2018 VDO Blue Jays

As some of you may know 2018 was Trevor’s first year playing organized ball. But the game runs deep in our family. Twenty years ago I was a first-year member of the Padres Entertainment Department, specifically the Pad Squad. If any of you recall the Padres flag charging across the Plaza Level concourse at the Murph whenever Hells Bells played, that was me. It carried over to Petco Park and ironically, Trevor Hoffman himself retired from Major League Baseball just weeks after I walked away from the greatest job I’ve ever had and likely will ever have. I have since joked with him that he retired as soon as he learned I wouldn’t be around to ride his coattails anymore!

Each Opening Day brought with it new excitement and hope, just as the last game of the season would bring a heaviness to my heart that could only be completely cured by the next opener. This went on for thirteen wonderful (and some not-so-wonderful) seasons and even though I became accustomed to the offseason doldrums, I never quite got used to it.

From 1998 thru 2010 I worked over 1,000 games; and was blessed to befriend some of the most cherished names in Padres and even Chargers history. I still keep in touch with more than a few members of that 1998 team. I fondly look back on those years as A Thousand Games, a Million Memories.

There was a brief handshake with Joe DiMaggio during the World Series, a short but amazing conversation about duck hunting with Ted Williams and a slightly awkward moment in the men’s’ room “trough” next to some short guy I soon realized was Ozzie Smith.

I’ve stood for Our National Anthem next to Navy Admirals and the Commandant of the Marine Corps; met nearly every living member of the MLB Hall of Fame and once risked my job by breaking company protocol and all but demanding that John Moores allow a dozen Pearl Harbor survivors be escorted to the owner’s box from their nosebleed seats on an unseasonably warm Memorial Day.

I have as many other great memories as there are total hits in MLB history and I share these with you not out of bragging but partly out of humble gratitude and mostly to tell you that this 2018 VDO Blue Jays season has rivaled and at times surpassed anything I’ve experienced at The Murph and Petco Park. And the biggest thing I have learned is being a baseball fan is a totally different world than being a baseball fan and parent.

Yet as much humble pride we take in watching them grow into ballplayers and young men, as much heartache we share after heartbreaking losses like last Saturday, I cannot help but have my thoughts consumed by how much our Little Leaguers remind us of Big Leaguers.

What other team at VDO is blessed enough to have Rickey Henderson; I mean, Marcello leading off for them? You can be lacking in one or two areas and still have a good team. But you cannot be a great team without a great leadoff hitter. And Marcello is just that. Even more important than being a great leadoff hitter, he is a leader…

During that game vs. the Cubs on May 12^th, was that Damian on the mound, or did we somehow channel Kevin Brown in the 1998 LDS vs. Houston? I’ve watched Nolan Ryan, Jake Peavy, Roger Clemens, Pedro Martinez and so many other dominant pitchers absolutely own opposing teams, but I have seen no pitcher more dominant than Damian was that afternoon. He might as well had pulled a Satchel Paige and asked our outfielders to come sit down in the infield…

And what about #21? I’m not sure if Justin chose the number in honor of Ken Caminiti, but most days he looked like Cammy without the goatee. Even I would grow a little nervous whenever we made eye contact during a game. They called Cammy Mr. Intensity, Justin is Little Mr. Intensity…

Every time Isaiah “BamBam” Concha came to the plate, I would hear in my mind the “If ya smellllllllllllllllll” entrance music of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.  I have never seen a man or boy have more fun on a baseball field. I cringed as a watched him take enough bumps and bruises for an entire team, I relished watching him come right back into the game, with a smile on his face. Great job, Brianna…

We almost had a no-hitter and I cannot ignore the irony in watching Cameron break it up. When he went for that steal I had visions of Dave Roberts in the 2004 ALCS. Still can’t figure out how this kid can have a heart four times the size of his body…

When I first started watching the 2018 Blue Jays, I looked down toward first and thought to myself “You can’t have a short kid playing first base!” Shows how much I know. If VDO gave out Gold Glove awards, Buddy would have won it hands down. Day after day, the rare throw that wasn’t right at his chest were caught in a way reminiscent of Wally Joyner. Great job kid, and I stand corrected…

No team can succeed without a strong bullpen, and Joey “The Snowman” brought up memories of a Dan Miceli or Scott Linebrink. In watching a few thousand games in person and on TV, I would get nervous any time we brought our starter out for a reliever. Not so with the kid affectionately known as “Olaf”…

Speaking of nicknames, Isaiah “Gonzo” Gonzalez carried himself much like a big leaguer on the field. I’ve seen guys in The Show get rattled by fans in the stands, Gonzo always carried himself with a stoic determination that belied his age. Spring Valley's own Ichiro...

After battling through the season in the #8 spot, Sam produced one of the biggest hits of the season on Friday and scored the tying run in a game that took over 24 hours to play. He is the epitome of what it means to never give up. Giving it his all for the entire season, it paid off in dividends and helped send the Blue Jays to the Championship Game…

Does anyone remember the final game of the 1996 Padres season? Chris Gwynn had a tough year coming off the bench and in the 11^th inning he made one of the most important hits in team history. On the way home Friday night I told Trevor his bases-loaded triple to break the game open reminded me of Gwynn. There was no prouder man in history than I when Trevor walked in the bottom of the 9^th and came home on Marcello’s game-winning double down the left field line. Greatest baseball moment of my life…

There was a morose feeling in our home after Saturday's game. For me personally, it was more about the end of the season than it was about the actual loss. I see Trevor's Blue Jays hat hanging on the hat rack and think of that day in January when we went to assessments, a Little League rookie and a rookie Little League parent not knowing what to expect. I think of my daily routine of sneaking out of work early to get my hot dog and Pepsi from the snack bar before the first pitch. I think of watching over our little ones on the hill every time a foul ball bounded over the fence. But most of all, I think of how you all have helped create so many memories for our boys.

As Tony Gwynn said moments before stepping off the Major League Field for the last time,

Thank You.

Thank You,
Thank You,
Thank You...

Thank you Valley de Oro Little League for making my son's dream come true.

Thank you parents, friends and family for making our team the best supported in the league.

And most of all, thank you Blue Jays for giving me the greatest baseball season of my life...

1998: The Season that Built a Ballpark

Twenty years now, where’d they go. Twenty years, I don’t know…”

-Bob Seger

Every visit to Petco Park is an all-inclusive trip down memory lane. From the short conversation about duck hunting I had with Ted Williams when we ceremoniously raised the right field foul pole sometime in 2001 to the day we opened the place and Rudy helped Rickey find the Western Metal Supply Building, there is never a shortage of fond recollections.Tonight was an overload not unlike the surplus adrenaline I carried home with me after every game of the magical season of 1998.

The game was the second game of what I like to call a multi-generational doubleheader. Trevor Time 2.0 and his Blue Jays won their Little League game 2-0 and soon after the final out, we hightailed it down the 94 to our summer home. As always, we knew we were in for a great night but nothing could have prepared us for what was to come.

Not long after the gates opened I had a great conversation with a man who has had season tickets since the early 1980’s. Though I hadn’t known him previously, he knew me well and talked of the excitement I used to bring to the Murph. You know you’ve done something right if someone you’ve never met before recalls and praises your work…

Had an early dinner at Lolita’s before the game. Not bad. But nothing beats the camaraderie and hospitality of tailgating. When Petco Park was designed, there was initially no plan to include tailgate facilities. Makes me think Dean Spanos must have been the one to put the idiotic “no tailgating” idea in the suggestion box…

Sensory overload occurred when Ted Leitner’s voice came across the PA. Just hearing him say names like Gwynn, Caminiti and of course Hoffman made me feel like I had been transported back two decades…

Another sensory overload came when I was asked “What is your favorite memory of the 1998 season?” No problem thinking of one, the hard part was focusing on that one memory while hundreds of other great memories came to mind…

Surpassed only by my niece and nephew making a surprise appearance at Trevor’s game earlier in the day, the most heartfelt moment came when I ran into former Padres Director of Military Marketing Captain John C. “Fingers” Ensch; a great man and a great American. They just don’t make them like Captain Jack anymore…

In another heartfelt moment, members of the Caminiti, Coleman, Gwynn, Picciolo and Towers families were introduced. Hey, who’s cuttin’ onions?...

Cuttin’ Onions, Part Deaux: There were scattered empty seats around the ballpark due to it not being a sellout. The tears flowed when I saw the empty seats of Frank Glenski and Jim Zimmerman; stalwart fans who passed on just before this season started…

If sports fandom was structured like the military, Summer Serrano and the Madres would be SEAL Team Six. They are hands down the best of the best…

Spent a good amount of time with Franklin “K Man” Lewis, one of my closest friends anywhere in or out of the Ballpark. No matter how much some things change, Franklin is a great reminder that the best things never do…

I’ve had some habits over the years I would rather not see my children pick up. But it’s an honor to share baseball with Trevor. He’s at home there, taking to the ballfield like a duck to water. Or an Eskimo to an igloo. Or a Dodger fan in jail. Or... well, you get the picture…

Our actual seats were in the upper deck and naturally we ended up just a bit closer to the field, having spent the last five innings of the game directly behind the home dugout. I assure you all, when you saw me looking at my phone in the top of the 11^th inning, I was reading the early release of Nick Canepa’s “Sez Me” column. I’m still hoping he knows imitation is indeed the sincerest form of flattery…

A college kid sitting behind me was talking about his uncle, who attended our division clinching, come from behind win against L.A. I turned around and smiled, then told him my part of the story. When I finished he stared at me in awe. He then tugged the sleeve of my jersey and said “This thing’s two years older than me!” Sometimes “Old Moments” are the best moments…

Call me old fashioned, but I think John Moores had a more of a right to speak during tonight’s pregame ceremony than Ron Fowler. No John Moores means no Petco Park…

I love our downtown home. Always have, always will. What I don’t like is how each season it looks more and more like a NASCAR uniform…

Didn’t get my usual opportunity to talk to some of the current Pad Squad members but I did get the chance to watch them do slingshots. Barely reached past ten rows on most attempts. Something’s missing…

There was nothing missing during the National Anthem. Anisha Gwynn delivered as expected. I wouldn’t mind hearing her beautiful rendition another 3,141 times…

 Padres great Gary Templeton recently claimed the 1984 Padres would have beaten the 1998 team. Tough call but the consensus I gathered leaned toward the team that built the Ballpark. I’d hand it to ‘98 as far as starting rotation and outfield, but leadoff hitter would have to go to the 1984 team hands down. Saddens me to think how unknown Alan Wiggins is to so many fans. With apologies to Rickey Henderson (who was well past his prime in a Padre uniform), Wiggins was the best leadoff hitter we’ve ever had…

As I begin to close this thing out, I recall a spirited conversation about Goose Gossage and Trevor Hoffman. Often spoken of as not the nicest of guys, Goose was always great whenever I had the chance to talk with him. But Rudy didn’t name his firstborn after no bird…

As usual, I cannot write about, visit or even think about Petco Park without these three words running through my head;

Thank you, Larry…

Three T: Our Perfect Examples

There used to be a time when the waiting for baseball season began when football season ended. Seeing as how football season ended for San Diego in December 2016, I have been not-so-patiently waiting to hear the words “Play Ball!” ever since.

This year brings with it even more anticipation than most, as my son Trevor opens his Little League season on March 10th. If ever a boy was born ready to play baseball, it’s him.

For years we have been talking about guys I’ve gotten to know in the game; there was a time when I could look at a list of living Hall of Famers and point out the fact I had met every one of them, not to mention countless All Stars, Gold Glove winners and members of every playoff team for over a decade.

Yet when we talk baseball, my thoughts and words go back to three specific men; men I was blessed to get to know on and off the field and as outstanding they were as ballplayers, they were even greater men off the field.

The history of the San Diego Padres may pale in comparison to that of the Yankees and their legends but for that matter, what teams history compares to Ruth & Gehrig; Mantle & Maris; and of course, Joltin’ Joe DiMaggio. No matter, the three men I speak of most are part of our history, and it’s no less important to my sons and I then the lore of any other team out there.

Tim, Tony and Trevor.

Just those three names can bring forth thousands of memories for any Padre fan. Maybe a first autograph or running into one of them at the grocery store during the offseason. Or a game winning hit; a smile and wave during batting practice or one of them walking into an AC/DC concert, smiling and waving at everyone yet changing his path to come straight to you and give you hug. (Okay, I admit that last one was my own memory but you get my drift.)

Before I sit down and write a piece, I ask myself a few questions. The first one I ask is “What do I want to accomplish with this?” The second one is “Exactly who am I writing this for?” And the last one is “Why don’t you just stop thinking and let it flow?”

As I scanned my extensive files of personal and collective memories, the answers to the first two questions were one in the same. I am writing this for two people. One, for those whose memory banks may be even fuller than mine. Two, for the unfortunate souls who may not know those names. If you read this and you don’t know these names, it is my hope you have at least some understanding of not only how these men excelled on the ballfield but in life itself.

Here they are, the Three T’s; San Diego’s Perfect Example:

Tim Flannery

Growing up, I thought Tim Flannery was a cool, laid back kind of guy. This was evidenced during the first game I attended at The Murph during the Summer of 1983. We were playing the Phillies that day and someone fouled a rocket into the home dugout. While the bench nearly cleared out, Timmy nonchalantly stuck his hand out and barehanded the ball as if he was sitting on the beach reaching into the cooler.

Turns out I was only half right; though cool and laid back is definitely part of his persona, Tim Flannery was as fiery a competitor you will ever see. My brother used to say “Give me eight Tim Flannery’s, and we’ll be playing ball in October.” Years later I updated that quote, saying “Give me 25 guys led by Tim Flannery, and you’ll be the last team standing in October.” Three World Series Rings in five seasons for the Giants and Tim sent every one of those runs home. In all my years as a fan and employee, I only really knew Tim as a player and coach. Over the past few years I have gotten to know him as a person; as a husband, as a father and now a grandfather. As you will not find a player with more fire than Tim Flannery, you will also not find a human being with a bigger heart. Tim runs a charity called the Love Harder Foundation and Loving Harder is not just a name, it’s what he does and who he is.

I was blessed to watch him as a player for seven seasons and had a fly-on-the-wall vantage to observe him as a coach for five seasons and though you may find examples that equal his, you will not find one that surpasses it…

Tony Gwynn

Really, what can be said that hasn’t already been said at least 3,141 times? Everyone has a favorite memory, a favorite stat of Mr. Padre. The hard part is choosing just one. The nice part about that is, you don’t have to choose just one. Personally, my favorite thing about Tony, the Ballplayer is his career average against the Maddux-Glavine-Smoltz powerhouse. I mean, he absolutely OWNED what is likely the greatest 1-2-3 punch in baseball history. Then there’s his five Gold Gloves, which he often said was what he was proudest of. He was once called a subpar outfielder but let me tell you, “subpar” outfielders don’t win a Gold Glove, let alone five.

My son was born four years after Tony retired, but he knows the numbers and the impact Tony had on all of us. Yet when we talk numbers, we don’t talk a whole lot about the specifics. In the grand scheme of things, numbers are not all that important. What is important is how he achieved those numbers, and that’s the biggest point I try and hammer home to my sons on the ballfield, in the classroom and everywhere else. Tony was always working. I used to get to the stadium early to assist the ticket office and there wasn’t a day he wasn’t already there. It wouldn’t surprise me to find out they just gave him a key to the place, since they’d save a few bucks having to pay overtime to the guy who would have to wait until Tony left after a game to lock up.

It was a sad day indeed in Padreville when Tony was called up to the Big Lineup in the Sky. It still hurts and always will. But the hurt is constantly soothed by the unending gratitude I have for the example Tony set for all of us…

Trevor Hoffman

I must admit, I was not all that excited the first time I heard the name Trevor Hoffman and if there’s no fans who wouldn’t say the same, at least some of them are lying. Trevor came to the Padres during the infamous Fire Sale; traded for none other than 1992 Triple Crown candidate Gary Sheffield. We were somewhat shielded from the Fire Sale as we lived in a small mountain town in New Mexico during that time. But that didn’t keep us from hearing news of the trade and looking back, I’ve never been prouder to be wrong in my life.

If there ever was a player who could rival Tony Gwynn in Padres lore, it’s Hoffy. On those long, 15 hour workdays at the Murph, I would often see Trevor out jogging in the parking lot or in the outfield. Showing up before noon for a night game and lord knows how early for a day game. He would run his bullpen mates to the ground, literally, with his everyday routine. Some pitchers may have threw harder, some may have had better movement on the ball but no one out-prepared him. The man was and still is a workhorse.

Years ago, Jerry Lee Lewis was asked about Chuck Berry during an interview. The Killer replied “He’s the King of Rock & Roll, my mama even said that!” One legend paying due respect, even the ultimate respect to another. That’s one of the surefire ways to gauge the body of work a man produces. Ask around MLB and you will hear nothing but praise for #51. I thought about adding some quotes here, but just go ahead and do it yourself if you’re so inclined. You won’t be disappointed.

Over the years I probably got to know Trevor on a personal level more than any other ballplayer. My years with the Pad Squad were times where my name was synonymous with Trevor Time. He even retired from baseball just a few short weeks after I hung up my jersey and I’ve since joked with him that he made the decision because I wouldn't around to ride his coattails anymore. When thousands of us gathered at Petco Park to Celebrate the Life of Tony Gwynn I had the opportunity to talk with the Hoffman family. His sons, now taller than me, looked at me like they were still the little kids who used to follow me around the Stadium and Ballpark. His wife Tracy said “Hey! We were just talking about you." And wouldn’t you know it, I felt like yet again like that 8-year old kid meeting his hero for the first time. You never forget your heroes and sometimes, your heroes never forget you.

I’ve shared the following words many times over the years, the most cherished moment came when I shared them with Trevor’s mom, Mikki.;

I didn’t name my firstborn after my all time favorite ballplayer, I didn’t name him after the best closer in National League history; I named my son after Trevor Hoffman the son, the husband, the father, the brother and the teammate. My son is named Trevor after Trevor Hoffman the man…

So there you have it. I would dare you to find three better examples anywhere; baseball, football, music. Don’t waste your time because you won’t. You might find those who rival, even equal them in their respective fields of endeavor but none will surpass. And you know what’s funny? Of all the accolades I send their way, all the thanks and all the reasons I look up to them and use their examples to lead my family, baseball doesn’t really have that much to do with it. That just happens to be how we met…