2007 November

Archive for November 2007

Friday Links (30 Nov 07)

Friday, November 30, 2007
by Geoff Young

Boom goes the dynamite: Caution expected at Winter Meetings (Padres.com, via Ben B. in the comments). Quoth GM Kevin Towers: We've been more active in trade discussions. We have always had more success with trades than free agency. Free agency is such an unknown. There are no guarantees. That's why I like to look at my trade options first. Cries of "cheap" to follow from the masses. Sledge to Japan (San Diego Union-Tribune, via Ian C. in the comments). Terrmel Sledge has signed a 2-year, $2.85 million deal with the Nippon Ham Fighters. I hope he has a nice career over there, and I'm not being even a little facetious. For whatever reason (injuries?), we never saw ...

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Posted in Notes and Links | 90 Comments »

Interview: Steve Poltz, Part 3

Thursday, November 29, 2007
by Geoff Young

In the previous installment of our chat with singer/songwriter/Padre fan Steve Poltz (poltz.com), we talked about Celine Dion, great places to play music, and the effect James Taylor had on his love life in the '70s. This time, Steve muses on the connections between music and baseball, his work with Jewel, and what it was like to open for the Ramones... *** Ducksnorts: My wife came up with this question. A lot of musicians are also baseball fans. What sorts of connections do you see between the two? Steve Poltz: It's really weird because when the Giants were in town, Barry Zito was on his off day and [Tim] Flannery came down to the dugout. I was there ...

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Posted in Interviews | 79 Comments »

Padres tickets Chargers tickets Sports tickets

Vacation Recovery Mode

Wednesday, November 28, 2007
by Geoff Young

Hi there. Sorry for going incommunicado on you. We were off in Hawai'i doing the Thanksgiving/anniversary thing; I'd intended to post a few updates from yonder, but first I lost my motivation and then I lost my wi-fi (the in-laws are pretty far off the grid). Anyway, I hope everyone had a good holiday. One of the benefits of being off line for so long is that I got to catch up on my reading. I finished David Browne's Dream Brother: The Lives and Music of Jeff and Tim Buckley, and got well into The Book (finally!) and Neil Peart's Roadshow. Even managed to read the first few entries in The Best American Essays of the Century, edited by Joyce Carol Oates. Good ...

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Posted in Off-Topic | 73 Comments »

Tony Gwynn Statue

Wednesday, November 21, 2007
by Geoff Young

Forgot to post this during the season. From September 17:

Posted in Open Thread | 43 Comments »

This Date in Ducksnorts (20 Nov)

Tuesday, November 20, 2007
by Geoff Young

More stuff from the land of once-upon-a-time: Ichiro Wins MVP, Padres Recall Several Prospects, and Joyner Joins Front Office (2001). I was probably too harsh on Ichiro, but he shouldn't have won the award. As for Wally Joyner's hiring, here's what I said back then: It's good to see the organization hiring guys like Joyner and Dave Magadan in key instructional and talent evaluation roles. These are men who understand the value of plate discipline, and their philosophy will help foster a better approach to hitting throughout the system. Not that their presence is a panacea for the Padres but it certainly should help. Still think Magadan got kind of a bum deal, but whatever. Dude has a ring, I doubt he's complaining. Kevin Towers: Deals of ...

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Posted in Baseball | 28 Comments »

This Date in Ducksnorts (19 Nov)

Monday, November 19, 2007
by Geoff Young

Hi there, and welcome to open thread week. Yep, I'm taking a little time off to hang with family and what-not. Here are some blasts from the past to amuse you. Not that you need an invitation from me, but feel free to discuss whatever... Harry Potter, Leonid Meteor Shower, and Ryan Leaf (2001). I saw Leaf on a college football telecast the other day. His kid brother was playing quarterback, and Leaf told the reporter how he'd talk to li'l bro' about staying poised. Unintentional humor is my favorite kind. Kotsay for Hernandez (2003). The Twins wanted Jake Peavy for A.J. Pierzynski? I'd forgotten that. Hey, don't laugh: they got Joe Nathan, Francisco Liriano, and Boof Bonser out of the Giants. Okay, now ...

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Posted in Baseball | 42 Comments »

Friday Links (15 Nov 07)

Friday, November 16, 2007
by Geoff Young

Wait, didn't we already do a link post this week? Marketing spin: Two for the price of one. Yeah, that's it... Padres build top bullpen through smart shopping (SI.com, via Brett in the comments). Tom Verducci has noticed what we've long known: that Kevin Towers has a gift for acquiring cheap arms. It's weird that Verducci doesn't dismiss the phenomenon as a function of Petco Park. Isn't that pretty much a requirement these days? Speaking of potential cheap arms, here are a few minor-league free agents with interesting statistical profiles (don't know anything about their repertoire, etc.): Lee Gronkiewicz, ...

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Posted in Minors, Notes and Links | 48 Comments »