First Place At The All-Star Break

Yesterday, on the final day of scheduled games before the All-Star break, the Padres salvaged a win over the charging Colorado Rackies to finish the first-half of the season all alone in first place in the NL West.

Nice.

I have been watching the first-half of the season with great interest, but admittedly have had my focus drawn to the World Cup over the last month. Now that the WC is over and done with, the focus is now fully on baseball for what promises to be a solid second half of the season.

Yesterday's game, in fact, provided one of my first fist-pump moments of the season, when Rackies' pitcher Matt Belisle errantly threw to home in the top of the 8th, allowing Aaron Cunningham and Jerry Hairston, Jr. to score the tying and go-ahead runs when the ball skipped past Miguel Olivo. Then our boy Everth topped it off with a two-run pop-up bomb in the 9th to give Heath the cushion he needed to close out the game.

What a fine way to enter the break.

The second half starts for the Padres next Friday and promises to be a tense battle of wits and baseball acumen. To hold on to first place and ice the NL West, the Padres need to improve their play over the next two-and-a-half months, no small feat given their stellar play to date. Production from last August's heroes, Will Venable, Kyle Blanks and E Cab, as well as continued dominance from the starting rotation and bullpen, is a must. A trade for another starting pitcher may be in order.

Suffice to say the roster will change a bit over the next twenty days. Here's hoping Jed makes all the right moves.

Jerry Hairston, Jr. Likes Winning Very Much

I like this shot of a young Jerry Hairston, Jr. And I bet Jerry likes it too if only because it reminds him he is no longer a member of the Baltimore Orioles.

The biggest reason for the Padres' early season success is no doubt the starting and relief pitching, led by monsters such as Clayton Richard, Wade LeBlanc, Luke Gregerson and Heath Bell, but we can't sleep on the contribution by veteran utility guy Jerry Hairston, Jr.

Let's put this into focus:

- he has played a solid SS since Everth went down with an injury, with only one little hiccup in the finale of the Astros series marring his otherwise quality work;

- though his overall numbers are middling at .223/.270/.282, he has been raking some timely hits, most recently last night with his two-out double off Matty Cain that plated Will Venable and gave the Drinos a lead they would not relinquish; and

- he adds some championship lustre to the Padres clubhouse, what with the shiny new World Series ring he earned as a member of the '09 Yanquis.

In short, Jerry brings depth and a winning attitude to the Padres, something last year's squad was sorely lacking.

Today, Mat Latos leads the team against the Giants seeking a series sweep.

Let's do this.

Zawadzki ... Getting The Call

Because our pal Everth Cabrera is heading to the DL, our boy Lance Zawadzki is getting the Call to the Bigs.

Congrats, Lance. I think you've got a chance to be a solid ballplayer.

I have nothing more at this time.

Opening Day For the Padrinos: Cabrera

Hey Everth,

You rangy, youthful, Latino speedster ... how about having a year, huh?

Today against the Diamantebacks you get to start stealing bags and taking away sure base hits up the middle by ranging over behind second base and making spectacular diving plays.

Now go make some plays and get on base so the big boys can drive you home.

Best,
Bormo

Luis Durango ... Have A Debut!

Quite a debut for Luis Durango.

In his first Major League start, Durango played left field and smoked to the tune of 3-4, with 2 runs scored, including stealing second and scoring the winning run on an Everth Cabrera single with 1 out in the bottom of the 10th.

Here's how Ted Leitner called it as Durango crossed the plate:

"Speed! Speed! Speed! You either got it or you don't. You can't coach it. They got it. With Cabrera, they got it with Gwynn and Venable, and maybe the fastest of all, Luis Durango, who got the bag at second, flying home to win the ballgame 6-5 in the bottom of the 10th! Magic time for the Padres!"

Well said, Ted.

Sir Everth The Mighty, And Brave

That's what I call a screenshot.

When Everth Cabrera hit that game-winning grand slam off K-Rod last night, I wasn't watching. You see, I had it as a goal yesterday to finish the last 5 episodes of Season 1 of Mad Men, and I am happy to report that I completed that task with aplomb.

It is nice for one to meet one's goals.

Tonight, however, I am setting Mad Men Season 2 aside (picked up for 60% off yesterday at B&N) and devoting my attention to Mat Latos and the boys as they go for three straight against the Metsies.

If I know Mat, he won't let me down.

The Rumors Of My Demise Have Been Greatly Exaggerated

And you thought I might never return. So silly of you.

Anyway, yes, I am back and will now begin posting regularly as I have been, with minor exceptions, since January.

Should be a good time.

I'll let you know where I was and why I had to take a few weeks off in an upcoming post, but in the meantime, let me say that the Padrinos tee off against the Bravos in a few minutes time. Our boy Tim Stauffer takes the hill and looks to continue his legendary comeback season.

Let me also mention that in the few moments I've been able to watch the Padres over the past few weeks, I've liked what I've seen. Especially the play of Kyle Blanks, Will Venable, Everth Cabrera and wunderkind Mat Latos. And I'm not the only one. Geoff Young is so stoked by these guys that he invented a "modified box score" system specifically to track their performance the remainder of the season. Geoff's system seems a lot like my own highly scientific system of "watch the games and see if these guys do anything good."

Both systems are equally accurate measures of performance.

Go Padres! Tonight! Against the Braves!

The Padres Have Diapers And May Still Be Breastfeeding

The Padres are really rolling out the youngins this evening against the Rockies.

Here is tonight's lineup and their respective ages:

SS - Everth Cabrera (22)
CF - Tony Gwynn, Jr. (26)
1B - Adrian Gonzalez (27)
3B - Kevin Kouzmanoff (27)
RF - Will Venable (26)
LF - Kyle Blanks (22)
C - Eliezer Alfonzo (30)
2B - Edgar Gonzalez (31)
P - Kevin Correia (28)

I'm no mathemetician, but that's an average age of 26.5. That may not seem too young on first glance, but when you delve a bit deeper you can see the inexperience in this lineup. The two oldest dudes - Edgar and Eliezer - are journeyman who have never held down regular jobs. Edgar, in fact, was a 30-year old rookie just last season. Then you have Venable, a 26-year old rookie, and Gwynn, who at 26 has never spent a full season in the Bigs. Blanks and Cabrera are wee babes. Only Kouz and Adrian have legitimate big league track records.

Query if Bud Black has any passafires in the dugout.

A "Beastly" List of Padres Shortstops

Everth,

You've been back from your hamate bone injury for a couple of days now and I like what I'm seeing. You make plays defensively, you play with speed, you step confidently to the plate and you have a general flair for the game that most of the other Padre players just don't have.

It's only been 9 games total so far (24 ABs) but for a guy who never played above A ball before this season, you comport yourself pretty well. I sense good things. All of which prompted me to look ahead a few years and consider how you might one day rank among Padres starting shortstops.

Thus, below is a list of Padres starting shortstops ranked by recognition. What does "ranked by recognition" mean? It means it's not necessarily a skill ranking, but rather a ranking of what order these SS's come to mind when someone says "Give me the name of a Padre shortstop."

Anyway, it'll probably make more sense once I rank them.

Here goes:

1. Garry Templeton ('82-'90): the most recognizable Padre SS
2. Khalil Greene ('04-'08): close to surpassing Templeton, but faded
3. Enzo Hernandez ('71-'72, '74-'76): not good, but defined 1970s-era Padres
4. Ozzie Smith ('78-'81): a Cardinal but people still know his beginning
5. Tony Fernandez ('91-'92): a member of the Four Tops
6. Chris Gomez ('96-'98): quiet member of two playoff teams
7. Bill Almon ('77): former #1 overall pick
9. Ricky Gutierrez ('93-'94): had flashes of goodness
10. Damian Jackson ('99-'00): one of faceless Latinos employed in 2000s
11. Ramon Vazquez ('03): Latino
12. D'Angelo Jimenez ('01): Latino
13. Deivi Cruz ('02): Latino
14. Derrel Thomas ('73): weird spelling of first name
15. Tommy Dean ('69-'70): have no idea who this is

So, Everth, there's the list. As you can see it's not exactly blowing the doors off Cooperstown. In retrospect it may have been nice to keep Ozzie but would the Padres have done much better in the 80s with him on the roster instead of Templeton? Maybe, maybe not. It's not like Templeton was a zero for the Padres. Khalil's downfall is Shakespearean and Tony Fernandez got shipped away before he could make a true mark. Chris Gomez was just steady. Enzo is a punchline and the rest of the guys are pretty forgettable.

Anyway, my point is that you've got a shot to move up this list quickly. As you learn to play the Big League game, I'm thinking you could pass Khalil on this list by 2012; sooner if the Padres win a sneaky Championship in the next few years with you at SS (don't laugh). With your game-changing speed and overall flair (there's that word again) for the game, you've got a shot to become a fan favorite in the Diego. And hopefully, someday soon, synonomous with the term "Padre Shortstop."

Best,
Bevormo

[Update: 9:50 PM EST: It just occurred to me that Damian Jackson might not be Latino. And you know what? He's not. He's from L.A. F. Sorry, Damian.]

Damn You, Everth Cabrera's Hamate Bone! Damn Youuuuuu!

Everth Cabrera's Hamate Bone,

Thanks a lot, hamate bone. Thanks a lot for fracturing during the Padres Sunday afternoon game against the Phillies.

You just had to grab the spotlight, didn't you? The Padres are off to a great start this season, in no small part to the inspired play of the young Everth Cabrera - in whose hand you so luxuriously reside - and you just had to go and insert yourself into the story. You're such a glamour hound. Apparently, your hamate bone cousins fracture rather often in the hands of golfers and baseball players so it seems you're the type of bone that just doesn't do its job. That is to say, stay solid.

Anyway, concerned about the long-term health of my friend Everth - especially given reports he is going under the knife to have part of you removed from his hand - I contacted one of Manhattan's best young ER doctors, Dr. Dre Kwon, to get her prognosis. The question I posed to her is below:

Dr. Dre,

One of my favorite young players for the Padres (he's 22) fractured the hamate bone in his hand and is out 6-8 weeks. He is apparently having surgery at the Scripps Clinic in Carmel Valley to remove the "hook of the hamate bone" in his hand.

I know you are not in sports medicine, but have you heard of this injury? If so, what is your prognosis? Will he have a full recovery?

And here is Dr. Dre's response:

usually these are handled non-operatively which makes me wonder if his is complicated.

although it seems that when they undergo surgery to remove the hook, they have a good chance of returning to pre-injury level of function. in other words - usually excellent prognosis.

no need to fret! :)

Well, hamate bone, it seems you may be off the hook for any responsibility for long-term detriment to Everth's career. If that turns out not to be true, however, you can be sure I'll find you, hamate bone.

You can be sure I'll find you.

Best,
Bevormo

This Padres Team Has Some Heart

Heath, Nick,

That was one hell of a ballgame yesterday. Nick, when you sped around the bases after Luis' double to the gap I literally jumped out of my chair at work and high fived the mid-air. And Heath, after you got Manny to ground out to Everth with the O-Dog dancing dangerously off third-base and then induced the game-ending 4-6-3 doble play, I again bounced out of my ergonomic work chair and did a high kick and double fist pump.

I almost ripped my Banana Republic khakis.

Anyway, great game. One of the best I can remember. Looking forward to more of the same tonight against the Gints.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I took the day off from work for Good Friday and the Billy Baldwin-Jennifer Jason-Leigh sex scene on the fire truck in Backdraft is on.

I think I'll watch that.

Best,
Bevormo

Sir Everth the Cabrera

Everth,

Well, it looks like you are going to make the Padres Opening Day roster, and, not only that, get some playing time the first week of the season.

Bold and courageous work, my friend, bold and courageous.

Last season you were playing down in A ball, running the bases like a madman, swiping more bags than anyone else in professional baseball. Now you are going to be a Padre and, hope upon hope, Buddy Black has it in mind to cut you loose and bring the speed game back to San Diego. I think a Padres team with a little run in them might work wonders at Petco. And you just might be the bud from which that flower grows, if you'll pardon the floriculture analogy.

Anyway, good sir, I'll see you Monday night in downtown Diego.

Best,
Bevormo