IGD: Padres vs Diamondbacks (30 Jul 08)
Wed, Jul 30, 2008
by Geoff Young
Padres vs Diamondbacks
7:05 p.m. PT
Channel 4SD, DIRECTV 748
AM 1090, FM 105.7, XM 187
MLB, B-R
Petco Park doesn’t fool me often, but I really thought Jody Gerut had himself a go-ahead pinch-hit grand slam in the eighth on Tuesday night. Man, he crushed that ball.
Oh well, it was fun to imagine for a moment that we might come back and win after being thoroughly dominated by a thoroughly mediocre pitcher for most of the evening.
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.
July 30, 2008 at 7:54 am
Still a hell of a game and plenty of positives to find in last night’s performance. I love that the guys tried to manufacture a threat in the 8th inning, and if anyone but Romero is in the OF for AZ, that’s probably a tie game.
July 30, 2008 at 9:54 am
OT … GY: my condolences on the loss of Scrabulous …
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scrabulous
… why can’t we all just get along?
July 30, 2008 at 10:39 am
I was sitting in the RF bleachers last night…I thought that Gerut’s ball was gone as well.
July 30, 2008 at 10:46 am
I wasn’t sure that was a HR off the bat but thought it would have cleared the bases at least and tied the game.
A heck of a catch. I settled for a shutout loss instead of a no hit loss. I was at the last one in 2001 by the terribly mediocre Bud Smith who’s not even in the league anymore. Terrible flashback in my mind when CH4 showed the lowlight.
July 30, 2008 at 10:54 am
I was at the Bud Smith game too…he was a pretty good prospect at the time, but was never the pitcher that he was projected to be (except against the Padres).
July 30, 2008 at 11:04 am
#4@Didi: #5@Paul R: That’s funny. I was also at that game. Not fun at all paying to watch your team get no-hit. Whatever happened to that guy? He was really good as a 21 year-old in 2001, mediocre in 2002, and it looks like he pitched some games in the minors from ‘03-05. I’m guessing he had some injuries.
July 30, 2008 at 11:12 am
#1@Phantom: #3@Paul R: I’ve seen some great over the shoulder catches but I have to say that Romero’s catch appeared to be pure luck from my perspective on TV. He did a good job of running to the spot but he didn’t appear to have any clue where the ball was. He reached his glove out and the ball just happened to land there. I know they’re out of it but that was freakin’ heartbreaking. It would have been so uplifting for the team to come back and win that game.
July 30, 2008 at 11:27 am
#7@JMAR: Agreed. I dont even think Romero had his eyes open haha.
July 30, 2008 at 11:42 am
#7@JMAR: That loss (Romero catch) really hurt a lot…why it hurt so much when the team is 24 games under .500 in late July I am not sure…
July 30, 2008 at 11:48 am
#9@JP: IMAO. When you are 24 games under, the individual games and individual plays are all you have, and they take on more importance.
July 30, 2008 at 12:07 pm
#10@Field39: That Canepa editorial last week has me looking for Padres redemption..call me naive but I agree with Giles comment that the Pads are a player or two away from being good again….then I read the negativity on the SD Tribune Padre blog and I think to myself “am I looking at things as a fan or am I being unrealistic ?
July 30, 2008 at 12:10 pm
Shot in the dark but I’ll try ~ I have the 1998 Padres highlight film on VHS and I want to turn it into (editing out all the non interesting Padres P.R ****) a digital file that I can put on You Tube –some really good highlights….anyone know how I can do this ?
July 30, 2008 at 12:26 pm
DePo on “trading deadline frenzy” …
http://itmightbedangerous.blog.....renzy.html
Here’s something I think is insightful …
At this point in the process every team has talked to each other at least once if not multiple times.
… I wouldn’t have guessed there’d be that much talking … but it really makes sense … and I think more “commenters” (ex. on SDUT and 1090) need to realize this …
July 30, 2008 at 12:44 pm
#13@LynchMob: You mean the Padres front office has a better idea of what they can get for players than we do? No way!
July 30, 2008 at 12:47 pm
#13@LynchMob: I expect some of those calls / emails are pretty short:
Since it’s the trading deadline, and everyone’s already lamented The Catch last night (I don’t care if his eyes were closed and he was fingering a rosary, that was amazing), here’s an idea that came to me mid-morning:
Padres send Maddux, Greene, and Meredith to Dodgers.
Dodgers send Kemp and Hu (ss) to Padres.
They might want Bell instead of Meredith, and I’d still think hard about doing it.
July 30, 2008 at 12:48 pm
Egon 1 for his last 24 and his defense has not been good.
I am glad the Pads get to look at this guy day in and day out so that we can really see they can see if he truly is an everyday player.
July 30, 2008 at 12:52 pm
#15@Tom Waits: I dont think the dodgers would want to see Kemp and Hu 19 times a year for the next 4 to 6 years…
July 30, 2008 at 12:53 pm
#15@Tom Waits: Ooh boy that would be incredible, even if we did give up Bell. But in addition to looking way too good to be true to me, I doubt the Dodgers and Padres would make any kind of major trade like that where the pieces would be playing against each other for many years down the line. A Maddux trade is no big deal because he’s gone after this year and is only going to cost a minor prospect.
July 30, 2008 at 1:01 pm
#17@Steve C:
#18@Ben B.:
Both valid, but the Dodgers are only 1 game out in a winnable division, they lost Saito, Colletti has entertained trades w/Kemp before, and if they were that enamored of Hu, wouldn’t he be in the majors now? Maybe they’re just letting him get re-tuned in AAA.
The Dodgers may not be interested enough in Maddux to trade for him at all, but he could sweeten the pot. I expect we will see a minor deal.
July 30, 2008 at 1:19 pm
#19@Tom Waits: I agree that the deal makse alot of sence for both teams and I would love it if the Pads could swing that but I dont think the Dodgers are willing to make the Pads better for the next 6 years.
On another note I think this deal would work out pretty well:
Marlins get: Bard and Meredith
Padres get: Bryan Petersen, Chris Mobley and possibly one more mid level prospect
July 30, 2008 at 1:27 pm
#16@JP: On the other hand, everyone slumps and he hasnt been bad enough to lose the job.
July 30, 2008 at 1:29 pm
#21@SDSUBaseball: He is a one dimensional player, and when that dimension isn’t working. His flaws stand out all the more.
July 30, 2008 at 1:29 pm
#17@Steve C: I dont think they would care at all about seeing Hu in an opposing uniform ever, but Kemp is a different story.
July 30, 2008 at 1:33 pm
#22@Field39: Most 2nd basemen are 1 dimensional. He has had a rough time recently but he hasnt been BAD. There is no reason he cant fill a void until Antonelli is ready. Makes more sense than wasting money on the Iguchi’s of the world.
July 30, 2008 at 1:35 pm
#24@SDSUBaseball:
“There is no reason he cant fill a void until Antonelli is ready.”
That may turn out to be a very long time.
July 30, 2008 at 1:42 pm
I think it’s a bit comical to hear people bitching about E-Gon. IMO the guy has been one of the lone bright spots for this team all year. His defense leaves something to be desired for sure but come on. To bring him up like he is one of our main problems is seriously a joke. Let’s stay focused and not loose sight of the real problems here guys. He was Iguchi’s back up and he has done an amazing job in that role. If by the time we get some other guys that can actually hit the ball and E-Gon’s defense is still a glaring issue then we can address 2nd. As far as I am concerned he is the perfect player to have at the position before Antonelli is ready. Keeping my fingers crossed on Antonelli of course!
July 30, 2008 at 1:53 pm
I’d like to see the Padres try to get Brandon Wood for the Angels. He’s obviously not ever going to play for them (he’s definitely not a Mike Scioscia type player) so he’s only trade bait. Unfortunately, despite their huge hole at SS they probably wouldn’t want Khalil Greene. Certainly Heath Bell would help them out, I wonder if that would work out?
July 30, 2008 at 2:26 pm
Let’s not worry about Edgar, OK. Or would we all rather have Silent L?
July 30, 2008 at 2:29 pm
#26@KRS1: I like Antonelli too, but he really hasn’t hit since July of 2007.
The Padres think he will snap out of it but after a bad August, a not so great Texas League playoffs, a tough Arizona Fall League, spring training and now a whole 2008…you have to wonder a little.
July 30, 2008 at 2:34 pm
Sure, KG has hit like **** but you can’t trade your best reliever for a SS unless you know you can trade Khalil for someone that would plug another hole on the team. The bullpen is already one of the worst in the league. They can’t trade one of the only reliable guys you have.
Forget how they hit at the beginning of the season and, besides Khalil, you’ll see that not one of the current players in the starting lineup is having a terrible season. Not that they coudn’t use an upgrade at a few positions, but they should at least be an average hitting team next season without making a move. Now, look at the pitching staff going into 2009. I see 3 wide open spots in the rotation, a need for an 8th inning set-up man or closer, depending on what Hoffman decides to do, and at least one other proven guy to throw into the 7th inning mix with Mike Adams. All signs point to pitching being the team’s priority.
I think they’ll consider trading Bell, but wouldn’t pull the trigger unless someone threw some top prospects back this way. Is any team desperate enough for a set-up man that they would trade, let’s say, 2 of their top 5 prospects for Bell?
July 30, 2008 at 2:39 pm
#29@John Conniff: Antonelli has two hits in back-to-back games. I bet he hasn’t done that all season. Should we be encouraged???
Also, I know he hasn’t been on base as much this year, but has he lost a step? He stole 28 bases last season and he only has 4 this season. What’s the word?
July 30, 2008 at 2:41 pm
#29@John Conniff: Oh I wonder a lot right now no dount but as of right now he is still the future there and you have to think/hope things will turn around.
July 30, 2008 at 2:48 pm
Alderson was just on the radio. When asked how many players on the current roster, are the right type of player for the “Padre system”. His answer was one or two.
July 30, 2008 at 3:00 pm
#33@Field39: Was he talking about just offense or the entire roster? I know they think Giles is the type of player they love because of his OBP skills and you have to include AGON, Peavy, Young, and Bell, because any team would love to have those guys no matter what a team’s philosophy is. And Hoffman, too, even though he has had some rough games this year. Bard is another guy who I would think fits in because of his high career OBP and Headley has shown that OBP ability in the minors. That’s 7 or 8 guys who I think fit the current philosophy. I wonder what Alderson means by that answer. Isn’t ‘ one or two’ pretty negative?
July 30, 2008 at 3:06 pm
Matts swing hasnt been right for a while He knows whats wrong but no one knows how to fix it . He hasnt lost a step but when your hitting 195 you dont have alot of chances to steal bases, One good thing his defense has been fantastic I think he has answered any ones questions about whether he can play second
July 30, 2008 at 3:06 pm
#34@JMAR: What Alderson means is don’t blame the system for this disaster of a season blame the poor performances from the players…
July 30, 2008 at 3:07 pm
#34@JMAR: The question sounded general, but I gave the exact answer. He brought up Headley and said he isn’t that type of player, yet.
Yes, one or two is very negative, yet the hosts did not ask any follow up questions, such as: Why?
July 30, 2008 at 3:09 pm
OT Yankees have acquired catcher Ivan Rodriguez from the Tigers for Kyle Farnsworth
July 30, 2008 at 3:09 pm
#36@Steve C: No, he specifically said, they have yet to produce the players.
July 30, 2008 at 3:12 pm
#39@Field39: Right that’s what I mean, people are blaming the SA system for this years debacle so I think what SA was saying is that the system is not in place yet it is still working its way up through the minors.
July 30, 2008 at 3:13 pm
15: I’d do that deal with the Dodgers-even with Bell included. I do agree that it makes some sense for the Dodgers-they get the SS they need, a solid #4 starter, and a back end of the bullpen. We get the CF of the future and SS of the future. In both cases the future si pretty much now. I think that Hu can be a big league SS–his AAA numbers and AA numbers the last two years are pretty impressive and people have raved about his defense at SS for years.
July 30, 2008 at 3:21 pm
#35@Jack from Boston: Thanks for checkin’ in, Jack … a lot of here are still rooting for Matt!
I think the question about the drop in SBs acknowledges that his OBP isn’t as down as his BA would lead one to believe on first glace (.326) … so given that, the drop in SBs does appear excessive … perhaps his spot in the batting order doesn’t lend itself to getting many green lights …
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.....pid=453327
Hey, those stats from 49 games at AA San Antonio don’t look “bad” to me (.294 / .395 / .476 for OPS = .871) …
I hope an answer to his swing issues is found … the Padres need him!
July 30, 2008 at 3:23 pm
#36@Steve C: I think he means Giles, Adrian and Peavy. I know that’s three players.
It’s hard to talk about Young as a key guy when he is 29 and has never pitched 200 innings in a season and may not ever do it.
As for Bell and Hoffman, relievers are the easiest thing to find in the majors. And Hoffman could be in his last year. Maybe one more.
July 30, 2008 at 3:28 pm
#26@KRS1: No one is bitching about Edgar.
JR said he is glad he is playing every day, so the Padres get a good look. What that means is more information is better. Good or bad.
July 30, 2008 at 3:30 pm
#38@Steve C: Wow.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/.....id=3511535
July 30, 2008 at 3:34 pm
#30@JMAR: There are two positions at which the Padres have had no hitting: shorstop and catcher. Bard and Barrett both have OBPs under .300.
So while I am quick to praise the rest of the lineup, 1/4 of the regulars have hit like pitchers.
The pitching has been the major problem though.
July 30, 2008 at 3:38 pm
#26@KRS1:How could anyone complain about Egon ? Who is complaining anyway ? Just want to see more than 3 months of production that’s all.
July 30, 2008 at 3:42 pm
Thanks Lynchmob he is working hard to get back to where he should be.
July 30, 2008 at 3:53 pm
#44@Kevin:
He also said… “Egon 1 for his last 24 and his defense has not been good”
and Field said… “He is a one dimensional player, and when that dimension isn’t working. His flaws stand out all the more”
Maybe “bitching” was a strong term on my part but “nitpicking” is probably fair.
#47@JP:
He’s got 7 years of minor league experience that looks to be pretty consistant with this seasons production. I understand 3 months is a small sample but so is a bad week at the plate. I am also really glad Edgar is getting a good fair look at the big league level. The guy has looked really good.
On a side note, I saw Dan Haren today walking around at Horton Plaza with his family.
July 30, 2008 at 3:54 pm
#46@Kevin: Losing CY for 2 months really hurt. With him back healthy, I am not sure that pitching is the major problem. The Padres haven’t scored runs this year.
The Padres are 2nd to last in all the majors in runs scored. Runs scored is what it is all about.
July 30, 2008 at 3:59 pm
#49@KRS1: I am glad as well that he is getting a fair look. Furthermore, his offensive performance thus far justifies this look. Quite a splash Edgar has made ~ I am sure this was all he could ask for.
However, I have watched enough baseball over the years to not get too excited about 240 at bats of good (not very good) production for a 30 year old career minor leaguer who truly is one dimensional.
July 30, 2008 at 3:59 pm
#43@Kevin: Bard had a .404 OBP in ‘06 and a .364 OBP in ‘07. I think the cortisone shot he had for his surgically repaired thumb was a sign that he wasn’t 100% earlier in the season. And while he shouldn’t be catching more than 3-4 days per week, I think he’s the perfect complement to split time with a young catcher who throws well and hits for some power. Hundley might be that guy.
#46@Kevin: Relievers can be easy to find, but they are so unpredictable. Bell is working on his second straight really good year and a guy with Hoffman’s work ethic, leadership, and consistency don’t come around very often. The fact that he isn’t as effective anymore and might retire after ‘08 make Bell that much more valuable.
July 30, 2008 at 4:02 pm
#52@JMAR: For Bard, I was just talking about this year.
For Bell, he has been one of the top five to 10 relievers in baseball over the past two years. But any regular or any starting pitcher is more valuable, even if they are league average.
July 30, 2008 at 4:02 pm
#50@JP: I understand the feeling that “the Padres haven’t scored run this year” … but I think the basic counter-arguement is OPS+ vs ERA+ …
http://www.baseball-reference......2008.shtml
… says current OPS+ = 96 and ERA+ = 89 … so, both are an issue … pitching appears to be more of an issue … and that does align with my general feeling that even when we’ve scored some runs, the pitching’s given up more …
“Runs scored” is *not* what it’s “all” about … that’s only half of what it’s about … the other half being “runs prevented” … it’s *all* about winning = Runs Scored > Runs Prevented …
July 30, 2008 at 4:04 pm
#50@JP: The pitching has been worse. The pitching are hitting are distorted because of the park.
As Richard pointed out last night, the hitting is second best in the NL West behind the Rockies. The pitching has been the worst in the division.
July 30, 2008 at 4:05 pm
51: I wanted to argue with you about Edgar having “not very good” production. But, taking a look at the 2B leaderboard in the NL, he’s 11th in OPS among 2B with more than 150 AB’s. That’s…well below average.
When is Antonelli getting his swing fixed
July 30, 2008 at 4:10 pm
#55@Kevin: Based on the previously mentioned Alderson interview, the park will probably be tuned this winter.
July 30, 2008 at 4:11 pm
52: I agree entirely about Bard. He’s a perfect platoon partner for Hundley.
July 30, 2008 at 4:12 pm
#50@JP: #54@LynchMob: I’ve been bitching about the offense for five years now, but that’s because they were always one big bat away from being an elite team, in my opinion. Take away the good pitching and you have … the 2008 San Diego Padres.
So the question is, what gets this team back to respectability faster, pitching or offense? I have to say, based on my 25+ years of experience of watching Padre baseball on a daily basis, that building up that pitching staff is what will get this team back into contention again. Then I’ll start bitching about us being one big bat away again, but at least we won’t be 25 games under .500.
July 30, 2008 at 4:13 pm
The Padres are 11th in the league in OPS+ and 15th in the league in ERA+, ahead of only the Pirates.
The hitting has been below average. The pitching has been a few notches worse than that.
July 30, 2008 at 4:13 pm
#57@Field39: Interesting.
July 30, 2008 at 4:18 pm
#57@Field39: I wonder if Gerut’s 500 foot blast that was caught at the right field wall has anything at all to do with that decision or have they already decided that something needed to be done?
July 30, 2008 at 4:19 pm
BP has Manny Ramirez as “on the verge” of being traded to the Marlins:
http://www.baseballprospectus......red/?p=965
July 30, 2008 at 4:19 pm
62: The distance works for and against both sides. I’m sure that a decision wouldn’t be made based on that play.
July 30, 2008 at 4:21 pm
#63@Paul R: Interesting stuff. ESPN.com has Manny stuff, too.
Also: “The Dodgers and Padres continue to have conversations about veteran starter Greg Maddux, and the two sides are beginning the process of exchanging names and perhaps working toward a deal.”
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn.....e_deadline
July 30, 2008 at 4:22 pm
Just saw this at MLBTradeRumors
July 30, 2008 at 4:23 pm
Haha sorry I forgot to add “5:28pm: The Dodgers have their eye on Greg Maddux as well, according to Buster Olney. Names are being exchanged.”
July 30, 2008 at 4:24 pm
#56@Paul R: When evaluating Padre hitters against the league you always always always need to adjust for park. He’s currently 12th in all of baseball (both leagues) in OPS+ for second basemen (defined as playing 50%+ of games at second) with 150+ PA. So, above average.
July 30, 2008 at 4:24 pm
#62@JMAR: I doubt if they would base any decision on one play.
Here is the direct quote regarding the play: “Any plalyer who hits a ball that hard, that far, deserves to be rewarded.”
July 30, 2008 at 4:37 pm
#64@Paul R: #69@Field39: Of course one play would not force them to change the dimensions, but based on that quote about being rewarded for hitting a ball that hard, I gotta believe it could have an influence on the decision.
July 30, 2008 at 4:39 pm
FJ (http://padres.mlblogs.com/) has the lineup posted …
Jody Gerut, CF
Luis Rodriguez, 2B
Brian Giles, RF
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Kevin Kouzmanoff, 3B
Chase Headley, LF
Josh Bard, C
Khalil Greene, SS
Cha Seung Baek, P
… with these comments …
Edgar Gonzalez, in a 1-for-24 stretch, gets a breather against the always-tough Haren. The only Padres batter with a home run off Haren is Adrian Gonzalez, with one in 14 at-bats. Giles is 4-for-13 vs. Haren with two doubles, and Kouzmanoff is 3-for-8 with a double. Greene, conversely, is 0-for-11 vs. Haren, explaining his drop to eighth in the batting order.
Nobody on the D-backs has more than three at-bats vs. Baek, so the sample are insignificant.
July 30, 2008 at 4:43 pm
#70@JMAR: Perhaps the final straw. Regardless, it sounded like a decision has been made, but will not be announced until after the season.
July 30, 2008 at 4:46 pm
If you’re a CY fan, there’s a very good high-res pic of him at FJ’s blog …
http://padres.mlblogs.com/arch.....res_0.html
July 30, 2008 at 5:01 pm
#62@JMAR: 500 foot blast ?
Complaints about the park fall on a deaf ear for me. Model your team around the park then, did the 80’s Astros complain about the pitcher friendly Astrodome ? I still find it hard to believe how little team speed and most importantly how unselective at the plate the current Padres are considering the park they play in. Not to mention. how poorly the Padres play “little ball” and/or execute by moving runners along. What, are we going to move the fences in and have the Padres batter still swinging for the fences ?
July 30, 2008 at 5:02 pm
35: Thank you Jack for checking in and the information about Matt. We are pulling for him to get back on track.
re: Maddux, I’m going to miss having that guy pitch for the Padres. Such a pro to watch even when he’s struggling.
Really, Manny to the Marlins? I don’t see it.
July 30, 2008 at 5:03 pm
#69@Field39: As Wee Willie Keeler said “Hit ‘em where they ain’t “
July 30, 2008 at 5:05 pm
#55@Kevin. So we can always counter the no runs being scored fact by looking for the “it’s the ballpark” shelter ?
July 30, 2008 at 5:08 pm
#60#60@Kevin: OPS+ middle of the pack but they don’t push them across.
July 30, 2008 at 5:10 pm
#59@JMAR: Sorry to clog here….
Pitching is why I think the Pads will be in the race next year.
July 30, 2008 at 5:12 pm
OT … Carpenter pitching for Cardinals tonight …
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/boxscore?gid=280730115
July 30, 2008 at 5:16 pm
#78@JP: Why do you think that is? I think some folks propose that that is “bad luck” … I don’t know … if it’s something tangible / predictable, then lets be clear about what it is …
July 30, 2008 at 5:22 pm
#74@JP:
1. Yes, the Astros did complain, and the Astrodome did suppress their runs.
2. The numbers have probably been posted 20 times. When the Padres had a fast team and stole a lot of bases, they scored fewer runs than when they had a station-to-station team with power. This year, unfortunately, they haven’t been getting on, they didn’t hit for a lot of power, and they’re slow on top of it. The first 2 are way more important than the last.
3. If hits are hard to come by in Petco - and they are - giving up outs to move runners makes less sense, not more.
#77@JP: It’s not a shelter. It’s a fact. And when the hitting isn’t good, as it isn’t now, it looks even worse because of the park.
July 30, 2008 at 5:22 pm
#74@JP: OK, so it was only a 408 foot blast but it sure did seem like it went 500 feet.
July 30, 2008 at 5:32 pm
#82@Tom Waits: But the 1980-1986 Astros put the bat on the ball, they didn’t have 5 or 6 guys with 90+ strikeouts in a season. Big difference.
July 30, 2008 at 5:35 pm
#82@Tom Waits: Who complained on the Astros about the Dome ? Jose Cruz, Denny Walling, Terry Puhl, Kevin Bass…..maybe Glenn Davis but that was later.
So the Pads continue to be unselective at the plate and we can wash it all away by saying ‘look, its the ballpark’
July 30, 2008 at 5:40 pm
#85@JP: in 54, I said “both are an issue” … in 60, Kevin said “The hitting has been below average” … in 82, TW says “the hitting isn’t good” … who is washing anything away?
July 30, 2008 at 5:42 pm
Even last night before Gerut’s long out, nobody mentions today, that Nick Hundley, earlier in the same inning/rally , swung at a 2-0 pitch out of the strike zone. Of course Hundley is a rookie but I think this sums up the approach that these guys generally take at the plate.
Going back to Egon, but furthers my point, truthfully the guy needs to hit close to .300 to be a positive factor because he too will strike out 80-90 times over a full season with very few walks.
July 30, 2008 at 5:43 pm
#84@JP:
1. Strikeouts in the early 80s were much lower across baseball. In 83 the Mets led the NL in strikeouts with 1031. In 2007 only 4 teams struck out less than that. Hardly any teams had even one 100 K guy. Now it’s common.
2. The 83 Astros had a 107 OPS+ (good) but scored 3.97 runs per game, 3rd from last. It’s the ballpark.
July 30, 2008 at 5:47 pm
#85@JP: Every hitter complained about it. Here are some snippets from a piece on the Astrodome:
“The dimensions of the Astrodome used to terrify hitters. The park kept hitters like Jose Cruz, Sr., Cesar Cedeno and Glenn Davis, off the radar screens fans everywhere.
Although the dimensions of the park were no longer egregious after 1977, when the power alleys were reduced from 390 feet to 375 feet (the 16-foot fences were reduced to 10 feet), hitters continued to complain that the ball didn’t seem to carry well at all. This is particularly true when the air conditioning system was off, because poor air circulation didn’t help hitters at all. Hitters also complain that visibility here is poor.”
You absolutely CANNOT wash away the Padres’ lack of selectivity. They’ve done a poor job this year at getting on base. But their offense, after a disastrous April, has been average. It’ll probably be average or above at the end of the year. Their problem, since April, has been mostly the pitching.
July 30, 2008 at 5:52 pm
#86@LynchMob: Yes. Nobody’s saying they’ve hit well THIS year, although it’s gotten a lot better.
The Padres have had an above-average offense every year since moving into Petco, except for 2008 (so far). They’ve had a winning record at home every year, except for 2008. Their hitting has generally not been a problem. The bigger problem has been pitching that superficially looks better than it is, and a seeming tendency to believe that anybody can get by in Petco, so we’ll stick junk at the back of the rotation. I doubt the Padres really believe that, but it’s how they’ve operated.
July 30, 2008 at 5:56 pm
#78@JP: The hitting has been below average, and the reason for that has been the Padres have hit “three pitchers” in Nos. 7-9 in the batting order. The top of the lineup has got on, and, you’re right, they haven’t come home enough.
They haven’t got it done at the plate, and they have still been better than the pitchers.
July 30, 2008 at 6:03 pm
#86@LynchMob: Understood. The ballpark has zero to do with the Padres lack of success this year. Nothing.
July 30, 2008 at 6:04 pm
Faris putting up more goose eggs for San Antonio …
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.....x_coraax_1
… 0-0 thru 3 …
July 30, 2008 at 6:07 pm
#92@JP: I really do not understand what you mean here …
July 30, 2008 at 6:07 pm
#89@Tom Waits: Actually I do remember Cedeno complaining about Houston and his lack of recognition but I thought it was more about playing in a small market than about the ballpark.
Looking back at Cedeno’s numbers is interesting, jeez he got old in a hurry. By 31 he was done. It was the turf I think. He had no knees by the time he was 30.
July 30, 2008 at 6:59 pm
#88@Tom Waits: Interesting. Why do you think strikeout totals in the last 20 years are so much higher ?
I recall a recent interview with Larry Bowa in which he stated that he can never, ever get a young player to choke up the way he and others did 20-30 years ago (remember Felix Millan ?). They simply will not listen. Why is this so ?
By the way, Cedeno was long gone when the Astros had success, so his complaints about the Astrodome might have been tempered when they began to win. Anyway, who complains about the park dimensions when you are playing good ball ?
#94@LynchMob: As I was finishing mowing the lawn, I was thinking, “that was a poorly worded retort” to Lynch’s rebuttal . I understand your point about my misinterpretation re: earlier posts. Who would argue that the Padres have not had a stellar year offensively. I just thought that some were inferring that a change in Petco would mean better success offensively and hence more win and I am sure that this is not the case.
Go Padres ! Let’s take a second straight series. I’ll be cheering them on..
July 30, 2008 at 7:07 pm
#96@JP: re: Why more strikeouts? Simple … chicks dig the long ball!
re: retort … got it … ‘cept I’m pretty sure you’ve got an extra “not” in there
I don’t know anyone who would argue that the Padres *have* had a stellar year offensively … and I don’t know anyone who would argue that a change in Petco would mean better success offensively …
Idea: let’s wear our rally caps the whole game!!!
July 30, 2008 at 7:09 pm