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Thoughts: Padres vs. Red Sox, 9/6/16



First off, forgive me for not having updated this blog in a minute. Admittedly, given the performance of the Padres this season, there hasn't been a whole lot to write about.

Anyhow, I got a chance to see our Friars host the Red Sox in person last night. 

Of course, we handily lost. 

Can't win 'em all, I guess. Anyways, enjoy some of my stray observations from the game:

- Oh boy, Paul Clemens was absolutely dreadful. He struggled greatly with command and could not retire the side in order- giving up nine hits and five runs, and needed almost 90 pitches to meander through a measly four innings. If it weren't for two double play balls, he likely would've given up even more runs. Hopefully, he will not factor in any sort of role for the Padres in 2017.





- I was fortunate enough to sit in the Toyota Terrace suites. These suites are really nicely set up with lounge chairs, private bathrooms, and catered food- all which make for a great atmosphere to enjoy a game- however, I was particularly perplexed and mildly bemused by the three (3!!! As if one wasn't enough!) photos of James Shields (see above) that had yet to be removed by whatever underpaid intern is in charge of setting up the room. 

- Ryan Schimpf, man. What a find by AJ Preller. He clubbed his 17th home run last night, which, as Padres beat writer Bill Center noted, makes him only the 10th player since 1981 to do so in 250 at-bats. I don't see any scenario where he isn't the Padres starting 2nd baseman going into next season. He's earned it.

- Also got to witness a very, very, very, cool moment from Don Orsillo. As he walked into the broadcast booth, a rather large contingent of Red Sox fans began to chant "DON OR-SILLO" repeatedly. Don poked his head out of the booth and gave them a wave, to which the Red Sox fans responded with rapturous applause. Such a class act. I'm glad we have him on our team now.  

- I finally got a chance to see the new Padres Hall of Fame at Selig Plaza. There's quite a bit to take in, but it's all very tastefully done. I'm glad the Padres have finally created a physical space for the team Hall of Fame. I'm very curious to see who will inducted next. One name I'd like to see would be Bruce Bochy, once he retires from managing. If Dick Williams is in the Padres HOF, I don't see how you could leave out Bochy- he's got the most wins by any manager in team history, and has been a member of every Padres postseason team. 

That's absolutely amazing. 

I know his departure to the Giants and his subsequent success have embittered some fans- but his contributions to the team have been some of the most important out of anyone in Padres history. 

When all is said and done, Bochy is a legitimate candidate for having his number 15 retired by the Padres.

- Man, Petco Park is totally wasted on the Padres. This place is amazing- I can tell Mike Dee, Ron Fowler and co. have made quite a financial investment in improving the ballpark experience. Obviously, Folwer and especially Dee, get routinely crapped on by my fellow Padres bloggers, but thanks to the former, I can say I was able to enjoy a Grapefruit Sculpin, ribs from Phil's BBQ, and half of a Board and Brew sandwich in nine innings. That's freakin' unreal (the price tag notwithstanding)- I promise you no other stadium in baseball has better food options than Petco Park.

AND THAT'S SOMETHING VERY IMPORTANT.  

Mike Dee also brought the brown back. If that wasn't enough to please the Padres blogosphere, I don't know what is. 

- Why was I even complaining in the first place? 

I mean, yeah, the team sucks.

That is totally Mike Dee's fault for condoning AJ Preller's misguided attempt to auto-draft his way to building a successful baseball team in the winter of 2014. But, in the wake of the deadline, Preller has been the architect of a new "building-through-the-farm-system" approach, which has proven to be a lasting foundation for success for most teams. Hell, it even won the Kansas City Royals their first World Series in like, forever, man.

And it's Dee's responsibility for signing off on this rebuild, instead of doubling down on the previous approach. This new accountability and financial support from ownership will revitalize this team... eventually. 

The latter was something we never got under the last half-decade of John Moores' ownership. Even worse, nothing remotely resembling the former appeared during *shudders* Jeff Moorad's brief tenure as CEO.

It doesn't help that the best talent on this team is in the minor leagues. 

But don't lose hope, Friar Faithful: under Ron Fowler, Mike Dee, and AJ Preller, we have a plan- and that's something this team has sorely lacked for a very, very long time. 

It's evident in our ballpark- Petco Park is clearly one of the best in baseball. Five years from now, it could be home to one of the best teams in baseball too.


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