The Critical Masses
The managers of major league baseball teams might be the most second-guessed people in the world that aren't involved in politics, network television programming, or particle physics. After each game on most days there is a manager's press conference (referred …
Who's on First?
Lately, first base for the Padres has been a revolving door for player after player, it seems that no one can latch onto that position for very long. Traditionally, first basemen are big guys with big power who are somewhat …
The Liar's Club
In early December of 2011, it was leaked that the National League's Most Valuable Player, Ryan Braun of the Milwaukee Brewers, had tested positive for a performance enhancing substance. His urine sample, according to "unnamed sources", showed an unusually high …
Million Dollar Arm
By his own admission, Andrew Cashner wasn't that tall in high school and so he didn't think much about playing basketball. Instead, he flashed a very nice glove and played shortstop for a while, until it became apparent that his …
Fun and Games
These days of spring training — in either the Arizona Cactus League or the Florida Grapefruit League — serve several purposes other than baseball training and conditioning. When the practice games start, in fact, there are times it can get …
Happy Campers
Meanwhile in Peoria, relief pitchers threw bullpen sessions today, ten to fifteen minutes each in most cases, mostly fastballs and change-ups and mostly just the beginning of an effort to loosen arms as needed. Tomorrow, the starters will do the …
Call To Arms
Pitchers and catchers both reported to Peoria Sunday, as ordered, and workouts in earnest begin Monday. Pitchers usually need a little more time to get up to speed than do position players, and it's difficult to pitch without a catcher. …
Kids at the Grown-Up Table
Some of the Padres prospects stand a good chance of looking back on March of 2012 in Peoria, Arizona as having been a great part of their salad days, to steal a wonderful and memorable phrase from a certain Coen …
Organizational Depth
Peoria, Arizona, is not at all a bad place to be in early March. West of Phoenix proper, Peoria offers your basic desert atmosphere; there is a nightlife, sunny and mild days (the nights can get a little chilly in …
Basic Training
Any brief occupation of Petco Park from a handful of players that came early for non-mandatory workouts and so on, will come to a close this week and everyone will be at the Padres spring training facility in Peoria either …
Padres Fan Fest, 2012 Version
The sun wasn't so kind for the most part, but the rain stayed away on Saturday as the San Diego Padres spun the 2012 version of Fan Fest at Petco Park. Lines were long at 8:30 AM, when season ticket …
Waving Goodbye To Last Season
So far as the San Diego Padres are concerned, it's a good bet that 2012 couldn't come fast enough. Last season was full of disappointments. After surprising most of baseball in 2010 by missing the playoffs by only one game …
Player To Be Named Later
Branding of a product - any product - is usually dependent on offering the potential consumer with an easily identifiable image of what is being offered in terms of consumption. Professional baseball is no different than any other industry - …