Parting Thoughts from Matt Vasgersian

Friday, November 7, 2008
by Geoff Young
As you know by now, Matt Vasgersian is leaving the Padres after seven years to join the new MLB Network as its first studio host. Since Matt has been such a part of our lives over those seven years, I thought it might be nice to get some parting words from the man himself, and he agreed. Take it away, Matt... I really hope that the Friar Faithful can survive what looks to be a lean couple of years. The reality of baseball is that all this is cyclical (any Springsteen fans? ... "Everything that dies someday comes back" ... "Atlantic City" from the Nebraska album). To those who enjoyed the last seven years with me -- thanks very much. Ours is an industry where ...
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Posted in Baseball | 8 Comments »

Links for 4 Nov 08

Tuesday, November 4, 2008
by Geoff Young
I have decided, for the first time in 20 years, to participate in a general election. Ordinarily in life I try to stay as far away from politics as possible, but one measure on the California ballot and two political parties have convinced that it's time for me to get off my butt and vote. My presidential candidate has no chance of winning -- in a game between the Red Sox and Yankees, I'm essentially backing the Eugene Emeralds -- but that's okay. The gesture is purely symbolic, and as symbolic gestures go, it's probably better than the one I usually give politicians. (Of course, I'll still deliver that gesture as well -- might as well get my money's worth, right?) Anyway, it would be hypocritical of ...
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Posted in Notes and Links | 35 Comments »

Padres tickets  Chargers tickets  Sports tickets

Observations from the Weekend

Monday, September 1, 2008
by Geoff Young
First off, if your #2 hitter lays down a sacrifice bunt in the first inning -- as Luis Rodriguez did on Friday night -- then you probably need to find another #2 hitter. Second, for as indifferent as I generally am to the stolen base, it disturbs me that Willy Taveras has more than twice as many by himself this year than does the entire Padres roster. (It also astounds me that Taveras has so many steals despite being a useless hitter -- and people scoff at the notion of there being a continued need for Tony Womack's skill set.) Anyway, it was fun to watch the kids ...
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Posted in Baseball | 21 Comments »

IGD: Padres vs Astros (1 Apr 08)

Tuesday, April 1, 2008
by Geoff Young
Padres (1-0) vs Astros (0-1) Chris Young vs Brandon Backe 7:05 p.m. PT Channel 4SD AM 1090, FM 105.7, XM 184 MLB, B-R I'm getting in late on this, but big congratulations to Ducksnorts friend Ed Barnes on taking over as producer for Padres telecasts (h/t Friar Forecast) at Channel 4SD. Among many other things, Ed was instrumental in setting up my television debut on ...
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Posted in In-Game Discussion | 138 Comments »

More Than You Ever Wanted to Know About the Ducksnorts 2008 Baseball Annual, and Then Some

Wednesday, February 13, 2008
by Geoff Young
Sit down and get comfy. Like, real comfy. Okay, not that comfy -- put on a robe or something, will ya? With luck, this is the last update I'll provide on the Ducksnorts 2008 Baseball Annual that doesn't end with the phrase, "go buy it." I'm expecting to deliver the manuscript to the publisher on Thursday or Friday. While we're all waiting for that to happen, here are some things you should know: The book is 207 pages long, possibly 208 depending on the index (I keep thinking of other terms that should be included). The actual content is almost exactly the same length as last year's (193 pages), with the difference resulting from a glossary and index that I believe will make this version even better ...
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Posted in 2008 Annual | 40 Comments »