Man Kills Self Before Shooting Wife and Daughter -- This one I caught in the SGV Tribune the other day and called the Editorial Room and asked who wrote this. It took two or three readings before the editor realized that what he was reading was impossible!! ! They put in a correction the next day.
Something Went Wrong in Jet Crash, Expert Says -- No, really?
Police Begin Campaign to Run Down Jaywalkers -- Now that's taking things a bit far!
Panda Mating Fails; Veterinarian Takes Over -- What a guy!
Miners Refuse to Work after Death -- No-good-for- nothing' lazy so-and-so's!
Juvenile Court to Try Shooting Defendant -- See if that works any better than a fair trial!
War Dims Hope for Peace -- I can see where it might have that effect!
If Strike Isn't Settled Quickly, It May Last Awhile -- Ya think?!
Cold Wave Linked to temperatures -- Who would have thought!
Enfield ( London ) Couple Slain; Police Suspect Homicide -- They may be on to something!
Red Tape Holds Up New Bridges -- You mean there's something stronger than duct tape?!
Man Struck By Lightning: Faces Battery Charge -- He probably IS the battery charge.
New Study of Obesity Looks for Larger Test Group -- Weren't they fat enough?!
Astronaut Takes Blame for Gas in Spacecraft -- That's what he gets for eating those beans!
Kids Make Nutritious Snacks -- Do they taste like chicken?
Local High School Dropouts Cut in Half -- Chainsaw Massacre all over again!
Hospitals are Sued by 7 Foot Doctors -- Boy, are they tall!
And the winner is....
Typhoon Rips Through Cemetery; Hundreds Dead -- Did I read that right?
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Letterman's Top Ten Ways to tell a man his zipper is down
10. The cucumber has left the salad.
9. Quasimodo needs to go back in the tower and tend to his bells.
8. You need to bring your tray table to the upright and locked position.
7 . Paging Mr. Johnson... Paging Mr. Johnson..
6. Elvis is leaving the building.
5. The Buick is not all the way in the garage.
4. Our next guest is someone who needs no introduction.
3. You've got a security breach at Los Pantalones.
2. Men may be From Mars.....but I can see something that rhymes with Venus.
And the #1 way to tell someone his zipper is unzipped.....
1. I always knew you were crazy, but now I can see your nuts.
9. Quasimodo needs to go back in the tower and tend to his bells.
8. You need to bring your tray table to the upright and locked position.
7 . Paging Mr. Johnson... Paging Mr. Johnson..
6. Elvis is leaving the building.
5. The Buick is not all the way in the garage.
4. Our next guest is someone who needs no introduction.
3. You've got a security breach at Los Pantalones.
2. Men may be From Mars.....but I can see something that rhymes with Venus.
And the #1 way to tell someone his zipper is unzipped.....
1. I always knew you were crazy, but now I can see your nuts.
Mary's Kittens
Little Mary had a box of newborn kittens that she was trying to give away, so she had them out on the street corner with a sign, 'FREE KITTENS,' next to them.
Suddenly a big line of big black cars drove up, with a policeman on a motorcycle in front. The cars all stopped, and a tall man stepped out from the biggest car. Why, it's Senator Obama! "Hi, little girl. What do you have there in the box?," he asked.
'Kittens,' little Mary said. 'They're so small, their eyes are not even open yet.' "What kind of kittens are they?," he asked.
'They're Democrats,' said little Mary. The tall man smiled, returned to his car, and all the cars drove away.
Sensing a good photo opportunity, Sen. Obama called his campaign manager and told him about the little girl and the kittens. It was planned that they would return the next day, have all the media there, and tell everyone about these great kittens.
The next day, little Mary is standing out on the corner with her box of kittens and the 'FREE KITTENS' sign. Again, the big motorcade of black cars pulled up. With the black cars were news vans and trucks from ABC, NBC, CBS, BET, and CNN. For some reason, FOX NEWS was not there.
Everyone had their cameras ready and then, Sen. Obama got out of his limo and walked up to little Mary. "Now, don't be frightened," he said, "I just want you to tell all these nice news people just what kind of kittens you're giving away today."
'Yes sir,' Mary said. 'They are all REPUBLICAN kittens.'
Taken by surprise, Sen. Obama said, "But yesterday, you told me that they were all DEMOCRATS."
Little Mary said, 'Yes, I know. But today, they have their eyes open!
Suddenly a big line of big black cars drove up, with a policeman on a motorcycle in front. The cars all stopped, and a tall man stepped out from the biggest car. Why, it's Senator Obama! "Hi, little girl. What do you have there in the box?," he asked.
'Kittens,' little Mary said. 'They're so small, their eyes are not even open yet.' "What kind of kittens are they?," he asked.
'They're Democrats,' said little Mary. The tall man smiled, returned to his car, and all the cars drove away.
Sensing a good photo opportunity, Sen. Obama called his campaign manager and told him about the little girl and the kittens. It was planned that they would return the next day, have all the media there, and tell everyone about these great kittens.
The next day, little Mary is standing out on the corner with her box of kittens and the 'FREE KITTENS' sign. Again, the big motorcade of black cars pulled up. With the black cars were news vans and trucks from ABC, NBC, CBS, BET, and CNN. For some reason, FOX NEWS was not there.
Everyone had their cameras ready and then, Sen. Obama got out of his limo and walked up to little Mary. "Now, don't be frightened," he said, "I just want you to tell all these nice news people just what kind of kittens you're giving away today."
'Yes sir,' Mary said. 'They are all REPUBLICAN kittens.'
Taken by surprise, Sen. Obama said, "But yesterday, you told me that they were all DEMOCRATS."
Little Mary said, 'Yes, I know. But today, they have their eyes open!
Please hire me
If I only had 143 days of experience, would you hire me to fix your car?
Would you hire me to run your company? If I only had 143 days experience would you hire me to run the country?
Something America might want to think about.
Just how much Senate experience does Barack Obama have in terms of actual work days? Could not have much. From the time Barack Obama was sworn in as a United State Senator to the time he announced he was forming a Presidential exploratory committee, he logged 143 days of experience in the Senate. That's how many days the Senate was actually in session and working.
After 143 days of work experience, Obama believed he was ready to be Commander In Chief, Leader of the Free World, and fill the shoes of Abraham Lincoln, FDR, JFK and Ronald Reagan.
143 days!!
This isn't taking into account the days he has missed.
In contrast, John McCain's 26 years in Congress, 22 years of military service including 1,966 days in captivity as a POW in Hanoi now seem more impressive than ever. At 71, John McCain may just be hitting his stride.
Think about IT!!!
Would you hire me to run your company? If I only had 143 days experience would you hire me to run the country?
Something America might want to think about.
Just how much Senate experience does Barack Obama have in terms of actual work days? Could not have much. From the time Barack Obama was sworn in as a United State Senator to the time he announced he was forming a Presidential exploratory committee, he logged 143 days of experience in the Senate. That's how many days the Senate was actually in session and working.
After 143 days of work experience, Obama believed he was ready to be Commander In Chief, Leader of the Free World, and fill the shoes of Abraham Lincoln, FDR, JFK and Ronald Reagan.
143 days!!
This isn't taking into account the days he has missed.
In contrast, John McCain's 26 years in Congress, 22 years of military service including 1,966 days in captivity as a POW in Hanoi now seem more impressive than ever. At 71, John McCain may just be hitting his stride.
Think about IT!!!
AWNAA
Lookie what Congress wants to do...
Washington, DC - Congress is considering sweeping legislation that will provide new benefits for many Americans. The Americans With No Abilities Act (AWNAA) is being hailed as a major legislative goal by advocates of the millions of Americans who lack any real skills or ambition.
'Roughly 50 percent of Americans do not possess the competence and drive necessary to carve out a meaningful role for themselves in society,' said California Senator Barbara Boxer . 'We can no longer stand by and allow People of Inability to be ridiculed and passed over. With this legislation, employers will no longer be able to grant special favors to a small group of workers, simply because they have some idea of what they are doing.'
In a Capitol Hill press conference, House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid pointed to the success of the U.S. Postal Service, which has a long-standing policy of providing opportunity without regard to performance. Approximately 74 percent of postal employees lack any job skills, making this agency the single largest U.S. employer of Persons of Inability.
Private-sector industries with good records of non-discrimination against the Inept include retail sales (72%), the airline industry (68%), and home improvement 'warehouse' stores (65%). At the state government level, the Department of Motor Vehicles also has an excellent record of hiring Persons of Inability (63%).
Under The Americans With No Abilities Act, more than 25 million 'middle man' positions will be created, with important-sounding titles but little real responsibility, thus providing an illusory sense of purpose and performance. Mandatory non-performance-based raises and promotions will be given so as to guarantee upward mobility for even the most unremarkable employees. The legislation provides substantial tax breaks to corporations that promote a significant number of Persons of Inability into middle-management positions, and gives a tax credit to small and medium-sized businesses that agree to hire one clueless worker for every two talented hires.
Finally, the AWNAA contains tough new measures to make it more difficult to discriminate against the Non-abled, banning, for example, discriminatory interview questions such as, 'Do you have any skills or experience that relate to this job?'
'As a Non-abled person, I can't be expected to keep up with people who have something going for them,' said Mary Lou Gertz , who lost her position as a lug-nut twister at the GM plant in Flint , Michigan, due to her inability to remember 'rightey tightey, lefty loosey.' 'This new law should be real good for people like me,' Gertz added. With the passage of this bill, Gertz and millions of other untalented citizens will finally see a light at the end of the tunnel.
Said Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL): 'As a Senator with no abilities, I believe the same privileges that elected officials enjoy ought to be extended to every American with no abilities. It is our duty as lawmakers to provide each and every American citizen, regardless of his or her inadequacy, with some sort of space to take up in this great nation and a good salary for doing so.'
Don't we wish...
Washington, DC - Congress is considering sweeping legislation that will provide new benefits for many Americans. The Americans With No Abilities Act (AWNAA) is being hailed as a major legislative goal by advocates of the millions of Americans who lack any real skills or ambition.
'Roughly 50 percent of Americans do not possess the competence and drive necessary to carve out a meaningful role for themselves in society,' said California Senator Barbara Boxer . 'We can no longer stand by and allow People of Inability to be ridiculed and passed over. With this legislation, employers will no longer be able to grant special favors to a small group of workers, simply because they have some idea of what they are doing.'
In a Capitol Hill press conference, House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid pointed to the success of the U.S. Postal Service, which has a long-standing policy of providing opportunity without regard to performance. Approximately 74 percent of postal employees lack any job skills, making this agency the single largest U.S. employer of Persons of Inability.
Private-sector industries with good records of non-discrimination against the Inept include retail sales (72%), the airline industry (68%), and home improvement 'warehouse' stores (65%). At the state government level, the Department of Motor Vehicles also has an excellent record of hiring Persons of Inability (63%).
Under The Americans With No Abilities Act, more than 25 million 'middle man' positions will be created, with important-sounding titles but little real responsibility, thus providing an illusory sense of purpose and performance. Mandatory non-performance-based raises and promotions will be given so as to guarantee upward mobility for even the most unremarkable employees. The legislation provides substantial tax breaks to corporations that promote a significant number of Persons of Inability into middle-management positions, and gives a tax credit to small and medium-sized businesses that agree to hire one clueless worker for every two talented hires.
Finally, the AWNAA contains tough new measures to make it more difficult to discriminate against the Non-abled, banning, for example, discriminatory interview questions such as, 'Do you have any skills or experience that relate to this job?'
'As a Non-abled person, I can't be expected to keep up with people who have something going for them,' said Mary Lou Gertz , who lost her position as a lug-nut twister at the GM plant in Flint , Michigan, due to her inability to remember 'rightey tightey, lefty loosey.' 'This new law should be real good for people like me,' Gertz added. With the passage of this bill, Gertz and millions of other untalented citizens will finally see a light at the end of the tunnel.
Said Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL): 'As a Senator with no abilities, I believe the same privileges that elected officials enjoy ought to be extended to every American with no abilities. It is our duty as lawmakers to provide each and every American citizen, regardless of his or her inadequacy, with some sort of space to take up in this great nation and a good salary for doing so.'
Don't we wish...
Padres 2008 - Games 101-110
Here is the Padres' history for each 10-game block of the 2008 season so far:
*10 games, 5-5 overall, 4-3 at home, 1-2 on the road, Runs 32-31, Homers 6-7, team BA 0.282, team ERA 2.97.
* 20 games, 9-11 overall, 5-5 at home, 4-6 on the road, Runs 65-92, Homers 11-14, team BA 0.239, opposition BA 0.241, team ERA 3.88, opposition ERA 2.65.
* 30 games, 11-19 overall, 6-9 at home, 5-10 on the road, Runs 98-139, Homers 21-26, team BA 0.226, opposition BA 0.244, team ERA 4.01, opposition ERA 2.79.
* 40 games, 15-25 overall, 8-10 at home, 7-15 on the road, Runs 135-188, Homers 29-33, team BA 0.234, opposition BA 0.253, team ERA 4.14, opposition ERA 3.35.
* 50 games, 18-32 overall, 10-13 at home, 8-19 on the road, Runs 168-237, Homers 38-44, team BA 0.237, opposition BA 0.261, team ERA 4.33, opposition ERA 3.44.
* 60 games, 23-37 overall 13-17 at home, 10-20 on the road, Runs 222-287, Homers 49-54, team BA 0.237, opposition BA 0.260, team ERA 4.19, opposition ERA 3.22.
* 70 games, 31-39 overall 20-18 at home, 11-21 on the road, Runs 266-317, Homers 62-58, team BA 0.247, opposition BA 0.255, team ERA 4.07, opposition ERA 3.43.
* 80 games, 32-48 overall 21-23 at home, 11-25 on the road, Runs 296-372, Homers 70-75, team BA 0.245, opposition BA 0.258, team ERA 4.16, opposition ERA 3.73.
* 90 games, 35-55 overall 21-27 at home, 14-28 on the road, Runs 330-419, Homers 81-85, team BA 0.247, opposition BA 0.259, team ERA 4.23, opposition ERA 3.40.
* 100 games, 38-62 overall 23-30 at home, 15-32 on the road, Runs 376-475, Homers 93-100, team BA 0.248, opposition BA 0.262, team ERA 4.33, opposition ERA 3.47.
Games 101 to 110 Summaries:
Game 101, Tuesday, July 22, San Diego at Cincinnati: Reds win 4-3 in 11 innings. The Pads led 3-0 in the 6th on BTB homes by Giles and Adrian Gonzalez in the 3rd, but Jake Peavy (6 IP, 3 R, 7 H, 3 BB, 5 SO) gave up 3 in the 6th. The Reds won it in the 11th on a Keppinger double. After 101 games, the Pads are 38-63 overall, 23-30 at home, 15-33 on the road, Runs 379-479, Homers 95-100. They've lost 1 in a row, lost 8 of the last 10, and are 5-12 in July.
Game 102, Wednesday, July 23, San Diego at Cincinnati: Reds win 9-5. The Pads were ahead 3-1 in the 6th. Greg Maddux pitched better than usual (5.1 IP, 2 ER, 3 R, 7 H, 0 BB, 4 SO) but got in trouble in the 6th and the Reds scored 5 in the 7th off Joe Thatcher to put the game away. The Pads had homers from Kouzmanoff and Gerut. After 102 games, the Pads are 38-64 overall, 23-30 at home, 15-34 on the road, Runs 384-488, Homers 95-103. They've lost 2 in a row, lost 8 of the last 10, and are 5-13 in July.
Game 103, Thursday, July 24, San Diego at Pttsburgh: Pirates win 9-1. One of the worst games of the year...Clay Hensley was roughed up (5 IP, 6 R, 7 H, 2 BB, 2 SO) and so was Brian Corey (3 R in 2 IP). The Pads had 6 hits off Herrera, who lowered his ERA to 9.75. After 103 games, the Pads are 38-65 overall, 23-30 at home, 15-35 on the road, Runs 385-497, Homers 95-106. They've lost 3 in a row, lost 8 of the last 10, and are 5-14 in July.
Game 104, Friday, July 25, San Diego at Pittsburgh: Pads win 6-5. Cha Seung Baek pitched fair (5.1 IP, 4 R, 7 H, 1 BB, 3 SO, won, now 3-4) and the bullpen pitched OK (Bell gave up a run, Trevor got his 19th save). The Pads pecked away for 6 runs on 11 hits, with Adrian Gonzalez hitting his 23rd. After 104 games, the Pads are 39-65 overall, 23-30 at home, 16-35 on the road, Runs 391-502, Homers 96-108. They've won 1 in a row, lost 8 of the last 10, and are 6-14 in July.
RHP Randy Wolf was traded to the Houston Astros for some reason. Why would they want him? C Josh Bard came off the DL - C Luke Carlin went down to Portland. LHP Wil Ledezma and LHP Justin Hampson came up from Portland, and LHP Joe Thatcher went down.
Game 105, Saturday, July 26, San Diego at Pittsburgh: Pads win 9-6. This game shouldn't have been close - the Pads had a 9-1 lead in the 5th inning. Josh Banks gave up 5 runs, but got the win. The Pirates loaded the bases on Brian Corey and Trevor Hoffman came in to get the last out in the 9th for his 20th save. Adrian Gonzalez (twice, 4 RBI), Kevin Kouzmanoff (homer, 3 RBI) and Nick Hundley (2 RBIs) had homers for the Pads. After 105 games, the Pads are 40-65 overall, 23-30 at home, 17-35 on the road, Runs 400-508, Homers 100-111. They've won 2 in a row, lost 7 of the last 10, and are 7-14 in July.
Game 106, Sunday, July 27, San Diego at Pittsburgh: Pads win 3-1. Finally a well-pitched game - from Jake Peavy (7 IP, 1 R, 4 H, 3 BB, 10 SO) and Bell and Hoffman (21st save) finished it off. Hairston (in the 8th) and Josh Bard (in the 9th) hit solo homers to put the game away. After 106 games, the Pads are 41-65 overall, 23-30 at home, 18-35 on the road, Runs 403-509, Homers 102-111. They've won 3 in a row, lost 6 of the last 10, and are 8-14 in July.
Game 107, Monday, July 28, Arizona at San Diego: Pads win 8-5. Greg Maddux was mediocre again (5 IP, 4 R, 6 H, 0 BB, 4 SO, won, now 4-8) but the Pads scored 2 in the 2nd and 6th in the 3rd and hung on for the win (Hoffman got his 22nd save, 4th game in a row). Nick Hundley and Kahlil Greene hit homers off Micah Owings to power the Padres 7 hit attack (one hit in last 5 innings). After 107 games, the Pads are 42-65 overall, 24-30 at home, 18-35 on the road, Runs 411-514, Homers 104-112. They've won 4 in a row, won 5 of the last 10, and are 9-14 in July.
Game 108, Tuesday, July 29, Arizona at San Diego: Snakes win 7-3. The Pads were ahead 2-1 in the 5th when Baek gave up 4 runs and the Pads made 2 errors. Jody Gerut had a homer to lead off the first. Corey pitched a poor 8th inning, giving up tow homers to put the game out of reach. After 108 games, the Pads are 42-66 overall, 24-31 at home, 18-35 on the road, Runs 414-521, Homers 105-114. They've lost 1 in a row, won 5 of the last 10, and are 9-15 in July.
Game 109, Wednesday, July 30, Arizona at California: Snakes win 3-0, as Doug Davis took a no-hitter into the 8th. Chris Young pitched 5 scoreless innings, but Clay Hensley gave up 3 runs in the 6th. After 109 games, the Pads are 42-67 overall, 24-32 at home, 18-35 on the road, Runs 414-524, Homers 105-114. They've lost 2 in a row, won 5 of the last 10, and are 9-16 in July.
Game 110, Friday, August 1, San Francisco at San Diego: Giants win 3-2 in 10 innings. Josh Banks pitched well (7 IP, 1 ER, 2 R, 8 H, 1 BB, 2 SO), but Trevor Hoffman gave up a run on 3 hits in the 10th. Adrian Gonzalez tied it in the 8th with a solo homer. After 110 games, the Pads are 42-68 overall, 24-33 at home, 18-35 on the road, Runs 416-527, Homers 106-114. They've lost 3 in a row, won 4 of the last 10, and are 0-1 in August.
Kahlil Greene hurt his hand after strikingo ut, so Luis Rodriguez will play shortstop. Tadahito Iguchi and Josh Bard are off the DL also.
In these 10 games, the Pads were 4-6, 1-3 at home, 3-3 on the road, Runs 40-52, Homers 13-14. This was the worst 40-game block of the season (11-29).
Hitting statistics (Avg, H-AB, HR-RBI, BB-SO) through 109 games (the SD U-T didn't publish stats after 110 games):
Jody Gerut -- 0.288, 69-240, 7-24, 27-39
Edgar Gonzalez - 0.296, 63-213, 5-21, 14-50
Brian Giles - 0.293, 108-369, 5-35, 58-42
Adrian Gonzalez - 0.280, 118-421, 25-82, 42-87
Kevin Kouzmanoff - 0.278, 114-410, 14-55, 14-92
Chase Headley - 0.245, 34-139, 6-15, 8-41
Kahlil Greene - 0.213, 83-389, 10-35, 22-100
Scott Hairston - 0.252, 72-286, 17-31, 20-75
Josh Bard - 0.220, 31-141, 1-12, 15-19
Nick Hundley - 0.250, 13-52, 2-6, 1-15
TEAM HITTING: 0.247, 928-3755, 105-398, 342-860
OPPO HITTING: 0.265, 1007-3808, 114-501, 344-757
Pitching Statistics (W-L, ERA, G-IP, H-ER, BB-SO) through 109 games:
Jake Peavy -- 8-6, 2.67, 18-114.2, 98-34, 33-115
Chris Young -- 4-4, 4.12, 11-59.0, 52-27, 32-59
Greg Maddux -- 4-8, 4.29, 23-134.1, 148-64, 25-71
Josh Banks -- 3-4, 3.92, 12-62.0, 63-27, 16-32
Cha Seung Baek -- 3-5, 5.12, 12-58.0, 67-33, 12-43
Brian Corey -- 1-3, 6.16, 37-38.0, 40-26, 9-17
Mike Adams - 1-0, 1.93, 28-37.1, 29-8, 11-44
Clay Hensley - 1-2, 5.84, 7-12.1, 12-8, 4-7
Heath Bell - 6-4, 3.20, 52-56.1, 47-20, 19-51
Cla Meredith -- 0-3, 3.86, 54-51.1, 56-22, 19-36
Trevor Hoffman -- 1-5, 4.45, 35-32.1, 31-16, 6-37 (22 saves)
TEAM PITCHING: 42-67, 4.39, 109-989.1, 1007-483,, 344-757
OPPO PITCHING: 67-42, 3.49, 109-1002.1, 928-389, 342-860.
We're past the 2/3 point of the season. The Pads have to go 21-31 (0.404) to avoid a 100-loss season. Projecting out to 162 games, Adrian Gonzalez is on pace for a 37 HR, 122 RBI season, Scott Hairston is on pace for a 25 HR season, and Kevin Kouzmanoff is on pace for a 21 HR and 82 RBI season. Jake Peavy is on pace for a 12-10 season, and Trevor Hoffman is on pace for a 33 save season.
Not good enough - big changes are coming! But not soon enough.
*10 games, 5-5 overall, 4-3 at home, 1-2 on the road, Runs 32-31, Homers 6-7, team BA 0.282, team ERA 2.97.
* 20 games, 9-11 overall, 5-5 at home, 4-6 on the road, Runs 65-92, Homers 11-14, team BA 0.239, opposition BA 0.241, team ERA 3.88, opposition ERA 2.65.
* 30 games, 11-19 overall, 6-9 at home, 5-10 on the road, Runs 98-139, Homers 21-26, team BA 0.226, opposition BA 0.244, team ERA 4.01, opposition ERA 2.79.
* 40 games, 15-25 overall, 8-10 at home, 7-15 on the road, Runs 135-188, Homers 29-33, team BA 0.234, opposition BA 0.253, team ERA 4.14, opposition ERA 3.35.
* 50 games, 18-32 overall, 10-13 at home, 8-19 on the road, Runs 168-237, Homers 38-44, team BA 0.237, opposition BA 0.261, team ERA 4.33, opposition ERA 3.44.
* 60 games, 23-37 overall 13-17 at home, 10-20 on the road, Runs 222-287, Homers 49-54, team BA 0.237, opposition BA 0.260, team ERA 4.19, opposition ERA 3.22.
* 70 games, 31-39 overall 20-18 at home, 11-21 on the road, Runs 266-317, Homers 62-58, team BA 0.247, opposition BA 0.255, team ERA 4.07, opposition ERA 3.43.
* 80 games, 32-48 overall 21-23 at home, 11-25 on the road, Runs 296-372, Homers 70-75, team BA 0.245, opposition BA 0.258, team ERA 4.16, opposition ERA 3.73.
* 90 games, 35-55 overall 21-27 at home, 14-28 on the road, Runs 330-419, Homers 81-85, team BA 0.247, opposition BA 0.259, team ERA 4.23, opposition ERA 3.40.
* 100 games, 38-62 overall 23-30 at home, 15-32 on the road, Runs 376-475, Homers 93-100, team BA 0.248, opposition BA 0.262, team ERA 4.33, opposition ERA 3.47.
Games 101 to 110 Summaries:
Game 101, Tuesday, July 22, San Diego at Cincinnati: Reds win 4-3 in 11 innings. The Pads led 3-0 in the 6th on BTB homes by Giles and Adrian Gonzalez in the 3rd, but Jake Peavy (6 IP, 3 R, 7 H, 3 BB, 5 SO) gave up 3 in the 6th. The Reds won it in the 11th on a Keppinger double. After 101 games, the Pads are 38-63 overall, 23-30 at home, 15-33 on the road, Runs 379-479, Homers 95-100. They've lost 1 in a row, lost 8 of the last 10, and are 5-12 in July.
Game 102, Wednesday, July 23, San Diego at Cincinnati: Reds win 9-5. The Pads were ahead 3-1 in the 6th. Greg Maddux pitched better than usual (5.1 IP, 2 ER, 3 R, 7 H, 0 BB, 4 SO) but got in trouble in the 6th and the Reds scored 5 in the 7th off Joe Thatcher to put the game away. The Pads had homers from Kouzmanoff and Gerut. After 102 games, the Pads are 38-64 overall, 23-30 at home, 15-34 on the road, Runs 384-488, Homers 95-103. They've lost 2 in a row, lost 8 of the last 10, and are 5-13 in July.
Game 103, Thursday, July 24, San Diego at Pttsburgh: Pirates win 9-1. One of the worst games of the year...Clay Hensley was roughed up (5 IP, 6 R, 7 H, 2 BB, 2 SO) and so was Brian Corey (3 R in 2 IP). The Pads had 6 hits off Herrera, who lowered his ERA to 9.75. After 103 games, the Pads are 38-65 overall, 23-30 at home, 15-35 on the road, Runs 385-497, Homers 95-106. They've lost 3 in a row, lost 8 of the last 10, and are 5-14 in July.
Game 104, Friday, July 25, San Diego at Pittsburgh: Pads win 6-5. Cha Seung Baek pitched fair (5.1 IP, 4 R, 7 H, 1 BB, 3 SO, won, now 3-4) and the bullpen pitched OK (Bell gave up a run, Trevor got his 19th save). The Pads pecked away for 6 runs on 11 hits, with Adrian Gonzalez hitting his 23rd. After 104 games, the Pads are 39-65 overall, 23-30 at home, 16-35 on the road, Runs 391-502, Homers 96-108. They've won 1 in a row, lost 8 of the last 10, and are 6-14 in July.
RHP Randy Wolf was traded to the Houston Astros for some reason. Why would they want him? C Josh Bard came off the DL - C Luke Carlin went down to Portland. LHP Wil Ledezma and LHP Justin Hampson came up from Portland, and LHP Joe Thatcher went down.
Game 105, Saturday, July 26, San Diego at Pittsburgh: Pads win 9-6. This game shouldn't have been close - the Pads had a 9-1 lead in the 5th inning. Josh Banks gave up 5 runs, but got the win. The Pirates loaded the bases on Brian Corey and Trevor Hoffman came in to get the last out in the 9th for his 20th save. Adrian Gonzalez (twice, 4 RBI), Kevin Kouzmanoff (homer, 3 RBI) and Nick Hundley (2 RBIs) had homers for the Pads. After 105 games, the Pads are 40-65 overall, 23-30 at home, 17-35 on the road, Runs 400-508, Homers 100-111. They've won 2 in a row, lost 7 of the last 10, and are 7-14 in July.
Game 106, Sunday, July 27, San Diego at Pittsburgh: Pads win 3-1. Finally a well-pitched game - from Jake Peavy (7 IP, 1 R, 4 H, 3 BB, 10 SO) and Bell and Hoffman (21st save) finished it off. Hairston (in the 8th) and Josh Bard (in the 9th) hit solo homers to put the game away. After 106 games, the Pads are 41-65 overall, 23-30 at home, 18-35 on the road, Runs 403-509, Homers 102-111. They've won 3 in a row, lost 6 of the last 10, and are 8-14 in July.
Game 107, Monday, July 28, Arizona at San Diego: Pads win 8-5. Greg Maddux was mediocre again (5 IP, 4 R, 6 H, 0 BB, 4 SO, won, now 4-8) but the Pads scored 2 in the 2nd and 6th in the 3rd and hung on for the win (Hoffman got his 22nd save, 4th game in a row). Nick Hundley and Kahlil Greene hit homers off Micah Owings to power the Padres 7 hit attack (one hit in last 5 innings). After 107 games, the Pads are 42-65 overall, 24-30 at home, 18-35 on the road, Runs 411-514, Homers 104-112. They've won 4 in a row, won 5 of the last 10, and are 9-14 in July.
Game 108, Tuesday, July 29, Arizona at San Diego: Snakes win 7-3. The Pads were ahead 2-1 in the 5th when Baek gave up 4 runs and the Pads made 2 errors. Jody Gerut had a homer to lead off the first. Corey pitched a poor 8th inning, giving up tow homers to put the game out of reach. After 108 games, the Pads are 42-66 overall, 24-31 at home, 18-35 on the road, Runs 414-521, Homers 105-114. They've lost 1 in a row, won 5 of the last 10, and are 9-15 in July.
Game 109, Wednesday, July 30, Arizona at California: Snakes win 3-0, as Doug Davis took a no-hitter into the 8th. Chris Young pitched 5 scoreless innings, but Clay Hensley gave up 3 runs in the 6th. After 109 games, the Pads are 42-67 overall, 24-32 at home, 18-35 on the road, Runs 414-524, Homers 105-114. They've lost 2 in a row, won 5 of the last 10, and are 9-16 in July.
Game 110, Friday, August 1, San Francisco at San Diego: Giants win 3-2 in 10 innings. Josh Banks pitched well (7 IP, 1 ER, 2 R, 8 H, 1 BB, 2 SO), but Trevor Hoffman gave up a run on 3 hits in the 10th. Adrian Gonzalez tied it in the 8th with a solo homer. After 110 games, the Pads are 42-68 overall, 24-33 at home, 18-35 on the road, Runs 416-527, Homers 106-114. They've lost 3 in a row, won 4 of the last 10, and are 0-1 in August.
Kahlil Greene hurt his hand after strikingo ut, so Luis Rodriguez will play shortstop. Tadahito Iguchi and Josh Bard are off the DL also.
In these 10 games, the Pads were 4-6, 1-3 at home, 3-3 on the road, Runs 40-52, Homers 13-14. This was the worst 40-game block of the season (11-29).
Hitting statistics (Avg, H-AB, HR-RBI, BB-SO) through 109 games (the SD U-T didn't publish stats after 110 games):
Jody Gerut -- 0.288, 69-240, 7-24, 27-39
Edgar Gonzalez - 0.296, 63-213, 5-21, 14-50
Brian Giles - 0.293, 108-369, 5-35, 58-42
Adrian Gonzalez - 0.280, 118-421, 25-82, 42-87
Kevin Kouzmanoff - 0.278, 114-410, 14-55, 14-92
Chase Headley - 0.245, 34-139, 6-15, 8-41
Kahlil Greene - 0.213, 83-389, 10-35, 22-100
Scott Hairston - 0.252, 72-286, 17-31, 20-75
Josh Bard - 0.220, 31-141, 1-12, 15-19
Nick Hundley - 0.250, 13-52, 2-6, 1-15
TEAM HITTING: 0.247, 928-3755, 105-398, 342-860
OPPO HITTING: 0.265, 1007-3808, 114-501, 344-757
Pitching Statistics (W-L, ERA, G-IP, H-ER, BB-SO) through 109 games:
Jake Peavy -- 8-6, 2.67, 18-114.2, 98-34, 33-115
Chris Young -- 4-4, 4.12, 11-59.0, 52-27, 32-59
Greg Maddux -- 4-8, 4.29, 23-134.1, 148-64, 25-71
Josh Banks -- 3-4, 3.92, 12-62.0, 63-27, 16-32
Cha Seung Baek -- 3-5, 5.12, 12-58.0, 67-33, 12-43
Brian Corey -- 1-3, 6.16, 37-38.0, 40-26, 9-17
Mike Adams - 1-0, 1.93, 28-37.1, 29-8, 11-44
Clay Hensley - 1-2, 5.84, 7-12.1, 12-8, 4-7
Heath Bell - 6-4, 3.20, 52-56.1, 47-20, 19-51
Cla Meredith -- 0-3, 3.86, 54-51.1, 56-22, 19-36
Trevor Hoffman -- 1-5, 4.45, 35-32.1, 31-16, 6-37 (22 saves)
TEAM PITCHING: 42-67, 4.39, 109-989.1, 1007-483,, 344-757
OPPO PITCHING: 67-42, 3.49, 109-1002.1, 928-389, 342-860.
We're past the 2/3 point of the season. The Pads have to go 21-31 (0.404) to avoid a 100-loss season. Projecting out to 162 games, Adrian Gonzalez is on pace for a 37 HR, 122 RBI season, Scott Hairston is on pace for a 25 HR season, and Kevin Kouzmanoff is on pace for a 21 HR and 82 RBI season. Jake Peavy is on pace for a 12-10 season, and Trevor Hoffman is on pace for a 33 save season.
Not good enough - big changes are coming! But not soon enough.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Letter To God - from the Dog
Dear God: Why do humans smell the flowers, but seldom, if ever, smell one another?
Dear God: When we get to heaven, can we sit on your couch? Or is it still the same old story?
Dear God: Why are there cars named after the jaguar, the cougar, the mustang, the colt, the stingray, and the rabbit, but not ONE named for a dog? How often do you see a cougar riding around? We do love a nice ride! Would it be so hard to rename the 'Chrysler Eagle' the 'Chrysler Beagle'?
Dear God: If a dog barks his head off in the forest and no human hears him, is he still a bad dog?
Dear God: We dogs can understand human verbal instructions, hand signals, whistles, horns, clickers, beepers, scent ID's, electromagnetic energy fields, and Frisbee flight paths. What do humans understand?
Dear God: More meatballs, less spaghetti, please.
Dear God: Are there mailmen in Heaven? If there are, will I have to apologize?
Dear God: Let me give you a list of just some of the things I must remember to be a good dog.
1. I will not eat the cats' food before they eat it or after they throw it up?
2. I will not roll on dead seagulls, fish, crabs, etc., just because I like the way they smell.
3. The Litter Box is not a cookie jar.
4. The sofa is not a 'face towel'.
5. The garbage collector is not stealing our stuff.
6. I will not play tug-of-war with Dad's underwear when he's on the toilet.
7. Sticking my nose into someone's crotch is an unacceptable way of saying?'hello'.
8. I don't need to suddenly stand straight up when I'm under the coffee table.
9. I must shake the rainwater out of my fur before entering the house - not after.
10. I will not come in from outside and immediately drag my butt.
11. I will not sit in the middle of the living room and lick my crotch.
12. The cat is not a 'squeaky toy' so when I play with him and he makes that noise, it's usually not a good thing.
Dear God: When we get to heaven, can we sit on your couch? Or is it still the same old story?
Dear God: Why are there cars named after the jaguar, the cougar, the mustang, the colt, the stingray, and the rabbit, but not ONE named for a dog? How often do you see a cougar riding around? We do love a nice ride! Would it be so hard to rename the 'Chrysler Eagle' the 'Chrysler Beagle'?
Dear God: If a dog barks his head off in the forest and no human hears him, is he still a bad dog?
Dear God: We dogs can understand human verbal instructions, hand signals, whistles, horns, clickers, beepers, scent ID's, electromagnetic energy fields, and Frisbee flight paths. What do humans understand?
Dear God: More meatballs, less spaghetti, please.
Dear God: Are there mailmen in Heaven? If there are, will I have to apologize?
Dear God: Let me give you a list of just some of the things I must remember to be a good dog.
1. I will not eat the cats' food before they eat it or after they throw it up?
2. I will not roll on dead seagulls, fish, crabs, etc., just because I like the way they smell.
3. The Litter Box is not a cookie jar.
4. The sofa is not a 'face towel'.
5. The garbage collector is not stealing our stuff.
6. I will not play tug-of-war with Dad's underwear when he's on the toilet.
7. Sticking my nose into someone's crotch is an unacceptable way of saying?'hello'.
8. I don't need to suddenly stand straight up when I'm under the coffee table.
9. I must shake the rainwater out of my fur before entering the house - not after.
10. I will not come in from outside and immediately drag my butt.
11. I will not sit in the middle of the living room and lick my crotch.
12. The cat is not a 'squeaky toy' so when I play with him and he makes that noise, it's usually not a good thing.
Advice from a retired guy - about women
From my email:
It is important for men to remember that, as women grow older, it becomes harder for them to maintain the same quality of housekeeping as when they were younger. When you notice this, try not to yell at them. Some are oversensitive, and there's nothing worse than an oversensitive woman.
My name is Hugh. Let me relate how I handled the situation with my wife, Maryann. When I retired a few years ago, it became necessary for Maryann to get a full-time job along with her part-time job, both for extra income and for the health benefits that we needed.
Shortly after she started working, I noticed she was beginning to show her age. I usually get home from the golf club about the same time she gets home from work. Although she knows how hungry I am, she almost always says she has to rest for half an hour or so before she starts dinner. I don't yell at her. Instead, I tell her to take her time and just wake me when she gets dinner on the table. I generally have lunch in the Men's Grill at the club so eating out is not reasonable. I'm ready for some home-cooked grub when I hit that door.
She used to do the dishes as soon as we finished eating. But now it's not unusual for them to sit on the table for several hours after dinner. I do what I can by diplomatically reminding her several times each evening that they won't clean themselves. I know she really appreciates this, as it does seem to motivate her to get them done before she goes to bed.
Another symptom of aging is complaining, I think? For example she will say that it is difficult for her to find time to pay the monthly bills during her lunch hour. But, boys, we take 'em for better or worse, so I just smile and offer encouragement. I tell her to stretch it out over two or even three days. That way she won't have to rush so much. I also remind her that missing lunch completely now and then wouldn't hurt her any (if you know what I mean). I like to think tact is one of my strong points.
When doing simple jobs, she seems to think she needs more rest periods. She had to take a break when she was only half-finished mowing the yard. I try not to make a scene. I'm a fair man. I tell her to fix herself a nice, big, cold glass of freshly squeezed lemonade and just sit for a while. And, as long as she is making one for herself, she may as well make one for me too. .. and add a lil gin!!
I know that I probably look like a saint in the way I support Maryann. I'm not saying that showing this much consideration is easy. Many men will find it difficult. Some will find it impossible! Nobody knows better than I do how frustrating women get as they get older. However, guys, even if you just use a little more tact and less criticism of your aging wife because of this article, I will consider that writing it was well worthwhile After all, we are put on this earth to help each other.
Signed, Hughie
EDITOR'S NOTE: Hughie died suddenly on February 7 of a perforated rectum. The police report says he was found with a Calloway extra-long 50-inch Big Bertha Driver II golf club jammed up his rear end, with barely 5 inches of grip showing, and a sledge hammer laying nearby. His wife Maryann was arrested and charged with murder. The all-woman jury took only 10 minutes to find her Not Guilty, accepting her defense that Hughie, somehow without looking, accidentally sat down on his golf club.
It is important for men to remember that, as women grow older, it becomes harder for them to maintain the same quality of housekeeping as when they were younger. When you notice this, try not to yell at them. Some are oversensitive, and there's nothing worse than an oversensitive woman.
My name is Hugh. Let me relate how I handled the situation with my wife, Maryann. When I retired a few years ago, it became necessary for Maryann to get a full-time job along with her part-time job, both for extra income and for the health benefits that we needed.
Shortly after she started working, I noticed she was beginning to show her age. I usually get home from the golf club about the same time she gets home from work. Although she knows how hungry I am, she almost always says she has to rest for half an hour or so before she starts dinner. I don't yell at her. Instead, I tell her to take her time and just wake me when she gets dinner on the table. I generally have lunch in the Men's Grill at the club so eating out is not reasonable. I'm ready for some home-cooked grub when I hit that door.
She used to do the dishes as soon as we finished eating. But now it's not unusual for them to sit on the table for several hours after dinner. I do what I can by diplomatically reminding her several times each evening that they won't clean themselves. I know she really appreciates this, as it does seem to motivate her to get them done before she goes to bed.
Another symptom of aging is complaining, I think? For example she will say that it is difficult for her to find time to pay the monthly bills during her lunch hour. But, boys, we take 'em for better or worse, so I just smile and offer encouragement. I tell her to stretch it out over two or even three days. That way she won't have to rush so much. I also remind her that missing lunch completely now and then wouldn't hurt her any (if you know what I mean). I like to think tact is one of my strong points.
When doing simple jobs, she seems to think she needs more rest periods. She had to take a break when she was only half-finished mowing the yard. I try not to make a scene. I'm a fair man. I tell her to fix herself a nice, big, cold glass of freshly squeezed lemonade and just sit for a while. And, as long as she is making one for herself, she may as well make one for me too. .. and add a lil gin!!
I know that I probably look like a saint in the way I support Maryann. I'm not saying that showing this much consideration is easy. Many men will find it difficult. Some will find it impossible! Nobody knows better than I do how frustrating women get as they get older. However, guys, even if you just use a little more tact and less criticism of your aging wife because of this article, I will consider that writing it was well worthwhile After all, we are put on this earth to help each other.
Signed, Hughie
EDITOR'S NOTE: Hughie died suddenly on February 7 of a perforated rectum. The police report says he was found with a Calloway extra-long 50-inch Big Bertha Driver II golf club jammed up his rear end, with barely 5 inches of grip showing, and a sledge hammer laying nearby. His wife Maryann was arrested and charged with murder. The all-woman jury took only 10 minutes to find her Not Guilty, accepting her defense that Hughie, somehow without looking, accidentally sat down on his golf club.
Honk if you love Jesus!
Here is Grandma's recent letter. She is eighty-eight years old and still drives her own car. She writes:
Dear Granddaughter:
The other day I went up to our local Christian book store and saw a 'Honk if you love Jesus' bumper sticker. I was feeling particularly sassy that day because I had just come from a thrilling choir performance followed by a thunderous prayer meeting. So I bought the sticker and put it on my bumper.
Boy, am I glad I did. What an uplifting experience that followed. I was stopped at a red light at a busy intersection, just lost in thought about the Lord and how good he is, and I didn't notice that the light had changed. It is a good thing someone else loves Jesus because if he hadn't honked, I'd never have noticed.
I found that lots of people love Jesus! While I was sitting there, the guy behind started honking like crazy, and then he leaned out of his window and screamed, "'For the love of God! Go! Go! Go! Jesus Christ, GO!" What an exuberant cheerleader he was for Jesus. Everyone started honking. I just leaned out my window and started waving and smiling at all those loving people. I even honked my horn a few times to share in the love.
There must have been a man from Florida back there because I heard him yelling something about a sunny beach. I saw another guy waving in a funny way with only his middle finger stuck up in the air. I asked my young teenage grandson in the back seat what that meant. He said it was probably a Hawaiian good luck sign or something. Well, I have never met anyone from Hawaii , so I leaned out the window and gave him the good luck sign right back. My grandson burst out laughing. Why, even he was enjoying this religious experience!!!
A couple of the people were so caught up in the joy of the moment that they got out of their cars and started walking towards me. I bet they wanted to pray or ask what church I attended, but this is when I noticed the light had changed. So I waved at all my brothers and sisters, grinning, and drove on through the intersection. I noticed that I was the only car that got through the intersection before the light changed again and felt kind of sad that I had to leave them after all the love we had shared. So I slowed the car down, leaned out the window and gave them all the Hawaiian good luck sign one last time as I drove away.
Praise the Lord for such wonderful folks!!! I will write again soon.
Love, Grandma
Dear Granddaughter:
The other day I went up to our local Christian book store and saw a 'Honk if you love Jesus' bumper sticker. I was feeling particularly sassy that day because I had just come from a thrilling choir performance followed by a thunderous prayer meeting. So I bought the sticker and put it on my bumper.
Boy, am I glad I did. What an uplifting experience that followed. I was stopped at a red light at a busy intersection, just lost in thought about the Lord and how good he is, and I didn't notice that the light had changed. It is a good thing someone else loves Jesus because if he hadn't honked, I'd never have noticed.
I found that lots of people love Jesus! While I was sitting there, the guy behind started honking like crazy, and then he leaned out of his window and screamed, "'For the love of God! Go! Go! Go! Jesus Christ, GO!" What an exuberant cheerleader he was for Jesus. Everyone started honking. I just leaned out my window and started waving and smiling at all those loving people. I even honked my horn a few times to share in the love.
There must have been a man from Florida back there because I heard him yelling something about a sunny beach. I saw another guy waving in a funny way with only his middle finger stuck up in the air. I asked my young teenage grandson in the back seat what that meant. He said it was probably a Hawaiian good luck sign or something. Well, I have never met anyone from Hawaii , so I leaned out the window and gave him the good luck sign right back. My grandson burst out laughing. Why, even he was enjoying this religious experience!!!
A couple of the people were so caught up in the joy of the moment that they got out of their cars and started walking towards me. I bet they wanted to pray or ask what church I attended, but this is when I noticed the light had changed. So I waved at all my brothers and sisters, grinning, and drove on through the intersection. I noticed that I was the only car that got through the intersection before the light changed again and felt kind of sad that I had to leave them after all the love we had shared. So I slowed the car down, leaned out the window and gave them all the Hawaiian good luck sign one last time as I drove away.
Praise the Lord for such wonderful folks!!! I will write again soon.
Love, Grandma
Friday, July 18, 2008
Home Depot scam
One of my friends got caught in this...
A 'heads up' for all you guys who may be regular Home Depot customers.
Over the last month I became a victim of a clever scam while out shopping. Simply going out to get supplies has turned out to be quite traumatic. Don't be naive enough to think it couldn't happen to you or your friends.
Here's how the scam works: Two seriously good-looking 20-21 year-old girls come over to your car as you are packing your shopping into the trunk or your truck. They both start wiping your windshield with a rag and Windex, with their breasts almost falling out of their skimpy T-shirts. It is impossible not to look.
When you thank them and offer them a tip, they say 'No' and instead ask you for a ride to another Home Depot. You agree and they get in the backseat. On the way, they start undressing. Then one of them climbs over into the front seat and starts crawling all over you, of course totally unclothed, while the other one steals your wallet.
I had my wallet stolen on May 4th, 9th, 10th, twice on the 15th, 17th, 20th, 24th, and 29th. Also June 1st, 4th, twice on the 8th, 16th, 23rd, 26th, 30th, three times so far in July, last Saturday and very likely again this upcoming weekend.
So tell your friends to be careful.
A 'heads up' for all you guys who may be regular Home Depot customers.
Over the last month I became a victim of a clever scam while out shopping. Simply going out to get supplies has turned out to be quite traumatic. Don't be naive enough to think it couldn't happen to you or your friends.
Here's how the scam works: Two seriously good-looking 20-21 year-old girls come over to your car as you are packing your shopping into the trunk or your truck. They both start wiping your windshield with a rag and Windex, with their breasts almost falling out of their skimpy T-shirts. It is impossible not to look.
When you thank them and offer them a tip, they say 'No' and instead ask you for a ride to another Home Depot. You agree and they get in the backseat. On the way, they start undressing. Then one of them climbs over into the front seat and starts crawling all over you, of course totally unclothed, while the other one steals your wallet.
I had my wallet stolen on May 4th, 9th, 10th, twice on the 15th, 17th, 20th, 24th, and 29th. Also June 1st, 4th, twice on the 8th, 16th, 23rd, 26th, 30th, three times so far in July, last Saturday and very likely again this upcoming weekend.
So tell your friends to be careful.
The Baptist's bathroom
From my email...
A very proper lady began planning a week's camping vacation for her Baptist Church group. She wrote to a campground for reservations. She wanted to make sure that the campground was fully equipped and modern, but could not bring herself to write the word 'toilet' in her letter. So, she decided on the old-fashioned term 'Bathroom Commode.' Once written down she still was not comfortable. Finally, she decided on the abbreviation 'B.C.' and wrote, 'Does your campground have its own B.C.?'
When the campground owner received the letter, he could not figure out what she meant by 'B.C.' He showed it to several of the campers, one of whom suggested the lady was obviously referring to a Baptist Church since there was a letterhead on the paper, which referred to a Baptist Church. Therefore, he sent this reply:
"Dear Madam,
"The B.C. is located nine miles from the campground in a beautiful grove of trees. I admit it is quite a distance if you are in the habit of going regularly. No doubt, you will be pleased to know that it will seat 350 people at one time, and it is open on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday of each week. Some folks like to take their lunch and make a day of it. The acoustics are very good, so everyone can hear even the quietest passages. It may interest you to know that my daughter met her husband there. We are also having a fund-raiser to purchase new seats, as the old ones have holes in them.
"Unfortunately, my wife is ill and has not been able to attend regularly. It has been a good six months since she last went. It pains her very much not to be able to go more often. As we grow older, it seems to be more of an effort, especially in cold weather. Perhaps I could accompany you the first time you go, sit with you, and introduce you to all the other folks who will be there."
A very proper lady began planning a week's camping vacation for her Baptist Church group. She wrote to a campground for reservations. She wanted to make sure that the campground was fully equipped and modern, but could not bring herself to write the word 'toilet' in her letter. So, she decided on the old-fashioned term 'Bathroom Commode.' Once written down she still was not comfortable. Finally, she decided on the abbreviation 'B.C.' and wrote, 'Does your campground have its own B.C.?'
When the campground owner received the letter, he could not figure out what she meant by 'B.C.' He showed it to several of the campers, one of whom suggested the lady was obviously referring to a Baptist Church since there was a letterhead on the paper, which referred to a Baptist Church. Therefore, he sent this reply:
"Dear Madam,
"The B.C. is located nine miles from the campground in a beautiful grove of trees. I admit it is quite a distance if you are in the habit of going regularly. No doubt, you will be pleased to know that it will seat 350 people at one time, and it is open on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday of each week. Some folks like to take their lunch and make a day of it. The acoustics are very good, so everyone can hear even the quietest passages. It may interest you to know that my daughter met her husband there. We are also having a fund-raiser to purchase new seats, as the old ones have holes in them.
"Unfortunately, my wife is ill and has not been able to attend regularly. It has been a good six months since she last went. It pains her very much not to be able to go more often. As we grow older, it seems to be more of an effort, especially in cold weather. Perhaps I could accompany you the first time you go, sit with you, and introduce you to all the other folks who will be there."
Interesting mural...
Check out http://www.muralmosaic.com/Cochrane.html
Cochrane is NW of Calgary and east of Banff, in the foothills of the Rockies . This mural was unveiled last week at the Cochrane Ranch House.
Each tile is 1 foot square and has it's own individual picture. Each tile is by a different artist. All of them placed together form this huge mural.
You can click on each of the tiles to see them in detail. (Check out the horse's eye.)
Cochrane is NW of Calgary and east of Banff, in the foothills of the Rockies . This mural was unveiled last week at the Cochrane Ranch House.
Each tile is 1 foot square and has it's own individual picture. Each tile is by a different artist. All of them placed together form this huge mural.
You can click on each of the tiles to see them in detail. (Check out the horse's eye.)
Padres 2008 - Games 91 to 100
Here is the Padres' history for each 10-game block of the 2008 season so far:
*10 games, 5-5 overall, 4-3 at home, 1-2 on the road, Runs 32-31, Homers 6-7, team BA 0.282, team ERA 2.97.
* 20 games, 9-11 overall, 5-5 at home, 4-6 on the road, Runs 65-92, Homers 11-14, team BA 0.239, opposition BA 0.241, team ERA 3.88, opposition ERA 2.65.
* 30 games, 11-19 overall, 6-9 at home, 5-10 on the road, Runs 98-139, Homers 21-26, team BA 0.226, opposition BA 0.244, team ERA 4.01, opposition ERA 2.79.
* 40 games, 15-25 overall, 8-10 at home, 7-15 on the road, Runs 135-188, Homers 29-33, team BA 0.234, opposition BA 0.253, team ERA 4.14, opposition ERA 3.35.
* 50 games, 18-32 overall, 10-13 at home, 8-19 on the road, Runs 168-237, Homers 38-44, team BA 0.237, opposition BA 0.261, team ERA 4.33, opposition ERA 3.44.
* 60 games, 23-37 overall 13-17 at home, 10-20 on the road, Runs 222-287, Homers 49-54, team BA 0.237, opposition BA 0.260, team ERA 4.19, opposition ERA 3.22.
* 70 games, 31-39 overall 20-18 at home, 11-21 on the road, Runs 266-317, Homers 62-58, team BA 0.247, opposition BA 0.255, team ERA 4.07, opposition ERA 3.43.
* 80 games, 32-48 overall 21-23 at home, 11-25 on the road, Runs 296-372, Homers 70-75, team BA 0.245, opposition BA 0.258, team ERA 4.16, opposition ERA 3.73.
* 90 games, 35-55 overall 21-27 at home, 14-28 on the road, Runs 330-419, Homers 81-85, team BA 0.247, opposition BA 0.259, team ERA 4.23, opposition ERA 3.40.
Games 91 to 100 Summaries:
Game 91, Tuesday, July 8, Florida at San Diego: Pads win 10-1. The Pads started off with 4 runs in the first inning and added 5 more in the 6th off Andrew Miller. Randy wolf pitched well (7 IP, 1 R, 5 H, 1 BB, 7 SO, won, now 6-8). The Pads got homers from Hairston and Myrow, 3 RBIs from Hairston and 4 RBIs from Headley. After 91 games, the Pads are 36-55 overall, 22-27 at home, 14-28 on the road, Runs 340-420, Homers 83-86. They've won 1 in a row, lost 6 of the last 10, and are 3-4 in July.
Game 92, Wednesday, July 9, Florida at San Diego: Fish win 5-2. Cha Seung Baek pitched well enough to lose (5 IP, 3 ER, 6 H, 1 BB, 3 SO, now 2-4) as Scott Olsen gave up only 1 ER, 4 H over 8 innings. Hairston hit a homer, as did two Marlins. After 92 games, the Pads are 36-56 overall, 22-28 at home, 14-28 on the road, Runs 342-425, Homers 84-88. They've lost 1 in a row, lost 6 of the last 10, and are 3-5 in July.
Game 93, Frdiay, July 11, Atlanta at San Diego: Pads win 4-0. Jake Peavy pitched well (7 IP, 0 R, 4 H, 1 BB, 7 SO, won, 7-5) and Hairston, Edgar, Adrian and Headley each had two hits to score 4 runs. After 93 games, the Pads are 37-56 overall, 23-28 at home, 14-28 on the road, Runs 346-425, Homers 84-88. They've won 1 in a row, lost 5 of the last 10, and are 4-5 in July.
Game 94, Saturday, July 12, Atlanta at San Diego: Braves win 4-1 (we were there). Greg Maddux pitched fair (7 IP, 3 R, 6 H, 2 BB, 3 SO) but the Pads couldn't scratch more than 4 hits off Charlie Morton over 5.1 IP, and couldn't touch three relievers. Very sad and lackluster offensive production. After 94 games, the Pads are 37-57 overall, 23-29 at home, 14-28 on the road, Runs 347-429, Homers 84-89. They've lost 1 in a row, lost 6 of the last 10, and are 4-6 in July.
Game 95, Sunday, July 13, Atlanta at San Diego. Braves romp 12-3. A terrible game, with Randy Wolf (5 IP, 6 R, 6 H, 3 BB, 1 SO, lost, 6-9) and 5 relievers pitching poorly. The Braves were ahead 3-1 when they scored 5 in the 6th to break it open. The Braves had 16 hits, and the Pads 8 hits included homers by Headley and Kouzmanoff. After 95 games, the Pads are 37-58 overall, 23-30 at home, 14-28 on the road, Runs 350-441, Homers 86-90. They've lost 2 in a row, lost 6 of the last 10, and are 4-7 in July.
It's the All-Star break! No Padre games for four days. Oh, the agony. This team is seemingly hopeless. They can't hit with men on base or for average, they strike out too often and don't walk enough, and the pitchers can't hold leads or stop rallies.
The players who have not played to expectations include all of the catchers, Kahlil Greene, the sub outfielders, Maddux, Wolf and the 5th starter, and all of the relievers except for Bell and Adams.
The speculation is that there will be trades before July 31 - I predict Tony Clark, Greg Maddux, Randy Wolf and perhaps another outfielder will be traded for prospects. We might as well play the prospects and see if they can play at this level. Josh Bard and Chris Young should be back in awhile off the DL.
Game 96, Thursday, July 17, San Diego at St. Louis: Cards win 4-3. Jake Peavy pitched mediocre (7 IP, 4 HRs, 8 H, 0 BB, 7 SO, lost, 7-6). The Pads scored 3 runs on 9 hits, with the big blow an Edgar Gonzalez homer in the 3rd. After 96 games, the Pads are 37-59 overall, 23-30 at home, 14-29 on the road, Runs 353-445, Homers 87-94. They've lost 3 in a row, lost 6 of the last 10, and are 4-8 in July.
Game 97, Friday, July 18, San Diego at St. Louis: Cards win 11-7. Greg Maddux pitched poorly (4 IP, 6 R, 8 H, 1 BB, 4 SO), but could have won if he'd held a 6-3 lead. The bullpen gave up a 7-6 lead in the 7th (Thatcher gave up 1 run) and Bell (gave up 4 runs, lost). Gerut and Greene had homers, and Gerut and Giles had 3 hits. After 97 games, the Pads are 37-60 overall, 23-30 at home, 14-30 on the road, Runs 360-456, Homers 89-96. They've lost 4 in a row, lost 7 of the last 10, and are 4-9 in July.
Game 98, Saturday, July 19, San Diego at St. Louis: Pads lose 6-5. Ahead 5-0, Randy Wolf gives it up in ther 5th and 6th (5.2 IP, 6 R, 4 ER, 8 H, 2 BB, 4 SO, lost, now 6-10) as the Cards come from behind. Edgar Gonzalez had a 3-run homer in the 2nd inning. After 98 games, the Pads are 37-61 overall, 23-30 at home, 14-31 on the road, Runs 365-462, Homers 90-96. They've lost 5 in a row, lost 7 of the last 10, and are 4-10 in July.
Game 99, Sunday, July 20, San Diego at St. Louis: Pads lose, 9-5. Ahead 3-1 (on Hairston and Baek homers) in the 7th, the bullpen fails again (3 runs off Bell, 4 off Corey). The Pads scored 2 in the 9th to tie it, and Brian Corey gave up a walk-off grand slam to Aaron Miles to lose it. The key play was a pickoff throw by Luke Carlin that advanced Pujols to 3rd base with one out, and Corey then had to walk two batters to set up a force play. After 99 games, the Pads are 37-62 overall, 23-30 at home, 14-32 on the road, Runs 370-471, Homers 92-98. They've lost 6 in a row, lost 8 of the last 10, and are 4-11 in July.
Game 100, Monday, July 21, San Diego at Cincinnati: Pads win 6-4. Josh Banks pitched fair (5.2 IP, 4 R, 7 H, 2 BB, 2 SO) but gave up a homer to Ken Griffey that put the Reds ahead 4-2 in the 6th. Hairston hit a solo homer in the 7th, and the Pads scored 3 in the 9th on an RBI by Giles and a double by Kouzmanoff to drive in the winning two runs. Trevor Hoffman came in and loaded the bases, then got three outs to save the win (#18) for Clay Hensley, who pitched well in relief. After 100 games, the Pads are 38-62 overall, 23-30 at home, 15-32 on the road, Runs 376-475, Homers 93-100. They've won 1 in a row, lost 7 of the last 10, and are 5-11 in July.
In these 10 games, the Pads were 3-7, 2-3 at home, 1-4 on the road, Runs 46-57, Homers 12-15. This was the worst 30-game block of the season (7-23).
Hitting statistics (Avg, H-AB, HR-RBI, BB-SO) through 99 games (the SD U-T didn't publish stats after 100 games):
Jody Gerut -- 0.280, 60-214, 5-20, 23-37
Edgar Gonzalez - 0.311, 56-180, 5-21, 11-43
Brian Giles - 0.302, 101-334, 5-31, 53-34
Adrian Gonzalez - 0.277, 106-383, 22-73, 38-78
Kevin Kouzmanoff - 0.276, 102-370, 12-43, 14-81
Chase Headley - 0.271, 29-107, 6-14, 5-30
Kahlil Greene - 0.215, 76-354, 9-33, 21-88
Scott Hairston - 0.264, 69-261, 15-29, 17-65
Michael Barrett - 0.202, 19-94, 2-9, 9-16
Nick Hundley - 0.167, 5-30, 0-1, 1-9
TEAM HITTING: 0.248, 846-3414, 92-354, 315-769
OPPO HITTING: 0.262, 903-3444, 98-450, 315-682
Pitching Statistics (W-L, ERA, G-IP, H-ER, BB-SO) through 99 games:
Jake Peavy -- 7-6, 2.66, 16-101.2, 87-30, 27-100
Chris Young -- 4-4, 4.50, 10-54.0, 50-27, 30-51
Randy Wolf -- 6-10, 4.74, 21-119.2, 123-63, 47-105
Greg Maddux -- 3-8, 4.21, 21-124.0, 132-58, 25-63
Josh Banks -- 2-4, 3.20, 10-50.2, 50-18, 12-27
Brian Corey -- 1-2, 4.81, 32-33.2, 29-18, 9-16
Mike Adams - 1-0, 2.23, 24-32.1, 25-8, 10-41
Cha Seung Baek -- 2-4, 4.66, 10-48.1, 52-25, 10-35
Heath Bell - 6-4, 3.27, 48-52.1, 45-19, 15-45
Cla Meredith -- 0-2, 4.17, 49-45.1, 51-21, 17-29
Joe Thatcher -- 0-4, 6.93, 23-24.2, 37-19, 12-16
Trevor Hoffman -- 1-5, 5.08, 30-28.1, 28-16, 6-33 (17 saves)
TEAM PITCHING: 37-62, 4.33, 99-900.0, 903-433, 315-682
OPPO PITCHING: 62-37, 3.47, 99-903.1, 846-348, 315-768.
It sure looks like a 100 loss season, and perhaps last place. We might even get the first draft choice! What a great short-term goal.
*10 games, 5-5 overall, 4-3 at home, 1-2 on the road, Runs 32-31, Homers 6-7, team BA 0.282, team ERA 2.97.
* 20 games, 9-11 overall, 5-5 at home, 4-6 on the road, Runs 65-92, Homers 11-14, team BA 0.239, opposition BA 0.241, team ERA 3.88, opposition ERA 2.65.
* 30 games, 11-19 overall, 6-9 at home, 5-10 on the road, Runs 98-139, Homers 21-26, team BA 0.226, opposition BA 0.244, team ERA 4.01, opposition ERA 2.79.
* 40 games, 15-25 overall, 8-10 at home, 7-15 on the road, Runs 135-188, Homers 29-33, team BA 0.234, opposition BA 0.253, team ERA 4.14, opposition ERA 3.35.
* 50 games, 18-32 overall, 10-13 at home, 8-19 on the road, Runs 168-237, Homers 38-44, team BA 0.237, opposition BA 0.261, team ERA 4.33, opposition ERA 3.44.
* 60 games, 23-37 overall 13-17 at home, 10-20 on the road, Runs 222-287, Homers 49-54, team BA 0.237, opposition BA 0.260, team ERA 4.19, opposition ERA 3.22.
* 70 games, 31-39 overall 20-18 at home, 11-21 on the road, Runs 266-317, Homers 62-58, team BA 0.247, opposition BA 0.255, team ERA 4.07, opposition ERA 3.43.
* 80 games, 32-48 overall 21-23 at home, 11-25 on the road, Runs 296-372, Homers 70-75, team BA 0.245, opposition BA 0.258, team ERA 4.16, opposition ERA 3.73.
* 90 games, 35-55 overall 21-27 at home, 14-28 on the road, Runs 330-419, Homers 81-85, team BA 0.247, opposition BA 0.259, team ERA 4.23, opposition ERA 3.40.
Games 91 to 100 Summaries:
Game 91, Tuesday, July 8, Florida at San Diego: Pads win 10-1. The Pads started off with 4 runs in the first inning and added 5 more in the 6th off Andrew Miller. Randy wolf pitched well (7 IP, 1 R, 5 H, 1 BB, 7 SO, won, now 6-8). The Pads got homers from Hairston and Myrow, 3 RBIs from Hairston and 4 RBIs from Headley. After 91 games, the Pads are 36-55 overall, 22-27 at home, 14-28 on the road, Runs 340-420, Homers 83-86. They've won 1 in a row, lost 6 of the last 10, and are 3-4 in July.
Game 92, Wednesday, July 9, Florida at San Diego: Fish win 5-2. Cha Seung Baek pitched well enough to lose (5 IP, 3 ER, 6 H, 1 BB, 3 SO, now 2-4) as Scott Olsen gave up only 1 ER, 4 H over 8 innings. Hairston hit a homer, as did two Marlins. After 92 games, the Pads are 36-56 overall, 22-28 at home, 14-28 on the road, Runs 342-425, Homers 84-88. They've lost 1 in a row, lost 6 of the last 10, and are 3-5 in July.
Game 93, Frdiay, July 11, Atlanta at San Diego: Pads win 4-0. Jake Peavy pitched well (7 IP, 0 R, 4 H, 1 BB, 7 SO, won, 7-5) and Hairston, Edgar, Adrian and Headley each had two hits to score 4 runs. After 93 games, the Pads are 37-56 overall, 23-28 at home, 14-28 on the road, Runs 346-425, Homers 84-88. They've won 1 in a row, lost 5 of the last 10, and are 4-5 in July.
Game 94, Saturday, July 12, Atlanta at San Diego: Braves win 4-1 (we were there). Greg Maddux pitched fair (7 IP, 3 R, 6 H, 2 BB, 3 SO) but the Pads couldn't scratch more than 4 hits off Charlie Morton over 5.1 IP, and couldn't touch three relievers. Very sad and lackluster offensive production. After 94 games, the Pads are 37-57 overall, 23-29 at home, 14-28 on the road, Runs 347-429, Homers 84-89. They've lost 1 in a row, lost 6 of the last 10, and are 4-6 in July.
Game 95, Sunday, July 13, Atlanta at San Diego. Braves romp 12-3. A terrible game, with Randy Wolf (5 IP, 6 R, 6 H, 3 BB, 1 SO, lost, 6-9) and 5 relievers pitching poorly. The Braves were ahead 3-1 when they scored 5 in the 6th to break it open. The Braves had 16 hits, and the Pads 8 hits included homers by Headley and Kouzmanoff. After 95 games, the Pads are 37-58 overall, 23-30 at home, 14-28 on the road, Runs 350-441, Homers 86-90. They've lost 2 in a row, lost 6 of the last 10, and are 4-7 in July.
It's the All-Star break! No Padre games for four days. Oh, the agony. This team is seemingly hopeless. They can't hit with men on base or for average, they strike out too often and don't walk enough, and the pitchers can't hold leads or stop rallies.
The players who have not played to expectations include all of the catchers, Kahlil Greene, the sub outfielders, Maddux, Wolf and the 5th starter, and all of the relievers except for Bell and Adams.
The speculation is that there will be trades before July 31 - I predict Tony Clark, Greg Maddux, Randy Wolf and perhaps another outfielder will be traded for prospects. We might as well play the prospects and see if they can play at this level. Josh Bard and Chris Young should be back in awhile off the DL.
Game 96, Thursday, July 17, San Diego at St. Louis: Cards win 4-3. Jake Peavy pitched mediocre (7 IP, 4 HRs, 8 H, 0 BB, 7 SO, lost, 7-6). The Pads scored 3 runs on 9 hits, with the big blow an Edgar Gonzalez homer in the 3rd. After 96 games, the Pads are 37-59 overall, 23-30 at home, 14-29 on the road, Runs 353-445, Homers 87-94. They've lost 3 in a row, lost 6 of the last 10, and are 4-8 in July.
Game 97, Friday, July 18, San Diego at St. Louis: Cards win 11-7. Greg Maddux pitched poorly (4 IP, 6 R, 8 H, 1 BB, 4 SO), but could have won if he'd held a 6-3 lead. The bullpen gave up a 7-6 lead in the 7th (Thatcher gave up 1 run) and Bell (gave up 4 runs, lost). Gerut and Greene had homers, and Gerut and Giles had 3 hits. After 97 games, the Pads are 37-60 overall, 23-30 at home, 14-30 on the road, Runs 360-456, Homers 89-96. They've lost 4 in a row, lost 7 of the last 10, and are 4-9 in July.
Game 98, Saturday, July 19, San Diego at St. Louis: Pads lose 6-5. Ahead 5-0, Randy Wolf gives it up in ther 5th and 6th (5.2 IP, 6 R, 4 ER, 8 H, 2 BB, 4 SO, lost, now 6-10) as the Cards come from behind. Edgar Gonzalez had a 3-run homer in the 2nd inning. After 98 games, the Pads are 37-61 overall, 23-30 at home, 14-31 on the road, Runs 365-462, Homers 90-96. They've lost 5 in a row, lost 7 of the last 10, and are 4-10 in July.
Game 99, Sunday, July 20, San Diego at St. Louis: Pads lose, 9-5. Ahead 3-1 (on Hairston and Baek homers) in the 7th, the bullpen fails again (3 runs off Bell, 4 off Corey). The Pads scored 2 in the 9th to tie it, and Brian Corey gave up a walk-off grand slam to Aaron Miles to lose it. The key play was a pickoff throw by Luke Carlin that advanced Pujols to 3rd base with one out, and Corey then had to walk two batters to set up a force play. After 99 games, the Pads are 37-62 overall, 23-30 at home, 14-32 on the road, Runs 370-471, Homers 92-98. They've lost 6 in a row, lost 8 of the last 10, and are 4-11 in July.
Game 100, Monday, July 21, San Diego at Cincinnati: Pads win 6-4. Josh Banks pitched fair (5.2 IP, 4 R, 7 H, 2 BB, 2 SO) but gave up a homer to Ken Griffey that put the Reds ahead 4-2 in the 6th. Hairston hit a solo homer in the 7th, and the Pads scored 3 in the 9th on an RBI by Giles and a double by Kouzmanoff to drive in the winning two runs. Trevor Hoffman came in and loaded the bases, then got three outs to save the win (#18) for Clay Hensley, who pitched well in relief. After 100 games, the Pads are 38-62 overall, 23-30 at home, 15-32 on the road, Runs 376-475, Homers 93-100. They've won 1 in a row, lost 7 of the last 10, and are 5-11 in July.
In these 10 games, the Pads were 3-7, 2-3 at home, 1-4 on the road, Runs 46-57, Homers 12-15. This was the worst 30-game block of the season (7-23).
Hitting statistics (Avg, H-AB, HR-RBI, BB-SO) through 99 games (the SD U-T didn't publish stats after 100 games):
Jody Gerut -- 0.280, 60-214, 5-20, 23-37
Edgar Gonzalez - 0.311, 56-180, 5-21, 11-43
Brian Giles - 0.302, 101-334, 5-31, 53-34
Adrian Gonzalez - 0.277, 106-383, 22-73, 38-78
Kevin Kouzmanoff - 0.276, 102-370, 12-43, 14-81
Chase Headley - 0.271, 29-107, 6-14, 5-30
Kahlil Greene - 0.215, 76-354, 9-33, 21-88
Scott Hairston - 0.264, 69-261, 15-29, 17-65
Michael Barrett - 0.202, 19-94, 2-9, 9-16
Nick Hundley - 0.167, 5-30, 0-1, 1-9
TEAM HITTING: 0.248, 846-3414, 92-354, 315-769
OPPO HITTING: 0.262, 903-3444, 98-450, 315-682
Pitching Statistics (W-L, ERA, G-IP, H-ER, BB-SO) through 99 games:
Jake Peavy -- 7-6, 2.66, 16-101.2, 87-30, 27-100
Chris Young -- 4-4, 4.50, 10-54.0, 50-27, 30-51
Randy Wolf -- 6-10, 4.74, 21-119.2, 123-63, 47-105
Greg Maddux -- 3-8, 4.21, 21-124.0, 132-58, 25-63
Josh Banks -- 2-4, 3.20, 10-50.2, 50-18, 12-27
Brian Corey -- 1-2, 4.81, 32-33.2, 29-18, 9-16
Mike Adams - 1-0, 2.23, 24-32.1, 25-8, 10-41
Cha Seung Baek -- 2-4, 4.66, 10-48.1, 52-25, 10-35
Heath Bell - 6-4, 3.27, 48-52.1, 45-19, 15-45
Cla Meredith -- 0-2, 4.17, 49-45.1, 51-21, 17-29
Joe Thatcher -- 0-4, 6.93, 23-24.2, 37-19, 12-16
Trevor Hoffman -- 1-5, 5.08, 30-28.1, 28-16, 6-33 (17 saves)
TEAM PITCHING: 37-62, 4.33, 99-900.0, 903-433, 315-682
OPPO PITCHING: 62-37, 3.47, 99-903.1, 846-348, 315-768.
It sure looks like a 100 loss season, and perhaps last place. We might even get the first draft choice! What a great short-term goal.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Irish view of US politics
From my email --
We, in Ireland , can't figure out why people are even bothering to hold an election in the United States .
On one side, you have a woman who is a lawyer, married to a lawyer, running against a lawyer who is married to a woman who is a lawyer.
On the other side, you have a war hero married to a good looking woman who owns a beer distributorship.
What are you lads thinking over there?'
We, in Ireland , can't figure out why people are even bothering to hold an election in the United States .
On one side, you have a woman who is a lawyer, married to a lawyer, running against a lawyer who is married to a woman who is a lawyer.
On the other side, you have a war hero married to a good looking woman who owns a beer distributorship.
What are you lads thinking over there?'
One wish!
A man was riding his Harley along a California beach when suddenly the sky clouded above his head and, in a booming voice, the Lord said, "Because you have tried to be faithful to me in all ways, I will grant you one wish."
The biker pulled over and said, "Build a bridge to Hawaii so I can ride over anytime I want."
The Lord said, "Your request is materialistic, think of the enormous challenges for that kind of undertaking; the supports required reaching the bottom of the Pacific and the concrete and steel it would take! It will nearly exhaust several natural resources. I can do it, but it is hard for me to justify your desire for worldly things. Take a little more time and think of something that could possibly help mankind."
The biker thought about it for a long time. Finally, he said, "Lord, I wish that I and all men could understand women; I want to know how she feels inside, what she's thinking when she gives me the silent treatment, why she cries, what she means when she says nothing's wrong, and how I can make a Woman truly happy."
The Lord replied, "You want two lanes or four on that bridge?"
The biker pulled over and said, "Build a bridge to Hawaii so I can ride over anytime I want."
The Lord said, "Your request is materialistic, think of the enormous challenges for that kind of undertaking; the supports required reaching the bottom of the Pacific and the concrete and steel it would take! It will nearly exhaust several natural resources. I can do it, but it is hard for me to justify your desire for worldly things. Take a little more time and think of something that could possibly help mankind."
The biker thought about it for a long time. Finally, he said, "Lord, I wish that I and all men could understand women; I want to know how she feels inside, what she's thinking when she gives me the silent treatment, why she cries, what she means when she says nothing's wrong, and how I can make a Woman truly happy."
The Lord replied, "You want two lanes or four on that bridge?"
Monday, July 07, 2008
Rules of the Wild West
Rules of Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Utah, Idaho, and the rest of the Wild West are as follows:
1. Pull your pants up. You look like an idiot.
2. Turn your cap right, your head ain't crooked.
3. Let's get this straight: it's called a 'gravel road.' I drive a pickup truck because I want to. No matter how slow you drive, you're gonna get dust on your Lexus. Drive it or get out of the way.
4. They are cattle. That's why they smell like cattle. They smell like money to us. Get over it. Don't like it? I-80 & I-90 go east and west, I-25 & I-15 goes north and south. Pick one and go.
5. So you have a $60,000 car. We're impressed. We have $250,000 Combines that are driven only 3 weeks a year.
6. Every person in the Wild West waves. It's called being friendly. Try to understand the concept.
7. If that cell phone rings while a bunch of geese/pheasants/ducks/doves are comin' in during the hunts, we WILL shoot it outa your hand. You better hope you don't have it up to your ear at the time.
8. Yeah. We eat trout, salmon, deer and elk. You really want sushi and caviar? It's available at the corner bait shop.
9. The 'Opener' refers to the first day of deer season. It's a religious holiday held the closest Saturday to the first of November.
10. We open doors for women. That's applied to all women, regardless of age.
11. No, there's no 'vegetarian special' on the menu. Order steak, or you can order the Chef's Salad and pick off the 2 pounds of ham and turkey.
12. When we fill out a table, there are three main dishes: meats, vegetables, and breads. We use three spices: salt, pepper, and ketchup! Oh, yeah . . . We don't care what you folks in Cincinnati call that stuff you eat . . IT AIN'T REAL CHILI!!
13. You bring 'Coke' into my house, it better be brown, wet and served over ice. You bring 'Mary Jane' into my house, she better be cute, know how to shoot, drive a truck, and have long hair.
14. College and High School Football is as important here as the Giants, the Yankees, the Mets, the Lakers and the Knicks, and a dang site more fun to watch.
15. Yeah, we have golf courses. But don't hit the water hazards- it spooks the fish.
16. Colleges? We have them all over. We have State Universities, Universities, and Vo-techs. They come outta there with an education plus a love for God and country, and they still wave at everybody when they come home for the holidays.
17. We have more folks in the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines than all of you put together, so don't mess with us. If you do, you'll get whipped by the best.
18. Turn down that blasted car stereo! That thumpity-thump crap ain't music, anyway. We don't want to hear it anymore than we want to see your boxers! Refer back to #1!
1. Pull your pants up. You look like an idiot.
2. Turn your cap right, your head ain't crooked.
3. Let's get this straight: it's called a 'gravel road.' I drive a pickup truck because I want to. No matter how slow you drive, you're gonna get dust on your Lexus. Drive it or get out of the way.
4. They are cattle. That's why they smell like cattle. They smell like money to us. Get over it. Don't like it? I-80 & I-90 go east and west, I-25 & I-15 goes north and south. Pick one and go.
5. So you have a $60,000 car. We're impressed. We have $250,000 Combines that are driven only 3 weeks a year.
6. Every person in the Wild West waves. It's called being friendly. Try to understand the concept.
7. If that cell phone rings while a bunch of geese/pheasants/ducks/doves are comin' in during the hunts, we WILL shoot it outa your hand. You better hope you don't have it up to your ear at the time.
8. Yeah. We eat trout, salmon, deer and elk. You really want sushi and caviar? It's available at the corner bait shop.
9. The 'Opener' refers to the first day of deer season. It's a religious holiday held the closest Saturday to the first of November.
10. We open doors for women. That's applied to all women, regardless of age.
11. No, there's no 'vegetarian special' on the menu. Order steak, or you can order the Chef's Salad and pick off the 2 pounds of ham and turkey.
12. When we fill out a table, there are three main dishes: meats, vegetables, and breads. We use three spices: salt, pepper, and ketchup! Oh, yeah . . . We don't care what you folks in Cincinnati call that stuff you eat . . IT AIN'T REAL CHILI!!
13. You bring 'Coke' into my house, it better be brown, wet and served over ice. You bring 'Mary Jane' into my house, she better be cute, know how to shoot, drive a truck, and have long hair.
14. College and High School Football is as important here as the Giants, the Yankees, the Mets, the Lakers and the Knicks, and a dang site more fun to watch.
15. Yeah, we have golf courses. But don't hit the water hazards- it spooks the fish.
16. Colleges? We have them all over. We have State Universities, Universities, and Vo-techs. They come outta there with an education plus a love for God and country, and they still wave at everybody when they come home for the holidays.
17. We have more folks in the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines than all of you put together, so don't mess with us. If you do, you'll get whipped by the best.
18. Turn down that blasted car stereo! That thumpity-thump crap ain't music, anyway. We don't want to hear it anymore than we want to see your boxers! Refer back to #1!
Golf Balls
A man entered the bus with both of his front pockets full of golf balls and sat down next to a beautiful blonde.
The puzzled blonde kept looking at him and his bulging pockets.
Finally, after many such glances from her, he said: "Its golf balls."
Nevertheless, the blonde continued to look at him for a very long time, deeply thinking about what he had said.
After several minutes, not being able to contain her curiosity any longer, she asked.......... "Does it hurt as much as tennis elbow?"
The puzzled blonde kept looking at him and his bulging pockets.
Finally, after many such glances from her, he said: "Its golf balls."
Nevertheless, the blonde continued to look at him for a very long time, deeply thinking about what he had said.
After several minutes, not being able to contain her curiosity any longer, she asked.......... "Does it hurt as much as tennis elbow?"
Popsicles
The only way to pull off a Sunday afternoon quickie with their 8 year-old son in the apartment was to send him out on the balcony with a Popsicle and tell him to report on all the neighborhood activities. He began his commentary as his parents put their plan into operation:
'There's a car being t owed from the parking lot', he shouted.
'An Ambulance just drove by.'
'Looks like the Anderson 's have company', he called out.
'Matt's riding a new bike....'
'Looks like the Sanders are moving'
'Jason is on his skate board....'
After a few moments he announced, 'The Coopers are having sex!!'
Startled, his Mother and Dad shot up in bed! Dad cautiously called out, 'How do you know they are having sex?'
'Jimmy Cooper is standing on his balcony with a Popsicle.'
'There's a car being t owed from the parking lot', he shouted.
'An Ambulance just drove by.'
'Looks like the Anderson 's have company', he called out.
'Matt's riding a new bike....'
'Looks like the Sanders are moving'
'Jason is on his skate board....'
After a few moments he announced, 'The Coopers are having sex!!'
Startled, his Mother and Dad shot up in bed! Dad cautiously called out, 'How do you know they are having sex?'
'Jimmy Cooper is standing on his balcony with a Popsicle.'
You Ain't Gonna Like Losing...
From my email - someone wrote this, and I agree with it!
President Bush did make a bad mistake in the war on terrorism. But the mistake was not his decision to go to war in Iraq. Bush's mistake came in his belief that this country is the same one his father fought for in WWII. It is not.
Back then, they had just come out of a vicious depression. The country was steeled by the hardship of that depression, but they still believed fervently in this country. They knew that the people had elected their leaders, so it was the people's duty to back those leaders. Therefore, when the war broke out the people came together, rallied behind, and stuck with their leaders, whether they had voted for them or not or whether the war was going badly or not. And war was just as distasteful and the anguish just as great then as it is today.
Often there were more casualties in one day in WWII than we have had in the entire Iraq war. But that did not matter the people stuck with the President because it was their patriotic duty Americans put aside their differences in WWII and worked together to win that war. Everyone from every strata of society, from young to old pitched in. Small children pulled little wagons around to gather scrap metal for the war effort. Grade school students saved their pennies to buy stamps for war bonds to help the effort. Men who were too old or medically 4F lied about their age or condition trying their best to join the military. Women doubled their work to keep things going at home. Harsh rationing of everything from gasoline to soap, to butter was imposed, yet there was very little complaining.
You never heard prominent people on the radio belittling the President. Interestingly enough, in those days there were no fat cat actors and entertainers who ran off to visit and fawn over dictators of hostile countries and complain to them about our President. Instead, they made upbeat films and entertained our troops to help the troops' morale. And a bunch even enlisted.
And imagine this: Teachers in schools actually started the day off with a Pledge of Allegiance and with prayers for our country and our troops!
Back then, no newspaper would have dared point out certain weak spots in our cities where bombs could be set off to cause the maximum damage. No newspaper would have dared complain about what we were doing to catch spies. A newspaper would have been laughed out of existence if it had complained that German or Japanese soldiers were being 'tortured' by being forced to wear women's underwear, or subjected to interrogation by a woman, or being scared by a dog or did not have air conditioning.There were a lot of things different back then. We were not subjected to a constant bombardment of pornography, perversion and promiscuity in movies or on radio. We did not have legions of crack heads, dope pushers and armed gangs roaming our streets.
No, President Bush did not make a mistake in his handling of terrorism. He made the mistake of believing that we still had the courage and fortitude of our fathers. He believed that this was still the country that our fathers fought so dearly to preserve.
It is not the same country. It is now a cross between Sodom and Gomorrah and the Land of Oz. We did unite for a short while after 9/11, but our attitude changed when we found out that defending our country would require some sacrifices.
We are in great danger. The terrorists are fanatic Muslims. They believe that it is okay, even their duty to kill anyone who will not convert to Islam. It has been estimated that about one third or over three hundred million Muslims are sympathetic to the terrorists cause ... Hitler and Tojo combined did not have nearly that many potential recruits.
Today, for many folks, America is not at war. The military is at war. America is at the mall.
So...we either win it - or lose it - and you ain't gonna like losing. Sharia Law is coming to European countries and it could come here too. Women, Christians, atheists, homosexuals, and criminals have a hard time under sharia law. You're either for us or against us. Choose sides...
President Bush did make a bad mistake in the war on terrorism. But the mistake was not his decision to go to war in Iraq. Bush's mistake came in his belief that this country is the same one his father fought for in WWII. It is not.
Back then, they had just come out of a vicious depression. The country was steeled by the hardship of that depression, but they still believed fervently in this country. They knew that the people had elected their leaders, so it was the people's duty to back those leaders. Therefore, when the war broke out the people came together, rallied behind, and stuck with their leaders, whether they had voted for them or not or whether the war was going badly or not. And war was just as distasteful and the anguish just as great then as it is today.
Often there were more casualties in one day in WWII than we have had in the entire Iraq war. But that did not matter the people stuck with the President because it was their patriotic duty Americans put aside their differences in WWII and worked together to win that war. Everyone from every strata of society, from young to old pitched in. Small children pulled little wagons around to gather scrap metal for the war effort. Grade school students saved their pennies to buy stamps for war bonds to help the effort. Men who were too old or medically 4F lied about their age or condition trying their best to join the military. Women doubled their work to keep things going at home. Harsh rationing of everything from gasoline to soap, to butter was imposed, yet there was very little complaining.
You never heard prominent people on the radio belittling the President. Interestingly enough, in those days there were no fat cat actors and entertainers who ran off to visit and fawn over dictators of hostile countries and complain to them about our President. Instead, they made upbeat films and entertained our troops to help the troops' morale. And a bunch even enlisted.
And imagine this: Teachers in schools actually started the day off with a Pledge of Allegiance and with prayers for our country and our troops!
Back then, no newspaper would have dared point out certain weak spots in our cities where bombs could be set off to cause the maximum damage. No newspaper would have dared complain about what we were doing to catch spies. A newspaper would have been laughed out of existence if it had complained that German or Japanese soldiers were being 'tortured' by being forced to wear women's underwear, or subjected to interrogation by a woman, or being scared by a dog or did not have air conditioning.There were a lot of things different back then. We were not subjected to a constant bombardment of pornography, perversion and promiscuity in movies or on radio. We did not have legions of crack heads, dope pushers and armed gangs roaming our streets.
No, President Bush did not make a mistake in his handling of terrorism. He made the mistake of believing that we still had the courage and fortitude of our fathers. He believed that this was still the country that our fathers fought so dearly to preserve.
It is not the same country. It is now a cross between Sodom and Gomorrah and the Land of Oz. We did unite for a short while after 9/11, but our attitude changed when we found out that defending our country would require some sacrifices.
We are in great danger. The terrorists are fanatic Muslims. They believe that it is okay, even their duty to kill anyone who will not convert to Islam. It has been estimated that about one third or over three hundred million Muslims are sympathetic to the terrorists cause ... Hitler and Tojo combined did not have nearly that many potential recruits.
Today, for many folks, America is not at war. The military is at war. America is at the mall.
So...we either win it - or lose it - and you ain't gonna like losing. Sharia Law is coming to European countries and it could come here too. Women, Christians, atheists, homosexuals, and criminals have a hard time under sharia law. You're either for us or against us. Choose sides...
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
Padres 2008 - Games 81 to 90
Here is the Padres' history for each 10-game block of the 2008 season so far:*
10 games, 5-5 overall, 4-3 at home, 1-2 on the road, Runs 32-31, Homers 6-7, team BA 0.282, team ERA 2.97.
* 20 games, 9-11 overall, 5-5 at home, 4-6 on the road, Runs 65-92, Homers 11-14, team BA 0.239, opposition BA 0.241, team ERA 3.88, opposition ERA 2.65.
* 30 games, 11-19 overall, 6-9 at home, 5-10 on the road, Runs 98-139, Homers 21-26, team BA 0.226, opposition BA 0.244, team ERA 4.01, opposition ERA 2.79.
* 40 games, 15-25 overall, 8-10 at home, 7-15 on the road, Runs 135-188, Homers 29-33, team BA 0.234, opposition BA 0.253, team ERA 4.14, opposition ERA 3.35.
* 50 games, 18-32 overall, 10-13 at home, 8-19 on the road, Runs 168-237, Homers 38-44, team BA 0.237, opposition BA 0.261, team ERA 4.33, opposition ERA 3.44.
* 60 games, 23-37 overall 13-17 at home, 10-20 on the road, Runs 222-287, Homers 49-54, team BA 0.237, opposition BA 0.260, team ERA 4.19, opposition ERA 3.22.
* 70 games, 31-39 overall 20-18 at home, 11-21 on the road, Runs 266-317, Homers 62-58, team BA 0.247, opposition BA 0.255, team ERA 4.07, opposition ERA 3.43.
* 80 games, 32-48 overall 21-23 at home, 11-25 on the road, Runs 296-372, Homers 70-75, team BA 0.245, opposition BA 0.258, team ERA 4.16, opposition ERA 3.73.
Games 81 to 90 Summaries:
Game 81, Friday, June 27, Seattle at San Diego: M's win 5-2, and it wasn't that close. Randy Wolf went 3.1 iIP, with 3 R, 8 H, 5 BB, 2 K, deserving to be 5-7 now. The Pads got 2 runs in the 7th off Jarrod Washburn. After 81 games, the Pads are 32-49 overall, 21-24 at home, 11-25 on the road, Runs 298-377, Homers 71-75. They've lost 6 in a row, lost 9 of the last 10, are 9-15 in June, and 3-13 against the AL.
Halfway point - looks impossible to be a 0.500 team - they would have to play 0.600 ball to do it.
Game 82, Saturday, June 28, Seattle at San Diego: M's win 4-2. Baek pitched poorly (5 IP, 4 R, 8 H, 1 BB, 5 SO, lost, now 1-3), and Tony Clark drove in the only two Padre runs in the 7th. After 82 games, the Pads are 32-50 overall, 21-25 at home, 11-25 on the road, Runs 300-381, Homers 71-75. They've lost 7 in a row, lost 9 of the last 10, are 9-16 in June, and 3-14 against the AL.
Game 83, Sunday, June 29, Seattle at San Diego: M's win 9-2. Jake Peavy pitched fair (6 IP, 3 R, 10 H, 1 BB, 6 SO, lost, now 5-5) but the Pads couldn't score until the 6th, and then the M's scored 6 times off three relievers. After 83 games, the Pads are 32-51 overall, 21-26 at home, 11-25 on the road, Runs 302-390, Homers 71-77. They've lost 8 in a row, lost 9 of the last 10, are 9-17 in June, and 3-15 against the AL.
Inter-league play is done! Hooray. Are the Padres Petcoized yet?
Game 84, Monday, June 30, San Diego at Colorado: Pads win 15-8. It's amazing what a little light air will do. Greg Maddux pitched poorly (4.2 IP, 8 R, 8 H, 3 BB, 1 SO) but didn't lose because the Pads got 5 in the 6th to tie it 8-8 and 7 in the 9th to win it. The Pads bashed 22 hits, with Edgar Gonzalez (2 HRs) and Brian Giles getting 4 hits each, and homers by Gerut and Kouzmanoff. After 84 games, the Pads are 33-51 overall, 21-26 at home, 12-25 on the road, Runs 317-398, Homers 75-79. They've won 1 in a row, lost 8 of the last 10, are 10-17 in June, and 3-15 against the AL.
Game 85, Tuesday, July 1, San Diego at Colorado: Rocks win 4-0. Aaron Cook pitched a 5-hitter, baffling the Pads on 79 pitches. Josh Banks went 5 IP, 4 ER, 6 H, 3 BB, 4 SO, giving up all 4 runs in the 5th inning. After 85 games, the Pads are 33-52 overall, 21-26 at home, 12-26 on the road, Runs 317-402, Homers 75-79. They've lost 1 in a row, lost 9 of the last 10, and are 0-1 in July.
Game 86, Wednesday, July 2, San Diego at Colorado: Rocks win 8-1, and it wasn't that close. Randy Wolf pitched poorly (4 IP, 7 R, 6 H, 4 BB, 4 SO, lost now 5-8). Chase Headley hit a homer in the 2nd inning for the Pads offense. After 86 games, the Pads are 33-53 overall, 21-26 at home, 12-27 on the road, Runs 318-410, Homers 76-81. They've lost 2 in a row, lost 9 of the last 10, and are 0-2 in July.
Michael Barret was injured in this game, fouling a ball off his bat into his face. Nick Hundley was called up from Portland. Clay Hensley went down again, and IF Luis Rodriguez was called up as a reserve infielder.
Game 87, Friday, July 4, San Diego at Arizona: Pads win 5-1. Cha Seung Baek took a no-hitter into the 6th inning (6 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 1 BB, 7 SO, won, now 2-3) in his best effort to date. The Pads scored 2 in the 6th, 1 in the 8th and 2 in the 9th. After 87 games, the Pads are 34-53 overall, 21-26 at home, 13-27 on the road, Runs 323-411, Homers 76-81. They've won 1 in a row, lost 8 of the last 10, and are 1-2 in July.
Game 88, Saturday, July 5, San Diego at Arizona: Pads win 4-2. Jake Peavy pitched 7 innings of shutout ball (0 R, 3 H, 2 BB, 6 SO, now 6-5), and Bell and Hoffman (save #16) finished up, although they each gave up a run. The Pads got two homers from Scott Hairston and a solo from Adrian Gonzalez in the 9th. After 88 games, the Pads are 35-53 overall, 21-26 at home, 14-27 on the road, Runs 327-413, Homers 79-82. They've won 2 in a row, lost 7 of the last 10, and are 2-2 in July.
Game 89, Sunday, July 6, San Diego at Arizona: Zonies win 3-2 in a winnable game. The Pads had 14 strikeouts against Randy Johnson and 3 relievers. Scott Hairston led off the game with a solo homer, but the Pads left runners in scoring position in the 7th, 8th and 9th, going 0-for-8 with RISP. Josh Banks pitched fair (6 IP, 3 R, 7 H, 1 BB, 2 SO, lost, now 2-4). After 89 games, the Pads are 35-54 overall, 21-26 at home, 14-28 on the road, Runs 329-416, Homers 80-84. They've lost 1 in a row, lost 7 of the last 10, and are 2-3 in July.
Game 90: Monday, July 7, Florida at San Diego: Fish win 3-1. We were there to see a well-pitched game by both staffs. Ricky Nolasco (8 IP, 1 R, 5 H, 0 BB, 7 SO, won, now 10-4) out-pitched Greg Maddux (6 IP, 2 R, 1 ER, 4H, 1 BB, 3 SO). The Pads only run was on Chase Headley's 5th homer in the 5th inning. The Pads got runners in scoring position several times with no outs, but couldn't get the key hit. After 90 games, the Pads are 35-55 overall, 21-27 at home, 14-28 on the road, Runs 330-419, Homers 81-85. They've lost 2 in a row, lost 7 of the last 10, have lost 11 straight at home, and are 2-4 in July.
In these 10 games, the Pads were 3-7, 0-4 at home, 3-3 on the road, Runs 34-47, Homers 11-10. This was the worst 20-game block of the season (4-16).
Hitting statistics (Avg, H-AB, HR-RBI, BB-SO) through 89 games (the SD U-T didn't publish stats after 90 games):
Jody Gerut -- 0.283, 53-187, 4-16, 20-35
Edgar Gonzalez - 0.308, 44-143, 3-15, 9-33
Brian Giles - 0.301, 96-319, 5-30, 49-33
Adrian Gonzalez - 0.284, 99-348, 22-70, 33-72
Kevin Kouzmanoff - 0.269, 89-331, 11-37, 12-73
Chase Headley - 0.239, 17-71, 4-6, 0-21
Kahlil Greene - 0.226, 74-328, 8-32, 19-84
Scott Hairston - 0.246, 57-232, 12-24, 15-60
Michael Barrett - 0.202, 19-94, 2-9, 9-16
Tony Clark - 0.250, 21-84, 1-11, 19-30
TEAM HITTING: 0.247, 761-3080, 80-315, 286-704
OPPO HITTING: 0.259, 805-3104, 84-395, 287-617
Pitching Statistics (W-L, ERA, G-IP, H-ER, BB-SO) through 89 games:
Jake Peavy -- 6-5, 2.67, 14-87.2, 75-26, 26-86
Chris Young -- 4-4, 4.50, 10-54.0, 50-27, 30-51
Randy Wolf -- 5-8, 4.59, 18-102.0, 104-52, 41-93
Greg Maddux -- 3-6, 4.04, 18-107.0, 114-48, 21-53
Shawn Estes -- 1-1, 3.33, 5-24.1, 18-9, 10-14
Josh Banks -- 2-4, 3.08, 9-49.2, 48-17, 12-27
Brian Corey -- 1-1, 3.62, 25-27.1, 22-11, 4-12
Mike Adams - 1-0, 2.67, 19-27.0, 21-8, 8-33
Cha Seung Baek -- 2-3, 4.54, 7-35.2, 36-18, 8-29
Heath Bell - 6-3, 2.23, 44-48.1, 36-12, 13-39
Cla Meredith -- 0-2, 4.04, 44-42.1, 45-19, 13-36
Trevor Hoffman -- 1-5, 5.14, 29-28.0, 28-16, 6-32 (15 saves)
TEAM PITCHING: 35-54, 4.23, 89-813.2, 805-382, 287-617
OPPO PITCHING: 54-35, 3.40, 89-815.1, 761-308, 288-704.
The catchers are hitting less than 0.200, with only 2 homers and 18 RBI. Greene strikes out a lot and has made several errors - tired and frustrated? The offense doesn't get enough hits or RBIs, and doesn't move runners along well. There is no speed either (only 24 SB all year). The starting pitching has been spotty with only 2 wins in the last 10 games, and Maddux and Wolf pitching poorly. Other than Bell and Adams, the bullpen is not reliable.
The DL has Young, Estes, Bard, Barrett and Iguchi on it. Now Giles is limping and being replaced in the late innings. Catcher Nick Hundley was called up from Portland to replace Barrett.
10 games, 5-5 overall, 4-3 at home, 1-2 on the road, Runs 32-31, Homers 6-7, team BA 0.282, team ERA 2.97.
* 20 games, 9-11 overall, 5-5 at home, 4-6 on the road, Runs 65-92, Homers 11-14, team BA 0.239, opposition BA 0.241, team ERA 3.88, opposition ERA 2.65.
* 30 games, 11-19 overall, 6-9 at home, 5-10 on the road, Runs 98-139, Homers 21-26, team BA 0.226, opposition BA 0.244, team ERA 4.01, opposition ERA 2.79.
* 40 games, 15-25 overall, 8-10 at home, 7-15 on the road, Runs 135-188, Homers 29-33, team BA 0.234, opposition BA 0.253, team ERA 4.14, opposition ERA 3.35.
* 50 games, 18-32 overall, 10-13 at home, 8-19 on the road, Runs 168-237, Homers 38-44, team BA 0.237, opposition BA 0.261, team ERA 4.33, opposition ERA 3.44.
* 60 games, 23-37 overall 13-17 at home, 10-20 on the road, Runs 222-287, Homers 49-54, team BA 0.237, opposition BA 0.260, team ERA 4.19, opposition ERA 3.22.
* 70 games, 31-39 overall 20-18 at home, 11-21 on the road, Runs 266-317, Homers 62-58, team BA 0.247, opposition BA 0.255, team ERA 4.07, opposition ERA 3.43.
* 80 games, 32-48 overall 21-23 at home, 11-25 on the road, Runs 296-372, Homers 70-75, team BA 0.245, opposition BA 0.258, team ERA 4.16, opposition ERA 3.73.
Games 81 to 90 Summaries:
Game 81, Friday, June 27, Seattle at San Diego: M's win 5-2, and it wasn't that close. Randy Wolf went 3.1 iIP, with 3 R, 8 H, 5 BB, 2 K, deserving to be 5-7 now. The Pads got 2 runs in the 7th off Jarrod Washburn. After 81 games, the Pads are 32-49 overall, 21-24 at home, 11-25 on the road, Runs 298-377, Homers 71-75. They've lost 6 in a row, lost 9 of the last 10, are 9-15 in June, and 3-13 against the AL.
Halfway point - looks impossible to be a 0.500 team - they would have to play 0.600 ball to do it.
Game 82, Saturday, June 28, Seattle at San Diego: M's win 4-2. Baek pitched poorly (5 IP, 4 R, 8 H, 1 BB, 5 SO, lost, now 1-3), and Tony Clark drove in the only two Padre runs in the 7th. After 82 games, the Pads are 32-50 overall, 21-25 at home, 11-25 on the road, Runs 300-381, Homers 71-75. They've lost 7 in a row, lost 9 of the last 10, are 9-16 in June, and 3-14 against the AL.
Game 83, Sunday, June 29, Seattle at San Diego: M's win 9-2. Jake Peavy pitched fair (6 IP, 3 R, 10 H, 1 BB, 6 SO, lost, now 5-5) but the Pads couldn't score until the 6th, and then the M's scored 6 times off three relievers. After 83 games, the Pads are 32-51 overall, 21-26 at home, 11-25 on the road, Runs 302-390, Homers 71-77. They've lost 8 in a row, lost 9 of the last 10, are 9-17 in June, and 3-15 against the AL.
Inter-league play is done! Hooray. Are the Padres Petcoized yet?
Game 84, Monday, June 30, San Diego at Colorado: Pads win 15-8. It's amazing what a little light air will do. Greg Maddux pitched poorly (4.2 IP, 8 R, 8 H, 3 BB, 1 SO) but didn't lose because the Pads got 5 in the 6th to tie it 8-8 and 7 in the 9th to win it. The Pads bashed 22 hits, with Edgar Gonzalez (2 HRs) and Brian Giles getting 4 hits each, and homers by Gerut and Kouzmanoff. After 84 games, the Pads are 33-51 overall, 21-26 at home, 12-25 on the road, Runs 317-398, Homers 75-79. They've won 1 in a row, lost 8 of the last 10, are 10-17 in June, and 3-15 against the AL.
Game 85, Tuesday, July 1, San Diego at Colorado: Rocks win 4-0. Aaron Cook pitched a 5-hitter, baffling the Pads on 79 pitches. Josh Banks went 5 IP, 4 ER, 6 H, 3 BB, 4 SO, giving up all 4 runs in the 5th inning. After 85 games, the Pads are 33-52 overall, 21-26 at home, 12-26 on the road, Runs 317-402, Homers 75-79. They've lost 1 in a row, lost 9 of the last 10, and are 0-1 in July.
Game 86, Wednesday, July 2, San Diego at Colorado: Rocks win 8-1, and it wasn't that close. Randy Wolf pitched poorly (4 IP, 7 R, 6 H, 4 BB, 4 SO, lost now 5-8). Chase Headley hit a homer in the 2nd inning for the Pads offense. After 86 games, the Pads are 33-53 overall, 21-26 at home, 12-27 on the road, Runs 318-410, Homers 76-81. They've lost 2 in a row, lost 9 of the last 10, and are 0-2 in July.
Michael Barret was injured in this game, fouling a ball off his bat into his face. Nick Hundley was called up from Portland. Clay Hensley went down again, and IF Luis Rodriguez was called up as a reserve infielder.
Game 87, Friday, July 4, San Diego at Arizona: Pads win 5-1. Cha Seung Baek took a no-hitter into the 6th inning (6 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 1 BB, 7 SO, won, now 2-3) in his best effort to date. The Pads scored 2 in the 6th, 1 in the 8th and 2 in the 9th. After 87 games, the Pads are 34-53 overall, 21-26 at home, 13-27 on the road, Runs 323-411, Homers 76-81. They've won 1 in a row, lost 8 of the last 10, and are 1-2 in July.
Game 88, Saturday, July 5, San Diego at Arizona: Pads win 4-2. Jake Peavy pitched 7 innings of shutout ball (0 R, 3 H, 2 BB, 6 SO, now 6-5), and Bell and Hoffman (save #16) finished up, although they each gave up a run. The Pads got two homers from Scott Hairston and a solo from Adrian Gonzalez in the 9th. After 88 games, the Pads are 35-53 overall, 21-26 at home, 14-27 on the road, Runs 327-413, Homers 79-82. They've won 2 in a row, lost 7 of the last 10, and are 2-2 in July.
Game 89, Sunday, July 6, San Diego at Arizona: Zonies win 3-2 in a winnable game. The Pads had 14 strikeouts against Randy Johnson and 3 relievers. Scott Hairston led off the game with a solo homer, but the Pads left runners in scoring position in the 7th, 8th and 9th, going 0-for-8 with RISP. Josh Banks pitched fair (6 IP, 3 R, 7 H, 1 BB, 2 SO, lost, now 2-4). After 89 games, the Pads are 35-54 overall, 21-26 at home, 14-28 on the road, Runs 329-416, Homers 80-84. They've lost 1 in a row, lost 7 of the last 10, and are 2-3 in July.
Game 90: Monday, July 7, Florida at San Diego: Fish win 3-1. We were there to see a well-pitched game by both staffs. Ricky Nolasco (8 IP, 1 R, 5 H, 0 BB, 7 SO, won, now 10-4) out-pitched Greg Maddux (6 IP, 2 R, 1 ER, 4H, 1 BB, 3 SO). The Pads only run was on Chase Headley's 5th homer in the 5th inning. The Pads got runners in scoring position several times with no outs, but couldn't get the key hit. After 90 games, the Pads are 35-55 overall, 21-27 at home, 14-28 on the road, Runs 330-419, Homers 81-85. They've lost 2 in a row, lost 7 of the last 10, have lost 11 straight at home, and are 2-4 in July.
In these 10 games, the Pads were 3-7, 0-4 at home, 3-3 on the road, Runs 34-47, Homers 11-10. This was the worst 20-game block of the season (4-16).
Hitting statistics (Avg, H-AB, HR-RBI, BB-SO) through 89 games (the SD U-T didn't publish stats after 90 games):
Jody Gerut -- 0.283, 53-187, 4-16, 20-35
Edgar Gonzalez - 0.308, 44-143, 3-15, 9-33
Brian Giles - 0.301, 96-319, 5-30, 49-33
Adrian Gonzalez - 0.284, 99-348, 22-70, 33-72
Kevin Kouzmanoff - 0.269, 89-331, 11-37, 12-73
Chase Headley - 0.239, 17-71, 4-6, 0-21
Kahlil Greene - 0.226, 74-328, 8-32, 19-84
Scott Hairston - 0.246, 57-232, 12-24, 15-60
Michael Barrett - 0.202, 19-94, 2-9, 9-16
Tony Clark - 0.250, 21-84, 1-11, 19-30
TEAM HITTING: 0.247, 761-3080, 80-315, 286-704
OPPO HITTING: 0.259, 805-3104, 84-395, 287-617
Pitching Statistics (W-L, ERA, G-IP, H-ER, BB-SO) through 89 games:
Jake Peavy -- 6-5, 2.67, 14-87.2, 75-26, 26-86
Chris Young -- 4-4, 4.50, 10-54.0, 50-27, 30-51
Randy Wolf -- 5-8, 4.59, 18-102.0, 104-52, 41-93
Greg Maddux -- 3-6, 4.04, 18-107.0, 114-48, 21-53
Shawn Estes -- 1-1, 3.33, 5-24.1, 18-9, 10-14
Josh Banks -- 2-4, 3.08, 9-49.2, 48-17, 12-27
Brian Corey -- 1-1, 3.62, 25-27.1, 22-11, 4-12
Mike Adams - 1-0, 2.67, 19-27.0, 21-8, 8-33
Cha Seung Baek -- 2-3, 4.54, 7-35.2, 36-18, 8-29
Heath Bell - 6-3, 2.23, 44-48.1, 36-12, 13-39
Cla Meredith -- 0-2, 4.04, 44-42.1, 45-19, 13-36
Trevor Hoffman -- 1-5, 5.14, 29-28.0, 28-16, 6-32 (15 saves)
TEAM PITCHING: 35-54, 4.23, 89-813.2, 805-382, 287-617
OPPO PITCHING: 54-35, 3.40, 89-815.1, 761-308, 288-704.
The catchers are hitting less than 0.200, with only 2 homers and 18 RBI. Greene strikes out a lot and has made several errors - tired and frustrated? The offense doesn't get enough hits or RBIs, and doesn't move runners along well. There is no speed either (only 24 SB all year). The starting pitching has been spotty with only 2 wins in the last 10 games, and Maddux and Wolf pitching poorly. Other than Bell and Adams, the bullpen is not reliable.
The DL has Young, Estes, Bard, Barrett and Iguchi on it. Now Giles is limping and being replaced in the late innings. Catcher Nick Hundley was called up from Portland to replace Barrett.
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