When you beat the entire world in the sport of baseball, then you've pretty much earned the right to start the first game of the season for a small, inconsequential coastal town. Thems the rules.
It was announced today that Manager Bud Black named Edinson Volquez the Padres' Opening Day starter. That means a week from today he'll find himself on the mound in New York. This news comes after a World Baseball Classic Championship for Volquez's native Dominican Republic.
Volquez is no Opening Day virgin. This will be his third season starter in a row. One with the Cincinnati Reds in 2011 and now two consecutive with the Padres
Black spoke of Volquez the way one might compliment a roll of paper towels:
"He was durable and dependable,"
He failed to mention how much more absorbent he is than competing brands.