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Why Can’t the Padres Capture Our Imagination (and Money)?

Monday, March 17, 2008
by Geoff Young
I'm working on my Padres preview for Hardball Times, and one question that confounds me is this: Why won't San Diego get behind the Padres? I don't have an answer, but I'd love to hear some theories. While you're thinking about that, here's a nice table for your viewing pleasure: Padres Winning Percentage and Home Attendance, 2004 - 2007 YearW-LPctAtt/G Stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference. 200487-75.53737,244 200582-80.50635,429 200688-74.54332,837 200789-74.54634,445 This marks the first time the Padres have enjoyed more than two consecutive winning seasons. They also reached the playoffs two straight years (and came within one strike of making it three straight) for the first time in franchise history. I get that it's popular to bash the club for not being aggressive ...
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Posted in Baseball | 124 Comments »

Gary Gygax and Spring Training TV Schedule

Wednesday, March 5, 2008
by Geoff Young
Gary Gygax died on Tuesday. Along with Bill James and the folks who created Intellivision, Gygax was an unwitting participant in my misspent youth. He probably also helped me survive said youth, but that's another story. Seriously, we had plenty of ways to waste time before this here Internet thing. My humblest thanks to Mr. Gygax for helping me realize that. . . . So, baseball. They're playing games but I haven't watched any, so I don't have much to say. Thankfully that's about to change. Here's the Padres spring training TV schedule (times are PT, games on Channel 4SD): Sun, Mar 9 vs White Sox, 1:05 ...
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Posted in Open Thread | 26 Comments »

Padres tickets  Chargers tickets  Sports tickets

Towers Signs through 2010

Wednesday, January 23, 2008
by Geoff Young
General Manager Kevin Towers has signed a contract extension that will keep him in San Diego through 2010 (hat tip to several readers). To celebrate, here is a high-level look at Towers' year-by-year trading record: Kevin Towers Trades by Year  Win Shares  YearNoInOutDiffBest 199526614+52Roberts for Joyner, Dec 21 19968+178107+71Ausmus and Cedeno for Flaherty and Gomez, Jun 18 199717144169-25Lee for Brown, Dec 15 1998114824+24...
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Posted in Baseball | 18 Comments »

The Khalil Conundrum

Tuesday, January 22, 2008
by Geoff Young
Late last week talks broke down between the Padres and shortstop Khalil Greene. The Padres control Greene through 2009 but are interested in pursuing a long-term deal with him. According to the U-T, the club offered a 3- or 4-year deal (no money disclosed) without success, and the two sides now have exchanged salary arbitration figures. Quoth GM Kevin Towers: A long-term contract with Khalil at this time is probably doubtful. I don't know, it might not be able to get done. Khalil's family is on the East Coast and ...
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Posted in 2008 Annual, Baseball | 49 Comments »

Adios, 2007

Monday, December 31, 2007
by Geoff Young
It's the end of the year as we know it, and I feel fine. Last year at this time, I ran a list of the most popular articles at Ducksnorts in 2006. This time around, I thought I'd try something a little different and give you a list of my favorite articles from 2007, i.e., ones I enjoyed writing the most. I hope you like them, too: Winter Warm-Up: Temecula. In January, the Padres hosted a free event in Temecula to get fans of the Padres and the Lake Elsinore Storm fired up for the coming season. Several players and San Diego icon Randy Jones participated in a Q&A with Storm radio broadcaster Sean McCall. Among other things, we ...
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Posted in Baseball | 11 Comments »

Ducksnorts Unofficial Guide to San Diego Taco Shops

Saturday, April 16, 2005
by Geoff Young
Someday, when you least expect it, you might get hungry. Where better to eat in San Diego than at a taco shop? Here are a few of our favorites. Got some of your own? Leave 'em in the comments. ¡Buen provecho! [Updated 10 Apr 2008.] NameLocationSubmittorComments El Asadero6866 El Cajon Blvd.Dex  Lolita's Taco Shop7305A Clairemont Mesa Blvd.GeoffBest carnitas in town El IndioMultiple locationsBrian G.  Adalberto's Mexican Food2498 Market St.JeffOpen 24 hours, drive-thru, and best carne asada burritos this side of Barrio Logan Las Cuatro Milpas1857 Logan Ave.JeffAbsolute best Mexican Cotija's810 3rd ...
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Posted in Off-Topic | 4 Comments »

Petco Pix

Monday, March 1, 2004
by Geoff Young
Spent three hours touring the park yesterday. Initial reactions: The stadium has a very open feel to it. The marketing folks have been saying that Petco takes advantage of what San Diego has to offer and they're not kidding. Where the Q felt a bit monolithic and claustrophobic (particularly after the lone view of Mission Valley was obliterated to accommodate the Super Bowl), Petco feels intimate and open. The place is going to rock. What little breeze there was came straight off the harbor and across the field almost directly from left to right field. The wind was less pronounced closer to the field, where the structure is not as open. If you're sitting in the upper deck, you'll want to bring a ...
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Posted in Commentary | No Comments »

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