New Blog!!

Hey everyone I just wanted to let you know that I started up a new Padres blog titled RJ’s Fro. This site here is going to remain up but will no longer be updated. For all you Padres merch fans .400 in ’94 will still be updated regularly. I hope you all join me over at those 2 sites and thanks for reading my sporadic posts over the years here.

Hoyer to be Padres’ new GM

So my hunch was correct. Numerous news outlets are reporting that Boston Red Sox assistant GM Jed Hoyer will be taking over for KT. I still don’t quite understand Jeff Moorad’s need for secrecy surrounding this GM search. No names were released or confirmed and no one but Kim Ng was spotted out in public with Moorad. That kind of gives me the impression that Moorad WANTED people to see he was interviewing Ng so he could rack up some solid publicity points by interviewing a minority candidate, but once again that is just me speculating. Anyways back to Hoyer….he was one of the people who took over for Red Sox GM Theo Epstein when he went on his “vacation”. During that time, Hoyer and his group orchestrated the trade of Mike Lowell & Josh Beckett for Hanley Ramirez (among others). We also know that he was with Theo when they met with Curt Schilling at his home during the Thanksgiving of 2003 to convince him to accept a trade to the Red Sox. Other than that we don’t know much about Hoyer. I’ve seen a few Q & A’s but not much is revealed when it comes to the baseball side except that he is both a stats & scouting guy, which is fantastic in my opinion. Anyways I’m going to try and do some more research on him and see if I can come up with some more info.

News!!!!!!

There’s not really any news on the Padres front but when it comes to this blog here there is tons. It will be getting a huge makeover soon. New site layout, new blog name, new contributing writers & most importantly a new campaign. This campaign is going to take the world by storm…..OK by world I mean a few Padres fans but that doesn’t matter…it’s going to blow your minds. I, along with my new team, will be working diligently to complete everything within the next month or so. Be on the lookout!!

Ng interviews for Padres’ GM job

According to numerous news outlets the Padres interviewed Dodgers assistant GM Kim Ng for the vacant GM job. So this is who Jeff Moorad was talking to right before I walked into his office. He told me that he just finished up a telephone interview with the person and would meet with them this weekend in person (they were spotted having lunch together on Saturday). He also told me that if “they had to make an announcement tomorrow (Friday) regarding a new GM that they would have their person”…..meaning sorry Kim they’ve already got their person.

Me & Moorad

So I’ve been holding this in for a few weeks and now that it’s actually happened, I’m finally going to talk about it. I had a nice sit down conversation with Padres owner Jeff Moorad today in the Padres offices. It was very nice of him to take time out of his very busy schedule of interviewing GM candidates to meet with me.

I got down to the Petco offices early, I mean how many chances do you get to sit down and have a face to face, one on one, conversation with the owner of your favorite team?? As I walked up to the front office I noticed a huge paper shredding truck….made me wonder what they were hiding (j/k). I walked in and after checking in proceeded to take a couple pictures of some of the items in the hallways while I was waiting. There were some cool paintings and display cases, even a Parkview Little League jersey. Soon I was brought up stairs to see Mr. Moorad. I was sat in a waiting room while he finished up a phone call (which turned out to be an un-named GM candidate) and soon was led into his office. Upon first entering Mr. Moorads office I kind of checked behind the door first to see if Tom Garfinkel was waiting behind the door with a sock full of pennies to knock me out but there was nothing there so I was safe.

First topic we discussed was the GM situation. I brought up the fact that I felt that the firing of KT was bad timing as the team was coming off a promising 2nd half. It’s almost like a step backward instead of a step forward like most people thought would happen in 2010. Like he’s said numerous times to the media he said that he wanted a more “strategic” GM instead of a “gunslinger”. He referenced Josh Byrnes over in Arizona as to the type of strategic thinking GM who plans out years ahead instead of flying by the seat of his pants each year. He wants a GM who is going to provide consistent winning baseball. I actually brought up the fact that when Byrnes took over in late 2005 the team actually got worse in his first season (2006) on the job, won the Division in ‘07 then proceeded to get considerably worse each year after (8 games worse in 2008 & 12 games worse in 2009) while also not having a single minor league team do well this year (not a single playoff berth among the entire minor leagues). He stated how injuries killed the Diamondbacks this year (Webb & Conor Jackson) & that a number of inside baseball people believe that they are going to be very good next season. I personally don’t see it considering I haven’t been to impressed with a single Josh Byrnes lead draft nor most of his top signings (Doug Davis/Eric Byrnes). And considering that the team has gotten worse each year instead of improving like young teams should be doing, but I’ll take his word on it. I then asked how the GM search was going and he sounded very positive but was tight lipped when it comes to names. To me it sounds like they’ve got the next GM picked out (my guess is Jed Hoyer will be the new Padres GM since Moorad talked so highly of Byrnes who is essentially cut from the same cloth) but need to wait until the playoffs end, but that’s just me speculating.

Next topic I brought up was ticket prices. In the season ticket letter it states that they “Reduced 86% of season ticket prices and kept the remainder flat” yet they raised the price on some of the 20 and 40 game packages (60-20 game packages & less than 1,000 40 game seats to be exact). He said that the letter was referring to “full season” packages and not 20 & 40 game packages. I guess it just a very costly typo then as that error probably cost them some short season ticket holders. I pointed out how attendance dropped under 2 million for the first time since 1995 and questioned whether or not that was such a good idea. He stated that they want to take care of their full season ticket holders though and that is their first priority. We all know that the higher “day of game” ticket prices were waived for next season but many fans thought this would increase prices in the Park in the Park. I was told that ticket prices will still be 5 bucks for the Park at the Park so that’s good.

Next topic discussed was my arch rival over in Gaslamp Ball land Tom Garfinkel.  I brought up how I felt that he was so out of touch with what the fans REALLY wanted or REALLY thought. The Bill Center interview is a perfect example. Despite not having a rich tradition like the Yankees or Red Sox us Padres fans still love our history. We like the Brown & Mustard. We like Randy Jones’ afro. We like the Friar, in fact there are numerous blogs that use that term for their name.  Moorad stated how coming over from the Diamondbacks where they only have 12 years now as opposed to 40 years by the Padres, he seriously had to brush up on some history. Just the other day he was shown each jersey through the years which leads to some very cool news. Instead of some team assigned retro night next year the Padres are going to have the fans vote on the throwback uniforms that the Padres will be wearing. I have to admit…great idea. I asked if having the fans vote was a way to gauge interest in possible uniform changes in the future but he said no. He is not a fan of the away sand colored uniforms though and would rather shift to a more traditional gray road jersey with San Diego across the front. I asked if an outside source was brought in to take care of the surveys and focus groups (which apparently still are on going once a week) and he said yes. We talked about how a member of Gaslampball attended one of these focus groups and was the youngest one there by far while being in his 30’s. He agreed with my assumption that the numbers will be a little more skewed towards older people because of the people showing up are mainly Founders Club members or season ticket holders, which tend to be of the older age, but it didn’t sound to me like they would start serving apple sauce & playing Benny Goodman on the PA. After begging and groveling for a job within the organization I was denied but given some free tickets to some games next year. All in all it was a good conversation….I learned a bit but after I left still had tons of questions. Perhaps I can do it again someday.

Buddy Black Movin’ On Up??

Ah Buddy Black we have been through so much together. Us Padre fans scream for joy everytime you’re interviewed on 1090. Everytime I see you walk out to the mound the Curb Your Enthusiasm theme song pops up in my head. You have some mean take down skills and could rock a mean mustache back in the day. I also admire how you always keep your cool when talking to players. But seriously I think have done the best you could with what you were given these past few years and I’m happy you are coming back next season. Yet as I was updating the history page on this site I noticed something fascinating. You are currently tied for 3rd place as the winningest Padre manager of all-time. 224 career wins as Padre manager puts you right up there with former Padre great (I’M KIDDING!!!) John McNamara (from 1974-1977 he went 224-310). So one more win and you sit there alone behind the real Padre greats Dick Williams (337-311) & Bruce Bochy (951-975). Good luck today!!

Jake Peavy Traded to White Sox…..again

Paul DePodesta
Peavy to the White Sox

ESPN
White Sox acquire Peavy from Padres

Padres.com
White Sox get Peavy, and he approves

SDUT
Padres Trade Peavy to the White Sox

Chicago Tribune
Jake Peavy traded to White Sox

Jack McDowell
Peavy to the White Sox….HUH?

Current Poll @ The Chicago Tribune-Do you like the Peavy trade?
A)I like it. He’s a former Cy Young winner. 221 responses 52.7%
B)Don’t like it. He’s hurt and they gave up to much. 198 responses 47.3%

Aaron Poreda – SP (22) L/L 1st round pick (25th overall) in the 2007 draft
MILB Page
Minor League Numbers
Major League Numbers

Dexter Carter – SP (22) R/R 13th round pick (390th overall) in the 2008 draft
MILB Page
Minor League Numbers

Clayton Richard – SP (25) L/L 8th round pick (245th overall) in the 2005 draft
Minor League Numbers
Major League Numbers

Adam Russell – RP (26) R/R 6th round pick (179th overall) in the 2004 draft
MILB Page
Minor League Numbers
Major League Numbers

Before the season Poreda was #2 & Richard was the #3 top prospects in the White Sox system according to Baseball America with Poreda coming in at #63 overall. John Sickels had Poreda #2, Richard #5 & Carter #13. And here is a nice article from the White Sox website about their minor league system and all 4 players are mentioned. Interesting note Dexter Carter was selected one spot (12th round/369th overall in 2005 draft) by the Rangers after the Padres selected Aaron Breit (368th overall). He did not sign with the Rangers and went to school at a JC for a couple years before going to Old Dominion where he put up less than stellar numbers. Carter is currently leading all of minor league baseball with 143 strikeouts while only walking 32. My guess is he will be joining Simon Castro (leading Midwest league in strikeouts with 119) over in Ft. Wayne to make a formidable 1-2 in the rotation of an already great Ft. Wayne team.

Single A All-Star Game in Lake Elsinore (6/23/09)

So I know this happened a while ago but I’ve just been so busy getting things up and running again on this site and the other one that I haven’t had a chance to post these yet. The minor league Single A All-Star game was held in Lake Elsinore this year & it pitted the California League All-Stars vs the Carolina League All-Stars. Being that I have yet to go to a game there I decided what better time to make the trek up to The Diamond, home of the Padres Single A affiliate Lake Elsinore Storm. The seats I had were amazing…4th Row on the 1st base side right next to the Carolina League dugout. We got there as the Home Run Derby was just finishing up. Apparently before the Derby they also held autograph sessions for each team as the other team was taking BP but we didn’t make it because we were to busy in the parking lot having a few beverages. While they were preparing the field after the Derby all of sudden all these cars started driving around the field. Some cool Chevy Bel Airs, Corvettes & old hot rods drove by us then all of sudden an old station wagon drives on the field. The picture below shows the Carolina League players who were stretching right in front of me laughing at it. But all of a sudden it threw on the hydraulics and started bouncing around the infield. I don’t know what the whole deal with the cars was but it was pretty cool to check them out. Speaking of cool the ballpark is awesome. It’s definitely that minor league baseball vibe which I’m becoming more and more fond of. If you look in center field there is Jake Peavy’s retired #22 as well as Joe Urso’s retired #7 (he played there when the Angels had the Storm). The Storm had 5 players who made the team. 3rd baseman Logan Forsythe, the California League’s starter Corey Luebke, starting pitchers Wynn Pelzer & Jeremy McBryde and closer Bryan Oland. All of the pitchers were solid. Oland suffered a bit of bad luck though as there were 2 errors behind him in his inning. Forsythe grounded out & struck out in his only 2 at bats. For the most part the game was a pitchers duel with only 12 hits given up the whole game with no hits from either team in innings 3-7. The California League ended up defeating the Carolina League 2-1 on a walk off homer by Jonathon Gaston of the Lancaster Jethawks (Houston Astros) in the 10th inning. I highly suggest visiting a Storm game if you are a baseball fan. Great environment, great people, great ballpark which all makes for a great time.

Random News

So if you read the previous post you’d obviously know that I’m not to interested in what’s been happening on the field lately. Hey if the players don’t care then why should I right? But for some reason I’ve gotten the itch to start blogging on here again. It probably won’t be everyday but I will be posting on here more often. Also I’m going to be getting a little help here soon. One is a local high school baseball coach/Red Sox fan who I’ve known for years and who I’m continually getting into arguments with via e-mail & text. It will be a point/counterpoint style post that should be interesting. The other help I will be receiving is from another friend of mine who is also a die hard Padres fan and actually worked for them for a short time in the office. He will be a contributing writer and will give this blog a new life. Also I completely overhauled the Minor Leagues section adding the roster for every minor league team along with each players MILB page. This took forever but it is finally complete. Also the Padres roster is always being updated and I even added a list of every single All-Star the Padres have had on the history page. What I’m trying to go for is a 1 stop shop for all your Padres needs. Lastly I will definitely be posting pictures from both the Single A All-Star game in Lake Elsinore & Triple A All-Star game in Portland on here soon. Thanks for stopping by and be sure to check out my other site .400 in ’94.

I’m Matt F’n Bush!!!!

I don’t post on here often and I most certainly have never mentioned the name Matt Bush on here but this was to good of a link NOT to post…..

Raw Video: Former Padres Player Matt Bush Arrested

This was taken by someone at Fashion Valley mall here in San Diego during his most recent arrest where, according to the Union Tribune, on June 28th he was throwing stuff at cars & backed into a car on nearby Camino de la Reina (near the Union Tribune building) only to be arrested shortly after and was booked on assault with a deadly weapon, resisting arrest, driving on a suspended license, vandalism and driving under the influence.

Today the UT reported that he agreed to a plea deal and will probably avoid jail time, but must attend rehab, get some community service & pay for the damages. Wow is all I have to say.

In other news I will be leaving first thing tomorrow morning for Portland to attend the AAA All-star game & Home Run Derby. When I get back I will post pictures & stuff from both the A All-star game in Lake Elsinore & the AAA All-star game.