by Jeff Creps on January 29, 2010
Padres brass gathers at a Petco Park town hall meeting (Photo by Steve Adler)
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.
Much of the Padres brass was in attendance. Owner and CEO Jeff Moorad led the evening flanked by GM Jed Hoyer, COO Tom Garfinkel and manager Bud Black.
Their message for the night was consistent and confident: we are here to win.
“We know you are counting on us,” Moorad said from the first base line podium. “Let me reassure you, this ownership has a plan and a passion for winning.”
Even with the recent struggles of the Padres franchise the fans were clear that they expect a winner. When the forum was opened to fan questions the topics ranged from a potential All Star Game at Petco, to a possible trade involving Adrian Gonzalez.
Hoyer responded: “We will never do anything that doesn’t make the team better.” Continue Reading →
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 →
