Many Thanks for 2012

As the season winds down for the Padres and our last home game has come and gone, I wanted to write a review and a thank you to so many people. First of all, I want to thank my many friends at Petco Park who make me feel like I am home. I want to thank Mike Hardin, the owner of Hodads who always greets us with a welcome home and a hug when we come in the restaurant. Rafael Torres (aka Jay), who always does such a wonderful job serving us at Hodads and who always greets us with a warm smile and a hug as well.  Our usher Yolie Sanchez, who is friendly, kind and a pleasure to see (I hope you get your IPhone 5 in the off-season.)  Rebecca Herman's season ticket rep Hayley Hallum, who is a nice, attentive and looks out for us (she'll be my rep as well in 2013.)  The Dancing Friars out in the Mission; Corey, Ishmael, Kai, Tony and the rest of the gang out there who dress up and cheer the Padres on.  Luigi Novello, who did my first video blog on my page and is Clayton Richards #1 fan (John Baker's as well.)  To the many players and announcers from Mark Grant to Tim Flanney, who listened to a nervous blogger try to ask them who their favorite player was and why.  To Andrew Werner, who was the first player who did a video for my blog.  To Jerry Coleman, who took the time to sign his book for me.  The Coach John Kentera and Randy Jones, who always made us laugh at Lolita's.  Last, but not least, to Rebecca and Trevor Herman for inviting my son and myself to so many games, and dealing with me (and that's a lot to deal with.)  You all made Padres season 2012 enjoyable.  God Bless each of you.

Wayne McBrayer aka The Casual Fan

Tim Flannery-2B-3B San Diego Padres-Current 3B coach for the San Francisco Giants

Growing up as a Padres fan, one of my favorite players to watch was Tim Flannery.  He was drafted in the 6th round in 1978 by the San Diego Padres out of Chapman University in California.  After only a year in the minors, Tim was called up to the Padres on September 3rd, 1979 and got a hit in his first game.  He struggled for the first few years in the majors, going back and forth from AAA to the big club, but came up to stay in 1982.  He became a favorite of then manager Dick Williams, who loved his all out aggressive play. In 1985, he became the starter at 2B and had his best season.  In 1989, he decided to hang it up for good and was greeted in his last at bat to a standing ovation, which caused the game to be delayed.  After his career was over, he moved on to managing in the Padres minor league system for 3 seasons before being hired by Bruce Bochy to be his 3rd base coach.  He remained with the Padres until 2002 and when Bruce Bochy was hired to manage the Giants in 2007, he was hired once again to coach 3B, which is the position he currently holds.

On the final home game for the Padres on September 30th 2012, we went to the ballpark early to have breakfast on the field.  The previous day, I had tried to get Tim's attention but had no luck getting to him.  While sitting at breakfast, I looked over and saw someone standing on the grass near where people were eating and was shocked to see it was Tim Flannery!  I walked over and got his autograph and asked him who his favorite player was growing up.  He said, it's very difficult question, but I would have to pick Pete Rose, because he taught me so much about how to play the game."  I got a quick picture with him (thank you Rebecca Herman for taking the picture) and told him he really missed him here.  My friend Rebecca told Tim how Mike Hardin, the owner of Hodads restaurant said Tim was his favorite all-time player.  Tim said he was going to stop by in the off-season to say hi to Mike.

Andrew Werner-SP San Diego Padres September 7th, 2012

Andrew Werner never gave up on a big league dream.  After pitching for The University of Indianapolis, he was signed in 2009 as an undrafted free agent by an Independent team called the Evansville Otters.  He pitched with them for 2 seasons and then took a chance on a big league career.  He borrowed some money and went to a camp put on by the San Diego Padres.  He impressed the Padres, who immediately signed him and sent Andrew to Fort Wayne, their Low-A Ball team.  From there, Andrew climbed the minor league ladder and on August 22nd, 2012, the Padres called him up from Tucson to pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates.  Pitching more like a veteran than a rookie, he only allowed 2 runs in 6 innings and got the win.  He has pitched well in each of his starts, and it looks like the Padres have found a keeper in Andrew.

Before the game, I sat down in my usual spot near the visitors bullpen.  I brought with me an Evansville Otters shirt, hoping Andrew would sign it.  He walked by me and I yelled out to him and held the shirt up.  He walked over and signed the shirt and talked to me and my friend Rebecca for a few minutes (she is friends with a lady whose son roomed with Andrew in college.)  I asked Andrew if he would do a video of me asking who his favorite player is, and he graciously said yes.  I want to thank you Andrew for your time and may God Bless you and your family.

Luigi Novello-Padres Fan, August 21st, 2012

Over the last couple of years, I have had to opportunity to meet lots of Padre fans.  Some come to a few games, some come to a lot of games, but all come to cheer on the club.  When you arrive early, you see the die hard fans out and about, waiting to talk and get autographs from players they love.  If you look down toward the Padres dugout, you'll catch Luigi there saying hi to the guys coming in and getting an occasional autograph.  During the game, you'll see Luigi out in the right-center area with The Dancing Friars, leading Padre fans in cheers and just having a great time.  I asked him to videotape an interview and he said yes.  If you ever see Luigi at the park, take the time to say hi.  He's a great guy.

Clint Hurdle-C, 1B, 3B-Kansas City Royals, Cincinnati Reds, New York Mets, St. Louis Cardinals-Current manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates, August 20th, 2012

As a first round pick by Kansas City in 1975, there was a lot expected from Clint Hurdle.  He spent about 2 years in the minors before arriving in 1977 to a lot of fanfare, but he sadly never lived up to the hype.  He spent several years in the majors finishing his career with the New York Mets, which is where his career took off.  Clint was hired in 1988 by the Mets to manage the St. Lucie Mets.  He also managed both the Mets AA and Triple AAA teams.  He was hired in 1994 by the Colorado Rockies to be their minor league hitting instructor, and was promoted in 1997 to be the hitting coach for the big league club.  In 2002, he was hired to manage the club after the firing of Buddy Bell.  During his 7 plus years with the Rockies, he led them to their first and only World Series appearance in 2007 against the Boston Red Sox, where they were swept in 4 straight games.  In 2009, he was fired as manager of the Rockies and quickly landed a job as a studio analyst for the newly formed MLB Network.  The Rangers hired Clint to be their hitting instructor and helped develop their young hitters.  At the conclusion of the 2010 season, the Pittsburgh Pirates hired Clint to manage their club.  He has done a terrific job working with a young club as well as changing the culture of the team.  He has them believing they can win, and it shows on the field.

I was able to talk to Clint briefly before the game and he told me how his favorite player growing up was Al Kaline.  He spent about 5 minutes signing autographs, talking to fans and friends at the game.  He came off as a very nice person who loved baseball.

George Kontos-RP New York Yankees, San Diego Padres August 18th, 2012

After talking to John Baker, I sat down and noticed a Giants player coming down to the bullpen to perform a bullpen throwing drill.  I saw the name Kontos on his back, and honestly, I didn't know who he was or anything about him.  After his throwing drill, he walked out to the OF and started talking to Will Venable and several other Padres players.  I researched him quickly using my phone, and found out he was a relief pitcher who started the season in AAA and had been called up on June 10th, 2012.  He had a 2.33 ERA and in 33 inning had struck out 29 and walked only 8.  He started to walk back to the dugout and I called out to him and he walked over and signed my ball.  I asked George who his favorite player was and he said, "Kerry Wood, I grew up watching him pitch with the Cubs." 

When I got home, I researched George and found out he was drafted by the Yankees in 2006 and converted to a reliever.  He pitched well in the minors and was drafted in the rule 5 draft by the San Diego Padres in 2011, explaining why he was chatting with several Padres players.  The Padres decided not to keep him (a HUGE mistake) and the Yankees took him back.  He was traded to the Giants just before the 2012 season for catcher Chris Stewart.  It looks like the Giants have a keeper in George Kontos.

On April 28th, 2013, George took an updated photo with me for the blog.

John Baker-C Florida Marlins, San Diego Padres-August 18th, 2012

Catcher is a very difficult position to play, and John Baker is a man who works hard to be good at it.  Born in 1981 in Alameda, Ca, John stayed in the area and attended Cal-Berkeley playing baseball.  In his junior year, he led the Pac-10 in batting with a .383 batting average, which got the attention of the Oakland A's, who drafted John in 2002 with their 4th round pick.  He was traded to Florida and made it to the majors in 2008.  He has struggled with injuries over the last couple of years, but that didn't deter Padres GM Josh Byrnes from trading for John to help solidify our catching depth. John is also a player who gives back to the community. He has traveled overseas to Afghanistan to meet our troops serving there, and has worked with the charity Homes for Haiti when he was with the Florida Marlins.  Truly a great man on and off the field.

Catching him before the Padres game, I was able to ask him who he loved as a player.  "Will Clark" said John without a hesitation.  "When I was a kid, I batted left handed like Will did and I loved the fact he was a clutch player".  

I hope my Padres keep John Baker here.  He's a good guy.