Memories of the 1984 San Diego Padres

The team’s best defensive left fielder played second base. A man made for first base played left field.

Those were just a couple of the spring training decisions by Manager Dick Williams that helped lead the San Diego Padres to their first National League championship in 1984.

Certainly, when people think back on that season, they recall Steve Garvey hitting the home run off Lee Smith to send the NL Championship Series vs. the Chicago Cubs to a deciding Game 5.

Then they will flash back to Tim Flannery’s ground ball going between the legs of Cubs first baseman Leon Durham, which propelled the Padres to a decisive 6-3 win over Rick Sutcliffe … who finished with a 16-1 record and the NL Cy Young that year.

Another “memory” is the Aug. 12 game at Atlanta, when Braves pitcher Pascual Perez started a war by hitting Alan Wiggins with the game’s first pitch. It led to 16 players being ejected; and ultimately, Williams receiving a 10-game suspension for having each of his pitchers throw at Perez.

(What most don’t remember is that the game was delayed 90 minutes at the start by heavy rain at a very humid Fulton County Stadium.)

A majority … especially those of us who were there … will remember Detroit “fans” tipping over police cars and breaking windows of nearby businesses after the Tigers beat the Padres in the fifth and deciding game of the World Series.

But the little things that few can recall are what really showed that the 1984 season was meant for the Padres.

It began with Wiggins, the team’s speedy leadoff batter and presumed left fielder, moving to second base. In turn, rookie Carmelo Martinez (a natural first baseman) was moved to left field because Steve Garvey was at first.

Williams also decided in spring training that closer Goose Gossage would start the ninth inning rather than come into the game with men on base; a unique concept in 1984.

As it turned out, all of the unusual decisions by Williams were charms. But Williams was no charmer; wearing out his welcome in San Diego when he walked out on the Padres the first day of spring training in 1986.

Memories. They never get old; especially when recalling the little things that made the 1984 season such a big thing for the Padres.

And you can re-live those moments when the Padres honor their 1984 NL champions before Saturday night’s game vs. the Cubbies at Petco Park.

MLB Opening Day: There's nothing like it

Opening Day.

There’s nothing like it in sports.

It’s a sign that spring is here (well, maybe not in Boston or Chicago), baseball season is on and all is well in America for at least a day.

There are tons of memorable Opening Days. In the 41-year history of the San Diego Padres, none may have had as many twists and turns as the April 5, 1983 opener at the San Francisco Giants.

The Padres won, 16-13, but not before the game took 3 hours, 39 minutes (in an era when 2 ½ hours was a long game.)

San Diego’s winning pitcher was Tim Lollar, who gave up six runs on eight hits in five innings.

Mike Krukow of the Giants wasn’t so fortunate, surrendering four runs, three walks and four hits in 1 1/3 innings to take the loss.

The Padres led after 5 ½ innings, 16-6, only to hold on for dear life before Gary Lucas earned the save with 1 1/3 shutout innings.

Along the way, Garry Templeton had a home run and four RBIs for the Padres, Terry Kennedy and Lollar each added three RBIs and newly-acquired Steve Garvey was 2-for-4 with two runs scored.

Thankfully, not many Opening Days transpire as this one did.

Don’t expect nearly as much when Jake Peavy of San Diego faces the Los Angeles Dodgers on Opening Day because he always beats the team from up north.

Milwaukee Brewers need to quit crying

The Milwaukee Brewers need to quit crying over whether CC Sabathia pitched a no-hitter Sunday in Pittsburgh.

There are two reasons Andy LaRoche’s leadoff single in the fifth inning deserved to be called an infield hit:

No. 1: Sabathia tried to bare-hand the ball. Whenever somebody does that, it means they know there is a 50-50 chance at best of getting the runner.

If every player was given an error who tries to bare-hand a ball, Major League Baseball would need to change its scoring rules and call hundreds of more errors each season on such plays.

No. 2: Sabathia is left-handed. He not only needed to pick up the ball; he needed to turn his body to make the throw (it would have been much easier for a right-hander.)

There’s even a third compelling reason not to change the call. Had the play been ruled an error, the Pirates may have played the game differently from then on in an attempt to get a hit.

(Perhaps someone could have tried for a bunt single to break up a no-hitter; such as Ben Davis of the Padres did years ago vs. Curt Schilling of the Padres; or Steve Garvey of the Dodgers did vs. San Diego’s Bob Owchinko in the late 1970s.)

The Brewers are a great team. Here’s hoping they win the World Series ... and quit crying about a one-hitter by Sabathia that should stay that way!

Headley should be Padres' left fielder

Chase Headley should be the starting left fielder for the Padres in 2008.

Why?

More than anything, it would be like history repeating itself.

In 1984, the Padres took rookie first baseman Carmelo Martinez and moved him to left field because Steve Garvey was already at first base.

Martinez turned out to be a somewhat adequate outfielder with pretty good power. Along with rookie center fielder Kevin McReynolds, he helped the Padres make it to the 1984 World Series.

Headley, a converted third baseman, wouldn’t be a great outfielder … but probably better than Martinez. He also has decent power and would not be a liability in the line up.

But here’s the big difference: Martinez was on a much more talented team in 1984 than Headley would be in 2008. Don’t expect the current Padres to make the World Series.

Why should Headley be the leading contender in left field?

Well, have you heard anything lately about center fielder Jim Edmonds improving from his strained calf?

Didn’t think so. Scott Hairston in center field and Headley in left sounds like a plan for now.

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!