As a fan and one-time sports reporter, I have three memories of Tony Gwynn that stand out above the rest on this Hall of Fame induction weekend.
The first is something you may have seen, read about or heard about over the years since it's mentioned occasionally. And it really goes against the T. Gwynn stereotype. But the guy hit about the hardest home run I ever saw at Qualcomm Stadium. Early 90s maybe, maybe mid 90s. Don't remember the opponent or the pitcher. Just remember Gwynn swinging, the ball on a line, and it reaching the low rows of fans in right field. A frozen rope. Awesome.
(What's kind of funny, speaking of going against stereotype, but you know who I also saw hit one of the hardest home run balls at The Q? Quilvio Veras! Took it inside-out right down the third base line, and it hit the higher wall just inside fair territory.)
The second and third were a pair of chance meetings while I was reporting for my Sandiegosportstown.com web site earlier this decade.
Remember when former San Diego State baseball coach Jim Dietz was on the ropes, but then Athletic Director Rick Bay relented and let him stay? Gwynn, you'll recall, was a major Dietz booster and publicly supported him. The day that Bay announced his decision, the Padres had a game that I decided to cover, and when I went down to the first-base photographer well to get some pictures, I passed Gwynn in a hallway. A strange set-up at The Q, with players and the media sharing space! Knowing his interest in the subject, I whispered to him as he went by that Dietz was being retained. He said, "Really?" in kind of a drawn-out way. You generally don't engage players in conversation during a game, but I thought that was a good time for an exception.
The final moment was one of the last major events I covered for the web site in June 2004, the high school baseball finals at the park that had been named for him on SDSU's campus. I was in the press box, standing in the back and off to one side. Gwynn walked in and began engaging us in conversation. That was the day when it was announced that President Reagan had died, so I brought it up. I was amazed by his reaction. He was really crushed, really saddened by the Gipper's passing. Gwynn was not a guy who ever, to my knowledge, mentioned his politics -- and there's no question that Reagan made a monumental impact on our generation -- but I was kind of surprised.
Maybe it's that last story that best sums up the public persona of Tony Gwynn. He's a ballplayer and that's about it. You thought about him at the plate, in the batting cage and watching endless hours of videotape. Always working harder to get better. You never thought about him having political thoughts (unlike Curt Schilling) or needing a plumber or taking Tony Jr. to the dentist. He was a ballplayer through and through. And that's a big reason why he's in Cooperstown this weekend -- and for all of time.
Friday, July 27, 2007
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
SDSU Football - Preseason Predictions
Well, the media covering the Mountain West Conference has issued its preseason football predictions and San Diego State is eighth in the nine-team league. No surprise based on last season.
However, the Aztecs should offer a new look in 2007, now that head coach Chuck Long, offensive coordinator Del Miller and defensive coordinator Bob Elliott have had a chance the past seven months to pick up the pieces from last season's 3-9 disaster.
If nothing else, they'll have a bunch of playing pieces that weren't available last year, with the return to health of QB Kevin O'Connell, a potential deep threat in WR DeMarco Sampson and TE Lance Louis, among others. There's three returning starters on the offensive line -- four depending on how you classify G Mike Schmidt. The defense was playing well by the end of last season. That gives Long some hope heading into the season.
The downside is the usual one for the Aztecs, a lack of quality depth in many areas. If the senior O'Connell goes down early in the season again, true freshman Ryan Lindley will probably be tossed into the fire. As good as he might be, you'd really like to see him be able to redshirt. An injury or two to starters along the either line could be potentially fatal for whatever bowl hopes exist. While safety appears solid, cornerback can't afford any injuries at all. Typical thin Aztecs.
If the fortunes of sports begin to even out and bestow a season of health upon the Aztecs, then they have a shot at a minor bowl game. But they need everything to work out. Bad luck, injuries, or players being counted on not measuring up, and this will be another long season.
My own thought is that SDSU is better than the two teams ranked ahead of them in the MWC poll, Colorado State and Air Force. The trouble there is that the Aztecs have to play both on the road this year (on second thought, that means that SDSU will have the advantage against some better teams by having them at home).
UNLV is a near-unanimous choice for last, not just with this week's media poll, but in the preseason magazines. I see the Rebels actually giving the Rams and Falcons a run for their money, as well. The Rams just don't appear to have much going for them, and the Falcons underwent a coaching change. Both had late changes in offensive coordinators, too. Doesn't look good for them.
However, the Aztecs should offer a new look in 2007, now that head coach Chuck Long, offensive coordinator Del Miller and defensive coordinator Bob Elliott have had a chance the past seven months to pick up the pieces from last season's 3-9 disaster.
If nothing else, they'll have a bunch of playing pieces that weren't available last year, with the return to health of QB Kevin O'Connell, a potential deep threat in WR DeMarco Sampson and TE Lance Louis, among others. There's three returning starters on the offensive line -- four depending on how you classify G Mike Schmidt. The defense was playing well by the end of last season. That gives Long some hope heading into the season.
The downside is the usual one for the Aztecs, a lack of quality depth in many areas. If the senior O'Connell goes down early in the season again, true freshman Ryan Lindley will probably be tossed into the fire. As good as he might be, you'd really like to see him be able to redshirt. An injury or two to starters along the either line could be potentially fatal for whatever bowl hopes exist. While safety appears solid, cornerback can't afford any injuries at all. Typical thin Aztecs.
If the fortunes of sports begin to even out and bestow a season of health upon the Aztecs, then they have a shot at a minor bowl game. But they need everything to work out. Bad luck, injuries, or players being counted on not measuring up, and this will be another long season.
My own thought is that SDSU is better than the two teams ranked ahead of them in the MWC poll, Colorado State and Air Force. The trouble there is that the Aztecs have to play both on the road this year (on second thought, that means that SDSU will have the advantage against some better teams by having them at home).
UNLV is a near-unanimous choice for last, not just with this week's media poll, but in the preseason magazines. I see the Rebels actually giving the Rams and Falcons a run for their money, as well. The Rams just don't appear to have much going for them, and the Falcons underwent a coaching change. Both had late changes in offensive coordinators, too. Doesn't look good for them.
Padres - Linebrink Traded
It's one of those stories that make you think another story rests just below the surface. The Padres have traded set-up pitcher Scott Linebrink to Milwaukee for three minor league hurlers. That follows a streak of rough outings for the longtime Friars reliever.
The day before Linebrink was moved, Manager Bud Black told reporters that he was going to have Heath Bell and other relievers try the eighth inning slot to give the hardballer a chance to sort out his issues with pitch location. He said he had met with the pitcher to discuss his recent efforts.
The next thing you know, he's gone.
In the early months of this season, as it became clear that the lineup was not going to produce a barrage of runs, it appeared likely that Linebrink would be a highly sought-after reliever who would be moved by the trade deadline in exchange for a big bat. Three minor league pitchers weren't expected to be in that mix, for sure. But such are the fortunes of baseball.
Linebrink's local demise is unfortunate because he was a good guy and, for the most part, a good pitcher. The trouble is he would get into ruts where his fastball came in relatively straight and his breaking pitches flattened out. It happened every year. He'd blow a couple games, then he'd sort himself out and be effective. That history makes me wonder what else was going on that made the Padres decide it was better this time to move him and acquire people who aren't likely to help in the 2007 pennant race.
Meanwhile, as bad as the Padres are playing right now -- both on the pitcher's mound and at the plate -- they aren't falling behind in the National League West appreciably. Far from it. The Dodgers have cooled considerably following a hot start out of the All-Star break, and at this writing are still just a game ahead in the standings.
The day before Linebrink was moved, Manager Bud Black told reporters that he was going to have Heath Bell and other relievers try the eighth inning slot to give the hardballer a chance to sort out his issues with pitch location. He said he had met with the pitcher to discuss his recent efforts.
The next thing you know, he's gone.
In the early months of this season, as it became clear that the lineup was not going to produce a barrage of runs, it appeared likely that Linebrink would be a highly sought-after reliever who would be moved by the trade deadline in exchange for a big bat. Three minor league pitchers weren't expected to be in that mix, for sure. But such are the fortunes of baseball.
Linebrink's local demise is unfortunate because he was a good guy and, for the most part, a good pitcher. The trouble is he would get into ruts where his fastball came in relatively straight and his breaking pitches flattened out. It happened every year. He'd blow a couple games, then he'd sort himself out and be effective. That history makes me wonder what else was going on that made the Padres decide it was better this time to move him and acquire people who aren't likely to help in the 2007 pennant race.
Meanwhile, as bad as the Padres are playing right now -- both on the pitcher's mound and at the plate -- they aren't falling behind in the National League West appreciably. Far from it. The Dodgers have cooled considerably following a hot start out of the All-Star break, and at this writing are still just a game ahead in the standings.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Prep Football
Where did all the big-time high school football talent go?
I bought the Street & Smith's College Football Yearbook for 2007 the other night, and among other things perused their list of the top high school football players in the nation.
San Diego County produced three entries. Three. Mind you, this is not a small list, like a first-team, second-team All-American sort of thing. No, there are probably 250 names. San Diego should have more than three.
The honored are El Camino WR Nelson Rosario, Mission Hills DL Jamaar Jarrett, and La Jolla Country Day K Travis Golla. Congratulations to each!
While prep football around the county remains very strong from top-to-bottom, this lack of big star-power continues a trend for the past few years. We're getting to the point now that we produce more basketball players.
So what's causing this? I can think of three reasons.
First, things like this go in cycles. Heck, it was weird enough for one school to produce Reggie Bush and Alex Smith at about the same time. Not to mention other schools in the same time-period putting out Scott White, Marcus Smith, Khalif Barnes, and Bobby Byrd, among others.
Second, a lot of players from the early-2000s in both football and baseball from around here didn't pan out when they moved on. I wonder if some of the major football schools that used to come in and snag some of our guys have backed off, and if the recruit ratings services are no longer sticking their necks out as far on our products. For example, we used to have a couple local kids starting for Big 10 teams. But Michigan CB Leon Hall, from Vista, was the last of a breed in 2006. I'm not even sure we have anyone on a Big 10 roster anymore. All the local players are strictly West Coast -- Pac-10, Mountain West, WAC -- these days.
Third, which a lot of people won't want to admit, but the gangs have simply won the tug-of-war with high school athletics. Look at what's become of Morse and Sweetwater, to begin with. Mt. Miguel, which draws from gang-plagued areas of Spring Valley, can't get anything together. In the North County, the sudden collapse of El Camino a few years ago is another example. In my day job, I'm seeing a number of North County kids drawn into gang violence who otherwise could have been fine athletes. It's a shame.
I bought the Street & Smith's College Football Yearbook for 2007 the other night, and among other things perused their list of the top high school football players in the nation.
San Diego County produced three entries. Three. Mind you, this is not a small list, like a first-team, second-team All-American sort of thing. No, there are probably 250 names. San Diego should have more than three.
The honored are El Camino WR Nelson Rosario, Mission Hills DL Jamaar Jarrett, and La Jolla Country Day K Travis Golla. Congratulations to each!
While prep football around the county remains very strong from top-to-bottom, this lack of big star-power continues a trend for the past few years. We're getting to the point now that we produce more basketball players.
So what's causing this? I can think of three reasons.
First, things like this go in cycles. Heck, it was weird enough for one school to produce Reggie Bush and Alex Smith at about the same time. Not to mention other schools in the same time-period putting out Scott White, Marcus Smith, Khalif Barnes, and Bobby Byrd, among others.
Second, a lot of players from the early-2000s in both football and baseball from around here didn't pan out when they moved on. I wonder if some of the major football schools that used to come in and snag some of our guys have backed off, and if the recruit ratings services are no longer sticking their necks out as far on our products. For example, we used to have a couple local kids starting for Big 10 teams. But Michigan CB Leon Hall, from Vista, was the last of a breed in 2006. I'm not even sure we have anyone on a Big 10 roster anymore. All the local players are strictly West Coast -- Pac-10, Mountain West, WAC -- these days.
Third, which a lot of people won't want to admit, but the gangs have simply won the tug-of-war with high school athletics. Look at what's become of Morse and Sweetwater, to begin with. Mt. Miguel, which draws from gang-plagued areas of Spring Valley, can't get anything together. In the North County, the sudden collapse of El Camino a few years ago is another example. In my day job, I'm seeing a number of North County kids drawn into gang violence who otherwise could have been fine athletes. It's a shame.
Chargers Camp Approaches
Very quietly, Chargers training camp approaches. The first preseason practices begin a week from Saturday, July 28. If the lack of pre-camp buzz is not a sign of the collapse of the local sports media, nothing is. How about another story on Michael Vick's dogs?
I think I have fan sentiment down perfectly. Let me know if I'm wrong (you won't): Bolts backers would trade that gaudy 14-2 record for a playoff victory in a heartbeat. Hey, a few problems adjusting to a new head coach and coordinators, no sweat. What's 10-6, as long as the team makes the playoffs? Even as a wildcard. Just get there. Get there while peaking, maybe. The team jells under the new coaches in late-December, makes the playoff cut, and then wins a few times in January.
Do I have it nailed? You betcha!
Actually, with new coaches and a tougher schedule, there's almost no way the Chargers will match or exceed 14-2. But this team has the best backfield, the best tight-end, a solid offensive line, and a solid defensive line, so should be right there with Denver in the AFC West and make postseason again. Maybe then the crapshoot will favor us this time.
What's not to like? The receiving corps is arguably weaker than it was a year ago with no additions at all. Drayton Florence remains penciled-in to start at CB when he should have been jettisoned after last season's playoff loss to New England.
What's to worry about? The age of FB Lorenzo Neal; that DT Jamal Williams has avoided serious injury the past couple years, is probably due for one, and Ryon Bingham is a step down if he has to play all the time (not a knock, just shows how much I like Williams); the inside-linebacker duo of Stephen Cooper and Matt Wilhelm are fulltime starters for the first time; that Clinton Hart is the front-runner at strong safety, and no matter how much I like him, I'm not sure he's a fulltime guy.
I think I have fan sentiment down perfectly. Let me know if I'm wrong (you won't): Bolts backers would trade that gaudy 14-2 record for a playoff victory in a heartbeat. Hey, a few problems adjusting to a new head coach and coordinators, no sweat. What's 10-6, as long as the team makes the playoffs? Even as a wildcard. Just get there. Get there while peaking, maybe. The team jells under the new coaches in late-December, makes the playoff cut, and then wins a few times in January.
Do I have it nailed? You betcha!
Actually, with new coaches and a tougher schedule, there's almost no way the Chargers will match or exceed 14-2. But this team has the best backfield, the best tight-end, a solid offensive line, and a solid defensive line, so should be right there with Denver in the AFC West and make postseason again. Maybe then the crapshoot will favor us this time.
What's not to like? The receiving corps is arguably weaker than it was a year ago with no additions at all. Drayton Florence remains penciled-in to start at CB when he should have been jettisoned after last season's playoff loss to New England.
What's to worry about? The age of FB Lorenzo Neal; that DT Jamal Williams has avoided serious injury the past couple years, is probably due for one, and Ryon Bingham is a step down if he has to play all the time (not a knock, just shows how much I like Williams); the inside-linebacker duo of Stephen Cooper and Matt Wilhelm are fulltime starters for the first time; that Clinton Hart is the front-runner at strong safety, and no matter how much I like him, I'm not sure he's a fulltime guy.
Friday, July 13, 2007
Padres Second Half
As noted in the All-Star Game post, I think the Padres have to win five more games in the second half of the season than they did in the first half. The Dodgers appear to be the opponent most capable of going on a run, and the Padres are going to have to find a way to match them. Arizona remains in the hunt, and Colorado might be playing the best ball in the division right now.
Funny, but so far the upside for the 2007 Padres has been pitching, and that's what I'm worried about. The downside has been hitting, and I'm actually a bit optimistic that they'll improve at the plate.
On pitching, Greg Maddux has simply not been very good lately, with batters reaching him on their second and especially third turns around the order. Sure, he's been a good pickup overall, but both he and David Wells have been taxing the bullpen. And Justin Germano has tailed off of late. While Wells has put together a number of quality starts lately, with his age you have to wonder how long that will last. So you have anywhere from 2/5 to 3/5 of your starting rotation being questionable, and Portland has no one else to send to the bigs. Plus, the bullpen has been overused, by necessity of course.
On hitting, my causes for optimism are the additions of Milton Bradley and Michael Barrett, and the move of Brian Giles to leadoff. I wouldn't expect big power numbers from any of these guys, but so often where the Friars fall short is in coming up with the clean base knock with two outs and runners on. With their pitching, they don't need big boppers to bring home nine runs per game. But they have to capitalize with singles and doubles when the opportunities are there. And Giles, with his power loss but good eye at the plate, is a guy who should be able to create more opportunities than his strikeout-prone little bro'.
The additions also mean that you can have guys like Jose Cruz Jr. and Josh Bard coming off the bench, where they're stronger, instead of playing every day.
Prediction: I think the Dodgers will go on a run, but will carry the Padres with them and both will get into the playoffs.
---
Just a hunch, but I bet that the reason Wells got such a long suspension for his run-in with the umpire last weekend was because of the way the Padres juggled Chris Young's suspension so that he didn't miss a start. The league office probably didn't so much want to nail Wells to the wall as to make sure he did, in fact, miss a turn in the rotation.
Funny, but so far the upside for the 2007 Padres has been pitching, and that's what I'm worried about. The downside has been hitting, and I'm actually a bit optimistic that they'll improve at the plate.
On pitching, Greg Maddux has simply not been very good lately, with batters reaching him on their second and especially third turns around the order. Sure, he's been a good pickup overall, but both he and David Wells have been taxing the bullpen. And Justin Germano has tailed off of late. While Wells has put together a number of quality starts lately, with his age you have to wonder how long that will last. So you have anywhere from 2/5 to 3/5 of your starting rotation being questionable, and Portland has no one else to send to the bigs. Plus, the bullpen has been overused, by necessity of course.
On hitting, my causes for optimism are the additions of Milton Bradley and Michael Barrett, and the move of Brian Giles to leadoff. I wouldn't expect big power numbers from any of these guys, but so often where the Friars fall short is in coming up with the clean base knock with two outs and runners on. With their pitching, they don't need big boppers to bring home nine runs per game. But they have to capitalize with singles and doubles when the opportunities are there. And Giles, with his power loss but good eye at the plate, is a guy who should be able to create more opportunities than his strikeout-prone little bro'.
The additions also mean that you can have guys like Jose Cruz Jr. and Josh Bard coming off the bench, where they're stronger, instead of playing every day.
Prediction: I think the Dodgers will go on a run, but will carry the Padres with them and both will get into the playoffs.
---
Just a hunch, but I bet that the reason Wells got such a long suspension for his run-in with the umpire last weekend was because of the way the Padres juggled Chris Young's suspension so that he didn't miss a start. The league office probably didn't so much want to nail Wells to the wall as to make sure he did, in fact, miss a turn in the rotation.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Padres in the All-Star Game
The three Padres pitchers performed well in the All-Star Game this evening, even though Chris Young took the loss.
Jake Peavy started the contest with a scoreless inning and only had difficulties with Bruce Froemming's postage stamp-sized strike zone. The home plate ump bothered Young, as well, who should have gotten out of the fifth inning without damage but for strikes that were called balls and a dropped throw from second base by Milwaukee first baseman Prince Fielder. Ichiro Suzuki then struck an inside the park home run that was not played well by Cincinnati's Ken Griffey. The hit came off what appeared to be a good pitch, too.
Trevor Hoffman then threw a scoreless eighth, allowing a double to Jorge Posada of the Yankees.
On to the second half of the regular season now, a section of the season in which I think the Padres will have to put up a record about five wins better than the first in order to make the playoffs.
Jake Peavy started the contest with a scoreless inning and only had difficulties with Bruce Froemming's postage stamp-sized strike zone. The home plate ump bothered Young, as well, who should have gotten out of the fifth inning without damage but for strikes that were called balls and a dropped throw from second base by Milwaukee first baseman Prince Fielder. Ichiro Suzuki then struck an inside the park home run that was not played well by Cincinnati's Ken Griffey. The hit came off what appeared to be a good pitch, too.
Trevor Hoffman then threw a scoreless eighth, allowing a double to Jorge Posada of the Yankees.
On to the second half of the regular season now, a section of the season in which I think the Padres will have to put up a record about five wins better than the first in order to make the playoffs.
Monday, July 09, 2007
Back for Another Try, Padres All-Stars
Here we go with another round of trying to make regular entries to this blog. Hopefully, it will go better this time.
I'm thrilled with Padres pitchers Jake Peavy, Chris Young and Trevor Hoffman making the All-Star game in San Francisco, but I also have to admit to having a bit of trepidation. I think that Peavy got the start by default, since he and Brad Penny of the Dodgers were so close in their performances this year, and Penny had his chance last year. It is simply Peavy's turn.
The trouble is that in big games, Peavy too often lets his emotions get the best of him, and he begins missing with his location. You know the games I'm referring to. And in his last couple of starts, he has not been his usual dominating self. In fact, I would go so far as saying that Young is now the ace of the Friars' starting rotation.
Hoffman's history is that he is brilliant against 95 percent of big-league players. The other 5 percent are good enough to handle him, like in All-Star games. Like last year. I'm hoping that after the game I can post a sigh of relief.
I'm thrilled with Padres pitchers Jake Peavy, Chris Young and Trevor Hoffman making the All-Star game in San Francisco, but I also have to admit to having a bit of trepidation. I think that Peavy got the start by default, since he and Brad Penny of the Dodgers were so close in their performances this year, and Penny had his chance last year. It is simply Peavy's turn.
The trouble is that in big games, Peavy too often lets his emotions get the best of him, and he begins missing with his location. You know the games I'm referring to. And in his last couple of starts, he has not been his usual dominating self. In fact, I would go so far as saying that Young is now the ace of the Friars' starting rotation.
Hoffman's history is that he is brilliant against 95 percent of big-league players. The other 5 percent are good enough to handle him, like in All-Star games. Like last year. I'm hoping that after the game I can post a sigh of relief.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)