2007 December

Archive for December 2007

Adios, 2007

Monday, December 31, 2007
by Geoff Young

It's the end of the year as we know it, and I feel fine. Last year at this time, I ran a list of the most popular articles at Ducksnorts in 2006. This time around, I thought I'd try something a little different and give you a list of my favorite articles from 2007, i.e., ones I enjoyed writing the most. I hope you like them, too: Winter Warm-Up: Temecula. In January, the Padres hosted a free event in Temecula to get fans of the Padres and the Lake Elsinore Storm fired up for the coming season. Several players and San Diego icon Randy Jones participated in a Q&A with Storm radio broadcaster Sean McCall. Among other things, we ...

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Posted in Baseball | 11 Comments »

Friday Links (28 Dec 07)

Friday, December 28, 2007
by Geoff Young

I don't have a lot of links today, so before we get to those, let's do a quick recap of this winter's moves so far: Out Geoff Blum, INF: Signed with Houston Astros Hiram Bochachica, INF/OF: Signed with Seibu Lions (Japan) Milton Bradley, OF: Signed with Texas Rangers Doug Brocail, RHP: Signed with Houston Astros Mike Cameron, CF: Free agent Jack Cassel, RHP: Signed with Houston Astros Scott Cassidy, RHP: Signed with Milwaukee Brewers Brady Clark, OF: Free agent Morgan Ensberg, 3B: Free agent David Freese, 3B: Traded to St. Louis Cardinals Marcus Giles, 2B: Free agent Jason Lane, OF: Free agent Rob Mackowiak, INF/OF: Free agent Signed with Washington Nationals Terrmel Sledge, OF: Signed with Nippon Ham Fighters (Japan) Mike Thompson, RHP: Signed with Pittsburgh Pirates Brett Tomko, RHP: Free agent From what I can tell, the Padres will ...

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Posted in Notes and Links, Roster Notes | 30 Comments »

Padres tickets Chargers tickets Sports tickets

Prior Returns Home to San Diego

Thursday, December 27, 2007
by Geoff Young

The Padres have signed right-hander Mark Prior to a 1-year deal worth a guaranteed $1 million plus incentives that vary depending on whom you ask. ESPN's Buster Olney reports that the total package could be worth "over $3 million", while Dan Hayes at the North County Times places the high end at $5.5 million. Quoth GM Kevin Towers: Mark Prior is a competitor and is working hard to regain the form that made him one of the great young pitchers in the game. The good news is that Prior is 27 years old and has name recognition. The bad news ...

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Posted in Roster Notes | 29 Comments »

Fifteen Singles

Wednesday, December 26, 2007
by Geoff Young

Did you know that the Padres once broke double digits in runs without the benefit of an extra-base hit? Yep, it happened against the Atlanta Braves at the Murph on September 20, 1985 (box score). Garry Templeton went 4-for-4 out of the leadoff spot, scoring four runs and driving in two. Tony Gwynn added three hits and drove in four runs, as the Padres cruised to an 11-1 victory on the strength of 15 singles and 6 walks. Right-hander LaMarr Hoyt spun five shutout innings to win his 15th game of the season. Southpaw Gene Walter worked the final four to pick up his third save. The Padres held a ...

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Posted in Baseball | 21 Comments »

Happy Holidays!

Monday, December 24, 2007
by Geoff Young

Happy holidays to you and yours. Whatever you observe, celebrate it well. Peace...

Posted in Open Thread | 13 Comments »

Friday Links (21 Dec 07)

Friday, December 21, 2007
by Geoff Young

Links. Who doesn't love 'em? Short and sweet: Tony Gwynn talks about the Mitchell Report (San Diego Union-Tribune). MB analyzes the Jim Edmonds trade (Friar Forecast). Tom Krasovic offers his thoughts on Edmonds as well (San Diego Union-Tribune). Joe P. Sheehan examines similar pitchers by pitch type (Baseball Analysts, hat tip Friar Forecast). Chris Young is working with Tiger Woods' physical therapist in an attempt to keep himself healthy (San ...

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Posted in Notes and Links | 31 Comments »

When Fernando Played First Base

Thursday, December 20, 2007
by Geoff Young

My latest article, about a crazy night in Houston back in '89, is up at Hardball Times. The game in question doesn't involve our favorite team, although a few then-future-Padres played in it. Enjoy...

Posted in Baseball | 70 Comments »