Padres Avoid Sweep
http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2012/apr/08/22466/ You're the skipper of a ball club that has lost three in a row, the first three of the season, which you admit is under the microscope compared to if the club lost three in a row in, say, …
Flash Gordon Strikes Again
http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2012/apr/08/22413/ The Padres looked finished early on Saturday evening, going down to the Dodgers 5-0 by the top of the fourth inning. The announced attendance was 31,909 and however many people were actually in the stands, most seemed to be …
The Ghost of Ray Kroc
http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2012/apr/06/22308/ (Image: Edinson Volquez) Padres manager Bud Black sat in the dugout three hours prior to the start of the game, reflecting on opening day while watching his pitchers take batting practice. When Black was a pitcher, he pitched three …
Padres Set Roster
http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2012/apr/04/22213/ At a post-game press conference after the exhibition game between the San Diego Padres and the Kansas City Royals, Padres manager Bud Black announced the changes that were made directly after the game in order to set the 25-man …
View From the Press Box
It was evident Tuesday evening that even though it was to be the first game of professional baseball played inside of Petco Park in 2012, the big day was set to be on Thursday. The decorative field images near the …
Volquez Gets Nod
Padres Manager Buddy Black announced on Sunday that the opening day starter for the team will be Edinson Volquez. It was anticipated that Tim Stauffer would land that honor for the second year in a row, but it is now …
And Then There Were Three
There are three exhibition games left in 2012. Most of the position players have been ready for the regular season for a week now, and their opening day can't come too soon. Some of the pitchers don't mind getting in …
Comeback Kids
Back during the 2010 season, the Padres had a bunch of kids on a team that wasn't expected to do a thing. Someone forgot to tell them that they weren't any good. All they did was to compete in the …
Sorting Through the Talent
Most people I know that grew up in America have played some sort of ball - either baseball or softball - and most have some notion as to how the game is played. So far as baseball, so very few …
First Pitch Already Happened
http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2012/mar/29/21816/ In case anyone missed it, Major League Baseball has already had opening day for the 2012 season. In fact, the Oakland Athletics and the Seattle Mariners have already played two games, the Mariners winning the opener early on Wednesday …
Dodgers Sold For $2.15 Billion
http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2012/mar/28/21742/ (Image: Magic Johnson) Late Tuesday evening, embattled Dodgers owner Frank McCourt sold the team and half control of the land surrounding Dodger Stadium to a group headed by former Los Angeles Lakers NBA superstar Magic Johnson. The controlling partner …
The Home Stretch
The last week of spring training - of Cactus League play for the Padres - is more serious in terms of individual performance. Competition for spots on the 25-man roster becomes more intense. With the Padres, Andy Parrino and Everth …
Up The Middle
http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2012/mar/24/21514/ Every ball club has a weakness or two, even the New York Yankees. While the Yankees could use some more starting pitching (as can the Red Sox and the Dodgers), and the Chicago Cubs are weak at the corners …
Backroom Politics of Baseball Ownership
http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2012/mar/23/21401/ So far as the state of Padres ownership goes right now, we know that John Moores has been and remains the owner of the club with a 51% stake. We know that in January Jeff Moorad, CEO and managing …
Okay, Now Jeff Moorad Steps Down As CEO
The official press release from the Padres this afternoon reads like this: "JEFF MOORAD STEPS DOWN AS CEO OF THE SAN DIEGO PADRES SAN DIEGO – The San Diego Padres announced today that Jeff Moorad has stepped down as the …
The Stauf Abides
One of the few things the movie Bull Durham got wrong about baseball was the nickname. Ballplayers have two nicknames. One nickname your teammates give you, which generally sticks with you throughout your career. The other one your manager gives …
Nicked Up
Padres catcher Nick Hundley was signed to a contract extension which will keep him in a Padres uniform at least through 2014, Hundley told reporters on Tuesday. Hundley is due to receive $2 million in 2012, which will not change. …
Take Two
Split-squad games are beneficial, they serve a purpose that would likely go unserviced otherwise. You bring around sixty players into a big league camp. You usually only use five or six pitchers per game unless things get out of hand. …
Camera on Cameron
There has been a small vacuum here in San Diego, so far as baseball goes, so far as identity of the franchise goes. Not that the Padres haven't tried. Not for a lack of good veteran players like catcher Nick …
Power Chase
Third baseman that aren't named Wade Boggs are supposed to have power - at least, that's the conventional thought among baseball's best minds. Exceptions like Boggs are sometimes made (Boggs averaged only 8 home runs per year but finished his …