Luckily, we've determined that the Padres blow it in big games early in the season. There's still plenty of time to find a new team to root for. The Padres look to be the worst team in the West, especially given that the Giants won last night so I'm considering the Diamondbacks as my team this year because they're plucky.
Oh wait, what? I'm overreacting? Let's consider the fact of how much worse we are than others aka the facts.
I don't know about you, but I hope that Trevor retires as soon as possible.
Now that I've got that out of my system, I can tell you how I really feel:
Barrett called a weaksauce game. It was apparent with what he was putting up there for Maddux and it was "apparent" with the way Trevor allowed the walk. I didn't see either pitcher shaking off a lot of signs, which makes the selection a little questionable. Jake is the one guy on the team smart and cocky enough with his stuff that he could basically call his own game the whole way through. That's right. I referred to Jake Peavy as "smart".
The offense looks really good. I'm very comfortable with Scott Hairston, though I personally wouldn't mind seeing how Jim Edmonds handles himself. I'm also going to be a big Justin Huber fan this season.
P-Mac does not deserve your derision. Do not forget that I've met several of you in person and we all have an El Guapo to face. For jboxes, shyness may be their El Guapo. For Dramas and sdsuaztec4s, an irrational tendency to overreact to circumstances is their El Guapo. For Jonny Dubs a latently blatantly homosexual tendency towards cats and Pad Squad Andres is their El Guapo.
For P-Mac, El Guapo is a physical resemblance to vessels of fluid. But do not forget that being "barrel chested" was once considered a compliment!
Anyways... If anybody needs me, I'll be at the snakepit.
1 recs | 71 comments
This morning
I'm really not that pissed at all. Trevor's gonna blow some saves. He's still a pretty damn good closer. Yeah, he should have never walked Cruz. But if Adrian catches that ball by Pence, we're all in a different mood today.
All in all, I thought we played pretty well yesterday. I'm loving our offense and our pitching looks to be pretty solid.
Phantom - April 3, 2008
it's true
It sucks that the focus ends up on Trevor when there was a whole game getting played. I feel bad for Maddux who was in line for the win, but not so bad because he did give up some runs.
Dex - April 3, 2008
Couldn't agree more
As I said in the thread last night, Trevor blew two in April last year and then made it halfway thru the summer before it happened again. And I think it was SammyG who pointed out a month or two ago that the majority of closers in baseball this season are either unknowns or aren't really closers. I'll stick with Trevor.
No one jumped all over Maddux at the beginning of the game when he gave up two bombs. No one screamed "RETIRE!"
Let's focus on the positives from last night - Giles, Gerut, Huber/jbox, A-Go and sdsuaztec4 leaving the thread. Those were all great things and they are getting lost in the hysteria.
Winfield's Ghost - April 3, 2008
hahaha
Poor sdsuaztec4. Poor freelunch for the inexplicable connection to sdsuaztec4.
Dex - April 3, 2008
She ain't so innocent.
Drama - April 3, 2008
Wait...
just because I wasn't around last night doesn't mean I don't think maddux should retire. Whatever happened to d-qwon brazelton? Let's get him back in uniform!
pjbno4 - April 3, 2008
You guys
are all effing butholes.
Sam (sdsuaztec4) - April 3, 2008
If it's damp again today
I like our chances with Wolf on the mound. It should help negate the daytime factor of Petco that allows fly balls to fly out of there.
And I'm not trying to defend Trevor here, but did anyone else notice that Maddux's change wasn't dropping last nite? That, combined with 6 HRs, make it seem like maybe it was a bad nite for finesse pitchers.
Phantom - April 3, 2008
It was sure
A frustrating loss. But I still would rather take my chances with Trevor.
sacpadre - April 3, 2008
FACT:
Trevor has now blown 3 of his last 4 saves.
Jonny Dub - April 3, 2008
Thank you.
Sam (sdsuaztec4) - April 3, 2008
Really?
You're gonna side with the cat wearing a Mariners helmet? Really?
Winfield's Ghost - April 3, 2008
Goffy
Windfield's Ghost talks just like the Chargers Mike Goff.
"Really? You're going to bash LT for sitting on the side line. Really? He's only the best RB in the league, and had a freak injury that kept him out of the game. Really? I mean, really?"
kev - April 3, 2008
No
He talks like me.
Winfield's Ghost - April 3, 2008
I read last night's OT after I left
nothing but slack from you my dear friend.
Sam (sdsuaztec4) - April 3, 2008
You started it
I don't take taunts over Mexican food lightly!
Winfield's Ghost - April 3, 2008
I'm sorry
that was a low blow. I apologize.
Sam (sdsuaztec4) - April 3, 2008
This whole saga
is some of the funniest shiz I've ever read.
TheThirdGonzalez - April 3, 2008
Apology accepted
Now take off the Schilling jersey.
Winfield's Ghost - April 3, 2008
I officially have to get caught up
on all the gazillion posts that apparently led to Mexican food taunts and sdsuaztec4 throwing a hissy fit.
We're so on fire this season!
Demoira - April 3, 2008
Bell
Did anyone else notice Bud Black's look of disgust when Trevor blew that 2 out ninth innning lead? I'm sure he has a transition plan in place for Heath Bell to become the full time closer.
The question is when do you pull the trigger on that plan. I say now.
kev - April 3, 2008
See
I'm not the only one around here that thinks that.
Sam (sdsuaztec4) - April 3, 2008
I think Trevor's earned
a more dignified exit than that. After all he's done for the Pads and San Diego in general, he could kill my father and rape my mother and I'd still want him closing games for us.
TheThirdGonzalez - April 3, 2008
It's not that I don't want him closing games for us
It just pains me so to see him struggle.
Sam (sdsuaztec4) - April 3, 2008
somebody's got the oedipal complex going
Dex - April 3, 2008
Nah, just a
GG Allin fan.
TheThirdGonzalez - April 3, 2008
Micro, not macro Trevor criticism
If you are in a position where you have the choice of either:
(a) throwing the change, crossing your fingers, and hoping you didn't just give up a 9th inning walk,
or,
(b) grooving that 82mph heat right in someone's wheelhouse.
Why do (a) with Jose Cruz, Jr. ("We named the dog Indiana"), and (b) with Berkman?
Why finesse the guy who hit 6 homeruns last year, and challenge the guy who hit that many after breakfast today?
Dalton - April 3, 2008
(and yes, I know Lee was on deck)
That's why when you can, you get your outs facing the bottom of the order, or at least make them put the ball in play. So you don't have to face the Lees and Berkmans of the world / state of Texas.
Dalton - April 3, 2008
agree completely
Problem is that after he got Cruz on that first change, Trevor got way to cocky with using his change. I agree, throw that 82-84mph fastball and let the infield take care of the rest.
kev - April 3, 2008
Trevor's fastball.
If you read the comments by Josh Bard and an unamed scout in this mornings U-T...he's actually throwing harder right now.
Drama - April 3, 2008
Trevor doesn't throw hard period
88 MPH fastballs wont get anyone out in this league. He's simply not fooling anyone.
RBS - April 3, 2008
RBS...you're partly right.
No. Just 88 MPH fastballs won't get anyone out in this league. But it's not about just the 88 mph fastball. When you see the nasty change just before you see that 88 mph fastball...it sure as shit doesn't look 88mph. It looks a helluva lot faster. Trevor's thing is all about deception.
Drama - April 3, 2008
I would love
if Trevor could throw 88 consistently this year.
Dalton - April 3, 2008
Chris Young
Averages 88.8MPH. He seems to get people out. Maddux averaged about 84mph last season. Maybe Trevor should throw slower?
osbug - April 3, 2008
Yes, they were talking about Tuesday's game in that article
And I was impressed at the fastball Tuesday. I even remarked to my lady friend (Dr. Eizabeth Clay, shown here on left), a known Hoffman hater in my parts, "Trevor's back."
"No he's not."
I looked at her dead in the eye. "Trevor's back."
But then I watched last night's game, and his fastball looked like it'd dropped off to 84/85 again.
Dalton - April 3, 2008
Barrett
Does Barrett call the pitches? I thought he gets the signals from the dugout.
I don't put that completely on Barrett. Maddux had an off game.
Otherwise, I say Glen Hoffman is to blame for P-Mac popping up two bunts.
kev - April 3, 2008
I'm confused, Dex.
Before I get into the whole Trevor thing...I need to understand what you meant by your comments about the way Barrett "called" the game.
First off, how do we even know if he was the calling the pitch selection? How do we know he wasn't getting that directly from the dugout? I think blaming Barrett for calling a "weaksauce game" is incredibly presumptuous.
While I agree with you that Jake at times is a "smart" pitcher...there are times when his heart gets the best of him and he makes poor decisions. To say he's the only guy on the staff "that could basically call his own game the whole way through" is crazy. Maddux understands pitching better than anyone in that rotation...maybe even better than anyone in the game. He understands his limitations...whereas Jake sometimes does not.
One last thing, to say that I have an "irrational tendency to overreact to circumstances" is flat-out f**king bullsh*t and I am appalled at your baseless accusation. I will never forget this, Dex. Ever.
Drama - April 3, 2008
HOLY MOLEY
someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning.
Sam (sdsuaztec4) - April 3, 2008
Listen, Mr. Cool Guy
While some of us were out galavanting in Pacific Beach last night with ice cold adult beverages and heavenly carne asade burritos...there were others back at the GLB headquarters dealing with a heart-wrenching loss. While you were drunkenly tapping on freelunch's window in the wee hours of the morning...some of us were tossing and turning in our beds faced with the all-too frightening possibilty that we had just witnessed the beginning of the end of an era that will never be replicated.
So, yeah. I'm not doing so hot this morning. And one other thing, sdsuaztec4. I don't need you to tell me how f**king good my coffee is, okay? I'm the one who buys it, I know how good it is. When TTG goes shopping, he buys sh*t. Me, I buy the gourmet expensive stuff because when I drink it, I want to taste it. But you know what's on my mind right now? It ain't the coffee in my kitchen, it's the 40-year old closer in my bullpen that just blew his third save in four chances.
Drama - April 3, 2008
(recommend)
Dalton - April 3, 2008
Hey
I watched the game from PB Bar and Grill. I had to endure the agony as well. Especially with (gasp) dodger fans around who move to San Diego because LA sucks but still have the gall to boast when my childhood hero can't make the cut anymore.
There I said it. You now know the terrible truth about my recent Trevor hatred...I'm gonna go cry myself back to sleep. I see you at 1235 PST.
Sam (sdsuaztec4) - April 3, 2008
You didn't defend the Padres' honor at PB Bar and Grill
You aren't half the man that Wiggins is.
jbox - April 3, 2008
Ha!
So true...
Winfield's Ghost - April 3, 2008
jbox
Will you please address the rumors that you are now on the Padres 25-man roster? Are you, or are you not Justin Huber???
Drama - April 3, 2008
In a way, each of us has an El Guapo to face
mine is shyness.
jbox - April 3, 2008
jesus christ
when the hell did drama turn into (insert your favorite comedian here)? i just choked on my lunch TWICE while going through these comments.
i only caught highlights of the game, but did anyone else think that trevor's finish seemed slightly different? more open? i was a bit concerned when i saw that his fastball was suddenly jumping 4mph at his age (it's not like he's been lazy all these years. that screamed HGH), but now i think he may have changed his delivery slightly to put himself more behind the ball throughout the entire pitch. now, this may all be bullshit and my eyes playing tricks on me, but if it's true it concerns me. who is to say he's getting the same deception with his changeup? who is to say he can maintain his pinpoint control or that he won't blow his shoulder out? trevor has been the most consistent person on this team for ten years, and i'd be a little worried if i found that he was changing anything. but that's just me.
John Gennaro - April 3, 2008
Skip Bayless
is saying Trevor should be a setup man...
For Cla Meredith. Jeez.
TheThirdGonzalez - April 3, 2008
Skip stinks.
Skip doesn't know what he talks about sometimes. Even Sir Charles was to fight him.
CaleciaPad - April 3, 2008
Skip doesn't know what he talks about ALL THE TIME
Winfield's Ghost - April 3, 2008
I think I watch this crap
just because I enjoy being angry. It's a nice feeling sometimes.
TheThirdGonzalez - April 3, 2008
Never thought I'd say this...
...Skip Bayless is right.
As much as I admire Heat, I think his role is as the 7th/8th inning important-part-of-the-lineup guy. Cla was the closer for the UofR Spiders and while in the Boston system. He has the make up to be a successful major league closer.
Why do you think he's pitched the ninth inning in all the four-run lead games the last two years (not a statistical save, but he is finishing the game alot, even already this year)
Heat is like old Linebrink or Broxton, an intimidating flame thrower to come in and get your 2,3,4,5 hitters and pass the baton. He does his job and he does it well. But I wouldn't annoint him the closer in waiting.
By the end of the year, i'd like to see the 7th,8th,9th guys reversed from Cla, Heat, Trevor....
TheRevRun - April 3, 2008
As far as clutch pitchers go
I think Heath's the #1 guy on our team for something like that. Let Cla show a little more consistency, instead of this great year, mediocre year thing. To me, it's far more telling of who's throwing the 8th inning than who's in there with 4-run leads in the 9th. If Cla gets into trouble in one of those 4-run leads, who's Black gonna call in? Heath Bell.
California Penal - April 3, 2008
TREVOR
HELL BELL NO TREVR MUSTB;EH DESTYOUDS!
wiggins4ever - April 3, 2008
So, how did the game go last night?
looks like we are on pace to go 108-54.
Sammy G - April 3, 2008
or if we continue our current trend
2-160
Dex - April 3, 2008
So what's the tipping point for blown saves
...before Trevor's job title/responsibilities is/are adjusted?
Is there a number or ratio? A certain amount of consecutive days/weeks/months of poor performance?
I'm curious to hear from those who aren't already calling for his head.
I personally think it would be offensive to change closers right now, given Trevor's history with the club. Not that he hasn't pushed me to the limits of sanity, and made me cut myself to forget about the pain-- the real pain, the Black Pain in My Heart-- but he's clearly earned the honor and right to close games for the Pads.
What I expect from Trevor this year is what the Indians got from the back of their bullpen last year. A closer who racks up saves despite an unsettling ERA & WHIP, who has a dominant 8th inning guy(s) in front of him.
Dalton - April 3, 2008
i think this is how it would/should go....
now, we're a long long long way away from this, but here's worst case scenario.
trevor blows 7 or 8 of his first 10 or 11 save opportunities. buddy then comes out and says something might be wrong with trevor health-wise (sore shoulder/dead arm speculation...discussion about how he's "no longer a young man") and wants to sit him down for a week to see if that helps. this is when bell would get his chance at the closer's role. if he is completely lights out, i think trevor comes back as the 8th inning guy. even then i think the club would have to be leaking stories about how he "might have a small tear in his shoulder" and "can't go every day anymore, so it's better to have a constant at closer."
trevor is very close to tony-status in san diego. the only reason we were okay with tony not playing was because we figured his knees were absolutely shot. i think the same strategy is used (i'm not saying i don't think tony was hurting, i'm just saying other teams have been known to use this strategy with aging stars) to phase trevor out of the closer's role if he implodes.
what's far more likely is trevor has a good year. probably not one of his great top 3-4 years, but a good year and then goes out on his own terms.
John Gennaro - April 3, 2008
trevor thought
i had a weird thought this morning about trevor's blown save. and i wonder if it didn't have a little bit to do with maddux.
one of the keys for a manager working the bullpen is to continually switch-up what the hitters are seeing so that they can't get comfortable. i'm wondering if the starting pitcher would effect how batters see trevor's pitches on any given night. they would have to, right?
if a hitter is seeing peavy's 95mph fastball all night, even though peavy might be out of the game it's going to make trevor's changeup that much more effective. i would assume anyways. so when the starting pitcher is throwing 85mph fastballs and mixing in a very good changeup, and then the closer comes in throwing 85mph fastballs and a very good changeup.....the hitter is immediately familiar with the speeds and can be a little bit more comfortable in the box.
not that it would happen (and i'd be one of the last to ask trevor to stop being our everyday closer), but i'd almost believe that it would be better to use Bell to close for Maddux, Germano and Wolf (i think he's a soft-thrower. i don't know enough about him though) and Trevor to close to Peavy and Young.
John Gennaro - April 3, 2008
You guys are all a-holes
I don't really have much else to say other that... Well, and that Kevin Towers' arguments for why Trevor will ONLY be effective as a 9th inning guy (e.g., how he uses hitters' impatience to get outs) should be required reading before saying ANYTHING about his relief role. You don't necessarily have to agree with those reasons, but at least know them.
TheGrandHatching - April 3, 2008
I was joking and I apologize for the "a-holes" comment
If I've learned anything from marriage, it's that name-calling has no place in an argument, regardless of whether it's intended as harmful, dismissive, or even playful. Again, my apologies.
TheGrandHatching - April 3, 2008
(Actually, I'm kind of an a-hole)
Dalton - April 3, 2008
kind of?
Drama - April 3, 2008
Why didn't you tell me this
a long time ago?!?!?
TheThirdGonzalez - April 3, 2008
ouch.
Demoira - April 4, 2008
Here's another piece of advice, TTG
You really shouldn't take /any/ advice from me. Or at least take it with a grain of salt.
By the way, has anyone else gotten a private message from the admins about watching what you say?
TheGrandHatching - April 4, 2008
I'm pretty sure you were the only one :)
jbox and I warn each other all the time though.
Dex - April 4, 2008
I'M SPECIAL!!!
YAY!!!
TheGrandHatching - April 4, 2008
Livan blew it too
The thing is, once Trevor blew the save last night, he blew it hard.
He had the bottom of the order of a thoroughly unimpressive offense. He gives up a run? Fine. That happens. Padres have the bottom of the 9th to work it out. But that sort of spectacular implosion with the Berkman shot is what gets us all worked up and worried. And memories are still fresh from Game 163, I'd imagine.
Anyway, this morning it looks a little better. It was just another game, and the Padres have a lot of them to go. Silly to get too worked up over one tough loss.
goose1 - April 3, 2008
There were many fathers of last nights loss
17 LOB is one of them.
Maddux giving up 3 hrs.
Berkman allowed to steal 3rd base.
planetjeffy - April 3, 2008
the astros have a good offense?
Dex - April 3, 2008
The Padres have good pitching?
soulSD - April 3, 2008
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