Wait Till Next Year!

[stoutfellow]

So, the Padres' season has ended, as they lose to St. Louis in the first round of the playoffs (for the third time in a row - 1998, 2005, 2006). Overall, I'm actually pleased with this season. This year's team was substantially better than last year's, and I expect further improvement next year as Barfield and Gonzalez settle into their roles. There are some problems still, to be sure: third base is a question mark; Dave Roberts had a career year and is now eligible for free agency; Brian Giles is definitely in decline; and they could use another solid starter or two. (Woody Williams had a good year, but he's too old to count on for a repeat. Peavy and Young are excellent - I expect Jake to bounce back next year - and Hensley really took a step forward this year. Beyond that, things are iffy, although there are some good prospects in the low minors.) Maybe next year they can get past the first round...

Meanwhile: Go Cards!

It's time to turn my attention to football, where the news was better: the Chargers bounced back from last week's embarrassing loss to Baltimore by crushing Pittsburgh. (I'll admit I was a little worried at halftime, but they came back strong.)

Belated correction: The Cards did not beat San Diego in the 1998 playoffs; that was the year the Padres went to the World Series against the Yankees (and got swept, although the gameplay was actually closer than that). I was thinking of 1996.