The Return of the Philip Rivers Mullet!

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Philip Rivers is at it again. We found out last season that a handful of Chargers like to play softball around town in the offseason. The publicity they received hasn’t hindered them. They’ve still got a team this year, and they played last night. Somebody was kind enough to send me some photos. I just love that Rivers is still rocking the coaching shorts, high socks, and the fake mullet. Other teammates this year include Mike Scifres, Mike Windt, Dontrelle Inman, Donald Brown, Nick Hardwick, Kellen Clemens and Rivers’ younger brother Stephen. (Danny Woodhead, Nick Novak, and Eric Weddle were MIA last night) – this year the players wore their actual football numbers on their back too. Here are a few more shots from the game. A few action shots of the Daddy Giraffe.

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For what it’s worth, the Chargers softball team lost 15-6.

-bp

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Take a Bow, A. J. Preller… Take a Bow

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[I, Brady Phelps, wrote this article for 4L Magazine, a digital copy can be found here]

Hope?

Let me tell you something, my friend: Hope is a dangerous thing. Hope can drive a man insane. It’s got no use in Padres baseball. You’d better get used to that idea.

That’s what the past has felt like … every single offseason for the better part of a decade in San Diego.

[ Hopeless ]

But, what’s this? What is this I’m feeling? Not that same hope each team has every offseason just because they’re all tied for first place. No, this is different. Is this what it feels like to be relevant in Major League Baseball?

I’m overwhelmed. I don’t even know where to start. I don’t know what to do with these emotions. I don’t know how to begin writing an article on the Padres offseason, and what to expect in the 2015 season.

The Padres didn’t just have an offseason … they had a mega-offseason. A mega-offseason? I don’t even know what that means, but that’s what they just had.

The Padres have been a baseball afterthought. The NL West has been ruled by the Dodgers (who are now spending more money than the Yankees) and the Giants, who haven’t done much of anything except win the World Series every other year.

Now? Well, the good guys don’t have anything to show for it yet, but all the sudden … San Diego is all the rage around baseball. The Padres went from a completely irrelevant team to the most talked about team in all of baseball. How? How is that possible?

The man’s name is A. J. Preller.

Who is this A. J. Preller you speak of? What is this wizardry he’s brought to San Diego? Who is this man who came to San Diego from Arlington … and was handed a 1977 Vega only to somehow transform it into a brand-new Ferrari?

He’s a fictional character. He’s not real. He’s Superman. He’s some sort of bizarre combination of Geppetto, the master puppeteer, and Don Corleone, making every team in baseball an offer they can’t refuse. Better yet, he’s Keyser Söze. The greatest trick A. J. Preller ever pulled was convincing the baseball world the Padres didn’t exist.

Back on Dec. 3, I saw a tweet that read “#padres signed SS Clint Barmes? The guy is 35 years old and he sucks … way to go AJ Preller!” Baseball Twitter was pissed. Was this going to be the 2015 version of “the final piece” that was Seth Smith a year earlier?

As a fan base, the skepticism is understandable. I mean, how many “big off-season acquisitions” like Jorge Cantu, Jason Marquis, Edinson Volquez, Brad Hawpe and Jason Bartlett walk through door, only to fade into nothingness? Eventually, serious doubt sets in. After the Barmes signing this offseason, there was no press conference, no celebration, just a lot of frustration from fans. Not because Barmes is terrible, he’s not … but because fans feared that was it. That was the offseason. That what fans had become accustomed to.

But something felt different with A. J. Preller. At least I felt it. I shot out a tweet, at the risk of the Twitter trolls coming out in abundance: “Watch Padres fans freak out & overreact over Barmes, only to look silly later when Preller brings in a big stick. *crossing fingers*”

If you missed it, that was a not-so-humble-brag. However, I’ll be the first to admit I was actually wrong because I said Preller would bring in “a”–singular–big stick … not a handful. It wasn’t long before the flood gates opened.

In comes Matt Kemp, Justin Upton, Derek Norris and Wil Myers. Not to mention other notables like Tim Federowicz and Will Middlebrooks. Are you kidding me? Matt Kemp and Justin Upton are on the San Diego Padres? We’re either living in some sort of parallel universe or it’s 2025 and those dudes are gray beards. Nope. It was real. Those are just the hitters.

On the hill, Preller took one-year gambles on Brandon Morrow and Josh Johnson—two names you recognize because when they were younger and healthier, they were ace-worthy. I know that sounds familiar, but these guys can’t be compared to the Padres swooping up Mike Piazza at age 38 or Greg Maddux at age 41. Morrow is 30 years old, and Johnson is 31. On paper, there are plenty of years left in those arms.

All those new names you just read? You’d think our pitching staff would have imploded to acquire all of those bats, right? Wrong. Preller didn’t have to give up one of the core-three in his starting rotation: Andrew Cashner, Tyson Ross and Ian Kennedy.

Then, just when you thought the insanity had subsided … Preller strikes again with James Shields joining the starting rotation. James Shields! A 2011 All-Star who took the Rays to the Series in 2008 and then just did the same with the Royals in 2014. He has the only World Series win in Rays history.

WHO IS THE STAFF ACE GOING TO BE AMONG THESE STUDS?

Doesn’t it feel good to have to struggle with questions like that? Fans are asking questions about how we’re going to fit so many arms into the rotation, or how we’re going to deal with a subpar defensive outfield. Last year, fans would wonder every single day what name we’ve never heard of would turn up when Buddy Black rolled his dugout dice while making the lineup card.

So, if Preller didn’t give up our staff aces, he must have emptied the farm system, right? Wrong. Although he obviously parted with some minor league talent, he magically kept the Padres’ top three prospects. He gave up Yasmani Grandal, who was amazing when he joined the club in 2012, only to test positive for high testosterone and serve a 50-game suspension in 2013. Good riddance.

Preller also gave up Seth Smith, who was a fine player for San Diego, but I think most fans agree he over-performed in 2014 and that Preller wasn’t about to buy high. Same with Rene Rivera behind the plate. A valuable teammate in 2014, but someone the Padres don’t plan on missing with Norris and Federowicz behind the dish.

Every year I scroll through the Padres roster, the outfield specifically, where you hope the power will come from, and think … “You know, I like having guys such as Cam Maybin and Will Venable, but I sure wish they weren’t starting because they’d be nice coming off the bench.”

Well, thanks to Preller, Kemp, Myers and Upton … now they are! It’s beautiful. It’s a shame Chris Denorfia isn’t going to be around for all the 2015 fun. I’ll miss Norf.  (Not to be confused with Norv … I won’t miss him.)

In a matter of months, A. J. Preller has completely shifted the mindset of the San Diego baseball fan. The word untouchable doesn’t exist in my baseball vocabulary anymore. Not with Preller at the helm. No player is off limits. Assume nothing, San Diego. Preller may very well still be working. So where does it lead us for the 2015 Padres season? The answer is obvious.

The postseason.

I want it. I want it so badly, I can taste it. Sounds like a silly statement to make before the season has even started. A silly statement since the Padres haven’t made the playoffs since 2006 (they were swept).

I know, I know … Matt Holliday never touched home plate in ‘07. I know, I know … the team won 90 games in 2010 despite a historic collapse. Still, they haven’t actually been in the playoffs in almost a decade. Despite Preller’s moves, Vegas is projecting the Dodgers and the Giants to post better records than the Padres. I don’t care. Take your Vegas projections and put them on a plaque in the Bud Selig Plaza. They’re irrelevant. None of that crap matters.

Here’s the kicker, and please read carefully. If the Padres don’t make the playoffs … so what. Sure, I want them to make the playoffs. Shoot, I want them to win the World Series. But that’s not the point.

Remember this. Remember this feeling. This lingering feeling deep inside of every Padres fan in the offseason that screams, “We matter!” It means the San Diego front office tried. FINALLY, THEY TRIED.

After years of saying goodbye to franchise players like Peavy, Gonzalez, Latos and Rizzo. After years of being lied to by the likes of Moores and Moorad, the front office has removed their heads from their collective asses and they came out guns blazing. I love it!

If the team doesn’t work out … if starters get hurt, or the newly acquired Padres play terribly … well, that sucks. But it doesn’t mean this offseason was a failure, because guess what: The San Diego Padres are relevant again. Padres fans can walk around town with their heads held high. Hell, they can walk around any town with their heads held high. Because we’ve got A. J. Preller and your team doesn’t. That feeling? That feeling is hope, my friends. Finally, Padres fans have hope again.

Remember, Red. Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies.

Take a bow, A. J. Preller … take a bow.

Posted in Baseball | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Earl Sinclair as Biggie…

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This is why the internet was created.

Well done, Benjamin.

-bp

Posted in Music | Tagged | 2 Comments

It’s March Madness Time for the Gutty Little Aztecs…

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I just swooped up a green Monty Montezuma tee for March Madness. I already have a black and red one, seen below. (a little Where’s Waldo action for you)

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If you want to swoop up a t-shirt of any color… get ’em here.

-bp

Posted in Basketball | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

The Padres Twitter Emoji Game is on Point…

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Fall in Love With the SDSU Women’s Golf Team…

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There, I said it. I just fell in love with the entire SDSU Women’s Golf Team… in a totally platonic way, of course. Unreal, that video! Love everything about it. If you gals ever need a fourth in a scramble… I know a guy.

-bp

[ht Matt Hall at UT San Diego]

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A Powder Blue Chargers Helmet?

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Nobody loves the powder blues more than me. But this? This is too much. Nope.

Deeyung Entertainment posted a ton of new NFL helmets on imgur and that’s the Chargers design they came up with. I’m all about mixing it up, but that just looks too cartoonish to me, and there’s no history with it. If you’re gonna bring back a blue helmet, make it the Fouts royal blue with the yellow face mask.

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Swoon.

-bp

[ht @PhilHecken]

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SDSU Baseball Tony Gwynn Weekend

SDSU baseball players wore Tony Gwynn's jerseys for the national anthem prior to their home opener against Washington on Friday, Feb. 17, 2012. Gwynn, the coach of the Aztecs is in the hospital recovering from surgery after removing a tumor in his cheek. — K.C. Alfred, UT San Diego

SDSU baseball players wore Tony Gwynn’s jerseys for the national anthem prior to their home opener against Washington on Friday, Feb. 17, 2012. Gwynn, the coach of the Aztecs is in the hospital recovering from surgery after removing a tumor in his cheek. — K.C. Alfred, UT San Diego

The San Diego State baseball program is doing some really cool stuff this weekend to honor the memory of the great Tony Gwynn. At their baseball game Friday night, Feb 13th, where they’ll be retiring Tony’s number and handing out commemorative“TG” pins to the first 1,500 fans. I plan on being there and I hope you guys do too. Uncle Teddy will be emceeing the pre-game festivities and Stephen Strasburg will be there as well.

From the Aztecs website, here are all the activities planned over the week at SDSU to honor Tony:

SAN DIEGO – San Diego State will honor the memory of Tony Gwynn during its season-opening weekend as it hosts Valparaiso for the three-game series Feb. 13-15. Among the events planned are the retirement of Gwynn’s No. 19 SDSU jersey, an Aztecs vs. Cancer event and a tribute to SDSU’s Golden Spikes Award winners Stephen Strasburg and Travis Lee.

The week begins with the monthly Aztec Coaches luncheon on Monday, Feb. 9, at the Courtyard Marriott Central. The luncheon will feature Aztec Head Coach Mark Martinez along with a selected player presenting a preview of the weekend’s activities as well as a look at the upcoming season. Cost of the luncheon is $20 with check-in starting at 11:00 a.m. and the luncheon getting underway at 11:30 a.m. For more information and to make reservations contact Sydney Bates at (619) 594-0960 or via e-mail at sydney.bates@mail.sdsu.edu.

On Wednesday, Feb. 11, the baseball team will receive their rings for winning the 2014 Mountain West championship during halftime of the men’s basketball game vs. Wyoming that starts at 8:00 p.m. Prior to the contest, Gwynn’s daughter, Anisha, will sing the national anthem after family members help lead the traditional “I Believe” chant. Members of Gwynn’s family will be on hand to accept his ring during the halftime ceremony.

The Aztecs will give out commemorative t-shirts featuring Gwynn’s basketball number 24 to the first 2500 student in attendance at the basketball game with those shirts also available to the general public for a nominal fee.

On Friday, Feb. 13, the Aztecs will host a VIP reception from 4:00-5:30 p.m. at Tony Gwynn Stadium prior to the season opener vs. Valparaiso. The reception is open to San Diego State baseball letterwinners who played under Gwynn as well as his former teammates at SDSU along with invited dignitaries. Athletes are asked to RSVP for the reception as soon as possible to Sydney Bates at (619) 594-0960 or via e-mail at sydney.bates@mail.sdsu.edu.

The pre-game ceremony to retire Coach Gwynn’s jersey will get underway prior to that evening’s game with Ted Leitner serving as emcee. SDSU Director of Athletics Jim Sterk will speak along with a member of the Gwynn family. Commemorative Tony Gwynn  pins will be distributed to the first 1500 fans in attendance at the game

Also in attendance will be former Aztec and current Washington Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg as new artwork on the wall behind right field showing Gwynn along with SDSU Golden Spikes winners Strasburg and Travis Lee will be christened. Strasburg will also be at Saturday’s contest recognizing him and Lee as two of the Aztecs’ all-time best.

On Saturday (Feb. 14, 1:00 p.m.), the baseball team will sponsor an Aztecs vs. Cancer event in Gwynn’s honor. Prior to the game several players will have their heads shaved in support of Coach Gwynn’s fight against cancer as well as someone in their lives who has been struck by the disease. A preview of that event may be seen by clicking here. Fans can help the baseball team reach its fundraising goal by clicking here. SDSU will also pay tribute to Strasburg and Lee by handing out Golden Spikes t-shirts to the first 500 fans in attendance for the 1:00 p.m. contest.

Opening weekend will conclude on Sunday, Feb. 15, with the third game vs. Valparaiso set to begin at noon. During that contest the Aztecs will be hosting the West Covina Little League, an organization that held a special place for Gwynn. The players and coaches will hold a clinic for the little leaguers after the game.

The San Diego State baseball team, along with several other teams in the Mountain West, will be wearing commemorative Tony Gwynn “TG” patches on their uniforms throughout the 2015 season.

Tickets for San Diego State’s opening weekend baseball games can be purchased in advance online at www.GoAztecs.com, at the Aztec Ticket Office at Qualcomm Stadium Gate E, by calling (619) 283-7378.

-bp

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Padres Retired Numbers

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I’ve never been a supporter of Garvey’s number being retired by the Padres, so when I saw the photo of Sarah Silverman rocking number 6… this was inevitable. I’ve been over this before in a previous blog: “Funny thing about Garvey… people think that because I’m opposed to Garvey’s number being retired by SD that I didn’t like him as a player. That’s not the case at all. Somewhere behind Mickey Mantle, Bo Jackson, and Tony Gwynn… Garvey sits as one of my top 10 favorite ballplayers of all-time. Just feels weird that a self-proclaimed lifelong Dodger has a number up on the batter’s eye at Petco. (He spent 14 seasons in LA, and 5 in SD… the Dodgers have NOT retired his number.) Want to hear the most compelling argument that I’ve ever heard for retiring Garvey’s no. 6? Tony Gwynn once said that Garvey’s home run in ’84 was the most memorable moment of his career. With that career, the most memorable moment of Tony’s career wasn’t even one of Tony’s moments. Incredible. That alone tells me that maybe I should just shut up, let it go, and accept that the Padres retired his number.”

Regardless of your position on Garvey’s number, one thing all Padres can agree on is the optimism we hold for 2015. I’m fired up for this season with all the off-season moves by AJ Preller, Rockstar GM. I even checked Titanbet and the Padres odds of winning the World Series this year. I’ve never checked World Series odds like that… whether they win or not, isn’t it cool to feel like they’ve got a shot? Yes, yes it is.

-bp

[Joe from Gaslamp Ball found the Sarah Silverman photo, taken by Jonathan Daniel/ Getty Images]

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Jimmy Fallon is a Genius

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I laughed. I cried. I took a trip down memory lane. Brilliant. Aside from Belding, cast looks damn good too. Didn’t think he’d be able to top the Fresh Prince recreation… he just did with Saved by the Bell.

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-bp

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