From the category archives:

Padres

Matt Stairs and The Padres Are Running Like Crazy In Spring Training

Matt Stairs, Who Has Slimmed Down 36 Pounds From A Year Ago in Philly, and The Padres Are Running Wild This Spring

PEORIA, Ariz. — Matt Stairs glanced up at the television from his locker room stall because he had heard his name. Moments later, he saw himself in action.

The highlight clip was from nearly two years ago when Stairs was with the Toronto Blue Jays, and it showed him doing something Matt Stairs rarely does — which is to steal a base. The announcers cackled some, his Padre teammates in the clubhouse laughed, and Stairs — now 42 years of age — creased a rankled smile.

“Yeah, that’s very funny,” he said. The reason the MLB network had chosen to dig through the video archives was because Stairs had stolen a base the previous afternoon here in a Cactus League game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. “I’m trying to do everything I can to make this team. And the way these guys are running this spring, I figured I’d better get with the program.”

Beep. Beep. It’s true. Stairs is hardly the only Padre on the run in the spring training. The Friars stole six bases in all against the Angels on Tuesday and had five thefts the night before against San Francisco. Heading into Wednesday’s exhibition game against Kansas City, the Padres had pilfered more spring training bags (26) than any other team in baseball.

So what in the name of Carl Lewis is going on around here? The plodding and plundering Padres, who never run (unless it’s back to the dugout after making an out), who never take chances, who never push the issue, are — what? — all of a sudden daring?

“It’s something that we’ve really stressed this spring,” said oufielder Will Venable, who tried only seven steals last season but was successful on six of them. “We need to be aggressive not only stealing bases, but on the bases in general. Going from first to third, stuff like that. With the ballpark we play in, it’s important for us be able to manufacture some runs.”

Pardon me for a moment here while I say — hallelujah!!

You mean, after all these seasons of watching long fly balls die short of the warning track at spacious Petco Park, the Padres have finally realized that they’re going to need to use the running game to create offense? As the saying goes, better late than never.

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Nick Hundley Spring Training Interview

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by Craig on March 16, 2010

Chris Ello is in Peoria, Arizona with the Padres for three days of Spring Training 2010 coverage.  After filing this column from last night’s impressive win over San Francisco, Ello worked the Padres’ locker room on Tuesday.

Here’s Chris’ interview with Padres’ catcher Nick Hundley, hoping to stake his claim as the everyday catcher in San Diego this year.  Nick talks about growing up as the son of a football coach and more, after the jump: Continue Reading →

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The One Padre Spring Question: Who’s Number Five?

March 15, 2010

Latos? LeBlanc? Stauffer? Chris Ello is in Peoria this week covering Padres Spring Training. He looks at the one major position battle up for grabs:

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A Drama-Free Padres Spring? Maybe Not…

March 8, 2010
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There doesn’t seem to be a lot of storylines for Padres spring training, but the real drama could be lurking just below the surface. Chris and Craig talk Padres baseball in their latest 619 Sports podcast:

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Padres Top 20 Prospects: 2010

March 4, 2010
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MadFriars.com has released their yearly list of the Top 20 Padres prospects. Read the list, and hear a companion podcast with MadFriars’ John Conniff:

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Bud Black Spring Training Preview

February 19, 2010
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Pitchers and catchers have reported to Peoria, Arizona for the start of Padres Spring Training 2010. From Peoria, Padres manager Bud Black reports to 619 Sports about the state of his team in this new exclusive interview.

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Black, Hoyer Ready For Season To Start

February 11, 2010
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SDNN’s Jason Owens reports from the Hall of Champions, where Jed Hoyer and Bud Black spoke optimistically about the start of the Padres’ season:

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Padres Promise Winning Strategy, But No 5-For-$5

January 29, 2010

On a chilly Thursday night, the Padres opened up the gates of Petco Park to fans for an Open House and Town Hall style meeting. Although the number of guests was expected to be around 1,000, more than 3,00o fans showed up for free hot dogs, the opportunity to meet players and a chance to roam the grass in centerfield.

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Gonzalez Family Building Better Athletes

January 28, 2010
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The Gonzalez Sports Academy opened yesterday in Eastlake, a near 30,000 square foot facility featuring indoor batting cages, pitching mounds, volleyball courts, and much more. Adrian spoke to 619 Sports at the grand opening about what he, his brothers Edgar and David and his family are trying to accomplish with the new complex:

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Padres Splurge On Garland

January 26, 2010
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Did you think the Padres were going to spend over 5 million on a free agent pitcher? Neither did Chris or Craig. But was the money well spent on 30 year old veteran Jon Garland, or should that cash have gone to a big bat like Xavier Nady? Get the 619 Sports guys’ take in their latest podcast:

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