July 2009
One more
3 games in a row!!!!
Oh yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Somehow, I knew that this was going to happen when my sister was away.
They haven’t put up the game wrapup yet but I listened to the game and that is what I’m talking about! 
Cla Meredith photo tribute and more
Why Do the Padres Hate Me?
Hey peoples, this is Kaybee’s weird sister. Today, I am going to tell you all about my experiences with the Padres.
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A Couple More Things…
Well, here’s a new development. Just to comfirm, this is still Kaybee. If you notice to your right, there is a new username: that’s my sister. She has volunteered to keep up the blog while I’m gone next week, so definitely keep stopping by. I have no idea what she’ll be writing about, but I’m sure there will be a rant about how terrible the Padres are for trading Cla Meredith. After this entry, all of the entries here will be written by her for the next week. A little confusing, yes, but I’m sure she and you guys will have fun with it.
And, I forgot to mention that it is my dear baby’s birthday today!! That’s right, the Kouz himself is turning 28 today. Man, he’s getting old! Anyways, I hope he has a great great day and can hopefully get his team a win!! Happy birthday Koozie!!! You are amazing!!!
Well, enjoy my sister’s blogging. I can’t wait to read all her entries when I get back. Have a great week everyone!!
GO PADRES!!!
That’s More Like It!!
Last night, my Padres played like I know they’re capable of. Sure, we were playing the Nationals, but we needed a win and we got one. What a great game!!
Mat Latos started the game. Latos is the Padres’ biggest pitching prospect right now. This was his second start of the season. In his last start he struggled a little and got the loss. But this time, he went out there with a winning mindset and a simple gameplan: throw strikes and be aggressive. And he did, and he got the win.
He threw 5.2 innings, allowing two runs on five hits. Both runs were solo homers. He also walked two and struck out five. He did much, much better than his first start, and thankfully, his offense was backing him up.
In the top of the first, Tony Gwynn started off the game with a single. Everth got on base by an error, and Tony went to third. Adrian Gonzalez hit a sacrifice fly to drive in our first run. An out later, Chase Headley doubled in our second run.
In the top of the fourth, Luis Rodriguez hit a solo homer, only the second of the year.
In the top of the sixth, we got three straight singles by Adrian, Kouz, and Chase to start the inning. An out later, Luis came through again, driving in Adrian and Kouz to give us a 5-1 lead.
The Nationals got one run in the bottom of the sixth, but in the seventh, Kouz hit a double to drive in our sixth and last run. Yay!!
The bullpen was great: Gregerson, Adams, Burke. They have been so good lately!!
Let me tell you, it was great to get a win!! The last time they had won was a week ago today when I was at the ballpark. These boys needed a win soooo badly, and they finally got it!
The Nationals certainly helped us out a lot, though. They commited FOUR errors in the game!! And of course, it is the Nationals. Believe it or not, the Nationals are worse than us!! At least record-wise.
Right now, the Padres are 23.5 games behind. HA! This season is as good as dead, but I am so glad that we get games like last night’s every once in a while.
Tonight Tim Stauffer is pitching, and I think we actually have a chance. Stauffer has been really good in his past two starts. Maybe the Padres can send me off with a series win!
I’m going on a youth conference next week to the East Coast, which will be very different since I’ll be going ahead three hours…oh boy. It’s going to be a lot of fun though, I’m getting really excited. I have to admit, I am really really looking forward to a break. It’s going to be sooo nice to get away. I’m leaving early Monday morning, and I’ll be back late Friday night. So, this will be my last blog entry for at least a week, unless some big news comes out of Padre-land sometime today. Whhhaaaa!! I’ll miss blogging soo much, but it will be nice to not have to worry about it 
So, I hope the Padres do very well while I’m gone (hey, a girl can hope). Please, don’t get any more injuries. At least get one hit and one run a game.
Feel free to post comments updating me about the Padres all week! It’s not easy catching up after being away from baseball for a week, believe me. Thanks so much!!
As always, GO PADRES!!!
Gotta leave you with the sparkles
What’s a Fan To Do??
Thought I’d better update what’s going on, since I haven’t written in a couple days!! I really miss reading all your blogs and commenting, but I’ve been sleeping in a lot lately, and that leaves little time for blogging
I must be honest with you guys. I have not been following the Padres closely the past week, and I have not cared when I find out about the losses. I’m not sure if that’s a good or bad thing. But I just don’t care what the Padres are doing right now.
I’ve been really busy in the past week. I’ve been helping at a Vacation Bible School, and I’m getting ready for a big trip next week. Where I’m going next week, I will have no electronic access of any kind. No internet, no phones, no mp3 players, no nothing. So, I will have no idea what’s going on in baseball. I won’t get to follow all the Padres’ losses. Oh bummer.
I’m looking forward to having a break, though this sudden lack of interest in the Padres is scaring me. Does this mean that I’m not a fan anymore? Can a person still be a fan if they are no disappointed by losses? If we won a game, I would be very happy, but do I really expect that the Padres can keep winning? I don’t. Hyun Young called this team a Triple-A team, but I think we’re worse!!
So, I’m going to get away from San Diego, away from the “real” world, and I’m going to have a great week away. We’ll just have to see what happens after that. I understand that we’re going through a rebuilding season, but what are the fans supposed to do until we’re rebuilt?
The Claw
I have some very sad news to report. On Sunday July 19, 2009, Cla “The Claw” Meredith was traded to the Baltimore Orioles for infielder Oscar Salazar.
So, a pitcher was traded, you’re thinking. So what? Well, the implications of this trade are very sad for the team and me personally. Let’s start with the team.
The Padres got Cla in a trade in 2006 from the Red Sox. Cla and Josh Bard came over to San Diego for Doug Mirabelli.
Cla made an immediate impact in 2006 after arriving. His ERA was 1.07 in 50.2 innings with the Padres.
2007 was definitely his best season with the Padres. He was an anchor in the Padres bullpen all year.
Cla never achieved the same success he had in 2007. He was not that great in 2008. During the 2009 Spring Training, he showed signs of being the pitcher he was in 2007. Maybe his marriage in the offseason and the birth of his daughter had something to do with that. But we didn’t see much of Cla this season. He only pitched in 35 games with an ERA of 4.17.
And so, he was traded on Sunday for that Salazar dude. The Padres probably brought in Salazar since Edgar Gonzalez went on the DL on Monday.
Now, the personal side. When my sister found out that the Padres had traded Cla (I was the one who had to tell her the bad news), she slammed the door in my face. She was very upset, since Cla was her favorite player. Trading players is a part of the game, but that’s what’s turned my sister away from the Padres.
Marcus Giles used to be her favorite player, and when the Padres let him walk after the 2007 season, she walked away with him. Now, she totally hates the Padres. And that’s a big bummer for me, though I’m not too big on the Padres right now either. I thought she was starting to come back, but it wasn’t meant to be.
And so, that is the sad, sad tale of the trade of Cla Meredith. If you’re wondering why I am not writing about the Padres, it’s because they lost last night and are now on a three-game losing streak with no signs of breaking out of it. This team cannot win, but worst of all, they cannot act like a team. They can’t even pretend. And I can’t support a team like that.
By the way, the photo above was taken by my sister on Saturday night. She’s going to treasure that one forever
Poor Cla. Hope you do well in Baltimore!!
Oh, and Jordin Sparks’ new CD is incredible.
The Padres are playing again tonight, but guess who’s not going to be listening…
And guess who’s going to get swept…
I’m going on vacation next week.
Anyways, GO PADRES!!!
Cool of the Night
This is me. Well, obviously not, but it shows how I’ve been feeling in the past few days. It’s 100 degrees here, and when it’s this hot, life is miserable. Yesterday, we didn’t do anything except lie around and watch Star Trek. No joke. We don’t have AC, so it’s even worse. It’s too hot to do anything really, even get on the computer. So, I’m sure you can forgive me if I’m not too motivated to write about the Padres, especially since they are a terrible, terrible team who needs a lot of help.
But you know the greatest part of living in San Diego is the coolness of the night. No matter how hot it gets during the day, no matter how much you sweat or how many episodes of Star Trek you watch (seriously, in this weather, we could be running movie marathons day after day!), the night always brings coolness. It’s a huge blessing. Last night, my sister and I went outside and laid on the trampoline and stared at the stars. After about and hour and a half, we were getting too cold to stay outside. How unbelieveable is that? During the day, we were too hot to move, but last night, we were so cold it was a relief to go into the stuffy house.
It’s amazing. During these rough hot days when I feel like I’m going to die of heat, I just have to remember the night. There is hope. And before we know it, it’s going to be fall, winter, already. We’ll be reveling in cold weather for weeks on end. The seasons really do change so quickly.
There is hope, Padres fans. Last night, we saw Tim Stauffer throw his second quality start in a row. I don’t think we’ve ever seen him do that. He’s been so terrible for the past few years, going up and down, and dealing with injuries and surgery. Now look at him. He’s pitched better than any starter this year. Maybe he’s finally, finally coming around. Maybe he’ll help this team. Maybe he’s finally a quality starting pitcher, one who will help us win. We’ve been waiting for him for a long time, and I’m sure we’ve given up on him too, but look at him. This guy is pitching amazingly!
And Everth Cabrera. This guy is going out there every single night and playing his best. Sure, maybe he’s going through a little hitting slump, but we know the guy can hit. And don’t forget that this is his first season above Single-A. The guy still has a lot to learn. We’re going to have to be patient with him. But he will get better. He has no where to go but up. In my opinion, he’s going to become the best shortstop in Padres history. It’s not going to happen overnight. As long as we can hold on to him and he can stay healthy, he’s going to be great. He’s going to be a player worth coming out to the ballpark to see.
Padres fans, we may be going through a firestorm right now, but I can feel a hint of a cool breeze breaking through. There will be relief from this mess. And someday, we will be the ones turning on the heat against our opponents. I know it doesn’t look like it now, oh believe me, I know that this team is pathetic. The cool of night is coming. But you have to persevere through the heat of the day first.
Oh man, my sister is making lemonade right now. See? I told you there’s hope for this day
GO PADRES!!
Epically Long Entry
I’m stealing Jen’s title. Because I can’t think of a better way to describe this entry
Saturday was amazing. Absolutely amazing. The day itself was pretty miserable, since it was boiling hot in my house and I was watching the minutes go by, but once I got to Petco Park, all that was forgotten. I had a great, great time at the ballpark
I got to Petco just before the gates opened at 5:00 pm. Jen and her friend Courtney were right outside the gates, and Kylie was already in line. She slipped out, though, and she was really really hyper. It was pretty funny. Hyun Young arrived just as the gates were opening, so we got in right away.
We headed up to the concourse and then split ways. Jen had to cheer for the Rockies in this game (thanks Tom) and Kylie of course is a Rockies fan, so they headed off to the Rockies dugout. Hyun Young and I went to see our Padres. We walked down the stairs towards the field, and what do you know, there’s already a player signing. I just had to smile when I saw who it was.
First of all, Eck’s on the DL. He doesn’t need to be out there signing for the fans. He should be hiding out in the clubhouse recovering. But this guy was out there signing for the fans!! So within five minutes of entering the stadium, Hyun Young had the autograph of her favorite player. Eck was sooo nice. He made eye contact with every person he signed for, asked how they were doing, and smiled at them. What a guy!!
Padres BP was pretty interesting. I wasn’t really watching where all the balls went, but I’m pretty sure that it was pretty lame. At least, compared to Colorado’s batting practice. But it was cool to see the players walking around. But…I had a hard time figuring out who they all were. I saw Chad Gaudin, and I reconized the guys in the cage, but all the dudes in the outfield I had no idea. Oh well.
Dude behind the screen juggling baseballs.
Now, Tom was supposed to be at this game, but things just didn’t work out this time. I can’t say that I really did anything special for him, like Jen and Kylie were doing with their voicemails and all that. But he should be proud that I recognized a Rockies player during batting practice and even tried to take a picture of him. Tom’s been talking about Todd Helton and his 2000th hit picture for a looong time. So, here’s my lame attempt at a picture of Helton.
We definitely missed you, Tom. I hope you can make it out next time
OK, so during Rockies batting practice, Hyun Young and I went to get our programs. There was this amazing usher at the top of our section. She asked if we got any autographs and obsessed over Eck. She was so nice!! Every time she saw us, she smiled and waved. It was really cool.
We got our 5 for $5 meals, which I forgot to take a picture of again. The hot dog was amazing, the lemonade was amazing, and that cookie is like the best cookie I have ever eaten. I would easily buy five of those for $5. Wow. I even ate the popcorn, though I don’t like popcorn, but hey, Rockies BP was pretty boring so I needed something to do
After dinner, we went back down by the field. The players were going to start coming out to stretch, and I wanted to be down there to get autographs. Plus, Mat Latos himself was down there talking to some friends.
If you don’t know who Mat Latos is, that’s great, cause I don’t expect you too. But you should know now since I’m going to tell you. Latos is supposedly the next Jake Peavy. He’s the most prized pitching propect in the Padres organization right now. And he made his major league debut yesterday. He was in uniform the night before, though, and met with these people before the game. When Hyun Young and I went down there, we were really close to him, and it was really cool to hear him talk about how he found out he was going to the big leagues and all that. I took a lot of pictures of him, ’cause hey, how often do you get to be that close to a Jake Peavy?
It was really cool to see him. He was adjusting his uniform, hardly believing he was in a Padres uniform. And the guy’s just a kid, you know. He really hasn’t spent much time in the minors. It must have been so surreal for him to be there.
Starter Kevin Correia and the pitching coach walked out to the bullpen.
Around this time, players started coming out to stretch and get ready for the game. Drew Macias, Will Venable, Kyle Blanks, Everth Cabrera, Tony Gwynn.
Macias started signing, and I got his autograph.
Then Edgar Gonzalez came over to sign. I didn’t try to get his autograph that hard, because there were a ton of little kids and he was mostly signing for them. Plus, it was about time for National Anthem and all that good stuff, so I was ready to go back to my seat. But then Edgar left and Kyle Blanks came over, so I got his.
Hyun Young and I went back to our seats, and the game started. Yay for first pitch!
In the first inning, the first batter walked. Two outs later, Brad Hawpe doubled him in. Ugh.
In the bottom of the first though, we got that run back. The first two batters struck out, and they were really frustrated.
But then Adrian walked, Kouz singled, and Will Venable was hit-by-pitch. So, bases loaded. Kyle Blanks walked in the tying run! It was great. Then, Eliezar Alfonso struck out, stranding three. Just great, Alfonso.
And so, the game went on. Kevin Correia threw six innings, allowing only three hits and one run. He walked four and had two strikeouts. He stuggled early on, but he settled in and had a great outing. He did have a lot of very well-hit balls off of him, though. There were a ton of towering shots that seemed like they would be heading out that our outfielders caught. The guys were busy out there. So overall, a great, great outing for Kevin, and he had a beautiful sac-bunt.
Kouz is amazing, by the way.
In the fourth, it was really cool because Correia walked two guys and when one of the guys tried to go for third, he got thrown out! Best thing Alfonso did all night. But the coolest part about it was seeing it unfold in front of my eyes. I knew that the guy going for third was going to be out, because Alfonso had plenty of time. It was great!
In the middle of the fourth, I saw something that I had never seen in San Diego before: Friar Races. Yes, I know you’ve heard about the Sausage Races in Milwaukee, but I bet you’ve never heard of Friar Races. And let me tell you, it was hilarious!! You’ve got these four huge floppy friars, and they’re trying to run. A couple of them tripped, and I think the Swinging Friar came in last. It was soooo funny!! 80′s Friar won
In the bottom of the sixth, Kyle Blanks stuck out and Alfonso popped out. Then Edgar Gonzalez came up to the plate. I decided to call my sister, who was also at the game, so I was a bit distracted when I heard this sickening sound and saw Edgar just fall to the ground. Oh man he went down fast. He had been hit in the head with Jason Hammel’s 93-mile-per-hour pitch.
It was terrible. Buddy and the trainer rushed out and Edgar was on the ground for at least five minutes. I just kept saying over and over, ”Please let him be OK, please let him be OK, please let him be OK.” The people around me probably thought I was muttering an incantation or something, but I was just praying like crazy. It was soooo scary, and I was on the verge of tears.
Finally, finally, he sat up. Even from where I was, you could tell that he was dazed. I was just so thankful that he was alive and concious.
Then finally an emergency/medical vehicle came and took him off the field. He was able to walk to the vehicle, with help, which was very good.
I kept thinking about Adrian through this whole time. I thought he was in the dugout, but turns out he saw the whole thing on TV, when he was in the video room. He said that he wanted to get up, but he thought he would collapse if he tried to stand. Man, that would have been terrible if he was in the dugout while it happened. I have siblings, so I can imagine what he was feeling. Oh man. Adrian left the game in the next inning, and I think that was definitely for the best. Adrian needed to be with his brother at the hospital.
After this whole incident, Luis Rodriguez came in to pinch-run for Edgar. Jason Hammel left the game after walking Drew Macias, which is understandable. Hammel hit three guys that night, and he was probably really shaken up after hitting a guy in the head. He wasn’t the only one. I was in shock for a couple innings. Everth Cabrera walked, so we had the bases loaded. Then Tony Gwynn came up and lined a pitch that was destined to go up the middle and drive in some runs. But the pitcher caught it. Grrrrrrrr.
In the seventh inning, Greg Burke had a quick 1-2-3 inning.
Bottom of the seventh, it was showtime.
Chase Headley led off the inning, and he led it off with a bang. Pinch-hitting, he hit a blast to right field to finally break the 1-1 tie. Yahoo!!
Next up was my baby, and of course he doubled to get some momentum. Two outs later, Alfonso finally did something good and singled in Kouz. Yay for an insurance run!!
Luke Gregerson pitched the 8th and got two strikeouts.
Josh Fogg pitched the bottom of the eighth just as the fog was rolling in. Well, it looked like fog, but I think it was some smoke from fireworks or something. But it was still kind of creepy.
We got this alert between the eigth and ninth inning.
And, according to Gameday: “San Diego Padres second baseman Edgar Gonzalez left the game due to an injured head.”
I know that’s not funny, but for some reason it really cracks me up. I mean, an “injured head”? Why not a “concussion” or “head contusion” or something more technical?
Anyways, it was Heath time in the top of the ninth. I love his entrance!! It’s amazing. And Heath was great. It was really weird because I kept calling him Heater. I like have never called him Heater, but being out there, watching him try to save a game, it just came out. And so, Heater it is!
Heater was great. He allowed a single to start the inning, but Heath ALWAYS makes things interesting. Then, he got a great double play thanks to Kyle Blanks at first and Everth. It was a great play. Then he struck out Troy Tulowitzki to end the game. Hehehe.
It was a great, great game. We played very well, even though we left a ton of runners on. It was soooo much fun to get out there and see how my boys are doing.
Kouz made two amazing defensive plays. I was very proud of him. And he had two hits. Which was great He is soooo amazing!!
And Everth, oh my goodness!! This guy is incredible. I watched him make some great, great plays. I mean, this guy can flat-out play. Sure he hasn’t been hitting much lately, but his defense is soooo good!! Wow. I love Everth
Oh, and Eliezar Alfonso is officially my most hated Padre. Even if Joe Thatcher was on this team, I would still hate Alfonso more. He was hitting pretty well a few weeks ago, but now he’s like a runners-in-scoring-position killing machine! He’s left so many runners on it’s not even funny. This guy is frustrating me. I can’t wait ’til Nick and Henry get off the DL!!
So, after the game we made our way out, high-fiving the amazing usher on our way. We met up with Kylie, Jen, and Courtney and took pictures, which was really funny because Kylie was still super hyper. And I mean, her team didn’t even win!! We were trying to get a picture of all four of us with the Petco Park sign in the background, and it was amazing.
It was just so funny!! It was great to meet Kylie, watch a game with Hyun Young, and enjoy some Padres baseball. I had a great time. Again, thanks so much Hyun Young for buying me the ticket and all that. We’ll have to do it again sometime
The Padres ultimately lost the series, 3 games to 1, but I was there for that one. That’s why they won, you know. First, my hypnotising worked, then I was wearing my lucky jersey, and Hyun Young had the baseball that her teacher caught at a game that Correia was pitching. Plus, it was signed by Eck. So, I am 3-0 this season
It was definitely one of the best games I’ve been to. Bloggers are amazing
GO PADRES!!!
(yay for all the pictures being mine)
Kaity
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