“Baseball is like a church. Many attend. Few understand.” — Leo Durocher
Sez Me …
The Padres have changed chefs.
Can that be the reason why the food has improved? Is new chef-de-cuisine Mike Shildt’s menu blipping on the Manager of the Year radar range?
The explanation for this — although no one can say exactly what Shildt has done (if anything much) to change soiled tablecloths so rapidly — must include him.
Managing has to be about feel. How to touch the moment. Shildt has to have something. The comebacks. The clutch hitting. Winning close games. Why did all this escape his predecessor?
The Padres have gone from what they were a year ago, a steakhouse serving disappointing mystery meat, to what at times tastes like a Michelin-star ribeye in 2024.
The Padres are fascinating. They haven’t been this interesting since the year I interviewed John The Waiter, who worked the Last Supper and told me the host was troubled, but a most gracious and a generous tipper and, of course, a Padres fan.
A season ago their manager was Bob Melvin, an esteemed cook and bottle washer. He couldn’t fry an egg with his Padres, who should have been better than this version. For one thing, they had Juan Soto, not to mention members of the current cast.
I hardly can tell you what’s going to happen with this team, so good (for the most part) since the All-Star break. The Pads have their down times — they had some last week — but it’s hard to think of them not playing into October.
So, no matter what goes on the rest of the way, Shildt should be at the top of the Manager of the Year list.
Why not? What harm can it do?
Even if he can’t heal his sick, he can raise what appeared to be the dead-in-the-water.
I guess.
Some teams have had injury problems and kept their heads above the waves. Shildt has had to deal with his two top starting pitchers — Yu Darvish and Joe Musgrove — missing many weeks, although Darvish somehow managed to go on leave for personal reasons no one has yet to explain (frankly, I can’t remember such an absence happening in two millenniums of watching the game).
The good news is Musgrove has returned, as has Darvish, from whatever odyssey he has been on. And Manny Machado, who came back too early from shoulder surgery, has been reborn. When Manny gets going, he’s something at bat and in the field.
Shildt also has been without his finest pure player, Fernando Tatis Jr., whose leg issue has kept him benched since June. More good news: Fernando is taking BP. Junior wins games with his bat and glove.
My problem always has been that I have no idea what makes a good manager, and exactly how much skippers mean to the outcomes of the 52 games separated from the nearly automatic 60 wins and 60 losses. The DH has eliminated a whole bunch of strategy.
But pushing buttons is one thing. Getting performance at or above pay grades is another. Where would they be without clutch rookie center fielder Jackson Merrill, who entered the year as a shortstop — and Jurickson Profrar, their MVP, who GM A.J. Preller bought off the clearance rack?
Preller also brought in starter Dylan Cease via trade, and fortified his bullpen, shipping off prospects.
This is a team that shouldn’t just be a summer ship, but one built to sail well into the fall.
And Captain Shildt knows the rules of the road, where all the hidden reefs lie, and a tidal chart.
But, while he can point his vessel in the right direction, he can’t do nearly enough without a good, loyal crew being on board and not jumping ship. …
Stildt has to tell Profar: “Jurickson, you bunt only when I tell you to bunt.” …
The other day this question was posed: It’s the bottom of the ninth. Bases loaded. Two out. Who do you want at the plate? My answer: Lou Gehrig. He had 1,995 RBI. Batting behind behind Babe Ruth. …
Colt McCoy has retired after making $26 million for not playing football particularly well. Is there a better job? Backup quarterbacks are the vice presidents of sports. …
Give up on Mike Tomlin at your own risk. Don’t stop taking Mike until you’ve consulted your family physician. …
Mike McDaniel should give thanks every day that Tua likes him. …
Tom Brady calls young quarterbacks starting right away a “tragedy,” and because of it “we dumbed the game down.” The Hindenburg was a tragedy, Tom, and money dumbed down the game. …
Aaron Rodgers says Jets camp has been one of the more taxing of his career. If he thinks this is hard now, what’s he going to do in a few years when he starts the SilverSneakers seniors program? …
The Vikings have signed corner Rachad Wildgoose. Scouting report on him is that he can be out of control at times, but is fast enough to easily chase down wideouts. …
Patrick Mahomes completes a behind-the-back pass and the Unsocial Media loses what little gray cells it has left. First of all, it was stupid. Secondly, it was during an EXHIBITION GAME. Besides, Magic Johnson did it every night. …
In that Bears owners don’t cuss — maybe a first in the history of NFL bosses — ESPN’s phony “Hard Knocks” has become even more phony. No cursing allowed on the show. Regrettably, the Andrew Dice Clay pep talk was canceled. …
General Booty has ordered himself to be starting quarterback at Louisiana-Monroe. …
Preseason polls? I give you Florida State. …
Stupid? College coaches not having their QBs practice taking snaps under center. …
The Padres don’t know a sellout when they call it one. That’s OK. I went to games in San Diego Stadium, where there were more elevator operators than fans. This is better. …
The latest U.S. men’s soccer coach is Mauricio Pochettino. Last seen sending out his resume. …
Zion Williamson reportedly has lost 25 pounds. His daily Omaha Steaks order was stolen off his porch. …
RIP, Al Attles. A tougher athlete never lived. No one messed with Al Attles. …
RIP, Phil Donahue, a heavily imitated groundbreaker. And he married Marlo. A life well spent. …
Tennis No. 1 Jannik Sinner tested positive for steroids but avoided a ban on a technicality. So he’s a venial Sinner. …
Pete Carroll is returning to USC — as a teacher. No guess on which class, although it could be “How To Dine And Dash In L.A.” …
Saw a video of a 104-year-old man finishing a race. The question asked of us: “What’s your excuse?” An X/Twitterer answered: “He had more time to train.” …
Wonder how the Ribbon Cutter Mayor and his Ham & Eggers feel about public criticism of their extravagant bike lanes being unkempt? Can’t be from bicyclists. Not enough of them for their criticisms to make a difference. …
Hard to say who’s spinning in their grave, but I’m guessing it would be wise to steer clear of Bobby Kennedy’s. …
Am I better off than I was four years ago? Hell no. I’m four years older.