Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Four Good Wins and More

The only bad part of the past four games is that I wasn't in San Diego to enjoy them. Last time I wrote, I was hopeful for a series win against Arizona, and we managed to do a bit better than that. Then in the opener against San Francisco Clayton Richard had a great start against Matt Cain, and we enjoyed a walkoff. Not only was it the 4th win in a row, but it was also the 4th game in a row in which we've gotten a good start from our starter, stayed in the game, and managed to score late off the other team's bullpen. Our hope throughout the winter and spring was that we had a staff full of starters who would keep us in games and a bullpen that could preserve leads. It won't work all the time, but it's fun when it does.

For my part, I've been all around the Southeast for the past four or five days. There are always a few variables when doing amateur scouting that keep life interesting. Pitching schedules are a big one. Booking advanced travel, and even packing with a purpose, can be pointless as schedules always seem to change from week to week, guys will only throw an inning or two, and even game locations can change. Due to all the above, I usually try to have a few position players worked in as anchors in my schedule, because I should be able to see them regardless. Unless, of course, it rains like it did yesterday. It happens.

As I've told my wife, going on these scouting trips has taken me to places that she'll never see...and really has no reason to. You may think you have lived a full life, but have YOU ever been to Caldwell, Idaho? Or eaten at a Denny's in Nampa on the way there?

The reality is that most of the time you just don't see a whole lot. Like the drive from Columbus, GA to Jacksonville, FL or from Hoover, AL to Hattiesburg, MS or even from San Diego to Phoenix. There just isn't a whole lot there. Sometimes, the ubiquitous signs from Walgreen's, Subway, and Starbucks can get depressing. Isn't there anything different? But then, every once in a while, you come upon something unique:


I wasn't brave enough to ask exactly what "N-Stuff" entailed. But seriously, how great is this?

15 comments:

Didi Tee said...

That's an awesome sign, Paul. Thanks.

Have a safe trip. Being a fan of driving around, seeing those familiar merchant signs around the country is indeed depressing especially when one can see it from a mile away.

Here's to more local, strange, and completely different signs in your travels. Oh, and bring back some more talents for the team.

dustin said...

Caldwell/Nampa are suburbs of Boise. If you'd said "a Boise suburb" instead, people would probably know where you're talking about.

Paul DePodesta said...

dustin,

True, but that would ruin the fun. Though "a Boise suburb" is kind of funny, too.

Unknown said...

I wonder if "N Stuff" includes any left handed pitching?

Unknown said...

I have done both of those things but then I lived near those cities. That's right we considered them cities and not suburbs.

I finally traded those fantastic locales for others such as Mill Valley, a suburb of San Francisco and Portland, which is a suburb of Vancouver.

Where you in Idaho checking out high schoolers, the College Of Idaho or the Hawks?

DrHopster said...

That's a little better than your last post Paul....But my offer still stands....You wanna dig some storm drain trenches in my CAT 235???...LOL

Have a great trip and I know the Padres can't show their hand, but it would be nice if you could give some insight as to what player's your scouting and what is the reason..

Just a thought....

DrHopster

Paul DePodesta said...

DrHopster,

Sorry you took the last post so seriously...but if the offer really does stand, I'm in!

It'll have to be after the draft, but I'm serious. I'll definitely get out there with you.

Unknown said...

I have been thru/in Nampa/Caldwell/Boise, etc. Next time, save yourself the troubles and ring me and I'll scout it for you. I'd do it for a free lunch is all...

HERE WE GO PADRES, HERE WE GO!!!

ps said...

Fun to hear these sorts of Life on the Road stories.

Unknown said...

Paul

buzzzzzzzzz... If you listen real close you can hear it. People are starting to talk abou the Padres again.
If this squad can take another step forward and you can resist the urg to trade a certain first baseman. You could win this town back.

Michael Lestyk said...

Paul,
BP projects the Padres to win only 75 games this season and ending last in the NL West. Are they correct or missing something?

Ben said...

My best guess is that "N Stuff" refers to meth.

Unknown said...

Paul,

There was blurb in the paper regardng Donovan Tate gettng hit in the head. Was it serious?

nothingxs said...

If you had walked in, they were selling a guitar that had secret powers that would've led the Padres to win 110+ games this season, an extraordinarily rare Fender Telecaster made in Japan with a serial code that starts with WIN.

Instead you'll have to settle for 98 without the juju.

Schlom said...

Paul,

Are you going to do same day draft analysis like last year?