The Etiquette of Booing: Part II

In 2008, one of the earliest post I wrote for this blog was on the etiquette of booing. In that post, the situation was specific to booing Trevor Hoffman. The basic point was that Trevor Hoffman had earned our respect and a blown save here or there was not worth the fans of San Diego booing him.


Today, this argument was renewed. After yesterday's 7-0 loss to Atlanta yesterday, Petco Park was filled with boo's. To the point that Orlando Hudson responded, reportedly saying, "That's why they're fans, they couldn't cut it in high school or college baseball & you don't boo the home team."

Let's take this in a couple steps.

1) Orlando Hudson is not Trevor Hoffman. It's a rare player that earns the respect and does not deserve to be booed, absent serious misconduct. Tony Gwynn and Trevor Hoffman are probably the only two players in Padres history that are on that level. Orlando Hudson has been a Padres for only a few months. And let's be frank, the first regular season month of Hudson's career in San Diego has been less than stellar for the team.

2) There's a debate amongst fans whether fans should boo the home team. A debate that I'm sure they snicker at in Philadelphia and New York. But I like not being a fan of Philadelphia and New York, in part because we don't turn on our team at every bad moment. Does that mean a teams fan base is NEVER allowed to boo? I beg to differ. Philadelphia and New York boo too much but that's not to say there isn't a time and a place. That time and place is...

- 7 shutouts in 25 games in 2011 (12 shutouts in all of 2010)
- .208 team BA, good for last in ML. 213 SO, most in MLB
- And of course, the oft discussed BA/RISP of .172

3) There is a difference in booing a player or team you don't like (see: Cleveland with Lebron) and fans booing out of frustration. It is my belief that what happened Wednesday is the latter. And Orlando Hudson's reaction was an extension of that frustration.

I don't believe for a second that the player's aren't doing everything they can to start winning games. Probably trying too hard ultimately. I don't for a second think that these players aren't playing 100% and aren't more frustrated than any fans are. So I get Hudson's venting. What I don't agree with is Hudson's opinion that fans are not allowed to boo simply because they cannot play at a MLB level.

I'm not a booer unless I don't like the player or team. I don't boo my own teams no matter how frustrated I get. But I don't have a problem with fans doing it if they need to vent. Within reason. And through the first 25 games, we are well within that reason.

The fact of the matter is, I've been a bigger fan of the Padres longer than Orland Hudson has been. Or Brad Hawpe, or frankly any member of the Padres this year. So yes, I may not be talented enough to play at the MLB level. But I'm emotionally invested enough that if I'm frustrated by the teams play, I can let out a groan or a sigh or even, yes, a boo.

Everybody's frustrated, from the players to the GM to the fans. Brighter days are ahead, this I know. And no disrespect was meant toward any player individually or personally. And hey, I like Orlando Hudson. I give him a pass on this. He's a stand up guy, great in the community and a fun guy in the clubhouse by all accounts.

So let's chalk all this up to frustration. And take that frustration out on Los Angeles.

Now That's a Mood Modifer!

I started writing this post after last nights horribly frustrating lost to the Reds 8-2. This came after the Padres had left the winning run on 3rd two innings in a row. The Padres were 1-11 with RISP in that game and had wasted yet another good start from their pitching staff.

Then today's game happen and the same offensive ineptitude was on display again. And the same frustration, reaching a boiling point when the Padres failed, again, to advance a runner from 2nd to 3rd via a bunt.

As I'm writing this now, no frustration in sight. All smiles.


Walk-off wins can do that to you.

Look, Hudson's walk-off single didn't suddenly erase the offense problems that Padres have right now. They are 4-15 with a man on 3rd and less than 2 outs. Overall, the team BA with RISP is .213. That needs to be better.

As does Hawpe. Being 4 for 29 is one thing. 12 of those 29 AB's ending in a strikeout? An entirely different thing. Despite a better (better being a very loose term) BA than Ludwick, right now I have much more faith in Ludwick then I do Hawpe. It seems like all I see is Ludwick hitting the ball right on the button...and right at someone.

But like I said, I just don't feel like focusing on the negative right now. I intended to come in here, rant and rave about this team and vent some frustration. About bunts, and blown opportunities etc etc.

Instead, the Padres finish their first homestand with a much needed win. And I'm smiling and all is right with the world. For tonight anyway.

Walk-off wins can do that to you.

Don’t Touch the Stove! …it’s hot.

*Today marks a red letter day in the history of Left Coast Bias. Today, I am happy to present the first guest article in the blogs history. David Israel is a fellow Padres fan (I suppose that was obvious), a member of the legal community and, as this article shows, a pretty damn good writer. So, without further adieu, David, take it away!

By David Israel
With the Padres moves likely winding down (pick a 1B, any 1B), and with time on my hands, it’s time to take a look at the hot stove for one of the most active teams on the market. The Padres were surprising players; while there were no big acquisitions, the Padres have made some major moves, and despite the loss of Adrian, should put up a solid mid-level performance on a low-level payroll. So, let’s take a look.

The Adrian deal: Look, it was bound to happen. Enough has been written about it, and if 2-3 of those guys pan out in the next 2-4 years, the Padres will be better off for having made this deal. Casey Kelly looks legit, and the other parts will eventually help. Eric Patterson as the PTBNL stings a little (was hoping for an unrealistic Ellsbury move), but overall, this deal looks downright decent.

GM Hoyer also shored up the rotation, which suffered the losses of Kevin Correia and Chris Young. Aaron Harang has always been one of those guys I can’t help but think has been consistently undervalued; I like him in Petco Park for the price we’re paying. The rotation could probably use one more free agent brought in for the back end, to form up with Latos, Richard, Harang, Stauffer, and perhaps Leblanc. But hopefully not Leblanc; I just don’t trust him yet full time.

The middle of the field has done a full change; Maybin is Gwynn with slightly less defense, but more than enough to cover some ground in Petco’s CF. The bat upgrade he brings over AGJ is well worth it; for Maybin and Bartlett, we gave up 4 pieces we were never going to use, plus two minor leaguers with uncertain futures. That’s a plus; Bartlett will bring some stability to a position where the Pads have been lacking for a long time. This blog has already posted stat comparisons; take a look below.

My one suggestion for the off season when I planned on writing this a week ago was that the Padres should sign Orlando Hudson for a few years. While they paid him more than I would have projected, O-dog will bring a veteran leadership to this team that would have been left to only Ryan Ludwick. Good signing for a player who will fill a need, and provide savvy leadership. He is also familiar with the NL West, from his time with the Dodgers. A little expensive, but a good signing.

What’s left for the off season? A first baseman, clearly- look for Troy Glaus to be slotted in to that role. He made $1.75M last year, and could likely be had for $2-3 M this year. The defense won’t be Adrian (who may not be as good as numbers indicated- the lateral movement wasn’t great last year), but it will be adequate. I’d rather see a cheaper option than Derek Lee, but it would be fun if Lee and C. Young ended up on the team together, if only so they could relive their brawl from 2007. We could also use some of the Gunslinger’s old leftover magic in pulling a bullpen piece or two off the scrap heap.

So can the Padres compete with this team? With the Rockies and Giants in the division, probably not. So, what would I like to see happen? Before the Magglio Ordonez signing in Detroit, Ryan Ludwick seemed like he could be a fit there. Both Ludwick and Bell could (and should) be moved before the deadline, to save on payroll and bring in some help for the future. I love Bell as a player, and as a part of the San Diego community. But he deserves a shot to compete, and should get it.

Overall, a nice hot stove season for the Padres, and it should be a nice year of baseball in 2011. And, it’s only 2 months until the three best words, ever: pitchers and catchers.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Your 2011 Middle Infield!

By now you have heard that the Padres middle infield will look quite different then it did in 2010. Gone is the rotating door at SS (though, once Tejada was traded for that door was pretty much shut) and the spark plug at 2B.

In their place, Jed Hoyer has made two moves cementing the 2011 infield and, when coupled with bringing in Cameron Maybin, solidifying everything up the middle for 2010.

So, who are these new Padres and how do they compare to the 2010 versions? Let's go to a Tale of the Tape!

Jason Bartlett


Bartlett is a career .281 hitter, all in the American League. 2009 was clearly the standout year, in which he hit .320 with 14 HR. But, more importantly, he stole 30 bases that year. Frankly, I could care less about the HR's. If you are looking for a 40 HR guy to be brought into Petco, perhaps you are following the wrong team.

But, more importantly, he is a good defensive SS. He has a career UZR of 18.7, though admittedly his 2010 was a down year, both defensively and offensively.

Bartlett also brings with him consistency at a position that was anything but in 2010 for the Padres. 4 different players started at SS for the Padres in 2010, none of which started more than 62 games. In comparing Bartlett to the Padres SS of 2010, it would break down like so:

Bartlett vs Cabrera
Bartlett BA: .254
Cabrera BA: .208 (in 241 PA)

Bartlett SB: 11 (in 17 chances)
Cabrera SB: 10 (in 16 chances)

Bartlett Fielding PCT: .977
Cabrera Fielding PCT: .969 (Cabrera committed 7 errors, third highest on the team in 2010, despite playing in only 67)

Bartlett vs Jerry Hairston Jr.
Bartlett BA: .254
Hairston Jr.: .244 (476 PA)

Bartlett SB: 11
Hairston SB: 9 (out of 15 chances)

Bartlett Fielding PCT: .977
Hairston Jr. Fielding PCT .976 (at SS only. Also committed 6 errors in 62 games at SS)

Bartlett vs Tejada
Bartlett BA: .254
Tejada BA: .268 (by the way, if you had asked me to guess Tejada's BA based on my memory of how good he was in the last two months, I probably would have said about .980. So, rose colored glasses I guess).

Bartlett SB: 11
Tejada SB: 2 (in 2 chances)

Bartlett Fielding PCT: .977
Tejada Fielding PCT: .987 (committing only 3 errors)

Now, you could make the argument that the Padres could have simply brought Tejada back but keep these two things in mind. 1) Prior to coming to San Diego, Tejada was having an absolutely awful year in Baltimore.
2) He cost the Giants $6.5 million for 2011.

So, I would argue that the Padres, in giving up four players, mostly relievers made a great move in finding a player that can provide solid and stable play at one of the most important positions on the diamond. And call me crazy, but between Darren Balsley and Petco Park, the Padres can find serviceable to great relievers plenty of places. Now, call me crazy but I feel like its easier to find bullpen arms then it is starting Shortstops.


This brings us to the next major move, that being the signing of the O-Dog.

Orlando Hudson signed a two-year, $11.5 million contract to be the Padres starting second basemen. Hudson hit .278 in 2010 for the Twins but, much more importantly, the Padres get a 4 time Gold Glover who can get on base (career OPS .770).

For comparison sake, here is Orlando Hudson compared to David Eckstein.
Hudson BA: .278
Eckstein BA: .267

Hudson OPS: .710
Eckstein OPS: .647

And again, let's not forget the Gold Glover caliber defense the Padres get in Hudson.

The Padres are better right now at three major positions (2B, SS, CF) and continue to look for a 1B (heard Brad Hawpe and Troy Glaus mentioned on XX1090 today as more names to throw into that rumor mill).

Suddenly, year 1 of the post-AGon era is looking a bit brighter.