Spring Training IGD: Padres vs Royals (26 Mar 07)

by Geoff Young on Mar 26, 2007 (29) Comments

first pitch: 7:05 p.m., PT
television: Channel 4SD
matchup: our guy vs their guy

You know who I’m looking forward to watching in this game? The Royals’ Alex Gordon. Dude destroyed Double-A pitching to the tune of 325/.427/.588 last year in his first pro exposure. Yeah, Wichita is a great hitters’ park, but this looks like the next Mark Teixeira to me.

Gordon is batting a robust .391/.500/.630 this spring. Not to discredit what he’s done, but bear in mind that Cactus League numbers can be a little — well, let’s just say that Joey Gathright has homered.

Padres stuff? Mainly I’m hoping that everyone stays healthy over the next week and is ready to go come Opening Day. Yes, Todd Walker is about to be released and we’ll talk more about that tomorrow; meanwhile, enjoy the game…

Notes from Peoria

by Geoff Young on Mar 26, 2007 (17) Comments

I’m back. There is an overwhelming amount of information for me to process, so we’ll just go with bullet points of things learned or rediscovered along the way:

  • The late Jeff Buckley was a musical genius.
  • The parking situation at Phoenix Municipal Stadium stinks. How a parking lot cannot prepare itself to accommodate actual cars is beyond me.
  • There are some pretty smart A’s fans out there; we were fortunate enough to chat with some of them on Friday and even more fortunate to run into them again on Saturday.
  • Oscar Robles can handle the bat. He did a nice job on a few hit-and-run plays, and generally made a nuisance of himself at the plate in a Dave Roberts kind of way.
  • Andrew Brown looks like a project to me. Rich Campbell has concerns about Brown as well.
  • Haus Murphys features excellent German food, beer, and one particularly feisty and hilarious waitress.
  • Russell Branyan is unbelievably strong. He hit two absolute bombs this weekend. Both were foul balls, but the one on Saturday against Milwaukee at Maryvale cleared the stadium. The one on Sunday was off his front foot on a pitch that fooled him.
  • Jake Peavy is nibbling again. It’s only one spring training start, and maybe he was working on some things, but I’d like to see Peavy get a little more aggressive when he’s ahead in the count this year.
  • The ball comes off the bat real fast. You may have heard about Kevin Towers’ accident on Saturday. Didi and I were sitting directly behind him, and SD Padres Gal was just a few seats to his left. Scary stuff.
  • Brian Giles still knows how to work a count. He had a great at-bat Saturday against lefty Chris Capuano. After falling behind 0-2, Giles fouled off some tough pitches and eventually worked a walk.
  • Speaking of SD Padres Gal, it was great to meet her, SD Padres Guy, and Steve C. and family at the game in Maryvale. You know what else was great? Being at a road game and hearing Padres fans outnumber the opposition. That’s a twist.
  • I don’t know anything about Tim Brown, but he absolutely crushed a Derrick Turnbow fastball for a three-run homer. Even in spring training, if you crush a Turnbow fastball, you get my attention.
  • Saturday evening, SD Padres Gal, SD Padres Guy, LynchMob, and friend, lovespooh2 (sorry ’bout that!), Didi, and I all met up at Dillon’s for outstanding barbecue and conversation.
  • Peoria Sports Complex is huge. There are 12 fields in addition to the stadium, and if you park on the Mariners side of the complex, you are in for a very long walk to the Padres practice fields.
  • Bruce Bochy in a Giants uniform is just wrong.
  • Adrian Gonzalez can hit a baseball. He homered to right-center on Sunday and hit another high off the batters’ eye in center at Peoria that would have gone out in just about any big-league ballpark.
  • Cla Meredith, Heath Bell, and Scott Strickland all pitched well on Sunday. Meredith’s line isn’t great, but everyone he faced hit the ball on the ground.
  • The drive back seems a lot longer than the drive out, especially when you don’t get started till 4:30 p.m., after having baked in the Arizona sun for several hours.

Other Stuff

  • I’m working on getting photos posted. Some are already up; the rest will be there soon.
  • Thanks to Billfer at Baseblogging for the kind review and Q&A of the Ducksnorts 2007 Baseball Annual. Thanks also to everyone for buying it and for providing feedback. Once you’ve read the book, if you’d consider rating and/or reviewing it over at Lulu.com, I’d appreciate it. And keep the comments coming; I’m already planning for 2008. :-)
  • Some encouraging words in this piece in the U-T on clubhouse chemistry: “Veteran infielder Geoff Blum said it appears that Black is a tad less oriented to veteran players than was his predecessor, Bruce Bochy, and that Black has done more to involve the younger players.”
  • Sports Illustrated is adding blogs to their coverage (very cool!). Right now they’re running a poll to determine folks’ favorite team blogs. Ducksnorts is getting smoked; go fix that, would ya?

That’s all for now. Tonight’s game against the Royals will be televised on Channel 4SD. We’ll have the IGD up and running around 6 p.m. PT.

Padres Preview at CGBB

by Geoff Young on Mar 23, 2007 (29) Comments

I’m probably somewhere between San Diego and Peoria by the time you’re reading this. With luck, there isn’t any rain.

Today’s post is another Padres preview, this one at Chad Gramling’s Baseball Blog (thanks, Chad!). We’ve also got links at del.icio.us if you need your link fix.

Or just talk about whatever is on your mind. Happy Friday!

Change for Hensley

by Geoff Young on Mar 22, 2007 (20) Comments

Right-hander Clay Hensley served up a solo homer to Milwaukee’s J.J. Hardy but otherwise pitched a gem on Wednesday. Among other things, Hensley walked none over six innings at Peoria — always a good sign. Quoth skipper Bud Black: “His mound presence was great. He was in control. He moved the ball in and out and changed speeds.”

The bit about changing speeds is interesting. Apparently Greg Maddux has been working with Hensley on his grip. More accurately, Maddux has been teaching Hensley how to help himself with his grip. The trick? Throw a bad change-up:

By intentionally throwing a poor change-up in his practice sessions, Hensley was forced to fix the problem immediately, a teaching tool that Hensley soon appreciated.

This is a fascinating approach. Can you imagine the confidence required to intentionally throw a bad pitch as a diagnostic tool? Funny what 330 wins under your belt will do.

The proof is in the proverbial pudding, of course, and we can’t know what impact Maddux will have on the rest of the staff. This could be something, or it could be nothing. That said, it’s hard not to be encouraged by these kinds of stories.

Elsewhere

I am in several places at once today. It’s like that Michael Keaton movie, only without the delicious Andie MacDowell:

Okay, time to pack for Peoria. I’m heading out to the desert first thing Friday morning. Assuming I can figure out how to do the wireless thing, I’ll be transmitting from points hotter and drier than here. Wish me luck…

Walker’s Arbitration, A Bit o’ History, and Thanks

by Geoff Young on Mar 21, 2007 (8) Comments

First off, baseball bloggers rock. I need to acknowledge several fine folks for mentioning the Ducksnorts 2007 Baseball Annual. Much appreciated!

Thank You!

If I’ve missed anyone, I apologize — no slight intended. Please let me know, and I will gladly add it to the list.

I’ve also lined up some book reviews and I’m trying to work on the local media outlets. We’ll see how it goes.

Walker Arbitration Blues

Meanwhile, back at the ballpark, this whole Todd Walker arbitration thing won’t go away:

The union likely would pressure Walker to file a grievance were he to be released. Researchers already working on this issue have found only one other player (Brian Hunter) who was released after winning in arbitration.

“The union is involved,” [Padres union rep Chris] Young said. “If there is a grievance, the MLBPA would become Todd’s legal counsel. I’m not familiar with all the details and the rules, but this raises some important questions.”

Yuck. I guess now we know why Kevin Towers and the Padres have avoided taking their players to arbitration over the years. Here’s an interesting thought exercise: If the Pads had acquired Marcus Giles for Scott Linebrink, presumably they wouldn’t have offered Walker arbitration. Would the loss of Linebrink in such a scenario be offset by not having to overpay to keep Walker on the club and taking a spot perhaps better used on, say, Paul McAnulty? It’s a Monday morning quarterback type of question, but if nothing else, we see the level of complexity in thinking about the issue. These aren’t easy decisions to make.

1969 Revisited

Throughout the season, we’ll be taking a look back at the Padres’ inaugural campaign. Starting with Opening Day 1969, I’ll write a post recapping the day’s game (idea blatantly ripped off from TigerBlog).

First, a quick step back.

A while ago, I asked how many posts y’all would like to see from me each day and the general feeling was that we should go for quality over quantity. I’m totally down with that. I also don’t want to disrupt the flow of conversation, and I think (hope) that the Recent Comments dealio over on the side is helping.

With that in mind, I’m shooting for about three posts a day — staggered throughout so we have a little time to absorb each one before moving on to the next topic. We’ll run the 1969 Revisited post around midnight PT, the usual “what’s going on” post around 8 a.m. PT, and the IGD on game days, an hour before first pitch.

So, that was a long and awkward preface. Now the good part…

March 21, 1969

The Padres signed left-hander Johnny Podres as a free agent today. A three-time All-Star with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Podres was out of baseball last season but spent 1967 pitching for the Detroit Tigers. Working mostly in relief that year, he fashioned a 3.84 ERA (85 ERA+) over 63 1/3 innings. Podres is 36 years old and has had a long layoff, so who knows how much use he’ll be. Still, folks in Southern California might remember his glory days with the Dodgers, and his last name sounds a lot like the name of the new San Diego franchise.

Podres is most famous for shutting out the New York Yankees in Game 7 of the 1955 World Series as a 23-year-old and for his outstanding changeup. He also missed the entire 1956 season due to a commitment with the Navy.

Opening Day is less than three weeks away. The anticipation is growing for the newest team in the National League. A Major League Baseball game will be played in San Diego on April 8, and a city waits…

Spring Training IGD: Padres vs Angels (20 Mar 07)

by Geoff Young on Mar 20, 2007 (21) Comments

first pitch: 7:05 p.m., PT
television: Channel 4SD
matchup: Chris Young vs Ervin Santana (hat tip to Friar John)

Two weeks until Opening Day. Tonight we’ll have to settle for baseball in Peoria. Go Padres!

Tango’s Community Forecasts

by Geoff Young on Mar 20, 2007 (22) Comments

TangoTiger is soliciting projections from readers (hat tip to Pat in the comments):

Go to the page of your favorite team, and put in the OPS (OBP+SLG) and ERA you expect from as many players as you feel comfortable. As well, if you can, note the number of games for the non-pitchers and the role for the pitchers. The players listed are on the 40-man roster.

Once the season starts, I’ll report the Crowds’ expectation, as well as those from the professional forecasting systems. Let’s see who has more insight.

Here is the Padres link. Give it a spin, then come back here and talk about it or anything else that’s on your mind. You know, the usual stuff.

Also, tonight’s game against the Angels will be broadcast on Channel 4. First pitch is 7:05 p.m. PT; we’ll have the IGD up and running at 6 p.m.

Finally, thanks to everyone who has bought the book. Thanks for the love, and keep spreading the word. Nothing less than total global domination will be accepted.

You can’t stop Padres fans, you can only hope to contain them.

Wells Battles Diabetes

by Geoff Young on Mar 19, 2007 (22) Comments

According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, Padres left-hander David Wells has Type 2 diabetes. Wells says he has made modifications to his lifestyle since learning about his condition:

From the time I found out, I made changes. No more starches and sugar. No more rice, pasta, potatoes and white bread. No more fast food. I’ve cut out alcohol.

I can still have a glass of wine now and then. I can still run with the guys. But I’ve got to watch what I’m doing. I’m not drinking.

Wells, of course, isn’t the only Padres pitcher who has diabetes. Right-hander Scott Cassidy learned in 2000, while pitching in the Toronto Blue Jays organization, that he had juvenile diabetes.

Other baseball players who have battled diabetes during their careers include former Cubs third baseman Ron Santo and longtime big-league right-hander Bill Gullickson. More recently, pro basketball player Adam Morrison has been in the spotlight for his condition.

Heck, even Olympic swimmer Gary Hall Jr. has had to deal with diabetes. Not that Wells is in anywhere near the shape that Hall is, but it sounds like this thing is beatable.

Here’s hoping…

Spring Training IGD: Padres vs White Sox (18 Mar 07)

by Geoff Young on Mar 18, 2007 (24) Comments

first pitch: 1:05 p.m., PT
television: Channel 4SD

I think David Wells is starting for the Padres, but there’s no way to be sure. Well, there probably is, but I can’t find it.

Friday Links (16 Mar 07)

by Geoff Young on Mar 16, 2007 (14) Comments

So, I’ve started a Ducksnorts del.icio.us account and I’m updating it throughout the day with links of potential interest. If you can’t wait till Friday to get your fix or you don’t mind wading through, like, five times as many links as I’ll post here, knock yourself out.

Onto the week’s best:

  • Great expectations (Yahoo!, via LynchMob in the comments). Writer Tim Brown explores Jake Peavy‘s drop in production last season. Quoth Peavy: “The velocity just wasn’t there. And if the velocity’s not there you better be sharp. But then I wasn’t throwing bullpens between starts, so it’s really hard to stay sharp.”
  • Pitcher’s Luck (via Didi in the comments). David Pinto examines which pitchers were helped most by their defense in 2006. Chris Young tops the NL list, ahead of Chris Carpenter. Maybe there’s something in that first name. ;-)
  • Wells savors loose Padres atmosphere (Padres.com, via Pat in the comments). Tons of great stuff in here. My favorite quotes come from manager Bud Black, including this one on David Wells and Greg Maddux: “I want those two guys to be themselves, to do what they’ve done their entire career, because what they’ve done both on and off the field is impressive, or they wouldn’t have lasted this long. I’m not trying to tell those guys whether to be leaders or not. I think by nature they are.” It’s too early to say, of course, but I like what I’m hearing from Black so far.
  • Gwynn dished it, ripped it in college (Inside Bay Area, via Jonathan S in the comments). Nice little Q&A with Mr. Padre, Tony Gwynn — er, I mean, Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn. :-) Can you imagine telling Ted Williams that he “didn’t put the bat on the ball like I did”? Sheesh, it must be nice.
  • Raising successful children: Todd Walker’s mom Donna Walker says close your eyes and pray (Shreveport Times). This is kind of cool, because it’s an angle you don’t see often. Padres’ infielder Todd Walker‘s mother talks about parenting. Todd’s brother Mark plays football at LSU, while sister Lindsay is married to former MLB pitcher and NFL quarterback Chad Hutchinson.
  • The Best Benches in the National League (Hardball Times). Jeff Sackmann likes the Padres’ bench for 2007.
  • The Nine (Bugs & Cranks). Another year, another leadoff hitter for the San Diego Padres. This is impressive, but not in the way you want to be impressed.

There it is. I know you’ve already bought the book, and I thank you for that. Keep spreading the word, and I’ll do the same.

Oh, also, Sunday’s game against the White Sox will be telecast on Channel 4 at 1:05 p.m. PT. We’ll fire up the IGD, so hang with us if you can. Go Padres!