by Geoff Young on Jan 03, 2011
In Summer 2007, I drove from San Diego to Cooperstown for Tony Gwynn’s induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame. This is Part 8 of a nine-part series covering the first day of my journey.
After refueling, calling home, and chewing on a slab of beef jerky, I continued east toward Grants, N.M. The road took me through Holbrook and Chambers, through Sanders and Houck, past Petrified Forest National Park and the Painted Desert, through Gallup and Thoreau (not named, as often thought, after the famed 19th-century author from Massachusetts). Again, we are connecting dots.
I arrived at Grants at 6:47 p.m. The game in Albuquerque was scheduled to start 13 minutes from now. I had 80 miles between me and the ballpark. Still, a few innings would be better than nothing. Until then, I had the open road, clear skies, and an abundance of comforting tunes. Continue reading ›
by Geoff Young on Dec 31, 2010
Yesterday, we discussed the signings of Aaron Harang and Orlando Hudson. Today, we turn our attention to Brad Hawpe and Jed Hoyer. Continue reading ›
by Geoff Young on Dec 30, 2010
Between the holiday season and a flu bug that refuses to leave, I have been negligent in my duties. Today, we start catching up and cover a couple of items that demand commentary. Continue reading ›
by Geoff Young on Dec 29, 2010
While rummaging through The Bill James Handbook 2011, I found some interesting items. Without wishing to dwell on the past, one such item is a list providing the number of days each team led (or shared the lead of) their division, as well as each team’s largest lead. Here are the top 10 in MLB from 2010:
Days in First
- Texas Rangers, 153
- San Diego Padres, 146
- Minnesota Twins, 141
- Cincinnati Reds, 110
- New York Yankees, 108
- Atlanta Braves, 105
- Tampa Bay Rays, 94
- St. Louis Cardinals, 82
- Philadelphia Phillies, 78
- San Francisco Giants, 35
Largest Leads
- Minnesota Twins, 12.0
- Texas Rangers, 11.0
- Cincinnati Reds, 8.0
- Philadelphia Phillies, 7.0
- Atlanta Braves, 7.0
- San Diego Padres, 6.5
- Tampa Bay Rays, 6.0
- St. Louis Cardinals, 5.0
- New York Yankees, 4.0
- Chicago White Sox, 3.5
As we are all too aware, how long a team stays in first or how far ahead of the competition it gets doesn’t matter. In the end, everything comes down to which team is left standing after all others have fallen.
by Geoff Young on Dec 24, 2010
I’m still sorting through my thoughts on the Orlando Hudson signing. Meanwhile, have some links… Continue reading ›
by Geoff Young on Dec 22, 2010
My latest at Hardball Times responds to a reader request for great pitchers duels in more recent times. Specifically, it covers 1980-2010. I had to lower the standards somewhat, but there are some great games here, including a few in which the Padres participated: Orel Hershiser vs Andy Hawkins, 9/28/88; Andy Benes vs Bret Saberhagen, 7/15/94; Darryl Kile vs Kevin Brown, 9/2/98.
On another note, THT Forecasts are now available. Once again, I have contributed the Padres player comments. For more info, check out David Gassko’s article.
by Geoff Young on Dec 20, 2010
The Padres have traded 2B/SS Cole Figueroa, RHP Brandon Gomes, LHP Cesar Ramos, and RHP Adam Russell to the Tampa Bay Rays for SS Jason Bartlett and a player to be named later. Continue reading ›
by Geoff Young on Dec 17, 2010
I picked up a copy of Craig Wright and Tom House’s classic The Diamond Appraised last night… found it at a YMCA book sale, of all places… Continue reading ›
by Geoff Young on Dec 16, 2010
This is Part 7 of a 13-part series examining the 65 men who have collected exactly one hit as a member of the San Diego Padres. The current installment includes four left-handed pitchers (two of whom never started a big-league game) and a light-hitting backup catcher who once homered off an aging Warren Spahn. Continue reading ›
by Geoff Young on Dec 15, 2010
My latest at Hardball Times is the fourth and final installment of my Epic Pitchers Duels series. One game involves the Padres (they lost, naturally). Also featured are Dick Williams, Rollie Fingers (making a 7-inning relief appearance), Sandy Alomar Sr., Tony Gonzalez, Gene Tenace, Graig Nettles, and Gaylord Perry. Heck, even San Diegan Ted Williams, in his final year as a big-league manager, joins the party.
Go, read stuff…
4H Club, Part 2
by Geoff Young on Dec 31, 2010 (9) Comments
Yesterday, we discussed the signings of Aaron Harang and Orlando Hudson. Today, we turn our attention to Brad Hawpe and Jed Hoyer. Continue reading ›