LA-SD, Round 1
I’m going to kick the hornets’ nest a little bit here today and mention something I’ve sort of tossed around a little bit going back to Spring Training that I’m guessing many of you will disagree with.
Before that, though, please know: I am very excited for this weekend (and next). The games against the Dodgers are loud, entertaining and filled with excitement. None of what I’m about to write is meant to detract from the obvious exhilaration we’re going to feel at multiple points these next few days. And I’m only speaking for myself here. Not trying to convince anyone of anything. Just letting everyone know my thoughts.
Now then…
It feels different1. The Dodgers Thing, that is. It still matters, obviously. And as I said above, it’s still fun, undoubtedly. But it feels different. Less…urgent? Critical? Something like that. Allow me to try and explain some reasons:
The expanded playoff field: Is winning the division nice? Of course! Does it carry with it the possibility of avoiding an entire round of the playoffs? It does! Would it be ideal to do so? Without a doubt. But, like…the Padres are almost certainly going to be in the playoffs this year. If not, it will because many things went wrong—not because the Dodgers were this behemoth blocking the path to October. With six postseason spots up for grabs in the National League, there’s just naturally less of a focus on winning 106 games or whatever and more on just getting in the tournament.
The new schedule: Along those lines, with 13 games against them this year (as opposed to 19 the last many years), it’s just overall less of a thing. The Dodgers are mathematically going to have less of an impact on the Padres this season. And vice versa, of course. Instead of playing about 12% of their games against each other, the teams will play about 8% of their games against one another. And that’s a very real decrease.
Last year’s NLDS: This is probably my strongest argument. Last year, the Padres went 5-14 against the Dodgers. They finished 22 games behind LA for 1st place in the NL West. And then from October 11th-October 15th, none of that mattered a single goose feather. They slayed the dragon and to me it sort of feels like the whole thing reset. Like none of what took place in previous seasons seems as heavy anymore. The Padres had gotten over the hump in a very real way. And to spin it forward, there’s a lesson here about getting too wrapped up in any one weekend or even any one season series. Would it have been better to go 10-9 against them last year? Sure. But at the end of the day did it really matter?
The ring is the thing: As I’ve said previously, the goal at this point—for this year and the foreseeable future—is to win it all. Whether that means going through the Dodgers (in the NL West, or in the postseason) or not is almost beside the point. Might have to. Might not. My sights are set higher than the division or the rivalry. And when it comes to that, I don’t think I’m alone.
Again, I know this is probably an unpopular opinion, but it is what it is. I hope everyone has the best time this weekend and that the Padres go 13-0 against the Dodgers this year. But my gaze is higher, what can I say.
And Now Something a Bit Less Controversial
Mexico City was amazing.
I’m pretty sure in my last newsletter I discussed how I was blown away by the incredible number of Padre fans who had shown up in Phoenix to celebrate Fernando’s return to the lineup.
Well, the two games in Mexico City took things to an entirely other level. The first game in particular felt like 99% Padre fans and the festive atmosphere was only heightened by the craziness of the game itself. While Sunday felt more like a 90/10 split in terms of fans, it was obviously still such a treat to be able to witness the craziness and to be a part of it.
Special thanks to all the fans who came up to Tony and I2 at different points last Saturday and Sunday. It was honestly overwhelming, but in the very best way. It was incredible how much love we felt.
Another highlight from last weekend was the birth of the sombrero and piñata celebrations. But my favorite sombrero-related moment actually came before one of the games even began:
One final picture from this particular travel journal. Wrestling legend and Chula Vista native Rey Mysterio was at the games and as I’m sure you’ve seen by now, had custom luchador masks made for everyone on the team. And he was kind enough to extend that graciousness to a few of us who do not wear the uniform.
The mask has my initials and the number 14 on the back (2014, my first year with the Pads). One of the coolest things I’ve ever been gifted. Thanks, Rey.
And Speaking of that insane game…
Hall-of-Fame baseball writer Jayson Stark called me the other day and we spent a delightful half-hour on the phone discussing what it was like not only bearing witness to that 27-run/30-hit event, but broadcasting it as well. His piece, which was published this AM, summarizes and celebrates everything that happened in those three hours and forty-four minutes better than anyone else could. Be sure to check it out.
And for those who have asked, here’s a portion of my scorebook from that wild day and night:
I believe we have now broken the newsletter record for most pictures posted in one edition.
May Schedule Breakdown
I recall mentioning that I was going to do some notes on the schedule each month, so here are some quickie thoughts on the next few weeks…
Five days off! Remember that arduous and ridiculous stretch to begin the year? Well, it goes the other way here in the second month of the season. Not only did we have our first day off at home yesterday, but there will be an off day in Minneapolis on Monday, another at home on the 18th, another in DC on the 22nd, and then Memorial Day in Miami. Outside of July, which contains the All-Star Break, this is the month with the most open dates all season.
On the last trip (PHX-CHI-CDMX), the Padres played in three different time zones, then had another time zone change when they returned home for the Reds series. Now that we’re all back on Pacific time, the next series after this weekend will be in the Central time zone (Twins), then back to the west coast before returning east for a three-city jaunt through DC, NY and Miami. Thank goodness for jet travel.
Only other scheduling note I’ll throw out right now is a reminder that this Sunday’s game vs the Dodgers is at 4:10, because it’s the ESPN Sunday Night telecast. While Don and Mud will be off for that game, a reminder that Tony and Jesse will be there for you, if needed.
And Lastly, Some Math…
Jeremy sent in a question that is so absurd…and I love it so much. But I’m going to leave it to one of you mathematical geniuses to figure it out and report back.
Basically, he wants to know if there’s ever been a Major League pitcher who has climbed the equivalent of Mt. Everest (29,029’) simply by going up and down the mound during their entire pitching career.
Some caveats: let’s not include Minor League or amateur time. As for the height of the mound, it’s currently 10” above home plate, though from 1903-1968 it was (generally, and for our purposes) 15” up.
I would imagine the research begins with the all-time innings pitched leaders and we take it from there. Would we want to pad the numbers a bit for theoretical climbs down and up the hill during innings? I’ll let you all go whatever direction you like.
Curious if anyone comes back with some good numbers. Everest feels like a lot, but I love the thought exercise.
You can submit your replies here, as well as any future questions that either are or are not this amazing.
And with that bit of wonderfulness, I bid you a good day. Enjoy the weekend…
To me. Again, not trying to make anyone feel anything they don’t want to feel.
He was rightfully the headliner, but I was blown away by the number of people who shouted “Gonna Go!” at me or who wanted to know what the incorporator word was that day while we signed stuff and took pictures.