Do you remember where you were the last time the San Diego Padres played a significant baseball game?
From The Moment Of His First Start, Peavy Was Special
I know where Jake Peavy was — right there on the mound with the ball in his hand. It was Oct. 1, 2007 (only 22 months ago, though now it seems like at least five years), and the Padres were playing the Colorado Rockies in a one-game playoff to determine the National League’s final postseason participant.
Peavy didn’t have his best stuff that night. He departed in the 7th-inning with his side trailing, 6-5, but at least he hung in there long enough to give his team a chance to win.
The same can not be said about his departure this time.
Think about what the Friars were before Jake Peavy arrived on the scene. Padres? Hardly. They weren’t even good enough to be considered altar boys.
So, well on their way to a fourth-consecutive losing season and the franchise’s 14th last-place finish in 34 years of existence, the Padres trotted out young Jake Peavy on a Saturday afternoon in June of 2002 to face the New York Yankees in front of 60,021 fans.
Right away, a star was born. (Though in what had to be considered a sign of things to come, Peavy received no run support and lost his Major League debut, 1-0).
Peavy’s arrival that day gave birth to something even more important: hope. Just slightly the opposite of what his trade to the White Sox at Friday’s trade deadline leaves: hopelessness.
The end of an era. With Jake, we have been juked.
With Peavy Leading The Way, There Was Plenty of Champagne To Go Around
And we’re left with nothing but the memories of the only real “era” this franchise has ever had. Think about it. In the club’s history, San Diego fans have been party to only four back-to-back winning seasons. And only once was the successful run longer than back-to-back.
That would be the four-year stretch from 2004 through 2007. A four-year run that included two division titles and two near postseason misses. A stretch that produced seasons of 87, 88 and 89 victories.
And, of course, it was Jake Peavy who led the way. He went 58-33 during that four-year span, a recorded a pair of ERA and strikeout titles apiece. In ‘07, he delivered the pitching “triple crown” and the Cy Young Award.
Some day (considering the way things are now, maybe that day should be now), we’ll look back fondly on what must be regarded as the Glory Days of the Padres. And the guy we’ll think of is Peavy.
The Peavy Era's Over. Now It's Time To See What the Poreda Era Brings
Of course, the Padres will do their best to soften this blow by reminding us that trading Peavy to the White Sox — actually, trading him anywhere — was the only thing they could do to save the franchise.
Something about money and the poor economy and the salary limits and the “how in the world can we improve the rest of the team with one player taking up so much cash?” Something more about how Jake would eventually leave as a free-agent anyway, so why not get something back for him in return?
They have to say these things. It’s what bad baseball organizations do. Good organizations have younger players coming up to keep the team rolling. Younger players they can trade to get other star players — not the other way around.
So, if you want, you can buy what they’re selling. Clayton Richard, Aaron Poreda, Adam Russell and Dexter Carter. Maybe these newcomers can help get the Padres going in the right direction. Maybe one or a couple of them can become solid big league starters.
But I’ll just go out a limb here and predict that none — not alone or together — will ever be able to replace Jake Peavy. How do you make a trade to “save your franchise” by trading the guy who saved your franchise?
Some say it’s sad. But, it’s a lot more than that. Trading Jake Peavy — having to trade Jake Peavy — puts into full focus just how far the Padres have fallen.
Trading Jake Peavy leaves me feeling one way, and one way only.
Peaved.
– Ello
