For those interested, my latest article at Hardball Times focuses on some strange games in recent history. The Padres aren’t well represented, although Andy Hawkins’ no-hit loss as a member of the Yankees shows up here (and I suppose if you really want to push it, Josh Barfield’s dad played in that game).
Jason Bay? Mewelde Moore?
From 2003: Jason Bay turned out to be a little better than I thought, Pedro de los Santos is now Freddy Guzman, and Mewelde Moore plays in the NFL. Kevin Beavers? Omar Falcon? This place was a zoo.
[Insert rim shot here.]
Uh, You Mentioned Spring Training?
Right. To the topic at hand: Last spring a bunch of us got together in Peoria and had a blast. We should do that again.
Let me rephrase: We need to do that again. Who’s game? Let’s hear some ideas…
Poll added:
{democracy:49}
It was great seeing you guys (G.Y. Didi, Lynch and Malcom) last year! Ill be in Ireland this March so I can’t make it this year.
Depending on the specifics (read: WEEKEND GAMES!), I might be able to convince the wife that this is a really really good idea. She’s always wanted to go, so I don’t think it’s completely insane to think that we might be able to make something work.
Off-hand, it looks like February 29th – March 2nd would work, as all of those games are at Peoria. The only downside is that is REALLY early in the off-season and the starters might not be playing much. I don’t know how far it is from Peoria to Surprise, so the 7th through the 9th might also be a good idea.
Re:2 all of the stadiums (except Tucson and Yuma) are no longer than a 45 min drive away from eachother. Its like having one game in La Mesa and the other in Mission Valley.
3: Ahh, thanks for the clarification. I had no idea.
GY, if we can coordinate some group gathering, would you push for any kind of coordinated accomodations? Or would it be kind of like an everyone for themselves kind of thing?
Re: 4 yeah its really nice because you get to see a bunch of different cool little stadiums.
Re: you may want to book your hotel soon if you want to stay in Peoria the 4 hotels there fill up fast.
RE 2 & 3: Even better, Surprise and Peoria are right next door to one another. I’m talking Clairemont and Kearny Mesa close so those two are no problem at all.
I’d really like to get together over there with a big group of DS folk. Count me in.
7: GY, can we start a “Spring Training” thread kind of like we did for Cooperstown where we can kick around dates and ideas? Have you heard from anyone else about this? Do you have any preferences about which dates?
Rather than bitterly dwell on the near-impossibility of attending spring training, let me return to the matter of our roster.
We need a competent backup CF, preferably a RH hitter.
Rotoworld reports that Jay Payton is on the block. He’s got a career 800 OPS against LHP. He played terrific CF defense in Petco. That was four years ago, admittedly. His RZR in CF since then, when he’s played center (not often) is solid.
The Orioles also designated Jeff Fiorentino for assignment, a LH 24 year old with an 838 minor league OPS in some unfriendly home parks who plays pretty good defense.
I’d look into trading for both of them. Wouldn’t trade much, since there’s a chance Payton is simply cut and Fiorentino becomes a free agent, but moving Ramos for those two wouldn’t bother me at all.