The Padres Press

The Day After

2005-04-05T14:41:00.000-07:00

Well, let's see here...was it Coors Field? Or perhaps an even scarier notion the Padres bullpen is not quite as strong as it appears to be on paper?

Being the eternal optimist I am my money's on Coor's Field as the culprit of yesterday's heartbreaking come-from-behind loss to the Rockies of Colorado.

Let's analyze things just a bit...it's my therapy:

During the spring, Hoffman didn't allow a run in his first six appearances but he was hit hard in his final two. And now this catostrophic meltdown yesterday. Just as disconcerting is that both Linebrink and Otsuka didn't look nearly as sharp as last season while working in front of Hoffman. (I know, it's only game one)

Otsuka closed spring training by giving up a pair of three-run homers. Then Hoffman blew the save in the season opener. In two-thirds of an inning, he allowed four runs on four hits capped by a walk-off, two-run homer by rookie Clint Barmes.

Suffering the fourth blown save of his career against the Rockies, Hoffman said, "You put this behind you and move on".

Being the seasoned veteran and consumate professional that he is, I'm sure he's moved on by now and is focused on game two. Let's hope so.

By the way...Woody Williams seems to be the only one benefitting from yesterday's loss with Hoffman shouldering all the heat in the press today. Well, actually the media hasn't been so hard on Trevor (see Tim Sullavin's UT column) but the message boards have been relentless.

Now, I'm not over reacting here...really, I'm not...I realize this was only game one of a long season ahead however...it always hurts to lose these sorts of games. And even though we have 161 games left, as tight as things were last year every game counts in the west...especially the ones we're supposed to win. Come September I don't want these type of close-game losses against the Rockies and Nationals of the world to haunt us.

On a more positive note...nice to see the big guns break out with some dingers right out of the shoot. Maybe they'll build up some momentum in the power department early in the seaon. And XNady looks pretty darn good at the plate. Since Robert's has center field locked up it's up to Burroughs to respond. Could get interesting.

Ok. This felt pretty good. I'm back in the saddle for tomorrow. And then Peavy at home on Thursday night for the opener. I'll be there with bells on! Actually, I won't have any bells on at all...I don't even own any bells.

Padres open up in Denver

2005-04-04T09:21:00.000-07:00

Tom Krasovic's article in today's Tribune talks about today's opener and winning the West.

"We definitely don't want to be outspoken about it, but I think we've got a
quiet sense of confidence about this season," pitcher Jake Peavy said.
"Everybody on this team – we fully expect to win the West. If we don't think
that, I'm questioning what we are thinking."

The Fishwrap Recap

2005-03-29T09:41:00.000-08:00

San Diego Union Tribune:

According to Tom Krasovic , XNady may be getting the opening day nod in center field while Dave Roberts continues to rest his groin pull. Robert's underwent a precautionary MRI yesterday. "It's fine", Robert's said afterwards regarding the first groin injury of his career.

If newcomer Tim Redding steps up and captures the #5 spot, Darrell May will fall into the long-relief role.

Knuckleballer Steve Sparks will likely be traded if he doesn't make the 25-man roster cut.

Loretta, Greene, Giles, Nevin and Hernandez will all see action in tomorrow night's game against SDSU at Petco.

North County Times:

Brian Hiro reports on the Tim Redding acquisition.

"Redding is somebody we've always liked," Towers said. "He has
above-average stuff ---- above-average fastball, above-average life,
above-average breaking ball. He struggled a little bit last year with his
command. We think a change of scenery might be good for him."

Trade News - Quintero to Houston for pitcher Tim Redding

2005-03-28T11:00:00.000-08:00

I really have no comments regarding this move...just posting a link in case anyone visiting here has yet to be informed.

Bonds' absense generating Padres hype in the west

2005-03-27T08:57:00.000-08:00

Seems to me there's been an increase in Padres chatter in regards to winning the west since the infamous "press conference" last week where Barry Bonds clarified (or threatened) his intentions to sit out the entire season. I happen to think the Padres are going to win it with or without Bonds in the Giants lineup however, I do like our percentages just a tad better sans Barry.

John Shea's article in todays San Fransisco Chronicle is the latest in the recent insurgance of padres related talk in the west.

Here's some of the Padres notes from the article including alot of quotes from Kevin Towers:

"From a psychological standpoint, it helps to go to San Francisco and not see Barry Bonds in the lineup," Padres general manager Kevin Towers said. "I always liked facing the Giants in weekend series because they usually have him take Sundays off. When he's in there, it always seems like he's either on deck, in the hole or on the bases.

"Even with Bonds in their lineup, I thought we'd compete. I thought it was a very competitive division anyway. With Bonds out for some time, I think it's even more so."

For the record, Towers said the Giants still ought to be favorites and complimented his San Francisco counterparts, Brian Sabean and Ned Colletti, for "always finding a way to stay competitive." But the Giants could usually count on Bonds to pull the team through trying times.

The Padres, after improving last year by 23 wins, seem poised to make a run at their first division title since 1998. They had the NL West's best road record (45-36) but must solve new-fangled Petco Park, where they were a disappointing 42-39 and kept complaining about the unfriendly dimensions.

If Ryan Klesko and Phil Nevin shut their traps and realize a pitching park is beneficial -- Jake Peavy won the league's ERA crown, after all -- then the Padres will be going places. The lineup potentially is solid, with Dave Roberts and Mark Loretta batting 1-2, Klesko, Nevin and Brian Giles providing punch and Sean Burroughs, Ramon Hernandez and Khalil Greene rounding it out.

This is basically the same team that won 87 games, except that Woody Williams (45-22 in three-plus years in St. Louis) replaced David Wells in a rotation that includes the Kinda Big Three of Peavy, Brian Lawrence and Adam Eaton. Closer Trevor Hoffman regained his health to move up to No. 3 on the all-time saves list and is preceded by capable setup men Aki Otsuka and Scott Linebrink.

"I think we underachieved some," said Towers, despite the huge improvement from 2003. "Before last year, we had very few guys with experience in playoff races, and now we know what it's like. We've improved our bullpen and bench, and I think we'll be more comfortable at Petco.

"In a nutshell, I'm not taking the Giants lightly. Sometimes (a loss of a key player) can rally the troops. Some people in the industry might think they have no chance now, but this gives other players an opportunity to step up and show what they're made of. They have the individuals and attitude to rise to the occasion with Bonds out."

On the other hand, Towers said, "I don't think Barry will be out long."

Is Petco a one season wonder?

2005-03-27T06:19:00.000-08:00

Take a look at today's Michael Kinsmin UT article for some insight into the new ballpark phenomenon in baseball over the past decade. The trends regarding fan attendance are not in Petco's favor. Only 2 of 11 new parks since '95 have managed to eclipse their inaugural season's attendance mark. Last season was a record year for Padres attendance with over 3 million people breaking in those shiny new turnstyles.

FoxSports.com are pickin' the Pads

2005-03-26T07:41:00.000-08:00

The good ole' "fair and balanced" bunch at Fox are picking the Padres to take the west. I may not agree with many of their political slants over there but I'll take another preseason nod for the Pads from anyone that's willing to give it up...even the Mississippi Press.

A solid and deep rotation fronted by future Cy Young winner Jake Peavy, a strong bullpen, a solid lineup top to bottom, and a capable bench corps — it all adds up to a division title for the Padres.

This is not a great team by any means, but it's one with the wherewithal to take the flag. The Dave Roberts acquisition gives the team an efficient base-stealer with reasonable on-base skills and, more importantly, a high-quality glove in center to track down flies in the spacious Petco outfield. Phil Nevin and Brian Giles provide power, and Khalil Greene, Mark Loretta and Ramon Hernandez will give the club solid production from premium positions

Ryan Klesko needs to stem his decline, and Sean Burroughs needs to take that long-anticipated step forward. They'll also miss David Wells, but Woody Williams isn't a bad proxy. All in all, they have less upside than the Dodgers, but they also have fewer questions.

Woody's aces in Padres win

2005-03-25T21:21:00.000-08:00

The Padres beat the A's tonight in a game that Woody Williams gave up only one earned run over six innings. A solid 76 pitch-count evening for Williams without facing more than four batters in any inning.

Nevin, Loreta, Giles and Roberts all drove in runs. The Padres will take on the D'Backs tomorrow at 12:05.

Mississippi likes the Padres

2005-03-25T09:28:00.000-08:00

Hey, if JR. Wittner over at The Mississippi Press says the Padres are going to win the West, I'd say it's pretty much a done deal. Wouldn't you? I mean come on...this is the JR. Wittner we're talking about here at the Mississippi Press.

National League West -- San Diego Padres. I took the Padres last season to
win the division and feel there chance this year are even better. With young
starting pitchers like Jake Peavy and Adam Eaton, to go along with veteran
hitters Ryan Klesko and Brian Giles, the Padres should win the division
handily.

Back in Action...Finally!

2005-03-23T14:24:00.000-08:00

Ok...I've been cleansed. Now I am really back. Got hit with a crazy bug and have been out of commission in the blog world. Luckily it's only spring training.

First of all I'd like to throw out some props to the boys over at PadresFansSince76 for being the skanks that they are and joining "big business" with sportsblogs.com. Way to go guys...congrats! (Kidding on the skanks comment...had I checked my email sooner I'd be that skank...DAMN!) Check them out at their brand new home at gaslamp ball .

And Geoff's Ducksnorts blog has joined the Most Valuable Network's all-baseball.com team...all the same great stuff outa Geoff but with a brand new look . Very nice indeed!

Jeez...seems I've missed alot in Padres blog world these past couple weeks. Glad to be back on the stick.

Back from the Dead

2005-03-13T07:14:00.000-08:00

Not that anyone's noticed I'm sure, but I've not updated a thing for a week...got hit by the cold/virus/infection/pink eye/strep bug...and have been out of commission.

Tower's is no "crusader"

2005-03-06T07:00:00.000-08:00

Nice article in today's UT by Tom Krasovic. Tower's is trying to put this steroid issue to rest and get on with the baseball season.

Towers - "The last thing I wanted to be portrayed as is some crusader who's out here trying to save the game," Towers said. "This really stemmed from personal feelings toward a particular player on our club, and a problem that I thought has existed in the game for some time."

Towers - "What I am upset about is I didn't want to be a distraction to our ballclub, our organization or anybody else who had to deal with this," he said. "I probably made this a distraction to a lot of people other than myself. Because of what I've said, I've been a distraction for them. For that, I'm not happy."

Towers - "When I spoke (last week), I never really thought about how I was going to be perceived, good or bad. That wasn't the intent. The intent wasn't selfish, of, 'Boy, I want to be the great guy.' Not at all. I speak from the heart, how I feel."

Towers - "It was never really anything that Boch and I ever really discussed," Towers said yesterday. "That's very normal. I don't think there's anything that's crazy about that to where one guy may have been suspicious and another guy wasn't."

Towers - "Boch is about as honest a guy as you're ever going to meet," he said. "That's what I've always loved about him. If he said he wasn't suspicious, he wasn't suspicious. If that makes me look bad or makes him look bad, so be it."

Towers - "I trust him. We're not in the business here that 'I'm going to protect you, you protect me.' Bruce and I, we don't work that way. I speak my mind. He speaks his mind. At the end of the day, we're on the same truck and we're friends and we want to go out and win baseball games together."

Bochy - "It just goes to show we have different views on different things."

Padres primed for season opener (MLB.com)

2005-03-04T06:30:00.000-08:00

Well, after a couple charity game losses to the M's the Padres officially kick off their Cactus League spring training season this afternoon at 1:05. They'll be taking on the Anaheim Angels...or...um..make that the the Los Angelas Dodgers of the Angels of Anaheim..or is it the Angels of Los Angelas/Anaheim/Orange County/Santa Barbara and wherever else they can possibly market that team. Not that I've lost any sleep over it (no, my 10 month old is filling those shoes quite nicely these days) but I think I liked them best as simply the California Angels.

Jake Peavy's getting the start for the Pads.

I'll be tuning in from the office and barring any pesky work related interruptions I hope to post some updates.

Some News and Notes

2005-03-03T11:41:00.000-08:00

Grady Fuson has joined the Padre's front office as Special Assistant to Kevin Towers. A few of Grady's notable drafts while in Oakland included Tim Hudson, Barry Zito, Mark Mulder, Eric Chavez, Ben Grieve and Mark Bellhorn, among others. I'd like to see this guy do for us what he did with the A's cultivating a solid farm system loaded with big league talent. Welcome aboard Grady!

Is Ryan Klesko's right shoulder going to be this season's excuse for hitting 9 homeruns?

And, apparently Shawn Burroughs has some company over at third base. XNady didn't only play third while at Cal, he also played it yesterday in the exhibition game and reports claim he made a "diving, back-handed grab of Beltre's grounder and threw to first for the out." This could get intersting.

Report: Schuerholz confronted steroid suspects

2005-03-02T13:44:00.000-08:00

(ABC/ESPN.com news) Frank comments on steroids by San Diego Padres general manager Kevin Towers earlier this week have opened baseball's front offices to more questions.

Dick Freeman and John Schuerholz comment on the steroid controversy:

On Tuesday, Padres president and CEO Dick Freeman said Towers' interview had "confused an already complex issue." Freeman, who was club president when Caminiti joined the tream via trade in 1994, defended Towers.

"Available evidence suggests that Caminiti's death resulted from a long-term pattern of substance abuse that Kevin and many others in the Padres organization and Major League Baseball did try to help him control, both during and after his playing career," Freeman said. "Ultimately and sadly, those efforts were to no avail.

Schuerholz also offered a defense for management.

"I want to make this clear: As general managers, we didn't turn our heads away from players who might be using steroids because it was a benefit to us," Schuerholz told the paper. "No, if we turned our heads, it was out of frustration because there was nothing we could do about it. Sadly, we didn't have the authority to test players or fix the problem."

- Click on the link to view the entire article

Burroughs happy to give up leadoff spot

2005-03-02T08:22:00.000-08:00

(NCTimes) Burroughs on batting lead-off - "I got to the point where I basically hated it," Burroughs said recently. "It was a good experience, but I don't think I was suited for it."

- Click the title link to read the entire Brian Hiro artricle.

Towers is back on topic with club

2005-03-02T08:07:00.000-08:00

Chastened GM skips golf, called on carpet.

- Here's the official "damage control" statement released by the Padres regarding KT's steroid remarks published in ESPN The Magazine:

"Kevin Towers' comments to ESPN The Magazine regarding personal suspicions and guilt feelings he may have had about the late Ken Caminiti's use of steroids in the mid-1990s and tragic death last year have unintentionally confused an already complex issue.
"Kevin's comments suggest that compassionate confrontation alone could somehow solve an insidious problem that needs to be aggressively and cooperatively combated by all of us in baseball – players and management together – on medical, ethical, and legal grounds.

"Kevin may have had suspicions that certain players during the period Caminiti played for the Padres were using steroids, but no one had evidence because testing of major league players was subject to collective bargaining and could not be imposed unilaterally by Major League Baseball."

- Click the title link to view the entire Krasovic article in today's UT.

Peavy cashes in on elders advice

2005-03-01T09:59:00.000-08:00

Peavy - "We both knew we were too close to having a deal to let it go any longer," Peavy said. "Both sides left a little on the table, so both sides are a little unhappy, and that's the sign of a good deal."

- Click the title link to read Chris Jenkin's article in today's UT.

Lucchino Pleads Ignorance

2005-03-01T08:12:00.000-08:00

He says he didn't suspect Caminiti was using steroids.

I suspect he's lying.

- Here's an excerpt from today's Boston Globe article:

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- In the wake of a published admission by San Diego Padres general manager Kevin Towers that he "felt like I knew" star player Ken Caminiti was using steroids while with the Padres, Red Sox CEO Larry Lucchino, who was CEO of the team during Caminiti's stint there, said he was unaware that Caminiti was a steroid user.

"I did not," said Lucchino, speaking by telephone from his Boston office, when asked if he knew Caminiti was using steroids when he was with the Padres

Asked if Towers had come to him with concerns that Caminiti was using steroids, Lucchino said, "No, not that I can recall. You know, it's hard to separate now what you know after the fact from what you knew at the time. But I don't remember any discussions or warnings about it."

- To read on click the title link

Padres GM knew Caminiti on Steroids

2005-02-28T16:00:00.000-08:00

NBCSports.com is reporting on the Towers/Caminiti story.

- San Diego Padres general manager Kevin Towers said he knew late star Ken Caminiti was using steroids but kept quiet about it because the team was doing well at the box office partly because of Caminiti's hitting, ESPN reported.

- Click on the title link to view entire article

Did Tower's know about Cami's Steroid Use?

2005-02-28T09:53:00.000-08:00

Nothing substantial to report here but as I was treading along on the treadmill this morning I read a story on tv (you know, the little captions scrolling across the bottom with a slew of mispellings) being reported on ESPN that is due out in this weeks ESPN Magazine.

Apparently Kevin Tower's is going on record as saying he feels he may have known about Ken Caminiti's steroid use when he was with the Padres. He'll be the first GM to come forward on the subject.

Stay tuned...I'll try and dig up some more info on this between meetings throughout the day. I hate when my job gets in the way of the real important stuff!

UPDATE - Seems PFS76 are on top of this story as well...check there post for some additional info.

Peavy through 2009 for $15 Million!

2005-02-28T09:47:00.000-08:00

Done deal! This is GREAT news for Padres fans. Click on the title link to view Tom Krasovic's article in today's UT.

Padres scouring the globe for talent (UT)

2005-02-27T14:07:00.000-08:00

"Padres!...Australian for Baseball." Sound interesting? If the Padre's current scouting philosophies pan out the way their hoping, Australia and Mexico may be the future of San Diego Padres baseball.

- Click on the title link to view Krasovic's entire article in today's UT.

Greene glad he's no longer a rookie (AP)

2005-02-27T14:03:00.000-08:00

(AP)PEORIA, Ariz. - Throughout his first full season in the major leagues, San Diego Padres shortstop Khalil Greene was singled out for his defensive wizardry, preternatural calm and, by years end, his hot bat.

All along, though, he couldn't wait for the day when he was no longer a rookie.

"I felt there was a certain stigma attached to being a rookie," Greene said recently at spring training. "You're separated from everybody else, and it was my intent originally to try to feel like everybody else and fit in on the field, off the field. The constant questions about being a first-year player always seemed to arise, and it separates you that much more, like you haven't arrived.

"So I feel now that I'm just like everybody else and there's no questions about whether I'm the best first-year player. I'm just a good player."

That's as good an explanation as any for why Greene went out of his way to distance himself from the buzz surrounding the NL Rookie of the Year race in 2004. After being billed as the early favorite, he finished second to Pittsburgh outfielder Jason Bay, a former Padres farmhand who roomed with Greene when both played for Triple-A Portland.

When the award was announced last November, Greene said he was glad Bay won.

The past few months have done nothing to change his mind.

"I wasn't too concerned about it then and I'm less concerned about it now," he said. "Its my second year, so there are no sophomore-year trophies out there to win."

Bay won the award after hitting 26 homers and driving in 82 runs in only 411 at-bats.

Greene's coaches and teammates, however, believe they know who was more valuable. Greene, a 2002 first-round pick from Clemson, couldn't match Bays offensive numbers - he hit .273 with 15 home runs and 65 RBIs - but his glovework made the highlight reels almost nightly and his remarkably even-keeled demeanor was a positive clubhouse influence.

"I think he took everybody by surprise," Padres manager Bruce Bochy said. "We knew Khalil was talented, but I dont think anybody knew he was going to have that kind of year."

Plus, Greene heated up as the weather cooled. Far from smacking into the so-called rookie wall, Greene was at his best when the Padres were locked in a late-season pennant race. In August, he batted .311 with five homers and 16 RBIs. In mid-September, he homered four times during a three-game series against Colorado at Coors Field.

"I just think it was his work ethic, his conditioning," Bochy said. "He just takes such good care of himself. Its a tribute to how consistent his is with his routine. He never appeared fatigued."

All the conditioning in the world, though, couldn't prevent the fluke play that ended Greene's season. On Sept. 13 in Los Angeles, he broke his right index finger while trying to field a hard grounder off the bat of the Dodgers Antonio Perez, limiting him to pinch-running duty for the final three weeks.

"It was somewhat disappointing in the way it happened, the fact that we were still in the playoff race and I felt like I was starting to play better than I had up until that point offensively," Greene said. "But I was never bitter about it or anything. That's part of the game."

Greene is now preparing for a season in which he will hit two spots higher in the lineup, jumping from eighth to sixth, and in which his starters role is unchallenged.

Last spring, the Padres brought veteran shortstop Rey Ordonez to Arizona to compete with Greene and provide a fallback in case he wasn't ready to handle everyday duty. A few weeks into camp, Ordonez walked out, reportedly because he saw the writing on the wall.

"Regardless of whether I'm battling for a starting spot, there are a lot of things I want to do and get better at," Greene said. "Honestly, I'm not looking at this year any different than I did last year or the year before."

Spoken like a true non-rookie.

PADRES PRESS ORIGINAL - Winners? Or Whiners in '05

2005-02-26T09:34:00.000-08:00

Tom Krasovic's article in today's UT entitled "Bochy wants to nip whining in the bud", focuses mostly on Bochy's first pep talk with players yesterday. Reading the article I soon realized it had sparked a nerve in me left over from last season...and in this case, I'm not using that term lightly.

With Petco Park's inaugural season in the books, Bochy is hoping last year's whining has followed suit. All the hoopla surrounding the park and it's inherent difficulty to lift the ball over the fence, it seems this has become the "corporate answer" regarding the lack of production from our sluggers last year. Friar frankly, I think that's a load of crap. Once Nevin snapped back into "Nevin" form he began stroking the ball out of Petco. Even Giles managed to find his stroke at home considering his lackluster season. And Klesko was coming off shoulder surgery and was noticibly a more slimmed down, leaner version of Ryan Klesko than we're used to seeing. (Hmmm?)

I think these guys managed to cause their own issues by their constant whining throughout the season regarding Petco's generous dimensions. In my humble opinion they got into their own heads by making excuses why they weren't performing as expected, as evident in this comment by Ryan Klesko, "They paid a lot of money for me and Giles and Nevin to come in here and drive the long ball, and to build something like that is their own fault," Klesko said on his first day at camp. "They can't blame us." Are you kidding me Ryan? That's just the sort of excuse I'd expect from Chris Schaefer, another classic whiner. Don't know who Chris Schaefer is? I'm sorry, he was a team mate of mine in HIGH SCHOOL! Get my point? These guys are professional baseball players and should be able to make adjustments, which they did towards the end of the season last year once they saw visions of a pennant in site. I hope they pick up this season on that same positive note. If they don't, Giles and Klesko will surely become the first Petco casualties certain to be replaced by a couple of right-handed sluggers more suited for the "unfriendly" confines of Petco Park.

The Padres should take advantage of their new ballpark and play good, sound, fundamental baseball. Now, I realize that may sound a bit out-dated in this "steroid era" we find ourselves in but, how refreshing would it be to see a team play good baseball? The Padres have a great opportunity here to make a splash. A "small market" team makes good in their new home. A true home field advantage. Drive the deep gaps, steal bases, execute sacrifices EVERY time, pitch light's-out, and now and again drive a perfectly timed ball off the top of the Western Metals Building.

So, what's it going to be guys? Winners? Or whiners in '05? It's your division to lose this year.

Peavy through 2008!

2005-02-26T06:58:00.000-08:00

This morning Tom Krasovic is reporting in his "A Day in Camp" piece that Tower's will have a deal signed with Jake Peavy by Tuesday to keep him in a Padre uniform through the 2008 season. Seeing this news this morning has made my weekend. Now I have to go make waffles for my...oh, excuse me...make that, cinnamon waffles...for my feisty 3 year old daughter who's currently tugging at my jammies.

Here's the Krasovic piece:

Peavy's payday: General Manager Kevin Towers said he's excited the Padres likely will avoid the arbitration process with pitcher Jake Peavy by signing him to a guarantee through 2008. Towers said it's likely that he and Peavy's agent, Barry Axelrod, will reach an accord by Tuesday. "You want to avoid arbitration, especially with a class individual like Jake," said Towers, adding that he would dread "going into an arbitration setting and having to dredge up something negative on the kid." Towers also said it could have been a difficult arbitration case if Peavy had another strong season and then had the option of pursuing arbitration to set his 2006 salary.

Tower's Neck out there for Robert's

2005-02-25T16:06:00.000-08:00

(UT/Krasovic) PEORIA, Ariz. – As he watched speedy newcomer Dave Roberts yesterday, Padres General Manager Kevin Towers talked like a guy driving a spiffy, if worn, sports car off the sales lot. He acknowledged that a savvy salesman, Boston Red Sox GM Theo Epstein, extracted more than Towers wanted to pay, but Towers said Roberts could put the Padres over the top.
"I was willing to overpay to get him," said Towers, who sent three players and $2.65 million – the largest cash payment to another club in his 10-year tenure as GM – to acquire Roberts from Boston. "There are going to be times that you do overpay, and as long as the player you get performs the way you hope for, it doesn't really matter. There's not a lot of leadoff hitters out there."
Roberts, 32, excites the Padres for the same reason he can thrill the fan munching popcorn in the upper deck: When on the basepaths, the 5-foot-10, 175-pounder is a sure thief.

- Click on the title link to read on

"Last year wasn't a total dog" - Ryan Klesko

2005-02-24T16:28:00.000-08:00

(AP) Everywhere the San Diego Padres left fielder went during the offseason - to his hunting ranch in Oregon, to his gym in Georgia, then back to San Diego for January workouts at Petco Park - he heard the talk.

He heard that his 2004 season was for the dogs and that if he had managed merely passable offensive production, it might have been sufficient to lift the Padres into the playoffs.

The thing is, Klesko doesnt see the same statistics others see.

"People cant point fingers and say, You had a bad year last year, " Klesko said. "Did I have the year I wanted? No. But I put up pretty decent numbers for the way I started the season and considering I was coming off surgery."

Klesko was an easy target for fans because he hit just nine home runs and was one of the Padres who complained bitterly about how their new ballpark robbed them of home runs.

- Click on the title link to read on.

"It's time to take the bull by the horns." - Adam Eaton

2005-02-24T13:44:00.000-08:00

- Excerpts from Tom Krasovic's UT article:

Adam on last season - "It's time to take the bull by the horns," Eaton said at the team's spring-training complex. "Getting better is great. But if you're not able to put it together on the field – my feeling about last year is I had good stuff, but at the same time I wasn't performing like I wanted to."

Darren Balsey on Adam - "It's time for him," said pitching coach Darren Balsley. "He's too talented to not put up 15 wins a year for the rest of his career, no matter how long it lasts. And Adam is great to work with. He knows he's talented. He's a little frustrated because he doesn't get the results."

Woody on Adam - "Adam Eaton is going to be a big key to our success this year, just because his potential is unbelievable, and sometimes it takes awhile for a guy to get to that point," said Williams, 38, who went 45-22 for the Cardinals after leaving the Padres."

Adam on poker - "You need to know when the odds are in your favor and what can beat you," he said. "It's a risk-reward thing. I bluffed the heck out of this one guy."

- To view the entire article click on the title link.

PADRES PRESS ORIGINAL - "Coleman Clips"

2005-02-23T14:06:00.000-08:00

Oh, Doctor! In honor of Jerry Coleman, our beloved Padres announcer and newly crowned Hall of Fame inductee, The Padres Press is kicking off it's very first "PRESS ORIGINAL". We're calling it "Coleman Clips".

Coleman Clips will be a weekly segmant intended to highlight the colonel's more "classic" game-calling quotes of the upcoming 2005 season. For all you Padre fans I'm sure you know what I mean when I say "classic".

We love ya Jerry! And you can hang a star on that!

To help kick off Coleman Clips, here are a few of Jerry's classics from season's past. Enjoy!

"Johnny Grubb slides into second with a standup double."

"All the Padres need is a flyball in the air."

"Winfield goes back to the wall. He hits his head on the wall — and it rolls off! It’s rolling all the way back to second base! This is a terrible thing for the Padres!”

"It's a base hit on the error by Roberts."

"Thomas is racing for it, but McCovey is there and can't get his glove to it. That play shows the inexperience, not on Thomas' part, but on the part of Willie McC... well, not on McCovey's part either."

"They throw Winfield out at second, but he's safe."

"Hats off to drug abusers everywhere."

"Sanguillen is totally unpredictable to pitch to because he's so unpredicatable."

"The Phillies beat the Cubs today in a doubleheader. That puts another keg in the Cubs' coffin."

"At Royals Stadium: "The sky is so clear today you can see all the way to Missouri"

"Mike Caldwell, the Padres' right-handed southpaw, will pitch tonight."

"Well, it looks like the all-star balloting is about over, especially in the National and American Leagues."

"The first pitch to Tucker Ashford is grounded into left field. No, wait a minute. It's ball one. Low and outside."

Ok, that should be enough to wet your whistle. Please check back throughout the season for more "Coleman Clips".

(Thanks to sportshollywood.com for the list of quotes.)

St Louis was a special place for Williams

2005-02-22T16:19:00.000-08:00

Ron Forbes of The Hillsboro Argus writes, "Williams is a class act. It's too bad that others aren't on the same page or in a city like St. Louis that appreciates and spoils its players."

Well said, Ron.

- Here are some comments by Williams regarding his time in St Louis:

On the fans - "I was spoiled," Williams said of the St. Louis Cardinals' fans. "They spoiled my family with the way they were treated inside the stadium. You don't look to replace that because you realize how special it is. St. Louis is baseball. I know they have the (National Football League) Rams but you don't think about it."

On the team - "It put me on another level as far as my career was concerned," Williams said. "My numbers and stature in the (National) league improved. It was just a perfect fit." "The uniform just fit me a different way," Williams said. "I get goose bumps thinking about that experience. There (St. Louis), you're playing professional baseball in a college football surrounding. They all wear red and they're all diehards. They don't care about the bottom line. They care about the people. So many times things get watered down. Most times people's appreciation only goes as far as wins on the board. These fans appreciate the people."

- Click on the title link to view entire article.

Coleman Honored with Frick Award

2005-02-22T12:41:00.000-08:00

Way to go Jerry!

- Excerpt from Mike Scarr's article on MLB.com:

"Jerry Coleman's name is synonymous with baseball in San Diego after 32 years of calling Padres games," said Hall of Fame President Dale Petroskey. "He has a strong and concise play-by-play calling style, which he effectively mixes with malapropisms, much to the delight of his listening audience. Jerry's nationally renowned as a fan favorite after so many seasons on CBS Radio Game of the Week broadcasts. We look forward to being with Jerry and his family when we honor him July 31 at the induction ceremony in Cooperstown."

- Click on the title link to view entire article.

Spotlight on the Farm - Travis Chick

2005-02-22T09:47:00.000-08:00

We picked him up in the Valdes trade with the Marlins last year...this is the guy Tower's held out for to make the trade happen. Click on the title link to view the article by Tom Krasovic(UT).

"...I want the ball when it matters." - Jake Peavy

2005-02-21T09:47:00.000-08:00

- Excerpt from Tim Sullivan's UT article:

"I don't think he consciously does it, (but) his game charts are always different. One time he might start everybody with a fastball and the very next time he faces the same team, he'll start guys 90 percent (with) sliders."

Because Peavy throws four effective pitches – a fastball, slider, change-up and curveball – a guess hitter attacks him at a decided disadvantage. A starting pitcher can survive in the big leagues if he can command two pitches. The pitcher who can command four pitches can dominate.

What the Padres must weigh is whether less can be more with Peavy, whether he should throttle back a little to attain greater efficiency and/or longevity. Just before Peavy was put on the disabled list, he struck out nine Pittsburgh Pirates in six innings while sticking exclusively with his fastball and change-up. During the major league exhibition tour of Japan in November, Bochy was struck by Peavy's willingness to forsake strikeouts and his ability to get groundouts with sinking fastballs in the high 80s.

"It's a learning process," Peavy said. "You come from the minor leagues, where strikeouts get your name on the map, but I think there's a time and a place for striking somebody out and I think all pitchers have to recognize that.

- Click on the title link to view entire article.

"Last year I felt more comfortable than I had since I was in college" - Khalil Greene

2005-02-20T21:21:00.000-08:00

Khalil Greene is the best shortstop in the National League, and he's all ours! Bold statement? Maybe so, but this is a Padres site and I reserve the right to be..well, bold on occasion. This kid, even after missing the last month and a-half of last season, was still my Rookie of the Year. I've been waiting all winter long to see him patrol the middle infield (and beyond) again this season. I have high, high hopes for this guy. And at the risk of jynxing a great thing, I can't help but see visions of a Cal Ripken-esk career forming before our eyes right here in San Diego.

- Excerpts from Tom Krasovic's article in the UT:

When Khalil Greene freed up his hands last summer it translated into a faster bat and enough doubles and home runs to suit a cleanup hitter.

Greene became the most dangerous shortstop in the National League, pounding out slugging percentages of .524 in August and .630 in September.

"Last year I felt more comfortable than I had since I was in college," Greene said yesterday from the Padres' training complex, where he arrived a week before position players are due to report. "I felt that's where my swing needed to be."

- Click on the link to view the entire article.

"I want to put a ring on my finger" - Trevor Hoffman

2005-02-19T15:52:00.000-08:00

We all knew what was on Trevor Hoffman's mind entering camp last spring after coming off shoulder surgery and only pitching the final month of the season. So what's on Trevor's mind as he enters spring training this year? One thing we know is he'd like to add a ring to a career full of personal accomplishments.

- Here's an excerpt from SI.com:

"I felt confident that I was going to be able to produce what I thought I was capable of producing," Hoffman said. "But it is nice not to have to worry about that and answering the questions on how you're feeling physically. It's nice to have that behind me."

Ahead for Hoffman is what he hopes will be his first playoff appearance since 1998 after the Padres fell just short last year. Individually, it could be another rung on the career save charts.

- Click on the title link to view entire article.

"I'd really like to get something done." - Jake Peavy

2005-02-19T08:48:00.000-08:00

Jake Peavy wants a long term deal and he wants it signed, sealed and delivered before his first pitch is thrown on April 7th at Petco Park. I'd like to see Towers and the Padres get this deal done. Regardless of the veteren's we're signing to lead this rotation now (Wells, Woody) Peavy is, in my mind, the future of this staff. And the future may already be here. Get him signed!

Here's an excerpt from Tom Krasovic's article in today's UT:

- "No question, we've got enough here to win the West, for sure, absolutely," Peavy said from the team's clubhouse. "I'm not saying we are going to win the West, but we have what it takes. I'm going to try my best to pull my load."

Peavy has another plan, one he'd prefer gets scrapped. Unless he and the Padres can agree on a multiyear contract, Peavy said he and his agent are prepared to take the team to arbitration after the season.

"We stand pretty firm," he said as rain fell on tarp-covered mounds. "We're saying if we don't get something done (in spring training), we'll probably end up going to arbitration. We hope that doesn't happen. I really don't want that to happen.

Click on the link to read the entire article.

Q&A With Tony Gwynn

2005-02-19T07:34:00.000-08:00

(Raleigh News & Observer) Here's an excerpt from a nice T.Gwynn interview from yesterday's RN&O.

Tony Gwynn, won a record-tying eight National League batting titles and posted a .338 career average in 20 seasons with the San Diego Padres. He batted better than .300 in 19 consecutive seasons.

Gwynn, who is 66-66 in two-plus seasons as head coach at San Diego State, answered questions on a number of baseball subjects Thursday night, including life as a college coach and Jose Canseco's steroid allegations.

- Click on the link to read on. No subscription req'd.

"The guy shows up and he pitches." - C. Schilling on David Wells

2005-02-18T19:29:00.000-08:00

(St. Petersburg Times) I was checking in on Red Sox Nation and came across this article on David Wells. I always liked this guy. He's a throw-back. I was sad to see him leave San Diego but...quite pleased he landed in Boston. Some fun comments and points in here. I thought Padres fans might be interested to know what Well's is up to with his new mates.

Buster Olney's Pre-Season Rankings

2005-02-18T19:16:00.000-08:00

(ESPN The Magazine) Olney has the Padres slotted in at number 11 in his pre-season rankings sandwiched between the Giants(9) and the Dodgers(16).

Reporting Day

2005-02-18T07:06:00.000-08:00

Pitchers and Catchers report to camp today. Check back here often for complete coverage from Peoria.

There's a new Frank in Town

2005-02-16T14:58:00.000-08:00

The Padres are asking fans to choose the new hotdog to be served at Petco Park this year as part of the "Great Friar Frank Taste Test". Four such events will be held around San Diego over the next month.

Buster Olney Breaks Down the National League

2005-02-16T13:44:00.000-08:00

(ESPN The Magazine) Buster Olney breaks down the National League in a "What must go right" and "What could go wrong" format.

- Not alot of new insight regarding his Padres analysis but a quick and interesting look at the rest of the division and league.

Woody to Pitch Opening Day

2005-02-16T10:36:00.000-08:00

The Union Tribune is reporting today that Woody Williams is going to pitch opening day in Denver on April 4th.

- I was hoping Peavy would get the nod here, securing his role as the ace in the rotation. Maybe next year.

Welcome to Padres Press

2005-02-15T13:08:00.000-08:00

Greetings all and welcome to my brand spanking new blog where I intend to offer up my rants, musings, and undeniable insight and knowledge into the world of San Diego Padres baseball.

My vision is to create a resource for Padres fans to sound off, catch up on the latest news and voice your opinions on the subject.

A bit about me:
I'm a husband and father of two in my mid-thirties. I live in Carlsbad, CA which is located in coastal northern San Diego county. I grew up on the east coast and am a diehard Boston Red Sox fan...as I'm sure hints of RedSox Nation will surface from time to time in here...however, since relocating to San Diego in January of '91 I have become a huge Padres fan.

I hope you enjoy this blog and please feel free to offer up any suggestions or critisisms.

Thanks.