Tagged: adrian gonzalez
Rizzo didn’t make it to Opening Day, got traded to Cubs
Anthony Rizzo was traded to the Cubs today for pitcher Andrew Cashner and Minor League outfielder Kyung-Min Na.
#RizzoMania was obviously very short-lived.
I’m sure a lot of us knew that Rizzo was headed out the door, especially when the rumors were flying right after Mat Latos’ trade. I really didn’t expect him to be on the Padres’ Opening Day roster, and what do you know, he’s not going to be. Oh well.
I did get really excited when he got called up earlier in the year. I was actually bordering on Kevin Kouzmanoff-like excitement about him, but when he didn’t do that well, it wore off. He’s really young, really cute, but I think he got called up too early. He wasn’t ready for it. But we don’t have to worry about him anymore, I guess.
But something that is interesting about this trade is the fact that Rizzo is going to Chicago, where Jed Hoyer and Jed McLeod are now. McLeod was the one who drafted Rizzo to the Red Sox. Hoyer then traded Adrian Gonzalez for him last year, and now he’s bringing him to the Cubs. Hoyer obviously wants Rizzo wherever he is.
This Cashner guy is a pitcher who has started, but the Padres seem to want him as a reliever at the start. He was injured for most of last season. The Padres always seem to get a lot of those.
Hopefully this trade will work out well for the Padres, though I don’t think we got the better side of the deal.
Almost Time For FanFest…
Only a few more hours until FanFest!!! I’m so excited 🙂
I just wanted to let you all know that you need to find Hyun Young and I tomorrow, because we have some very special treats for you. Yeah, I know, we’re great.
I’m going to be wearing my Adrian jersey, and I’ll have Adrian’s Red Sox mug shot taped to one sleeve, and a very cute picture of Kouz on the other. It’s going to be SWEET.
I really hope that I’ll get to meet a lot of you guys tomorrow. Don’t be shy!
See you all tomorrow!!
GO PADRES!!!!!
Pro Day @ The Rock
Everyone is talking about the Padres Awards Dinner and the Town Hall Meeting, especially all the bloggers. But I went to something last night that’s seemed to go under the radar.
Yesterday was Pro Day at The Rock Church. Which meant that Adrian Gonzalez, Nick Hundley, Jacques Cesaire of the Chargers, and heavyweight champion Chris Byrd were there to share their testimonies.
I hadn’t been to The Rock before, but it was a really good experience. They have five services every Sunday and a congregation of over 12,000, so things were a little crazy.
I was really excited to see Adrian, especially since he’s been traded. I know that he’ll still be around San Diego a lot, but it’s pretty sad that he’s no longer a Padre.
The service was great. Pastor Miles McPherson (a former Charger) was really funny. You could kind of tell that the guys had done this four times before, but they were still really great. Nick was making all sorts of jabs at Adrian because he’s on the Red Sox. McPherson asked Nick how he was going to pitch to Adrian when we meet the Red Sox in June.
“I’ll tell you later, when Adrian’s not listening,” he said. “If he hits two home runs against us, we’re going to have to drill him in the leg.”
“What’s the sign for drilling him?” McPherson asked.
Nick laughed. “I couldn’t show you in church.”
There were a lot of great laughs, but the highlight of the night was hearing these guys’ stories. All of them, being very successful athletes, thought that they had it together, but ultimately realized that it wasn’t about them or their accomplishments, but what God was doing in their lives and what He wanted for them.
Adrian talked about how when he was with the Rangers, he heard about a trade that he thought was going to give him more playing time and a better chance to improve. But instead of the trade helping him, it sent him back down to the minors. He had thought that he was getting somewhere in his career, but then that roadblock was thrown into his way and he had to decide whether he would sit at home and pout or realize that the Lord had a plan.
It was really inspiring to see these big athletes really open their hearts and show us that they’re not the ones who have it together; it’s only because of God working in their lives that they’ve been able to live like they have.
It is so cool to think that these guys are just like me. They’re sinners desperately in need of grace. They’re broken people leaning on the God who heals. They have struggles just like me, but the One who lived the perfect life that we couldn’t and who died the death that we deserve is holding us in His hands. Jesus has got us. And it’s so cool to think that someday, these guys will be in Heaven right next to me, glorifying God together. I truly think of these guys as my brothers. They don’t know who I am, but it doesn’t matter. We’re all a family because of Jesus Christ.
After the service I got to go up to Adrian and Nick and get their autographs and pictures with them. They were so nice, especially considering that they probably signed autographs after every service that day.
All in all, it was a wonderful event. I’m glad I was able to get pictures with the guys, and have Adrian’s signature on a Padres card before he abandons us. I was greatly encouraged, and I hope that The Rock does this again next year.
GO PADRES!!!
Random News
The Padres are certainly making some interesting moves this offseason. When Adrian was traded, a lot of people thought that they were giving up on the 2011 season. Man, we lost a ton of amazing players this offseason already. But suddenly, we’re adding players almost as much as we’re losing them.
We signed Dustin Moseley and Aaron Harang, traded for Cameron Maybin and Eric Patterson, and now we’re about to sign Orlando Hudson. I don’t know about you guys, but I’m actually excited about seeing how this team is going to come together. Honestly, I think we’re going to be okay.
We might not do as well as last year, but I’m really excited to give these guys a chance. Why should they be any less than they were last year, just because there’s a few new guys around? I can’t wait to see what happens.
I’m also extremely excited about the new minor league ballpark that will be coming to Escondido in a few years! I live very, very close to that area, and I am beyond excited about having Triple-A baseball so close by. I really hope that the whole deal goes through, but as of right now, it really looks like it’s going to. It’s going to be amazingly cool to have it right here.
(Photo credit: San Diego Padres owner Jeff Moorad’s investment team)
Also, I was really touched by an article in the Union-Tribune yesterday about Adrian. The Trevor Hoffman and Jake Peavy separations were not pretty, and I know that Jake had quite a few bad things to say about the Padres and San Diego. We do not appriciate that at all, Jake. It just left a bad taste in my mouth about that guy. There is absolutely no reason to turn around and bash the team that brought you up in the first place.
But anyways, what was so refreshing about Adrian’s trade was that it was so smooth, and Adrian is being incrediblely nice about it. If you are an Adrian fan, I would really recommend reading the article. He has absolutely nothing bad to say about us. He understands that it was a business move, and he agrees that it had to happen now. He still loves San Diego, and with he’s still very commited to serving the people of this city.
I am just so pleased that the separation went so well. He’s probably the classiest guy that I’ve seen in a long time. I am really happy that he’s still going to be very involved in this community. Thank you so much, Adrian. This just makes me respect you even more. What a role model!
Speaking of the trade, have I mentioned how happy I am that he went to the Red Sox and now the Yankees? At least the Red Sox are my second favorite team. I am really happy that he’s getting the opportunity to play for such an incredible team in the Boston Red Sox.
The U-T just reported that the Jason Bartlett trade is actually happening and will be officially announced this afternoon. All I have to say is, finally! Yet another great addition to our club.
Wow, Christmas is only a week away! I hope all of you are not going too crazy with all the preparations 🙂 I think that the Padres have been giving us plenty of things to be excited about for Christmas.
GO PADRES!!!!!
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Our Hole-y Team
So I was looking at our team yesterday, and we seriously have a ton of holes. I feel like guys are slipping out of our hands so fast that we can’t catch them all and they’re leaving us completely empty.
Who have we lost this offseason already? Adrian Gonzalez to the Red Sox, Yorvit Torrealba to the Rangers, Miguel Tejada to the Giants, Kevin Correia to the Pirates, and now Tony Gwynn Jr. to the Dodgers. Plus we lost Chris Young. Our roster is looking awfully thin right now.
But we have signed pitcher Aaron Harang, and we’re about to sign Dustin Moseley, who is also a pitcher. So now our rotation looks like…Mat Latos, Harang, Clayton Richard, Moseley, and Wade LeBlanc or Tim Stauffer. I don’t know. It might work, but it seems like a very unstable rotation.
Well, I guess we’ll have to see how things pan out. We’ve still got a ton of offseason left (waaaaaa), so we have a lot of time to pull a team together.
In other news, the Latest Leaders list on MLBlogs.com came out for the month of November. This blog is #5 of all fan blogs!!! I’m sooooo excited!! I think I was #5 a couple months ago, but 5 is my absolute favorite number and I’m so excited to get it again.
Thank you, thank you, thank you, to all of you for reading this blog. It’s so much fun to know that you guys are reading so much that you’re putting this blog in the top 5 of all fan blogs. I can’t thank you enough!
Of course, I can’t mention the number five without showing you THE number five:
Love you Kouz 🙂
I hope you all have a great day!!
GO PADRES!!!
Gone-zo
The deal is done.
Adrian, T. Gwynn, and Jane Mitchell
So Adrian’s deal is just about done. I am very sad 😦 He had a physical today in Boston, and all that’s left to do is release an official announcement. But from what it looks like, we’re only going to get three minor league players. I don’t like that at all. Sure, they’re top prospects, but with losing Adrian, we need players who will be able to help us right now.
Very sad day for all Padres fans. I hope all of you are doing okay, but I know it’s going to take us a while to deal with anger and the hurt. Oh well. Hoyer thinks that this is the best for the club, so I guess we need to trust him.
I love Adrian. At least he’s going to the Red Sox, and not the Yankees.
Today was pretty sad, but one thing that cheered me up was a grand opening for a new Cox Solutions store in Escondido, featuring Tony Gwynn Jr. and Jane Mitchell!
I seriously had so much fun. There was a ton of great free stuff, which I was really glad to get. Plus I got Tony’s autograph and a picture with him, which was super cool.
I also got to meet Jane Mitchell and get a free copy of her beautiful new book, One on One: My Journey with Hall of Famers, Fan Favorites, and Rising Stars.
She was sooo nice, and I’m super excited about reading the book, especially the section about Kevin Kouzmanoff. Jane does something very unique, and I’m really excited about leaning more about her and her career, especially since she’s a female in a man’s world, just like I want to be.
So that was a lot of fun. I’m so glad that I was able to go 🙂
Waiting in dread for the final word on Adrian’s trade…
GO PADRES!!!!
The End for Adrian?
So, the Red Sox and the Padres are talking about an Adrian Gonzalez deal right now, and it looks pretty serious. I am not okay with letting Adrian go.
I know that this was inevitable, Adrian leaving, but I still don’t want it to happen. Even if you don’t know anything about Padres baseball, you’ll know that Adrian Gonzalez plays for us because he’s the face of the team. He’s the only one left. First we got rid of Jake Peavy, than Trevor, and now it looks like Adrian’s out the door. Of course, we still have Heath Bell, but you can’t base an organization’s face around the closer. I don’t think it really works.
I’m just going to say that if Adrian gets traded, the Padres as a business are going to suffer. Unless we get someone the caliber of Josh Beckett or David Ortiz in return, I believe that the fanbase will shrink considerably. I know that even aquiring Aaron Harang has turned my sister off completely to the Padres, but trading Adrian Gonzalez…for the average fan, who on earth do you go to a Padres game to watch?
I do have to admit that I would love to get Jacoby Ellsbury here. I love that guy. And going to the Red Sox isn’t the worst thing for a player like Adrian to do. At least it’s not the Yankees. But losing a guy like Adrian…man. Hometown boy, long-time player, face of the franchise…I don’t really see how trading him is going to benefit you.
Okay, I know that if we do trade him, we’re going to get a lot in return. A lot. But I think the Padres are still going to take a huge blow.
I hate losing players. I hate losing guys who have helped us so much and in so many ways. Adrian’s just been incredible for us, and I really don’t want to lose him.
Adrian Gonzalez is my 8-year-old brother’s favorite player. He loves playing baseball. He loves pretending to be Adrian Gonzalez. I don’t have the heart to tell him that his favorite player is about to be traded. And I know that my little brother isn’t the only kid in this city who loves Adrian. Kids look up to this guy. It’s going to be pretty tough for a lot of them.
Well, it’s a good thing that the Red Sox are my second favorite team.
I love you, Adrian. Thank you for everything.
GO PADRES!!!
Winning the World Series: Unfinished Business
The Latest Leaders list for October came out last night, and I’m #7!!!! I’m so excited 🙂 Just wanted to thank you all so much for your faithful support and for coming back to read what I have to say. It means so much to me!
I thought I’d talk a little today about my blog’s title, which, as you should all know, is “Unfinished Business.”
I got the name from a then-GM Kevin Towers quote after the 2007 season. During the 2007 season, all you Padres fans know, was the Worst Game Ever. After a remarkable season, we found ourselves tied with the Colorado Rockies for the Wild Card. So, we went to Colorado for a one-game playoff. It was October 1, 2007. A Monday night.
It was literally the worst game ever. Our ace, Jake Peavy, was horrible. Adrian hit a grand slam. The game went back and forth the whole time. Finally we got to the 13th inning and Scott Hairston hit a two-run homer to take the lead. It was sooo incredibly exciting!
The all-time saves leader, Trevor Hoffman, came in to save the game and get us our playoff spot. Except…things did not go as planned. Bam bam bam bam, single, single, triple, run-scoring flyout, and we were done. The Rockies went on to the World Series, but lost to the Red Sox (TAKE THAT!!).
So ANYWAYS, Kevin Towers said during the offseason that we had some unfinished business with the Rockies. I completely agreed with that, and that was what I titled my blog when I started it in the 2008 season.
But after 2008, the title was not really relevant anymore, because we couldn’t just stay mad at the Rockies for the rest of our lives. Well, the fans can (and I am), but the team itself was completely different than those guys who were in Game 163.
I debated changing the name after that season, but decided that it was still very relevant, because the Padres have the “unfinished business” of never winning a World Series. In our 41 year existence, we have reached two total World Series, and won zero. Our first time was 1964, and our second was 1998. We have had no success at all. Pretty sad.
Our unfinished business is to win a World Series. I know that someday, someday, we will. We’ll get it eventually.
Just wanted to let you all know that we still have that Unfinished Business. I honestly thought that we had a chance this season. But hey, that’s the duty of a die-hard fan, right? We believe in the impossible. Even there in that stupid last game of the season, I clung to a hope that we would force the playoff. I HATE THE GIANTS!!!
I absolutely hate that the Giants won the World Series. I don’t care about Bochy or Flan or whatever. The Giants freaking kicked the Padres out of the playoffs. That is unforgivable.
Blech. We’d better dominate the Giants’ butts next season.
Well, the Adrian drama goes on. He had shoulder surgery not to long ago, and now it looks like he’s not going to be ready in time for the start of Spring Training. Smooth, Adrian. Real smooth.
Also, FAN FEST IS SET FOR SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2011. BE THERE.
Hey, that’s actually not that far away…only three months!! Sweet!!! I’m soooooo excited 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀
I hope you guys all have a great weekend. I’m super busy writing it up for NaNoWriMo…
GO PADRES!!!!
Absolutely Unacceptable
This is so ridiculous I don’t even know where to start. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, the Padres have only one player representing them in the All-Star game this year, Adrian Gonzalez. This is outrageous!!!
First of all, who has the best record in the National League? That’s the San Diego Padres at 49-33. Who is on the top of the NL West and has been for practically the whole season? That’s right, the San Diego Padres. So why, why why why, is there only ONE San Diego Padre on the All-Star team?
I HATE THE ALL-STAR GAME!!!
Second of all, which pitching staff is like the best in the National League? The San Diego Padres have a group of exemplary pitchers. In my mind, there’s four or five of them who are All-Stars. Sure, they’re young, but they’ve been pitching consistently for a very long time. They’ve proved that they are All-Star worthy. But were they selected for the All-Star game? No, they were not.
I’m very glad that I can’t blame this on the fans, because that would be even more frustrating if we didn’t get them there. We had no say in which pitchers got in, so I can rip into whoever selected them all I want.
I don’t care about the qualifications of the other pitchers that got selected. I don’t care that the manager of the National League is an East coast guy. All I care about here is that we have an abundance of All-Star worthy pitchers here in San Diego and not one of them got picked. Not even HEATH BELL!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is a seriously dis on the city of San Diego and all the hard work that the San Diego Padres have put into this season. This is telling me that what we’ve done this season with the guys we have means nothing. I mean, obviously, the All-Star game is not everything, and it’s not really a measure of a team, but still. With the way we’ve played this season, we deserve to have more players there than we do.
Now, I have never really liked the All-Star game. First, I don’t like it’s placing. Right in the middle of the season is not the best place for it to be. I’ve always hated the fact that our guys have to go and be teammates with all of our rivals (Dodgers, Rockies, etc). I feel like that kind of defeats the point of having opponents in the regular season. I mean, why should you be forced to suddenly be civil with a guy who caused your team to lose just a week ago, or will cause your team to lose just next week? It’s all about that thing where, between the lines, there’s no friendships. There’s no relationships. All there is is baseball and trying to win the game.
I think the All-Star game would be much more appropriate at the end of the season. That way you can look over a player’s performance over an entire season, not just a handful of games. If the All-Star game was at the end of the season, Stephen Strasburg would almost certainly be there. If six games isn’t enough for you, the rest of the season would be.
The All-Star game just bugs me. I know that some people like it, but I really don’t. At all. Not to mention the fact that the American League always dominates.
No doubt, when you think Padres, you think Adrian Gonzalez. And Adrian is very deserving of being there again. But really, Adrian’s not the only player who’s contributed here. We can and have won without him being in the game. We’re fine without him, but we’re just even better than we would have been with him. When he’s in the lineup, we might score a few more runs that we would have without him. But the point is, we can score runs without him. We can win games when he needs a break. This team is really just that: a team. Every player contributes. We aren’t being carried by Adrian. Don’t get me wrong, Adrian definitely deserves this. But what I’m saying is that we have many other players who should be in the All-Star game because they help this team win.
Luke Gregerson, Mat Latos, Heath Bell, you are All-Stars. I don’t care what anyone says. You are All-Stars.
I am so upset about this that I’m going to be boycotting the All-Star game. I wasn’t going to be able to watch it anyways, but I’m still going to boycott it. I’m actually really happy that there’s no way I’ll be able to follow the game. Man.
Whoever’s in charge of the All-Star game, you messed up big time. My boys deserve so much more than this. You have shamed us and our city.
GO FIRST-PLACE PADRES!!!
Unfinished Business 