I agree I dont think last night was a Trevor in decline thing I think it was a Trevor not good in the big game thing.
October 2, 2007 at 9:19 am
Ok - so that’s not how I wanted the season to end and I know it’s easy to be bitter, but our team fought for 163 games before they were eliminated. And four winning seasons is nothing to push aside when you’ve been a Padres fan as long as I have. I just have to keep in mind the following:
-The state of Texas had two losing teams
-The state of Florida had two losing teams
-The Bay Area had two losing teams
-Pittsburg has had a losing team for 15 (?) years
-The previous World Champions were so devastated by injury that they should have played their games with walkers and canes.
-The Baltimore fans had only one thing to cheer this year and they had to go to Cooperstown to watch it.
Thanks Geoff for running such a great site - you had a great season, too.
October 2, 2007 at 9:19 am
26: Mark, where did I say people can’t be upset? I simply asked for support from anyone who is claiming Trevor is in decline or can’t perform.
Case in point: “-Hoffman has been much, much worse in the playoffs then the regular season”
Evidence?
October 2, 2007 at 9:19 am
Our GAPING holes in the offseason are CF and 2 SPs. These need to be filled by legit talent. We need a CF who can play the position and we need a couple starters that will at give us quality starts and go .500.
2B will have to be plugged (Castillo, Loretta?)
CF… I heard Granderson may be available or CoCo? They both play a legit CF
SP… Santana is a dream, but i love the idea of Burnett if he is available, I also like Dave Bush and giving Prior a minor league deal. If our pitching coaches can work with Tomko, I think he would be much better with us than he was with the Dogs.
LF… I have a hard time not giving Scott Hairston a shot. He plays well in the OF, hustles and has earned a chance MUCH more than Sledge ever did.
October 2, 2007 at 9:23 am
Re: 28 other teams sucking does not help me feel better about the Padre loss.
October 2, 2007 at 9:25 am
re 29: Sure, lol its going to be hard to have a decent conversation if people won’t take some things at face value, or have a 30 second look at baseball reference
Regular Season: 2.73 ERA 524 Saves, 63 Blown Saves
Playoffs: 3.46 ERA 4 Saves, 2 Blown Saves
October 2, 2007 at 9:25 am
29: Do you really need evidence on that? Isnt that common fact. Hoffman has never been very good in the big game. 2 games this year, last year he all but choked away our lead vs AZ. The ASGs. In 96 or 98 he didnt pitch particualy well either.
October 2, 2007 at 9:30 am
The Pads will probably trade for some CF prospect/ex-prospect, like Brian Anderson. That’s why I am not optimistic about the offseason - buy low on guys I don’t know much about, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. I ain’t Waits of Friberg after all.
October 2, 2007 at 9:32 am
Re 26: How would have Peavy looked if Cameron had been in CF?
October 2, 2007 at 9:32 am
#25: Pat, I’m on the fence about Trevor right now — this isn’t the best time for me to think clearly on the issue, but for the first time, I’m willing to entertain other possibilities. Can’t speak for anyone else, but my main concern with Trevor is his inability to put the ball past hitters. Here is a disturbing trend:
2002: .282
2003: (injured)
2004: .254
2005: .225
2006: .202
2007: .187
This is SO/PA. It doesn’t tell everything, but it’s a pretty good indication that his margin for error is shrinking. The question is, where does that margin intersect the end of effectiveness? It’s a testament to the guy that he’s been able to succeed as long as he has relying almost entirely on guile, but eventually, the folks who have been predicting his collapse will be right — well, 6 or 7 years after the fact, anyway.
Again, I’m not sure where I stand regarding Trevor. I cannot think objectively about him right now. That said, I’d be lying if I told you I didn’t have any concerns.
October 2, 2007 at 9:32 am
Pat/Evidence:
Hoffman’s K/9 rate, last 4 seasons, has gone from 8.73 to 8.41 to 7.14 to 6.91.
His K/BB rate has gone the wrong way over the same period. In 2004 he struck out 6.63 hitters for every walk. Then 4.50. Then 3.85. Then 2.93 this year. That’s a sign of seriously declining command, and with his stuff, it’s very worrisome.
Like Peavy and Brown before him, Hoffman’s ability in big games depends on how you define “big.” Most people seem to define it as “the last game.” Brown crushed teams in the 98 playoffs before getting to the WS. Peavy’s beaten the Dodgers and other contenders often in September.
October 2, 2007 at 9:33 am
32: I’d guess that that difference is not statistically significant, or anywhere close to it. Since he’s probably facing better hitters in the playoffs, we’d expect the ERA to be slightly higher anyway. So .83 points of ERA in a sample size that tiny really doesn’t lead me to the conclusion that he’s a choker.
October 2, 2007 at 9:34 am
Re 31: The point is not that other teams suck, but that we were those teams for years. As a fan I want to win a championship, but for each winning team there has to be a losing team and I am grateful to be on a winning streak after so many losing seasons.
October 2, 2007 at 9:35 am
According to BP Cameron saves them 1 run, maybe 2(more of an impartial observer then me):
Speaking of outfield miscues, the Padres were killed by their center fielder. Brady Clark made three plays in the sixth inning, leading to a tiebreaking run. He couldn’t get to Seth Smith’s deep fly with one out, and Smith went all the way to third on the play. He then made a lousy throw on Kaz Matsui’s medium-depth fly to center that allowed Smith to score. The next batter, Tulowitzki, hit another deep fly ball that Clark took an awkward route to, reached, and misplayed into another triple. It’s clear that Cameron would have made the second play, possible that he would have made the first, and likely that he would have made a better throw on the sac fly.
I can’t be too hard on Clark here. Despite a decent brief peak with the pre-good Brewers, he’s a replacement-level outfielder, and at 34, no longer a center fielder by any definition. He’s out there because the Padres lost two center fielders on consecutive days with a week to go in the season. He’s being asked to do more than he’s capable of doing, and his flaws cropped up at a bad time for the Padres.
October 2, 2007 at 9:35 am
25. I haven’t taken the time to crunch the numbers more in depth, but after the All-star break, Trevor’s ERA was about 4.50 with 5 blown saves in 22 chances. That’s a 77% conversion rate, well below his career average of 89%. And that doesn’t take into account his narrow escapes in multiple chances.
I understand your argument that one half of one season is not normally a trend. However, Trevor is not a normal case for several reasons.
1- He is a closer. That means he directly affects the outcome of a game. A starter can hide his ineffectiveness in the early innings. But a closer is in a high-impact position virtually every time out.
2- He is old. You have to watch players in their late 30’s like a hawk because when it goes, it goes FAST.
3- Declining “stuff”. When you’re a veteran pitcher, getting by on moxy and not electric stuff, you have no margin for error. When you walk a razor-thin line, any decline in effectiveness is magnified.
October 2, 2007 at 9:36 am
Just to complete the picture from the 30 second visit to baseball reference:
All-star games: 5.1 IP, 9 H, 3 2b 1 HR, 6 ER. 10.13 ERA
October 2, 2007 at 9:39 am
Mr. Campbell, care to respond? (Neyer chat)
Jonathan (Go Tribe): Can you please explain why the call on the final play last night was “questionable”? Holliday should have been called safe EVEN IF HE DIDN’T TOUCH THE PLATE, because Barrett blocked the plate without having the ball, which is illegal. This also explains why McLelland hesitated, because he had to verify that the ball bounced away and Barrett did not catch it initially. Am I missing something?
Rob Neyer: (12:33 PM ET ) No, McClelland hesitated because that’s what he does, generally. In that situation, you might as well wait and make sure you’re right (or not). As for blocking the plate, it may or may not have been illegal, but either way it wouldn’t have mattered. The umpire have been turning a blind eye to such things for a long, long time.
October 2, 2007 at 9:40 am
Pat…while I don’t fully subscribe to the Trevor is done line of reasoning, you have asked for some evidence…outside of anecdotal, I can give you this…Five years ago, Hoffman struck out 10.5 batters per nine innings. Two years ago, he struck out 8.4 per nine innings. Last year it was 7.1. This year it’s 6.5.
That is not a trend that is going to suddenly change unless Hoffy finds a way to kick up his fastball another 5-7mph. His margin for error on bump is much lower now that he throws 82mph and only has a 10-12mph difference in his FB –> Change.
But, in his defense, just like the last couple of years, when you look at the 2007 season as a whole, he just gets it done with a Sub-3 ERA, 40+ saves, and a steady hand…Just hard knowing that when he is in there, I am more surprised when he completes the save than when he blows it, but I also acknowledge that is completely an emaotional response.
October 2, 2007 at 9:40 am
Changing subjects a bit…
BA Cal League Top 20:
http://www.baseballamerica.com.....64944.html
#4 Matt Antonelli (seems about right)
#12 Wade Leblanc (again, about right)
Paging BA, where’s Huffman & Blanks?
Kyle Blanks (21 now, played ‘07 @ 20 years old)
.301/.380/.540 with 31 2B, 4 3B, & 24 HR, 44/98 BB/SO ratio, & 11 SB
Chad Huffman (22)
.307/.402/.522 with 19 2B, 2 3B, & 15 HR, 42/56 BB/SO ratio
Now here’s the real rub, when I complained to BA about Antonelli not being in the Future’s game, they said that they did not submit his name to MLB because there were better players (such as Huffman)…
October 2, 2007 at 9:41 am
42. I’m not sure All-star games are a good indicator. Trevor uses the pressure of games (when guys are grinding the bat into sawdust) against them.
In an exhibition game, guys have less pressure and sit back and take their hacks. Trevor can’t use their desire to win a game single-handedly against them.
Let’s not forget the litany of closers who’d failed in All-star games (Eric Gagne in 2003 for example.)
October 2, 2007 at 9:43 am
43: I think the rule is you’re allowed to block the plate if you are in the act of fielding the ball. Barrett was in the act of fielding the ball, so yes, he’s allowed to block the plate.
October 2, 2007 at 9:46 am
From the same chat:
RJ - Dallas: Blocking the plate is only illegal if no play is being attempted. If you are in a position to receive the ball from another player, you can block any bag. The ball tipped off his glove before Holliday even got there. The biggest error is McCleland being out of position and shielded by Barrett. Holliday should have just run him over, with or without the ball. Its perfectly legal
Rob Neyer: (12:37 PM ET ) Great. So you’re saying that, according to the rules, the runner can slam into the catcher OR the catcher can jam his metal spikes into the player’s hand. Lovely game you’ve got there, friend.
Read the Rules (NYC): I think that RJ is incorrect. You can only block a bag after you have the ball and not while you’re waiting to receive the ball. I pulled the following straight from the MLB rulebook on MLB.com: “…NOTE: The catcher, without the ball in his possession, has no right to block the pathway of the runner attempting to score. The base line belongs to the runner and the catcher should be there only when he is fielding a ball or when he already has the ball in his hand…”
October 2, 2007 at 9:46 am
I’m very proud of my boys after last nite’s affair. They fought and battled and played with all the heart in the world. I’m proud to be a Padres fan, and this is a game that will go down as one of the best ever.
You can’t exactly blame the Padres for using Clark last nite. We lost two of our OFs in one game. We had to go with what we had. Clark was our best option. It sucks, but it’s not like we had much choice.
Hopefully we can rebuild and come back stronger than ever.
October 2, 2007 at 9:46 am
34: I’m adopting Waits of Friberg as my new handle for the day. Makes me feel like a Norman noble signing the Magna Carta.
If they acquire Brian Anderson to start in CF I’ll throw up, pack the vomit in dry ice, and mail it to the front office.
October 2, 2007 at 9:48 am
I don’t blame Clark, but when the organization doesn’t seem to have a back up plan for Cameron who hasn’t exactly been the picture of health over the past few seasons….there are problems
October 2, 2007 at 9:49 am
Hey the D-Backs gave us Hariston maybe they will give us Quinton
October 2, 2007 at 9:49 am
The day after is always the hardest. I’m damn proud of this team and its fans - this isn’t Boston or NY or Chicago, but there are still plenty of passionate, knowledgeable and committed fans that live and die by our teams just as much as they do. I’m bummed (understatement) that Hoffy has to sit on this for the next 6 months, but he will come back and so will this team. Hoffy will be the first one to stand up and own what happened - and if he is ‘done’ he’ll be the one to say it, not me. The fact is the Rockies earned it and showed it by being the best team in the NL the last 2+ weeks of the season, umpires aside. Doesn’t change how bitter I feel at times, but it is the deal as GY said very eloquently.
My question is, what will the FO do now? There are plenty of holes that need to be filled, and no, going with a AAA option in LF next year and the same old answer at 2B does not work for the fans…we expect better now.
I too feel the window of opportunity closed for us last night, and that it will be *much* more difficult in the years to come to compete with AZ, COL, and yes, LA. All I know is that I’ll be back as long as there are San Diego Padres taking the field come April.
October 2, 2007 at 9:51 am
50: D’oh. Waits [B]or[/B] Friberg.
October 2, 2007 at 9:51 am
48: Exactly, he was attempting to field a ball
October 2, 2007 at 9:52 am
54: I suck at this formatting thing. [Hangs head and cries]
October 2, 2007 at 9:52 am
is it a sure thing that Maddux will be back next year?
October 2, 2007 at 9:53 am
To follow up on Peter’s question about the Cal League Top 20, BA’s Josh Leventhal will chat about that list (and the Cal in general, I assume) today. You don’t need to be a subscriber to participate in the BA chats:
http://www.baseballamerica.com.....2007100201
October 2, 2007 at 9:54 am
Huh? Should I be offended, complimented, or… somethine else altogether?
October 2, 2007 at 9:54 am
53: Hoff already stood up and owned what happened, he said the loss was a direct effect of his own performance and now that is his burden to carry…
October 2, 2007 at 9:56 am
58: I was asked to sign in, is there a trick to this?
October 2, 2007 at 9:56 am
I think the Pads will wait for him to pickup his player option which will be $8.75 mil since he had 198 IP this year.
October 2, 2007 at 9:57 am
Ya i think its pretty much a sure thing Maddux will be back
October 2, 2007 at 10:01 am
57: He had a player option for base 6 that increased to 8.75 when he went over 185 innings. 2 more innings and it would have increased to 10 million. There’s a club option for 11. He’s almost certain to be back.
October 2, 2007 at 10:05 am
61: Dang, I just noticed that. The chats didn’t use to be subscriber-only, but now it’s got their little subscriber icon. Sorry.
October 2, 2007 at 10:05 am
It will be interesting to see that happens with Hensley next season. Will they give him a shot in ST to make his way into the rotation or will he be religated to the bullpen?
October 2, 2007 at 10:05 am
Come on, guys. The fact is the hitters were 1 for 13 with RISP last night, Peavy was horrible, and Clark was not the CF for the vast Coors OF. To blame the loss solely on Hoffman’s is harsh.
Had OG got a better arm, his throw wouldn’t have so much arch to it from shallow right. A couple more runs after Hairston’s HR would have put the game away (I’m pointing to you, Khalil). So many possibilities.
I’m proud the team battled and the bullpen was awesome. Who’d thought it would have come to the 2 BS by Hoffman to end the season a week or so ago when both Jenga and Cameron went down on the same day.
OK, I blame Barrett on the loss. Also, Pepe Negro for keeping Boomer out just one inning too long way too many times.
Drats! I can’t believe the season is over.
October 2, 2007 at 10:05 am
59: Talking to me? I was saying earlier that the Padres might target a blocked or underappreciated youngster with CF talent. The acquisition won’t necessarily excite me or everyday fan, but smarties such as Mr. Friberg and Mr. Waits might say, “Hey, good pickup, he could be this year’s Adrian Gonzalez.”
Geoff,
I have found solace in the sorrowful voice of Fiona Apple this morning. Her torchy songs on her second album are fine tonic - not happy tonic, but tonic nonetheless.
October 2, 2007 at 10:10 am
67: I keep thinking about that extra-innings affair against Colorado on the 21st.
October 2, 2007 at 10:12 am
66: I will be extremely surprised if Hensley’s labrum heals for him to be considered a realistic option during ST. I’ll be fairly surprised if he’s ever a really good pitcher again, but that’s not because of anything about him, shoulder surgeries are brutal.
Fix the rotation without consideration for Hensley, and if he recuperates, it’s more depth. Lack of pitching depth killed us this year.
October 2, 2007 at 10:14 am
69: I’m playing the Curious George Sing-Along with Jeff Johnson.
October 2, 2007 at 10:14 am
how about Germano any shot at all of making the 08 team?
October 2, 2007 at 10:17 am
70: Having to throw Germano, Wells, Cassell, and Tomko out there for many games killed the Padres this season. Win 2 more games of their starts and the Padres would be in the playoffs. I’m not talking about the 1-2 runs affairs, I meant the blowouts.
October 2, 2007 at 10:17 am
Germano is replacement level talent who shouldn’t be anywhere near the mound in Petco next year.
They need to start the year with 5 legit starters and use Geer/LeBlanc when those guys are injured. Enough with the patchwork #5 spot in the rotation
October 2, 2007 at 10:19 am
#68: I am listening to Coltrane. Jazz is the only thing that can console me now, and even that doesn’t quite do the trick.
Also, thanks to everyone for the kudos. I will have a more formal “thanks/off-season plans” type of post up in the next day or two, but just wanted to let y’all know that your thoughts and general support are very much appreciated.
October 2, 2007 at 10:19 am
45: That list has two players that I just don’t believe in. Bubba Bell got to hit in a home park where they should play with softballs. Oh, he’s also 24 years old. He was still good on the road, but it’s still the Cal League, and he’s still 24.
Justin Masterson does nothing for me. An experienced college pitcher gave up more hits than innings pitched and struck out only 56 in 96 innings. The hits are partly a product of his home park, the same Lancaster that makes every hitter look superhuman, but the K’s are on his own stuff.
October 2, 2007 at 10:21 am
72, 73, 74: Germano’s nice to have in reserve, but he should be about the 9th option to start for us in 2008.
October 2, 2007 at 10:21 am
Best way to gain perspective on the Padres last night: alternating between TBS and PBS. Two hours of “The War” covering the Battle of the Bulge, the hundreds of thousands of civilians killed during firebombing, the battle of Iwo Jima, the American civilians starving in a Japanese prison camp, etc. made the Padres plight a little easier to take.
October 2, 2007 at 10:23 am
My first year participating with Ducksnorts and reading the great work of its proprietor was a blast ! Look forward to more of your great work - Hot Stove League here we come !
October 2, 2007 at 10:26 am
70: It’s funny, lack of starting pitcher depth killed basically every team except the Cubs and Red Sox, and you still don’t see teams adequately preparing for the inevitability of pitcher injuries or regression. The Phillies thought they had an excess of starting pitching at the start of the year, and look how they finished. If you don’t go into a season thinking you’re going to need 7 adequate starting pitchers at a minimum, then you’re going to end up claiming David Wells or Brett Tomko off the scrap heap and hoping for the best.
October 2, 2007 at 10:27 am
Hey G.Y. wha