False Expectation

Tuesday, September 25, 2007
by Geoff Young
For the working magician, the best tool in his toolbox is a little thing we like to call the false expectation. If played right, it can stun an audience into total submission. 1973 Draft Need a break from the current season? My article on the '73 amateur draft is now up at Hardball Times. Where's Dave Winfield when you need him... "What About Bob," the tenth episode of the regrettably short-lived Dresden Files, opens with Harry's father receiving word that he's landed a job on a cruise ship. Moments later, after telling young Harry the good news, the father suffers a heart attack and dies. False expectation. Seems like ...
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Posted in Baseball | 73 Comments »

It’s Not You, It’s Me

Wednesday, August 22, 2007
by Geoff Young
There's too much blame to go around for Tuesday night's loss (box score) to focus on any one person or play. I should talk about it, but I'm not sure where to start. Perhaps more troubling, the general negativity toward this team among "average fans" is starting to wear on me. It causes me to wonder things I shouldn't wonder, like whether this city deserves a championship. It is sucking a lot of fun out of the sport, which is just bizarre. I can't remember a time when I haven't thoroughly enjoyed baseball. Anyway, I'll get over it. If you want to know why I don't have more ...
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Posted in Baseball, Minors | 37 Comments »

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Opportunity Knocks, but It Can’t Come In

Wednesday, May 30, 2007
by Geoff Young
Not a lot to say this morning that hasn't already been beaten to death. The Padres had opportunities Tuesday evening (recap | boxscore) but failed to cash in on them. Loading the bases and making a guy throw 34 pitches in the first inning is great; leaving all three runners stranded, not so much. David Wells pitched okay. Not great, but okay. Well enough to win most nights. He certainly isn't the focus of my frustration. What I do find irritating is the continued absence of a right-handed bat off the bench (Geoff Blum? Rob Bowen? Jake Peavy? Greg Maddux?). Terrmel ...
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Posted in Game Recaps, Minors | 41 Comments »

Get Luckier

Tuesday, May 1, 2007
by Geoff Young
The fact that we're all frustrated by a 13-13 start speaks volumes about how far this franchise has come in a very short time. That doesn't make us feel any better after another stupid loss (recap | box score), of course, but it's something. I don't have the stomach to sit through the game again, so I'm working from memory this morning. Monday night's contest isn't just one that the Padres could have won, it's one they should have won. Several well-struck balls found gloves -- Josh Bard drove one to the gap in right-center that Ryan Church tracked down, Adrian Gonzalez smashed one ...
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Posted in Game Recaps, Minors | 43 Comments »

When Is Zero Greater Than Sixteen?

Thursday, April 26, 2007
by Geoff Young
The story was supposed to be Jake Peavy's 16 strikeouts and complete dominance. The story was supposed to be Terrmel Sledge's opposite field home run off sinkerballer Brandon Webb. The story was supposed to be anything but what it became. It's a credit to the Padres' bullpen that a two-run lead headed to the eighth is considered a victory. Wednesday night provided a shocking reminder that this isn't always the case. The fact that it came at the hands of Stephen "I Shoulda Been a Padre" Drew adds to the sting, but honestly, it's nothing personal; a loss is a loss no matter how you slice it. Peavy pitched the game of his life and gets nothing. Sorry, folks, I'm too disgusted to offer any ...
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Posted in Game Recaps, Minors | 9 Comments »

Padres Win Again at San Francisco

Thursday, April 5, 2007
by Geoff Young
Hit the ball hard, play good defense, shut down the oppostion in the late innings. That was fun to watch. A few quick observations from Wednesday's 5-3 victory over the Giants at PhoneCo (recap | box score): It's only two games, but Marcus Giles (NOG) may be the most aggressive leadoff hitter I've ever seen. Of course, it worked pretty well in this one. Adrian Gonzalez is locked in at the plate. Three hits, including a two-run homer in the eighth that proved to be the game-winner. His two singles off starter Matt Cain came on fastballs down in the zone. The home run ...
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Posted in Game Recaps | 37 Comments »