Q: Some catchers are verbal with hitters, what's your style?

A: "I'm cordial. I'll say, 'Hi' the first time a hitter comes to the plate. After that, it's pretty much business."

NL West: Padres

Record: 6-2

Lead: 1 game

Why: San Diego got off to an almost identical start a year ago, but by mid-April had sunk below .500, never to rise above that mark the rest of the season en route to its worst record in 15 years. The real surprise has been the pitching staff, which ranks third in the majors with a 2.88 ERA and has surrendered just three home runs in eight games. The bullpen, which includes five members who joined the team after the start of spring training, has been even more impressive, posting a big-league-best 1.17 ERA. But even Padres manager Bud Black didn't see this start coming from his team, which finished 10-21 in the spring, the worst in baseball. "The last game of spring training is a different animal from the first game of the season," said Black. "We didn't know what would happen but we're happy with how it's going. We're playing the game the way we've talked about."

SN: Rotation-wise, San Diego is pretty strong at the top. What do you expect out of Jake Peavy this year?

Bud Black: You look at Jake and C.Y. (Chris Young). It's imperative that Jake and C.Y. make their starts. Hopefully, they can combine for close to 70 starts. We'll feel pretty good about that if they make their turns.

Q: Do you think about your image and how you come across to fans?

A: "How someone views me has more to do with them than me, or anyone. Like the (camera) man standing at the rail. I see one dimension of him. But I really don't know. You can only be who you are. Forming opinions of someone, anyone, off a small sample is not healthy or unifying."

Q: Did your dad play baseball?

A: No. He was a professional softball player. So was my mom. But my dad would tell me about great Venezuelan players who played shortstop, Luis Aparicio and Davey Concepcion.