G'day Friarhood faithfull.

Just a little rant from a reasonably new padres fan. Now i've only been following the team since i visted spring training in 08 on holiday from australia and since then we've had 2 losing seasons with the possibility of a 3rd (i hope not!!!) And since recently moving to the states i've really started to follow the ins and outs of baseball, especially the trades and predictions as well as the responses of our fans and it just seems to me that there is a large number of supposed "fans" with nothing better to do that dismiss every move by the pads as bad.

For example singings of Garland and Torrealba, there always seemed to be a large portion of comments trashing the moves by the club and saying that these were to the detriment of the side and that the gm had no idea, but just in observatory role i would say that these moves weren't bad, now its to be seen if the work out but to write off the team as hopeless by singing reasonable players just seems to be Padre Bashing and would bring down the spirit of the club. Now i know with trades thats a different story because we are loosing someone, but just singing additions to the club that doesn't take away from anyone seems positive and especially when you save money for an extremely cash strapped club!!!

Now i know there is always going to be some fans that are never happy unless we win it all but coming from following a team in my aussie sports that was a very prod fanbase even with us running last 2 seasons ago, we never trashed the club as some ppl are doing on the mlb sites. Its about pride and passion and following your team through the good times and the bad. and unfortunately we are going through the bad and all you hear is about ppl turning in there season tickets. Where is the loyalty in san diego?

Now i know none of this is aimed at any of the friarhood because you seem very genuine fans with a true passion for the team, i'd love to hear some of your comments on what i have said whether you agree or simply think i'm talking out of my ass.

Thanks
AussiePhil

AussiePhil,

I think a large portion of the people in San Diego will cry and moan about things because we are not spending money and having frequent success of others such as the Yankees, Sox, and Braves. While I can understand their frustration, I believe this team is finally taking a turn for the better, and for the long haul.

The scouting/drafting has begun to emphasize athleticism and talent instead of cheap and college vets, the young guys are getting a chance to produce, and we have had one of the better offseasons in FA that I can remember with Garland, Hairston Jr., and Torrealba whjo are not trash pile pickups. We truly have addressed all of the needs we set out to, and I think these team couls surprise alot of people.

People also need to realize that we had a nice run of division titles and playoff contention before those last 2 losing seasons. We have had our fair amount of success, though without a WS title. Ask the Pirates, Nats, Brewers, Reds, Orioles, Blue Jays, Indians, A's fans, etc, etc, if they would have traded the last 5 years with us and I think alot of them would.

Another problem is that the majority of the baseball media tends to have a strong east coast bias, with very little on the positive side to say about teams like the Padres weather they are informed or not. I can tell you, listening to these guys talk out here on the east coast, they have no idea what they are talking about when it comes to the Padres. The only name they know anything about is Adrian Gonzalez. (This is obviously all my personal opinion).

Keep your head up, keep supporting the squad, and I think we are in for a very exciting year of Padre baseball. Pitchers will be in camp in 2 days!

GO PADS!!!

I agree with evething you said. The Padres went through a lot of BS the last couple years but, we seem to be heading in the right direction. Go Padres!

Yeah thats what i believe, there is no direction but up for us and i'll be watching every game we play this year either on tele and at the game. and it was just frustrating me to hear some of the stuff "fans" were saying. i had a go at a bloke on the comments section on the article about hoyer on mlb.com. I'm super excited about the season ahead and look forward to another fun baseball season. Win or lose i shall remain a loyal and passionate pads fan.....

oh by the way can it be april yet????

It's like your reading my mind. This is going to be an exciting team to watch this year win or lose. I'm contemplating a 20 game package as I type. No matter what I'll see every single game one way or another.