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Paul Depodesta

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Moorad Sending The Wrong Message

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by Craig on October 3, 2009

There’s an old saying that was repeated recently by Don Draper on the amazing show “Mad Men”.  Talking about a controversial bid to tear down Penn Station and replace it with Madison Square Garden, Draper told his client: “If you don’t like what people are saying about you, change the conversation.”

Hearing that Padres’ CEO Jeff Moorad will fire general manager Kevin Towers later today, I wonder if Moorad has been listening to the conversation surrounding his team at all lately.  36-24 since late July.  Great trades swung by Towers to turn around a season that looked like it was headed for 95+ losses at the All-Star break.   A farm system that looked bankrupt now providing the core for a future contender.  Cheaper ticket prices and higher expectations coming soon.

The message going to out to season ticket holders and prospective purchasers for 2010 was an easy one to write: your patience has paid off.  The Padres are playing fun baseball now, at affordable prices, with young players you can get excited about and grow with.  Join us, things are heading in the right direction.

What’s the message now, after you turn over the front office like a shovel turns dirt?  How does sending the longest-tenured GM in baseball-and make no mistake, one of the very best-out the door make you a better franchise or a more compelling sell to your fans? Continue Reading →

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Donavan Tate: This Is Your (New) Life

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by Craig on August 19, 2009

Donavan Tate has been the big fish throughout his athletic career, the best player on the field.  That changed Tuesday at Petco Park, when Tate took batting practice with the Padres prior to their game against the Cubs.  Tate looked the part of a big leaguer physically, but was jamming himself  repeatedly in the cage, hitting a bunch of popups.

Eventually the swing smoothed out a bit and some line drives and gappers fell.  But as a mini-metaphor for the start of a promising career, Tate’s first Padre hitting session served as a reminder: baseball ain’t easy, even when they want you to hit the ball.

Hear from Tate and Kevin Towers after the jump: Continue Reading →

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