Too good...

by Dex on May 30, 2005 11:37 PM PDT in News

Just got back from the game last night. Jbox scored us some free seats. Kev was all over posting an open game thread. Jonny Dub didn't complain once about sitting in the upper deck. Somehow they don't find a spot in the lineup for everybody's favorite guy, Xavier Nady. And another Padre not named Phil Nevin comes through in the clutch.

I know Nevin got a couple base hits and what not, but it would've been nice if he had gotten a base hit when the bases were loaded instead of swinging for the fences. I was so trying to give him positive Karma, but it was a little difficult. Just before he came up to bat, the Brewers had a pitching change and they played a Nevin video montage. Nevin just stood and stared at the screen full of his clutchness from once upon a time. You'd think, dear reader, that the power of positive visualization would have given Nevin some extra oomph, but all it did was make him truly believe that he'd be able to jack one out of the park for a grand slam. I'm really trying hard to root for that guy, but sometimes he makes it difficult.

Geoff Jenkins making the back to back defensive plays really sucked the life out of the stadium also. They even replayed the one diving catch on the big screen as if to throw it in Dave Roberts' face. Dave Roberts of course having two very similar chances early in the game. One going back to the wall that he missed and the one going to his left that he dove for and missed.

Still, it would be the Padres amazing Mojo that finally saw the game through. I'll tell you something about faith. With two down, the runner on first and Ojeda hitting for the pitcher, Jon turned to us and said, "If Ojeda's hitting for the pitcher, who's pitching next inning? They don't have anybody up in the bullpen." To which I replied, "There's no need. They're going to win it right here." Jon said, "Maybe, but what if they don't?" I told Jon to have a little faith, but I'll admit it dawned on me a little that with the runner on first, the only way they'd win it right then was with an extra base hit. Sure enough though... Miguel Ojeda is a superhero.

Scanning my Compadres card, my reward this time around was a Padres jersey bottle koozy. Now I'll be able to dress my Dr Peppers in an attractive blue jersey and imagine that I'm twisting off Phil Nevin's head before drinking refreshing beverage from his decapitated body. I'm just kidding. Positive thoughts for Nevin. Positive thoughts for Nevin.

Cream of the crop. They're so good. Tied the club record for most wins in a row at home. Already the winningest month in club history. Is it possible to better than '98 good?

Update [2005-5-31 16:37:13 by jbox]:

Quick view from our seats. Can't believe Jon didn't complain about needing oxygen.

We made ourselves sick eating all of Jess's kettlecorn. This girl on the right was reading "A Tale of Two Cities" during the whole game. Except when she was checking out "Green Shirt Dude"

Pads win!

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nice stuff

Hell of a night to catch a ball game. Reminds me a game in 98, I took the girlfriend in an effort to woo her to baseball (which worked eventually, then she broke up. dammit), against the Diamondbacks. It ended up with the Pads down two, two out, bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth. Steve Finley steps up and rocks a game-winning grand-slam down the rightfield line to end it.
How's that for a first ever ballgame? My kid's first game, a guy from the Diamondbacks gives her a ball (we were sitting right next to the visitor's 'pen in the Murph), her second game Ryno rocks a game-winning homer.
That had to be magical!

by garth on May 31, 2005 9:45 AM PDT reply actions

Grand Slam

I remember that grand slam. I wasn't at the game, but my brother and I were watching at home. After the home run, we jumped around and shouted on and on about how the Padres were going to go to the world series. Major League Memory right there.

by Dex on May 31, 2005 12:07 PM PDT up reply actions

"Is it possible to better the '98 good?"

Dex, when have you had an attitude like you did last night, where you felt that they didn't need anyone warming up when they with a runner on first and Ojeda at the plate?

How many Faithful even felt during the loss to Arizona, where they were down by three going into the ninth, that they were going to win that game? (if only Greene's triple were about 3 feet higher)

For my buddy back in Virginia (who flew to San Francisco to see Saturday's game), our measuring stick for the Padres has always been the month of June. Last year, 13-13 and getting swept by the Devil Rays. June of 1998: 18-9. For us, if they were playing good in June, we'd start to use the P-word. I am not a stat geek, but I am taking notice of this: this year's team has a better team batting average, a better on-base percentage, and a better slugging percentage than the '98 team. This team has a far better bench. And this team has their best pitching staff ever. We haven't started using the P-word yet, but if they continue to play this well into June, I might start using the WS-words.

So, Dex, back to your question, "Is it possible to better the '98 good?" My sort-of answer is, this team could not only be '98 good, I am starting to believe that they are on their way to being '05 good.

by Pants on May 31, 2005 12:07 PM PDT reply actions

Seriously

It gives me chills. This team is really something to see. There's not a groaner in the bunch. Meaning, when a pinch hitter is brought in, I fully expect extra bases. When a relief pitcher is brought in, I fully expect him to strike out the side. You know they can't win them all, but the few losses they took over the last month really did see strange. I love this feeling. I hope they all make the all-star team.

by Dex on May 31, 2005 12:31 PM PDT up reply actions

the wild thing

is that guys that seemed like dogs are coming through. May and Hammond, for instance, X Nady is another that leaps to mind. And I agree completely, when the 'pen jogs out there it feels like it's all over...the other guys better hope they put enough on the board to withstand the mojo.

And sorry about my manic posting last night. I was a little hallucinate-y after getting burned nearly beyond recognition.

by garth on May 31, 2005 1:45 PM PDT up reply actions

I know what you mean

Whenever I get burned nearly beyond recognition, I too will often have a manic urge to record my thoughts about baseball.

So are you going to explain, or am I allowed to let my imagination run wild?

by Dex on May 31, 2005 2:39 PM PDT up reply actions

Last Year...

Only two teams won 21 games in a month. Both made the World Series. (according to the Channel 4 broadcast)

by Richard Wade on May 31, 2005 12:39 PM PDT reply actions

Something to See

With my first free weekend this season coming up, I hope to finally drive south to see them at Petco this weekend against the Cubs (and to clear my head of the April series here in Los Angeles).

Speaking of "groaners", one of my '98 memories was in Game 5 against the Braves. My mom flew out to see the games with me. At one point, the Padres make a pitching change. My mom recalls how there is a lull at the Murph except for one lone voice yelling out "Nooooo! Nooooo! Anybody but Myers! Nooooo!" as Randy Myers trots his bloated self and ERA to the mound. She remembers thinking to herself, "Wow, that voice seems familiar." She looked to her right to see me standing, my hands cupped around my mouth, screaming said words. Unlike any previous teams, this team doesn't have anyone that fills me with Blaine Neal-esque dread when they enter the game.

by Pants on May 31, 2005 12:48 PM PDT reply actions