Looks like we’re not the only ones impressed with the Padres this April: Greene is NL Rookie of the Month (MLB.com) Giles named NL Player of Week (MLB.com) Mets manager hopes protest means new delivery for Otsuka (NC Times). Ultimate respect: “Maybe we’ll get (Otsuka) to change his delivery,” Howe said Sunday. This is a [...]

One or two days a year I get to come into work at 5 in the morning to support a large webcast meeting on the east coast. Today is one of those days. Hence I am blogging at 3:30 AM. Hence the apologies in advance if this is more incoherent than usual. Got my first [...]

Most times, I’d be happy with two out of three from the Giants. But this time, the Pads had every opportunity to sweep. Once again, the starting pitching was outstanding. Once again, the bullpen faltered. It’s early, and there is plenty of time for things to change, but right now the relief corps is the [...]

Is it me, or did Friday seem like it would never come this week? Now we just have to hope the rain leaves before Thursday. Bullet points today… Padres break camp grateful to be intact (NC Times). Of the players expected to be on the Opening Day roster, only Rod Beck won’t be. Phil Nevin [...]

Short and sweet today. Some of this stuff is a little dated, but still relevant. Besides, if I didn’t include the old ones, I wouldn’t have anywhere to put my smart-ass comments. NC Times Low the way to go for hard-hit Lawrence Odalis Perez and Adrian Beltre (both free agents after 2004) for Sean Burroughs? [...]

Just getting over a cold, so bullet points today. Backup catchers battling (NC Times). The job is still wide open. Adam Eaton talks about his most recent outing. I watched that game, and the two things that stood out to me were that he was working high in the zone a little much and that [...]

My wrists are killing me, so we’ll keep this short and sweet. Conversation with Tye Waller (PDX Beavers). Jonathan talks to the Pads’ Director of Player Development, who offers his thoughts on Bernie Castro, Freddy Guzman, Jason Szuminski, and more. Nice work here. Padres Notes: Top pick Stauffer makes belated debut (NC Times). Regular reader [...]

Seems the hosting company moved my site to another server while I was on vacation and ducksnorts.com disappeared for a few days. In case you missed last Thursday’s report, check it out before proceeding. In other news, Brian Buchanan is seeing a lot of action at first base with Phil Nevin sidelined. Jeff Cirillo and [...]

While I was off cavorting about California’s central coast, discovering my new favorite small town, Phil Nevin injured his right shoulder. Again. Diving for a ball. Again. On March 7. Again. Details of Nevin’s injury and prognosis: Nevin suffers another injury (NC Times) Nady gets call to fill in at first (NC Times). Nevin is [...]

Greetings from San Luis Obispo, a town along the central coast of California about 6 1/2 hours’ drive northwest of San Diego. Vacation, what a concept! Now that games have started, we can start monitoring the shortstop and #5 starter battles. Way too early to draw any conclusions, but here’s how things look so far: [...]