Author Archives rss

Lousy, Yet Affordable

Another day, another loss. We had tickets for Monday night, but I didn’t get off work until 7 p.m. and the knee was killing me, so instead we watched on TV over Greek salad and Sam’s spaghetti with spinach and blue cheese. Why does Kevin Correia’s windup put him in such horrible fielding position? He [...]

Play with Your Food

I have the strangest dreams… Maybe the Padres will do okay this year. In your heart of hearts, you don’t believe it, but you’ll commit to it over olives on a fork and flutes of champagne. You’ll sneak it into conversation, right between “My kid is smart, he’s just not motivated” and “I watch Giada [...]

Eight Sliders Sliding

Got my coffee. Got my Neko Case. Like when I drove from Asheville to Durham en route to Cooperstown for Tony Gwynn’s Hall of Fame induction. So many trees. I miss the road. * * * Jody Gerut rocks the ’69 uni Stupid game Tuesday night at PhoneCo. Top of the fourth, Kevin Kouzmanoff bangs [...]

Do What You Cannot Do

The way it works with cover bands in this town is you play two nights — Friday and Saturday — from 9 p.m. to close. Three one-hour sets punctuated by 10-minute breaks, with a longer (80-minute) set to end the night. Wait, are we playing Jimmy Buffet and then Slayer, or is it the other [...]

The Ride Is All We Have

Opening Day. An affirmation of spring, life, and all that is good in the world. Moments of perfection will carry us through difficult times. There is no other way. Baseball is my pulse, my clock, my book of days. Seasons all run together. I was in high school discovering Roto, now I’m a month shy [...]

Third Door on the Left/Patchwork Pitching Staff Blues

You are in the wrong place. You want hope — third door on the left, just past apathy and before foolishness. Take a good look at what you cannot have. It is written that the Padres will be terrible this year, and what is written must be true. Cancel the games, record them as losses, [...]

Geoff’s Publishing Schedule for 2009

Thing is, writing the 2009 Annual took a lot out of me. So does writing software documentation 40 hours a week. Life is good; I’ve got no complaints or regrets. That said, you deserve to know why I’m scaling back production this year. Here’s the plan for 2009: Monday: Ducksnorts Tuesday: Baseball Daily Digest Thursday [...]

RIP, John Brattain

I am saddened devastated to report that my colleague and friend, John Brattain, has died. John was a fine baseball writer and a fine human being. He will be missed more than I can articulate. I will offer additional thoughts at Hardball Times a bit later. Meanwhile, if you want to know about John, start [...]

IVIE 2009 Projections

Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the comatosely accurate IVIE projections for 2009 (explanation). For the hitters, I’ve included the name of a player whose career line is similar to our projection. As always, thanks to all who participated. Enjoy… Padres IVIE Projections for 2009: Hitters Player No. PA BA OBP SLG Comp Matt [...]

IVIE 2009: Relief Pitchers

You may have heard me on the radio during your Monday morning commute… if you happen to live in Montreal. Big thanks to Elliott, Shaun, and Denis at The Team 990 for having me on to talk Padres baseball. IVIE community projections catchers infielders outfielders starting pitchers I’ve also got a guest post up at [...]