What was Bochy thinking?

What was Bruce Bochy thinking when he left the Padres for the San Francisco Giants?
Maybe he was thinking it was time to move on because the Padres showed no interest in renewing him as manager after his contract expired in 2007. Or perhaps he thought the Giants gave him his best chance at winning a third-straight NL West title.
After one week, Bochy appears to have made a foolish decision. His team is 1-5, tying its worst start ever (1967 and 1980) since the Giants moved west from New York in 1958. It’s easy to assume that will continue when the Giants start a three-game series in San Diego tonight against the Padres.
Not so fast!
Is Barry Zito going to continue on his pace with an 0-2 record and 8.18 ERA? Is Barry Bonds going to remain healthy, hurting the team more defensively and attitude-wise than he helps its offensively?
Never take one week of a six-month season and draw conclusions from it.
Remember when the Dodgers lost 13 of 14 following the All-Star break last year? Everybody said they were out of it. Remember when the Dodgers then immediately won 15 of 16? Many said they would win the World Series. They weren’t out of it after two horrible weeks; nor did they win anything in the playoffs after two great mid-summer weeks.
Austin Kearns of the Washington Nationals sure has it right after one week of the 2007 season. His team has an NL-worst record of 1-6, losing four straight.
"I laugh at people who hit the panic button after the first week," he said.
Baseball fans will probably be laughing at the Nationals all year. But don’t be so quick to hit the panic button with Bochy’s Giants, who could become a factor in the NL West, after all.

Let's get past the home opener!

The home opener. Fans will be all dressed up. Petco Park will be all decked out, as if it’s a playoff game.
This only happens once a year. It’s the Padres vs. Colorado Rockies, Game 1 of 81 at Petco Park this regular season.
From an appearance standpoint, it’s the best of times. From other aspects, it’s the worst of times. Or did you not notice all the local TV stations this morning at Petco Park, who were tripping over themselves as if they are going to be there for games in mid-season.
It all goes back to Tony Gwynn’s comments about opening night. He always looked forward to the second night, because that’s when the real fans come out.
I’m sure there will be fans tonight wondering why the Cubs loaned Greg Maddux to the Padres to pitch their home opener. Or why Steve Garvey isn’t playing first base. Or why Bruce Bochy isn’t managing the Padres.
Many of the people who “have” to be there on opening night won’t “have” to be at another game until next year’s home opener. Of course, they’ll also be the first ones wondering why they can’t get playoff tickets if the Padres make the postseason.
Their called front-runners and they make up a large percentage of San Diego fans. Look at the Chargers. They barely sold out several of their early-season home games in 2006. By the time they won 10 straight and the bandwagon was in full gear, tickets were harder to come by than a snowy day in San Diego.
Enjoy opening night, since it only comes once a year. Just remember, the Rockies are also here tomorrow night. See you then!

There's still a long way to go!

There are still 160 games to go. You hear that all the time when a baseball team starts 2-0. But why not enjoy the Padres so far?
Jake Peavy was spectacular on opening day. Chris Young didn't have his good stuff in Game 2, but so what? The team won without an above average outing from its starter.
And what do you think Bruce Bochy is thinking about in the Giants dugout? He has left Cla Meredith, Scott Linebrink and Trevor Hoffman behind in the bullpen. Now he has Brad Hennessey, Jack Taschner and Armando Benitez in their place. Ouch! If you think the Padres are a potential sinking ship, just look at the Giants. Their bullpen has about as much spark as Chargers' General Manager A.J. Smith has personality.
Tonight will be interesting with Clay Hensley facing Matt Morris of the Giants. Morris has turned into an average pitcher, at best. Hensley is up-and-coming, but he needs to get over that blister problem on his pitching hand.
Are you all looking forward to the Padres' home opener Friday night? Not me. I'm more interested in the second home game on Saturday night. Tony Gwynn always said the REAL baseball fans come out the second night. Let's face it: Mr. Hall of Famer knows what he is talking about.
One note of caution. Don't be fooled by the Padres averaging six runs in their first two games. This is a team with a pop-gun offense that is going to struggle to score runs. If it is to win a third straight NL West title, it will probably be because of the bullpen again.
It's April; everybody's eyes are on a new season. Just don't let the first week fool you. I remember the original Padres in 1969 won their first three games, then won only 49 more over the next six months. In Jerry Coleman's year as manager, the team started 5-2 the first week and was running the bases like crazy. By the end of the season, Coleman was run out of town (at least as manager.)
It's way too early to judge Bud Black now. He looks like a genius so far. We'll see over the next 160 games ... starting with a potential three-game sweep tonight at San Francisco.