IGD: Padres @ Cardinals (17 Jul 08)

by Geoff Young on Jul 17, 2008 (109) Comments

Padres @ Cardinals
5:15 p.m. PT
Channel 4SD, DIRECTV 726
AM 1090, FM 105.7, XM 184
MLB, B-R

Welcome to the second half. Here’s what the Padres need to do the rest of the way to reach certain benchmarks:

  • 28-39 to finish at .400
  • 31-36 to finish at .420 (worst record in NL last year)
  • 36-31 to finish at .450
  • 44-23 to finish at .500
  • 52-15 to finish at .550 (repeat of ’07)

If they win each of their remaining 67 games, the Padres will finish at 104-58, a game back of the ’04 Cardinals.

Are we having fun yet?

Breakin’ for All-Stars

by Geoff Young on Jul 14, 2008 (119) Comments

Regular readers know that I don’t do the All-Star Game. Adrian Gonzalez pretty well sums up why:

All it is is a reminder of the market we’re in. When it comes to voting for the All-Star Game, it’s all about publicity, all about what market you play for. It’s how ESPN puts you out there. They’re a big reason for who gets publicity and who doesn’t.

As I’ve said before, San Diego is not ESPN’s target audience — and for good reason. New York, Boston, and a few other markets pay the bills, so it only makes sense that players from teams representing those cities should dominate the rosters. I don’t have a real problem with that, but neither does it inspire me to invest any time or energy in the event.

Plus there’s the whole self-congratulatory nature of the thing. I won’t have anything to do with the Oscars for the same reason — just shut up and make me some more movies.

That said, I’m totally down with the concept of a break. I’ll be taking the next few days off as I continue my re-assimilation into the so-called real world. Then we’ll start examining some of the themes that have emerged over the first half of a disappointing season.

Until then, be excellent to one another. See you Thursday.

IGD: Padres vs Braves (13 Jul 08)

by Geoff Young on Jul 13, 2008 (28) Comments

Padres vs Braves
1:05 p.m. PT
Channel 4SD, DIRECTV 740
AM 1090, FM 105.7, XM 188
MLB, B-R

Saturday night’s game can be broken into two distinct categories:

Good:

  • The ’98 team was honored before the contest (Gaslamp Ball has sweet photos).
  • Chase Headley drew his first walk of the year.
  • Greg Maddux stole a base.
  • The post-game fireworks show rocked.

Not so much:

  • A Braves fan sitting near us kept asking Tim Hudson for his warmup jacket throughout the game.
  • Joe Thatcher gave up a mammoth homer to a Ferengi (I’m pretty sure that violates at least one rule of acquisition).
  • The fireworks show included “Hero” as sung by Bob Dylan’s kid; seriously, if you can’t scrounge up David Bowie’s version, just don’t bother.

On the bright side, things could be worse… Well, not really, but if we can’t lie to ourselves, then who can we lie to?

IGD: Padres vs Braves (12 Jul 08)

by Geoff Young on Jul 12, 2008 (31) Comments

Padres vs Braves
7:15 p.m. PT
Channel 4SD, DIRECTV 737
AM 1090, FM 105.7, XM 189
MLB, B-R

We had a great time at the Baseball Prospectus event Friday night. Big thanks to Dave Pease and Joe Sheehan for organizing, the Padres for hosting, and of course Paul DePodesta for being incredibly generous with his time. I’m sworn under threat of Very Nasty Things, Indeed (TM) not to repeat what was said, but I think it’s safe to note that DePo referenced Schopenhauer, Thomas Paine, and Malcolm Gladwell in his talk. He also answered all of our questions with patience, thoughtfulness, and as much candor as his position permits.

Several Ducksnorters made it out to the event, which pleased me much. I sat at a table with long-time readers Didi, LynchMob, and Anthony. Also appearing were KRS1, Oside Jon, Ben B., and the incomparable Lance Richardson, who led Didi, KRS1, and me to Donovan’s after the game (a win, no less!), where we stayed till closing. If you’ve ever hung with Lance, you know what I’m talking about; if you haven’t, you’re missing out on a good time. Too bad for you. ;-)

I could tell you what we wore and what we ate, but really, do I look like Burl Stiff to you?

* * *
Greg Maddux gets the start Saturday night. He was, of course, on the Braves squad that the Padres beat to reach the World Series in ’98. The Pads will be celebrating the 10-year anniversary of their last World Series appearance before the game. Several players from that team are scheduled to appear, including Kevin Brown. Here’s hoping he is remembered a little more kindly for his efforts on behalf of the club than he has been in previous returns to San Diego.

IGD: Padres vs Braves (11 Jul 08)

by Geoff Young on Jul 11, 2008 (115) Comments

Padres vs Braves
7:05 p.m. PT
Channel 4SD, DIRECTV 747
AM 1090, FM 105.7, XM 189
MLB, B-R

I hope to see some of you at this evening’s shindig. Rock on…

Go Read Stuff

by Geoff Young on Jul 10, 2008 (31) Comments

The Padres are taking the day off and so am I. Go read stuff:

  • The Verdict Is In (It Might Be Dangerous… You Go First). Paul DePodesta discusses the art of making deadline deals.
  • Chris Long Q&A (Friar Forecast). MB chats with front office staffer Chris Long about the Padres’ draft strategy.

IGD: Padres vs Marlins (9 Jul 08)

by Geoff Young on Jul 09, 2008 (170) Comments

Padres vs Marlins
12:35 p.m. PT
DIRECTV 726 (Fish feed)
AM 1090, FM 105.7, XM 186
MLB, B-R

Fun game Tuesday night. Nice to see Scott Hairston finally get on track — two doubles, a homer, and an out to the wall in left-center works for me.

Chip Ambres, Brian Myrow, and Joe Thatcher all were recalled to the big club before the game. Ambres got the start in right, singling and walking twice in his Padres debut. Myrow knocked his first big-league homer in the seventh while pinch hitting for starter Randy Wolf.

Among the casualties of this latest roster shakeup (does it feel like 2002 around here, or what?) is Paul McAnulty, who cleared waivers and returned to Portland. The Padres don’t seem to want the guy, and neither does anyone else. Bummer. I still think McAnulty can play at the big-league level, which probably explains why I now edit software documentation for a living.

The rubber match of this series won’t be carried on Channel 4SD, so your only chance to see Cha Seung Baek pitch is to get down to Petco Park. I know, it’s really tempting, huh?

IGD: Padres vs Marlins (8 Jul 08)

by Geoff Young on Jul 08, 2008 (108) Comments

Padres vs Marlins
7:05 p.m. PT
Channel 4SD, DIRECTV 748
AM 1090, FM 105.7, XM 186
MLB, B-R

Has Anyone Seen the Part of Me That Cares?

by Geoff Young on Jul 08, 2008 (58) Comments

In Ashland, just around the corner from the Standing Stone Brewery (excellent Oatmeal Stout), there’s a cool little comic book store we always make sure to visit. This time, on impulse, I bought every baseball card they had in stock — 41 packs of maybe 30-40 cards each, separated by team — for $19. There’s everyone in here from Hall-of-Famers Paul Molitor and Eddie Murray to the all-but-forgotten Bill Stein. Heck, I’ve got Omar Vizquel as a Mariner.

Anyway, one of the packs contains nothing but Padres:

  • Broderick Perkins
  • Mike Maddux (x2)
  • Frank Seminara
  • Bip Roberts
  • Jeremy Hernandez (x2)
  • “Eddie” Whitson
  • “Benny” Santiago
  • Tim Teufel (x5)
  • Andy Benes (x3)
  • Rich Rodriguez (x3)
  • Randy Myers (the moderately effective version, not the completely sucky and expensive one; x3)
  • Dan Walters (x2)
  • Kurt Stillwell
  • Darrin Jackson (go Centaurs!)
  • Ricky Gutierrez (x3)
  • Fred McGriff (x2)
  • Phil Plantier (he shoulda been great; guys who knock 34 bombs at age 24 typically don’t disappear quite so quickly and dramatically)
  • Tony Gwynn

It may not be the proudest tradition in the world, but it’s what we’ve got.

* * *
While I was away I completely lost track of the Division That Relevance Forgot (TM), which probably makes me the envy of most baseball fans. In case you need a reminder why nobody cares what’s happening in the NL West, here’s how it breaks down after April 28:

  • Dodgers: 32-32, 251 RS, 256 RA
  • Rockies: 28-36, 297, 335
  • Giants: 27-35, 279, 282
  • Diamondbacks: 25-38, 240, 294
  • Padres: 25-39, 246, 298

Stellar effort, guys. Way to keep everyone interested in the proceedings…

Padres Farm Report (8 Jul 08)

by Geoff Young on Jul 08, 2008 (13) Comments

FYI, I’m way behind on my email. I don’t expect that to change anytime soon. If you’re expecting a response from me, it may be a while…

Triple-A — Fresno 11, Portland 10

Colt MortonCraig Stansberry (SS): 3-for-5, 3B, BB
Peter Ciofrone: 1-for-4, BB, HBP
Will Venable: 1-for-4, 2B, 2 BB
Justin Huber (1B): 0-for-5, SF
Vince Sinisi: 2-for-5, BB
Colt Morton: 3-for-6, HR
Matt Antonelli: 0-for-4
Cesar Ramos: 4.2 IP, 8 H, 8 R, 2 HR, 2 BB, 3 SO, HBP
Adam Bass: 1.1 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 HR, 0 BB, 1 SO
Joe Thatcher: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 HR, 0 BB, 0 SO
Dirk Hayhurst: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 HR, 0 BB, 1 SO
Justin Hampson: 0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 HR, 0 BB, 0 SO

On our way back from Oregon, somewhere around Mt. Shasta, we passed a place called Bassholes Bar and Grill. For some reason, seeing Bass’ name made me think of that. Bassholes. Pretty clever. It’s like a play on words. And it really gets me in the mood to eat… Game time temperature at Fresno was 103; sounds like fun…

Double-A — Tulsa 5, San Antonio 4

Steve GarrisonDrew Macias: 2-for-6
Craig Cooper (LF): 4-for-6, 2 HR
Kyle Blanks: 0-for-0, BB, HBP
Chad Huffman (PH): 0-for-1
Jose Lobaton: 0-for-2
Steve Garrison: 6 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 1 HR, 3 BB, 5 SO, WP
Mauro Zarate: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 HR, 3 BB, 3 SO
Jonathan Ellis: 0.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 HR, 2 BB, 1 SO

Blanks was plunked in the third inning, after the first of two Cooper home runs, and lifted for a pinch-runner. Here’s hoping Gigantor is okay… I don’t know why I keep tracking Zarate. He threw well when I saw him in spring training, and I just haven’t been willing to let it go… Somehow David Parrish, son of Lance, ended up on the Missions. I wasn’t crazy about him when he played at Michigan and my opinion hasn’t changed since then.

High-A — Lake Elsinore 4, Bakersfield 1

Kellen KulbackiEric Sogard: 0-for-4
Cedric Hunter: 1-for-4
Kellen Kulbacki: 2-for-4, HR
Mitch Canham: 1-for-3, BB
Ernesto Frieri: 7 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 0 HR, 1 BB, 8 SO

Another day, another Kulbacki homer; that’s six in his last 10 games… I remain intrigued by Frieri, who has made a smooth transition from reliever to starter this year; he isn’t young and he isn’t overpowering, but I like him.

Low-A — South Bend 6, Fort Wayne 0

Luis Durango: 1-for-4
Lance Zawadzki (SS): 1-for-4, E (20)
Justin Baum: 2-for-4
Danny Payne (RF): 1-for-2, 2 BB
Yefri Carvajal: 1-for-4
Felix Carrasco: 0-for-4
Brad Chalk: 1-for-3
Matt Teague: 4.1 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 1 HR, 2 BB, 2 SO
Robert Woodard: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 HR, 0 BB, 1 SO

Carvajal is quietly putting together a decent season in the Midwest League. No, a line of .280/.319/.377 is nothing to write home about, especially for a corner outfielder, but he’s hitting a ton of doubles and he doesn’t turn 20 until January… Since May 1, Carvajal is batting .296/.352/.381.

Short-Season-A — Spokane 6, Eugene 3

Shane Buschini: 1-for-4
Jeudy Valdez: 1-for-2, 2 BB
Emmanuel Quiles: 0-for-3, BB
Tyson Bagley: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 HR, 0 BB, 2 SO, HBP
Rob Musgrave: 1.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 0 HR, 1 BB, 1 SO, WP
Anthony Bass: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 HR, 0 BB, 1 SO

So a day after I tell you Valdez hacks at everything, he draws two walks… I got to see Quiles while we were in Eugene, too; he’s hyperactive behind the plate (always looking to make a throw) and he doesn’t turn 19 until the end of October… Bagley has fanned 21 in 14 2/3 innings so far.

Rookie — AZL Padres 7, AZL Rangers 3

Kevin Hansen (2B): 2-for-4, 2B, BB
Keisy Marte: 3-for-4, 2 2B
Edgar Garzon (1B): 1-for-3, 2B, HBP
Kevin Cameron: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 HR, 0 BB, 1 SO (2 GO)

Cameron makes a rehab start; good for him…

Rookie — DSL Tigers 8, DSL Padres 4

Jonathan Galvez: 1-for-4, BB, E
Rymer Liriano: 0-for-5