Stay Classy San Diego

[WVU9]

My hat off to those who run a dynasty and take the time and work to keep us in the loop... that's a lot of work to do well. And their example has inspired me to try my hand at a dynasty, but with a twist.

When I was growing up I thought the two greatest jobs in the world were 1)Baseball player 2)Baseball reporter. I have a love for print journalism and the 'old school' approach to how things were before ESPN and all the sports channels took over. In short, Peter Gammons is my hero.

So I'm going to take on my dynasty as a 'beat' reporter following the San Diego Padres through their 2009 season. I like to sim through a couple of seasons, make some trades and put my team in a position to make a run.

In 2008 the team lost the division to the Dodgers by 15 games(!!!) and still managed to win the wild card. They beat the Brewers 3-2 in the division series and even had division-rival Los Angeles on the ropes in the NLCS 3-2 before the Dodgers rallied and took not on the NL pennant but the World Series as well.

---

So that’s the background going into this season. I will be playing approximately one game per series and ‘reporting’ on it along with some other updates or whatever else I feel like writing about.

I play on pro mode with budgets and fair trades on so any move(s) that I make or have made have gone through the computer’s one-sided trade AI. Any of my free agent acquisitions have been totally legit and other than the occasional tweak of rating (my catcher had a stamina of less than 50… that’s just not gonna work) all is as it was set by MVP 07 and or the other various mods I’ve downloaded and installed.

I’ll include the occasional screen shot but mostly, happy reading!

[Bronx_Bum]

Interesting idea. Looking forward to seeing how you put this all together... Good luck.

[lz477]

Sounds good. I look forward to the classiness.

[WVU9]

Peoria, Arizona – As the saying goes, hope springs eternal. No where is that hope more prevalent than at the Padres spring camp just outside of Phoenix.

With last season’s near-miracle run that almost landed them in the World Series still fresh in their mind the players reported with a clear goal for the 2009 season; to win it all.

“It was amazing to see the amount of players who reported early this year,†says Padres Ace Jake Peavy. “Usually for the first couple of weeks (pitchers and catchers) have this place to ourselves. This year some of the position players were here waiting for us when we arrived.â€

One of those players who reported early was an unlikely one; last season’s silver slugging first baseman Miguel Cabrera. But he wasn’t here to work on his offense but rather spent 2 hours in the mornings and 2 more in the afternoon chasing down fly balls in left field, a position he agreed to play to make room for the club to sign prized free agent Prince Fielder.

“When the organization asked me if I was willing to change positions I said ok,†Cabrera said when I asked him about it. “They said they thought they had a good chance to get (Prince) Fielder to come play here and since I came up as an outfielder they asked me to move to left field. It will take some getting used to but it’s for the good of the team.â€

That team attitude is what solidified Fielder’s decision to leave Milwaukee and move to the coast.

“My agent told me that the Padres were really burning up his phone line and I was a little surprised since they have Miggy at first base. But Kevin (Towers) called me and said that Miggy was willing to move to the outfield if I would sign with them I decided that was the kind of team atmosphere I wanted to be a part of. My agent and the team were able to put together what I felt was a great offer and within a couple of days I was a Padre.â€

For the record Fielder signed a 6 year deal worth about $24 million in total.

The move of Cabrera to left field meant that last season’s left fielder, Elijah Dukes, is having to make the move to right field. Says Towers,

“We made the decision to move Elijah to right because we feel he has all the tools to excel over there. He covers a lot of ground and has a cannon for an arm, everything you want your right fielder to have.â€

And after a season and a half in which the Padres roster was in a constant state of flux this years team is relatively set – the only big off season additions being Fielder and speedy outfielder Andrew McCutchen who figures to be a late inning defensive replacement and pinch runner.

“Our rotation was set at the trade deadline last year with the acquisition Jake (Woods) and we feel confident in our bullpen so now we just need to concentrate on staying healthy and we feel like we can make a real run at Los Angeles,†says Towers.

Feeling confident in the bullpen is something that the Padres brass should have no problem doing. The unit comprised of set up men Taylor Tankersly and Cla Meredith and closer Craig Hansen lead the league in bullpen ERA, WHIP and strike outs. Down the stretch they held 22 of 24 leads they inherited and blew only one save.

“Those guys were awesome last year, we wouldn’t have gone anywhere in the post season without them. And the middle relief guys we feel are just as good. A couple of them could start for any other team in the league but they know that they have a role to play on this team and if one of our starters goes down they will be vital.â€

“Now we just have to concentrate on becoming a cohesive unit,†Towers said in his first press conference of the spring. “We feel like we have all the pieces, now it’s just up to the team to go out and perform.â€

And perform they better. Their opening day showdown with last seasons World Champion Dodgers is looming on the calendar.

“I’ve got that day circled with a big red marker,†says probably opening day starter Peavy. “That game sets the tone for our entire season and we want to show the Dodgers last season was last season and they are going to have to fight to keep that pennant.â€

This years roster as camp breaks

CF - Felix Pie/Jackoby Ellsbury

3B - Alix Goron

LF - Miguel Cabrera

1B - Prince Fielder

C - Russel Martin

SS - Ryan Zimmerman

2B - Brandon Phillips

RF - Elijah Dukes

Bench

C - Kurt Suzuki

3B - Wilson Betemit

CF - Andrew McCutchen

2B - Tony Abreau

Starting Rotation

Jake Peavy

Oliver Perez

Joe Blanton

Jake Woods

Clay Buchholz

Bullpen

Justin Germano

Jared Wells

Matt Buschmann

Cesar Carillio

Taylor Tankersly

Cla Meredith

Craig Hansen

[MetsReyes777]

this is sick!!

[WVU9]

Pitchers dual never materializes; Padres hammer Dodgers in season opener.

Los Angeles – What looked on paper like it was going to be a pitching dual between reigning Cy Young award winner Brad Penny and Padres ace Jake Peavy did quite work out that way.

Peavy held up his end of the deal allowing just 1 hit – a bloop single by Rafael Furcal in the 5th – and striking out 7 in a nine inning complete game shutout, but Penny did not.

The Padres got to the righty early and often when Felix Pie led off the game with a sharp single up the middle. Penny then got Alex Gordon to fly out before giving up a double to Miguel Cabrera, scoring Pie who had stolen second during Gordon’s at bat. Prince Fielder then showed just why he was the winter’s premier free agent acquisition.

On a 2-1 Penny delivery in the top of the first Prince drove the ball to the opposite power ally and well over the wall for his first homerun of the season. Fielder didn’t stop there as he hit two more homeruns, one of them a 488 blast that left the Dodger faithful stunned as it cleared the right field bleachers by a tremendous distance. He finished the game going 4 for 6, driving in 4 runs and scoring 4 in his Padre debut.

Mixing a fastball that dabbled in the triple digits with his devastating change up, Peavy served notice to the rest of the league that he has left last seasons riddled campaign behind him.

“Last year is last year. I wanted to set the pace for the staff this season and coming out and doing what we did today… yeah, I think some people will know I’m back,†Peavy said with a grin after the game.

Bruce Bochy wasn’t as reserved in his praise for his ace.

“Jake was unreal today. To go into that stadium and shut that offense down the way he did was one of the greatest individual feats I’ve seen in all my years around the game.â€

But his praise didn’t stop with his starting pitcher.

“To have the offense respond to that challenge they way they did was awesome. I mean, they are the defending World Champions with last years Cy Young winner going for them on opening day in their ball park and we came up and hung 15 runs on them. Yeah, I’d have to say I’m pleased.â€

In the 15 – 0 rout Miguel Cabrera also hit 3 home runs to go with Fielders 3. Ryan Zimmerman added a pair and Brandon Phillips hit a solo shot in the top of the 9th.

Fielders first inning blast puts the Padres up for good.

In the 7th Fielder follows through his swing on his 488 foot titanic blast.

[WVU9]

Padres handle Dodgers again, 13 – 0

Los Angeles – As hard as it is to believe Oliver Perez may have bettered Jake Peavy’s performance of the night before.

True he gave up 2 hits – 1 more than Peavy did – but he retired both on double plays and faced the minimum 27 batters in a complete game shut out throwing an unbelievable 56 pitches. He also struck out 2 on the night.

After giving up 9 homeruns the night before the Dodgers pitches managed to keep the ball in the park but still gave up 12 extra base hits (9 doubles and 3 triples) and allowed the Padres to run at will as the team stole 8 bases and were caught only once.

Not all the news was positive though. Miguel Cabrera jammed his finger sliding into second to break up a double play and will miss the next four games. Jacoby Ellsbury will take his place in left field and Alex Gordon will slide down one slot in the batting order and hit third until Cabrera returns.

The Padres wrap up their series with the Dogers by sending Joe Blanton to the mound to face Chad Billingsly at 7:05. The team then returns to San Diego for their home opener on Thursday against the Giants. Game time for Thursday is also 7:05.

[WVU9]

Padres improve to 4 – 0 with win in home opener.

San Diego – Tim Lincecum did his best to ruin the Padres home opener but ran out of steam in the 5th and the Padres jumped all over him scoring 4 runs and never looking back in a 7 – 2 victory at PETCO Park.

Lincecum was lights out for the first 4 innings with his fastball in the high 90’s and his biting slider but once he began to tire, his velocity dropped, his slider didn’t break as much and the Padres bats came alive.

“He was downright nasty at the beginning,†said centerfielder Felix Pie who led the Padres with 3 hits in 4 at bats and stole a base, “but we waited him out and once he got tired we started to hit him.â€

Jacoby Ellsbury played another solid game in relief of Miguel Cabrera who could be back as soon as Saturday from his injured finger. Ellsbury went 2 for 4, knocked in a pair of runs and stole 3 bases.

Jake Woods picked up the victory going 6 strong innings, striking out 4 and giving up just 1 earned run. Matt Buschmann worked the 7th and 8th and Taylor Tankersley loaded the bases in the 9th before getting Gerald Laird to fly out to Pie to end the game.

The Giants and Padres continue their series on Saturday after a day off. The Giants will send lefty Jonathan Sanchez to the mound and the Padres will counter with future ace Clay Buchholz.

Saturday will also be the first of many scheduled ‘turn back the clock’ days at PETCO this season with the Giants wearing the 1954 jersey’s that hail from their days in New York while the Padres will wear the home whites they wore in the middle 70’s.

[WVU9]

Padres complete second sweep of Dodgers

San Diego – After recording saves in the first two games of the series Craig Hansen was one out away from making it 3 for 3. Then he threw a sinker that didn’t sink and light hitting Juan Pierre drove it just over the right field wall tying the game at 4 and giving Hansen his first blown save of the year and preventing Jake Woods from improving to 2 – 0.

“When it left my hand I was hoping he wouldn’t swing, but who would have thought he would put such a charge in it?†Hansen said after the game. “But it happens. You move on and put it behind you. It’s a long season and we’ll be seeing them again many more times before the season is finished.â€

Hansen may not have recorded a save but he did record his first win of the season.

In the bottom of the 9th with one out Prince Fielder hit a sharp single up the middle. Bruce Bochey sent in Andrew McCutchen to pinch run and he promptly stole second base a pitch later. After Brandon Phillips struck out on three pitches Russell Martin hit a 2-0 sharply into center scoring McCutchen without a throw.

“I was just trying to hit it back up the middle,†Martin said. “I knew with Andrew running out there all I had to do was get the ball through the infield and he would do the rest.â€

Botchy had some words of praise for his young backup outfielder.

“It’s always hard for a guy to sit on the bench for 9 innings and then suddenly be thrust into the game. But when (Prince) Fielder got on he was ready. I told him before sending him out of the dugout to take off on the first pitch if he could get the jump. It says a lot about his character.â€

The win improved the Padres to 7 – 2 on the season while dropping the Dodgers to 3 – 6. Struggling Arizona comes to town for a three game set before the team sets out for a week long road trip.

Clay Buchholz (0-0) is set to take on Brandon Webb (0-1) in the opener, set for 7:05 at PETCO Park. Jake Peavy bobble-head dolls will be given to all children 12 and under attending the game.

Felix Pie Bunts for a basehit.

Alex Gordon makes a fine defensive play.

Miguel Cabrera drives one deep over the left field wall for a 3 run homer.

Then throws out a runner at the plate.

[wrigleyville33]

this looks really good...

[WVU9]

Buchholz picks up first ‘W’ of the year as Padres win 7 - 1

San Diego – Being the youngest member of a stellar staff can sometimes leave Clay Buchholz struggling to get the respect he deserves. But tonight the only thing he struggled with a second inning change-up to Tony Clark.

Clark hit Buchholz’s first offering of the top of the second deep into the right field bleachers for Arizona’s lone run. After that, it was smooth sailing. The Diamondbacks scratched out just 4 more hits over the next 7 innings and no batter reached second base as Buchholz went the distance, striking out 4 and walking none.

Ryan Zimmerman and Brandon Phillips provided all the runs Buchholz would need, both homering off Arizona starter Brandon Webb, who fell to 0 – 2 on the season. Prince Fielder chipped in with 2 hits in 4 trips to the plate including a double and his 7th RBI of the season.

Saturday night’s game sees Jake Peavy take the mound in search of his second win of the season while Arizona sends venerable Livan Hernandez to the hill. First pitch is set for 7:05.

[WVU9]

Padre’s bats, manager hot in win.

San Francisco – Usually winning a game by 17 don’t elicit the kind of tirade from a manager that Bruce Bochy laid forth just moments after his Padres completed their four game sweep of the Giants.

“In all my years in baseball that was the worst umpiring I have ever seen. Ever. I mean it’s not even that bad in the Mexican league. That entire crew should be ashamed of themselves. They are Major League umpires, maybe they should try acting like it.â€

Bochy was tossed from the game in the 6th inning when home plate umpire Jeff Winters apparently blew a call on a play at home plate.

“That guy was out by 8 feet. I mean, it wasn’t even close. You know when they won’t show the replay on the big screen you blew it. That guy (Winters) better hope they burn the game tape after his performance out there tonight. What a joke.â€

When asked if he thought his comments would elicit a fine from the commissioner’s office Bochy responded:

“I hope they do. I hope they review the game tape and look closely at the people they are putting out there to umpire these games. Whatever money they fine me will be worth it if they are forced to watch how those clowns represented the game out there today.â€

On the field the Padres laid waste to their division rivals in the fourth game of a four game set. Scoring 22 runs and pounding out 27 hits, including 10 extra base hits, not even the steady rain that persisted throughout the game could cool off the Padres bats.

Miguel Cabrera did the most damage going 6 for 6 with a double, a homerun, 5 runs batted in and scored 4 times. He even managed to steal a base, his first swipe of the season.

Elijah Dukes also continued his hot hitting, blasting his second homerun in as many games and ending the game 3 for 6 with a double and a triple to go along with his homerun. His bid for the cycle was denied when San Francisco second baseman Randy Chaves made a diving catch of hid eighth inning liner between first and second.

Jake Peavy picked up the victory for the Padres despite not turning in his best performance. The righty went 6 innings, giving up 2 runs and 5 hits while not recording a single strike out. As poorly as Peavy pitched, the Giants starter Barry Zito pitched even worse.

Zito lasted just 3 innings allowing 12 hits and 10 runs including homeruns to Cabrera, Dukes and Ryan Zimmerman. His ERA rose to a bloated 6.94 on the season.

San Diego traveled to Arizona after the game where they will square off with the D-backs in a 3 game set this weekend. They will then head back home for a 2 week home stand where they will play host to all four teams from the NL east.

It was also announced after the game that the Padres had completed a trade with Seattle, sending right handed pitcher Matt Buschmann to the Mariners in exchange for left handed pitcher Ryan Feierabend.

Buschmann figures to get a crack at the starting rotation in Seattle, something he was unlikely to do in San Diego. In Feierabend the Padres add a lefty in a long relief role, a deficiency they had been trying to address for some time.

Feierabend has already made 8 appearances on the season, all of them in relief and compiled a 1-2 record in 19.2 innings. He has struck out 17 and walked 7 batters. He will join the team in Arizona on Friday and be available for that nights game.

Miguel Cabrera hammers a first inning change-up from San Francisio starter Barry Zito. Cabrera finished 6 for 6 including this homerun.

Jackoby Ellsbury breaks up a play at the plate.

Alex Gordon deposits a ball in McCovy cove in the 8th inning.

[santadevil]

I like the work, but aren't you bored already? None of the games are even close...going 162-0 doesn't sound like much fun.

[WVU9]

I like the work, but aren't you bored already? None of the games are even close...going 162-0 doesn't sound like much fun.

I hate losing.

But um... I think I had to win a game in the ninth just like 2 posts ago. But yeah, I'm working on adjusting my sliders - usually I just go up and hack away at the plate but now I'm working counts, waiting for a pitch, ect.

But also I'm only playing about 1 game out of every series so in aprox 10 games I've played like 4. I'll keep tweaking until I get it more realistic. Until then, put opponents probable starters on suicide watch... the Padres are coming to town.

[WVU9]

Padres rebound, take opening game from Nationals.

San Diego – After two perplexing losses at Arizona the Padres returned home and re-found their stroke.

Pounding out 22 hits and plating 12 runs the Padres jumped on the Nationals in the first inning and never looked back. Alex Gordon and Miguel Cabrera lead the attack with 4 hits each and Cabrera, Elijah Dukes and Russell Martin both drove in a pair of runs.

Jake Peavy picked up his third win on the season going the distance and striking out 5 while giving up only 3 hits.

Felix Pie drops a perfect bunt for a basehit.

Jake Peavy finishes off a batter in the 5th for one of his 5 strike outs.

[WVU9]

Phillips, Betemit power Padres over Mets.

San Diego – When he saw the lineup card before the game Wilson Betemit was surprised to see his name hitting in the number 3 slot.

“Yeah,†he said with a laugh, “in game 1 of a series you don’t expect to be in the starting lineup let alone hitting in the number 3 spot. But I try to approach every day at the park as if I’m going to be out there and when Alex (Gordon) decided he needed a day off I was ready to go.â€

If you call going 4 for 5 with a triple, a homer, 3 RBI’s and 3 runs scored being ready to go then Betemit’s approach is clearly working. But he wasn’t the only Padre to have a big day at the plate.

Second baseman Brandon Phillips also tallied 4 hits in 5 trips to the plate with three of those hits landing in the left field bleachers. All in all he drove in 5 runs and scored 3 himself.

“When I say Miggy and Alex out of the lineup today I figured someone needed to step up. Today was my day,†Phillips said after the game.

The final score was 14 – 6 but in the early goings it looked as if the Mets were destined to run away with things. In the bottom of the second they loaded the bases and pushed 3 runs across the plate before Buchholz could record the innings first out. But the young righty battled back and got former Padre Reed Johnson to fly out to end the inning. He also gave up a run in the 4th on a Todd Linden homerun.

Ryan Feierabend worked a perfect 8th inning but had some trouble closing out the game in the ninth, giving up 5 hits and 2 runs before a struggling David Wright grounded out to end the game.

The two teams conclude their three game set, and the Padres eight game home stand, tomorrow afternoon. Another former Padre, Chris Young (2-2) will take the hill against Jake Peavy (3-1).

The team travels Monday to Atlanta to get ready for a three game set against the Braves, followed by a three game series in Florida against the Marlins.