We're just gearing up before taking the long trip down into Nevada (the Silver State). The game last night was my first, in-person, visual evidence that the Padres actually exist since 2006. Let me tell you, they're terrible.
Pregame watched the boys warm up for a good long while. Trevor, Jake and a bunch of the guys running sprints in the outfield. Remember what batting practice used to be like at a major league ballpark? Coors Field and the Rockies actually let you watch batting practice. What kind of backwards practice is that? And then... Players go around and meet fans and sign autographs and it gives Average Fan one less reason to boo a player as they get to know them on a slightly different level.
Is there a good reason why San Diego fans aren't allowed into batting practice before games at Petco? I always figured it was because they actually didn't take batting practice, but there they were, batting practicing away.
While the pitchers were doing sprints in the outfield (to prepare for pinch baserunning opportunities apparently), a group of underage girls kept shouting at Jake and jiggling their unripened bounty in his direction.
Jake kept grinning slyly saying things like, "If I were 3 years younger, your boyfriends would have competition!" The girls kept cooing things like, "We have a pact to get pregnant and there aren't any homeless guys in our neighborhood!" Needless to say, the girls got a good number of the autographed baseballs.
Also, I figured out Reason #217 why the Padres suck. You'll have to read the rest after the jump...
Reason #217 Why the Padres Suck
After taking sprints, Trevor Hoffman rolled into the infield and took grounders at short. Not only that he was practicing double plays. He must've rolled a couple dozen double plays from shortstop. I'm pretty sure we're converting him.
Back to the update...
There were plenty of Padres fans around and for the most part, we didn't get hassled. Jon didn't get a whole lot of substance on his nachos, and he's pretty sure it's because the guy serving them up didn't want to be serving no dirty Padres fans. I got the brat instead. Delicious brat.
The ballpark itself is really nice. In comparison to New Busch, Coors blows it away. Good sightlines from the concourse. Lots of good food options. Very well done.
The game itself was really terrible. This team is almost completely worthless. It really needs to just get blown up. I'm sure the guys are all very nice and good ballplayers in their own right, but their time with the Padres needs to end. Bud Black and the coaching staff needs to go also if only to save my sanity as I wonder why he and his group are even around.
All in all, it was a good time. Once Jon gets his photos downloaded, we'll get some other stories going. In the meantime, somebody blow this team up. Up, I said.
0 recs | 70 comments
Teen Girl Squad is so great
Winfield's Ghost - July 3, 2008
PUNT!
Phantom - July 3, 2008
Didn't Hoffman start as a shortstop?
With the Reds or something. I could figure this out with Google in 4 seconds, but I’d rather just post what I half remember. It’s the internets, after all—-who wants verifiable facts?
As for BLOWING UP the team, I completely agree. Can all those 16 year old Dominican kids we just signed start playing now? At the very least, it’d be a reason to watch.
goose1 - July 3, 2008
Marlins
but yes, he was a SS
justdave - July 3, 2008
and by Marlins I mean Reds
you were right, and I have once again proven myself to be completely incorrect and unreliable
justdave - July 3, 2008
You had it right
The Reds converted him from a SS to a P. When he went to Marlins organization he had already been converted to a pitcher.
From wikipedia:
Wonko - July 3, 2008
I'm guessing the Padres were worried about not having enough infielders last night
so they had Hoffman take some grounders. He might’ve been a Greene injury away from getting in the game, too.
JollyWaffle - July 3, 2008
Stop teasing us.
Drama - July 3, 2008
one step away from PMac in center
and Barrett in right. maybe Peavy at 3rd?
justdave - July 3, 2008
So who needs to be sold from the team this year?
I’m thinking Giles, Wolf, Maddux, Greene, prob more.
sacpadre - July 3, 2008
Batting Practice
The visiting team always takes batting practice last, and the home team’s time on the field comes to an end usually at a time coinciding with the public opening of the gates. Pretty sure it’s like this all over.
If you want to see some Padres up close, go see them on the road. I think they’re more inclined to come over since they’re not going to be mobbed by the entire ballpark for approaching the seats.
Axion - July 3, 2008
Hoffman Debate
I stumbled across this debate at Baseball Fever about Hoffmans HOF chances.
He doesn’t seem to be the sure lock in the eyes of fans outside of SD.
http://www.baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=76503
strummer - July 3, 2008
I think that just means
He’s not necessarily a first ballot guy. But how can you have Bruce Sutter in and no Trevor Hoffman?
Wonko - July 3, 2008
One mistake doesnt justify further mistakes.
I think it was interesting that most people around here think Trevor is a first ballot HOFer.
But most outside of here dont see it that way. I think the outside perspective is interesting.
strummer - July 3, 2008
That's why the fans don't vote for HoF
And the All-Star game is a joke.
Axion - July 3, 2008
people in new england and new york
refuse to acknowledge that we have a baseball team.
justdave - July 3, 2008
The ol' east coast bias alibi
Is there any subject where that excuse isnt used ?
Besides, there were lots of Midwesterners in the debate.
Are they part of the conspiracy too ?
strummer - July 3, 2008
Well Everyone knows
That East Coast fans aren’t real fans. They just go to games to get drunk and pay lots of money. If they aren’t paying out the nose for their team, then they can support them.
Wonko - July 3, 2008
i lived out there for a long time
there are a couple things that prove the bias.
the most glaring is the start times of all sporting events.
but that is beside the point. the point is the arrogance, not the bias.
justdave - July 3, 2008
Derek Jeter will get more votes for the All-Star Game than anyone
.279/.340/.385 this year. Thank GOD these same people don’t vote for the Hall of Fame.
Derek Jeter. Leading vote getter last time I checked—not at shortstop, leading vote getter in THE ENTIRE MAJOR LEAGUE.
You know who has almost exactly those numbers? JODY EFFING GERUT (.275/.343/.396).
The All-Star game is an infuriating piece of stupid.
goose1 - July 3, 2008
East coast bias is hardly an alibi. More like "Stone Cold Fact."
How many All-Star votes did Jody Gerut get this year?
goose1 - July 3, 2008
In Jeter's defense (and I'm hardly a Jeter fan)
He has had a better career than Jody. And that career is probably worth more than the first 3 months of the season (or 2 months because many of those votes cam a while ago).
Wonko - July 3, 2008
Jim Edmonds has had a great career. He shouldn't be an All Star this year.
The point is just that people vote on Jeter’s reputation.
Hoffman should be in the Hall of Fame for a million reasons—-the only reason it’s even a debate is because he plays for San Diego. Rivera won’t have a problem getting in.
goose1 - July 3, 2008
Comparing Rivera to Hoffman ?????
strummer - July 3, 2008
The Save percentages are just as good.
Rivera has better numbers in his prime, but has also played for far, far better teams for most of his career. Isolate the statistics for things a pitcher can control-defense independent-and Hoffman really is right up there with the best relievers of his era, Rivera included. And that’s the Hall of Fame criteria.
goose1 - July 3, 2008
You have to count his playoffs stats for something
I know it’s not fair to Trevor, but in today’s game with more playoff games than ever, those games count for a lot and players that excel in those games deserve to have that added to their HOF resume.
Wonko - July 3, 2008
Playoffs count, of course.
I just don’t think that it should be a knock against Trevor that his teams rarely made it, whereas Rivera was in the post-season every single year for the past 13 years in a row.
No one remembers that Rivera has blown his share of big games too. 2001 World Series, for starters. Or allowing the Red Sox back into the 2004 ALCS, for another.
goose1 - July 3, 2008
Compared to how many games he saved in the playoffs
Those “big” games are a drop in the bucket.
Wonko - July 3, 2008
He also has lots of chances.
We all jump on Hoffy for games he’s blown, but he’s had a ridiculously small sample size to work with.
goose1 - July 3, 2008
plus its tough to convert 100% of 1-run opportunities
justdave - July 3, 2008
i feel like for the hall
you have to be the most dominant player in the league for at least a couple years, and have a career to back it up.
hoffman was that in 98 (and surrounding years).
but i agree i don’t see the BBWAA giving a closer any love as of yet. it’ll be tough.
justdave - July 3, 2008
2006
best year
TheRevRun - July 3, 2008
Hoffman
has surrendered a lot more HRs, Doubles, while playing in a pitchers park. Plus Riveras ERA and ERA+ are significantly better. I place Hoffman second to Rivera, but closer to Lee Smith and Jeff Reardon
strummer - July 3, 2008
Qualcomm was still a pitcher's park
But it’s not like Hoffman has been pitching in PETCO his entire career…
goose1 - July 3, 2008
Quallcom was a neutral park
In Hoffman’s time. It would be a pitcher’s park by today’s standards because of the Minute Maids, CBPs, and GABs of the 21st century.
Wonko - July 3, 2008
Compared to Yankee Stadium
and the higher batting numbers in the AL, Hoffman pitched in more pitcher friendly parks in a weaker hitting league
strummer - July 3, 2008
Actually
Now that I look at the numbers for the late 90s we are both wrong. Both parks were pitchers parks with park factors in 0.95 range. They were both in the top 5-10 of pitchers parks, depending on the year.
Wonko - July 3, 2008
Qualcomm and Petco ?
strummer - July 3, 2008
No
Yankee Stadium and Qualcomm. Petco wasn’t around until 2004.
Wonko - July 3, 2008
Duh
I need to read more carefully.
strummer - July 3, 2008
You're cherry picking a guy who is not at the top of his game anymore
I could cherry pick Nate McLouth or Rick Ankiel to help mine.
I’m saying that if you want the All Star game to be the best players, then you have to use more than 2-3 months worth of stats to do it. You want to figure out which player is the best at their position. The methods for choosing that may vary, but it shouldn’t be based off of the last 2-3 months or what a guy did 5 years ago.
Wonko - July 3, 2008
Right
The AS game is not about who had the best spring. Its a combination of career, last season, and this season. Plus fan favorites
strummer - July 3, 2008
i just wish it didn't matter
it should be pure exhibition like the NBA
justdave - July 3, 2008
They should play for charity
Winner gets more money than the loser to spread between the players’ charities.
Wonko - July 3, 2008
or to make it rain at the club
justdave - July 3, 2008
I can see that
strummer - July 3, 2008
Boy
are you insecure
strummer - July 3, 2008
I voted for Khalil on the AS ballot 25 times
strummer - July 3, 2008
damn im a hard core homer
and i didnt even do that haha.
justdave - July 3, 2008
They always say
Half of the problem is being able to admit it
strummer - July 3, 2008
hahahah
hello my name is justdave and i’m a padres fan.
hiii jddddd
justdave - July 3, 2008
WELCOME
We can help you here
strummer - July 3, 2008
AGon isnt in the top damn 5
of NL 1B.
disgustitude
justdave - July 3, 2008
True
But he will make the team
strummer - July 3, 2008
thank god its not all up to the fans
and thank the good lord for our ALL STAR MANAGER! (vomits in hands then rubs in eyes)
justdave - July 3, 2008
Top 5 is kind of meaningless
Smart fans know that Adrian is not the best 1B in the national league (that’s Berkman or Pujols), but you can’t vote for 2nd or 3rd best. So you get the top players at the top and then a bunch of homer picks and veterans after that.
Wonko - July 3, 2008
never thought of it that way
good point
justdave - July 3, 2008
Yes, but its the same people voting
So they are liable to make the same “mistake” as you put it.
Wonko - July 3, 2008
I think he certainly will get in
But it could take 20 years
strummer - July 3, 2008
Sounds like a real fun trip Dex
If you get a chance send me the photo of the Ozzie statue in a Padres cap. Jon is the man for thinking up that one.
One thing about this post… we all wish it was the 2006 Padres… unfortunately, this is the 2008 Padritos
TheRevRun - July 3, 2008
Here
can’t see much, so I didn’t include it.
picture
jbox - July 3, 2008
Is that an open container
right on the street?
Hmm, I guess so.
Axion - July 3, 2008
Which part says you can have an open container is StL.
I saw one for KC. Just curious since I’ll be visiting StL on July 18-20.
Wonko - July 3, 2008
I don't know what the state/city law is
but it’s a very common site around the ball park…mainly because all of the surrounding bars are patio type bars, so people are out on the street anyway. If it’s not legal, the cops don’t bother anyone about it. ...that is, unless you’re acting like a drunken fool in the street.
thenerdhater - July 3, 2008
But unlike California
In Missouri you can legally act like a drunken fool, just as long as you don’t have an adult beverage in your possession.
Wonko - July 3, 2008
They're just very lax because of who runs the place
I’m just assuming that having a brew at or around Busch stadium is probably not something to put the riot gear on for.
These two parts are what I’m connecting the dots from:
This is of course wackypedia and could be entirely made up for all we know. :)
Axion - July 3, 2008
When Busch owned Sea World and served BEER
I used to throw empties at the killer whales. It was a San Diego tradition.
strummer - July 3, 2008
Haven't been in awhile
Do they still do the two freebies?
Axion - July 3, 2008
I think the freebies
were shut down a long time ago.
A couple of guys went swimming with the fishes, and that was the end of it.
strummer - July 3, 2008
bad link
TheRevRun - July 3, 2008
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