Baseball In The Bay: Padres Under New Ownership

[bravesj858]

Spring Training Report, Conea Faces First Test

March 21, 2005

As the walls of PETCO came down earlier this week, Padres owner Liberty Conea got closer to her team by showing them a virtual tour the things that are in store for them as they enter a new era of baseball in Padres Field.

Even though the Padres are training in Arizona getting ready for the upcoming season, Conea interacted with her team like a mother would to her kids. She showed the team everything from the boat ride from the park to the new grass on the field to the XBOX in the clubhouse though a DVD presentation shown to the players recently. The new park stands one mile west of the PETCO Park site, in the water.

She has also shown up to every weekend spring training game and sits right next to the Padres dugout every time rooting for them. Kelly Tarsi, a Giant fan said “[Conea] really goes out for the team and supports them every step of the way.â€

She also plans to attend every home game and sit next to the dugout and to road games as her schedule permits.

The hot Arizona sun sets the stage for Conea's first test as the owner.

“It’s just awesome knowing that the owner, the one controlling the paycheck is rooting for you all the way and trying to help us win in other ways than just the pocket book†Bruce Bochy said.

Many owners feel that Conea is too hands on with her team with this approach and should hire other people for the front office duties. Texas Rangers owner Tom Hicks believes “At the time, the Padres were in deep trouble, and a new owner was the best option. Maybe it wasn’t the best choice, but it was a good one, especially with that unique stadium.â€

Mark Cuban, owner of the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks thinks otherwise. “We need more owners that are not just funding the team and sitting in the owner’s box doing business. What Miss Conea is doing should be the example of owners everywhere.â€

Conea's Seats for a Padres Spring Training game. She intends to do the same at Padres field.

The Omni will expand the hotel into where the former PETCO Park stood and provide additional parking and hotel rooms for Padres fans and the visiting team.

[bravesj858]

just an update....i'm finally going to get that new hard drive into my computer, but since i'm basically going to rebuild my computer from the ground up, it's going to take a while before i can get back online, like a couple of days....i will problay have a series or two done by the time i get back, so it won't be that much of a wait. i will post the sliders and etc when i get back and hopefully the padres are starting their season with a bang!!

[bravesj858]

-April 3, 2005

Manager Bruce Bochy has announced the opening day roster for the Padres.

Starting Lineup

CF Dave Roberts

SS Khalil Greene

RF Brian Giles

LF Ryan Klesko

3B Sean Burroughs

2B Mark Loretta

Mark Sweeney 1B

C Ramon Hernandez

Rotation

Jake Peavy R

Brian Lawernce R

Adam Eaton R

Woody Williams R

Chan Ho Park R

Bench

Xavier Nady 3B/OF

Miguel Ojeda C

Eric Young LF

Joe Randa 3B

Relivers

Chris Hammond L

Scott Linebrink R

Paul Quantrill R

Brian Falkenbourg R

Rudy Seanez R

Tim Stauffer R

Akinori Otsuka R/SU

Trevor Hoffman R/CL

[bravesj858]

games will begin tomorrow, get ready for lots of fun (i hope) with great players, an overcontrolling owner and a ballpark that needs some work.

[bravesj858]

Highlights: Offesnive Slaughterfest Goes Xtras

April 5, 2005

Back on Baseball tonight, Padres/Rockies, and when in Denver, they fly out quickly here…Giles with a homer in the third, 3-2 Rockies

Then Barmes, the rookie sensation hits it out, 4-2 Rockies.

In the 6th, the Padres bite back, Klesko knocks in Brian Giles to make it 5-4 Rockies.

Bad news for Padre Fans, on this single by Ramon Hernandez, Kahil Greene has to leave the game with an ACL sprain running the bases, he’s expected to miss about a week. ‘The Padres need this guy in the lineup, if he can’t stay healthy; the Padres could be in trouble.’

Jennings would leave the game as well, in Miceil, and Randa crushes it, giving the Padres the 7-6 lead on that 3 run homer. Inning ends with an 8-6 Padres lead.

In the bottom of the 7th, Klesko in foul ground makes a great catch to get Barmes out, Web Gem nominee. (he was the top play of the night)

On to the bottom of the 9th, 11-10 Padres lead, Trevor time at Coors Field.

Luis Gonzalez gets an RBI single to tie the game at 11, extra innings we go.

In the 10th, Holliday scores the winning run, Rockies win a wild one 12-11. ‘it’s Coors, what did you expect, a pitcher’s duel?’

Let’s talk about the Coors air with Harold Reynolds...

[bravesj858]

Highlights: Todd Helton, Padre Killer

April 6, 2005

Now let’s go to Denver, where the other 1993 expansion team, the Rockies are playing the Padres at Coors, Eric Young hits this one way back, 1-1 tie.

Roberts in the third, gets a 2 RBI single to make it 3-1 Padres.

Loretta with another RBI, 4-1 Padres in the third.

In the 4th, Barmes, Giles can’t get the ball, it’s a inside the park home run for Barmes, 4-2 Padres.

Roberts with a double in the 5th, he would be a home run shy of the cycle.

You don't want to mess with Helton, because first pitch from Otuska to Helton, 1-1 count, it’s outta here!!! 3 run homer for Helton, ties the game at 5 in the 7th.

In the 9th, Helton gets a game winning base hit, Rockies win 6-5. ‘The Padres can’t close games, this could be a problem for them later on.’

Next, Web Gems!! Best plays of the night…

[bravesj858]

Lowlights: Padres Field has an Unwelcome Grand Opening

April 7, 2005

Padres Field, a brand new stadium built by new owner Liberty Conea, after PETCO Park was sabatoged, didn't really have a happy start. First pitch from Adam Eaton, it goes for a hit by Wilson.

Tike Redman, hits the first ever home run Padres Field ever sees. 2-0 Pirates.

Liberty Conea ripped our tapes apparently, angred at her team's play at their first ever home game, so we have no more highlights. 'after that home run, she is really overcontrolling, just becuase she didn't get the lead, the league is in for something if this kind of behavior continues.' the pirates won 12-5. it didn't matter becuase we're out of time on baseball tonight...sportscenter next.