Before I engage my thoughts with a post that many of you will enjoy, I would like to say I’ve managed to stay in the shadows as Padres’ GM Jed Hoyer and Front Office continues to reshape the roster. You, as a loyal reader have many media avenues to stay abreast the daily moves and I did not want to bother you with another option as well. Therefore, in a few weeks, just before the start of spring training I will provide a lengthy post of the post-season moves. Now, onto the post……

You got to be kidding me, Man…….

In my most recent post, I had alluded to the fact of the ridiculous contracts awarded to the players during this past winter. Considering, the world’s economic climate is very dismal and bleak for the near term (4-5 yrs). While, data mining the web for stories I came across two very interesting ones, I might further add very conflicting stories. So needless to say I shall delve into these two stories and broach the validity of subject matter.

Where shall I start ? Well, the article “Elite Players are worth their contracts” published by fox sports writer Dan Perry sums it up clearly for the readers. As you continue to dig deeper into the article, he hides no bones about the Owners are the ones to blame for the rising salaries. Though, he also makes it very clear that season tickets or single game tickets prices have no connection with the salaries of the players. I found this very hilarious just like Big Ben at the Federal Reserve admitting that he can stop inflation at a moment’s notice. The fact is writer continues to put forth such an enormous effort and attempts to convince the readers that the players deserve the salaries. Though, I give him credit in that he did admit ticket buyers might have a bone about the prices given the state of the world’s economy. Laughs…This is like Timothy Geithner saying “Yes, we have to raise the budget ceiling but rest assured the economy will be fine afterwards”. Uh ? Is that dung I smell ?

So, the players salaries have nothing to do with rising ticket prices. Hmmm, very interesting, in fact comical. In the city that has Fantasyland as it’s main source of income and entertainment, Anaheim California home of Disneyland and Los Angeles Angels. Owner Artie Moreno spoke about why he didn’t put in a bid for Carl Crawford or raise the ante for Adrian Beltre in the Los Angeles Times article titled “Angels’ owner Arte Moreno has his limits on spending”. In a nutshell, Moreno did not want to mortgage or leverage the entire franchise for one player at the expense of the fans, thus raising ticket prices. Whoa Nellie !! Did I just hear that right ? Here is an Owner, dubbed right smack in one of the most affluent counties (Orange County) of Southern California, whom is worried about the fans and his franchise financial health. In a few words, I must admit Moreno gets it and knows what is going on, vice the other colleagues of his. I equate Artie Moreno as the Ron Paul of baseball, whom is taking a firm stance on his beliefs while not succumbing to the minions (critical writers and ill advised fan base). To many of those season ticket holders of that franchise, they may not like the fact the Angels have lost out to many of the so called game changers. Don’t fret over it, the Angels are better off and as Moreno bluntly stated “Someday, we will get a player who wants to play here”. That is the truth, because if any player in their right mind knows how to preserve his wealth. There is really no difference between 1m and 2m. You are gonna be well taken care of. The question lies are you in the game for the dough or a chance to win ? Well for many of them, it is quite clear where their aspirations favor.

By now, many of you are probably saying what does this have to do with the Padres. Well, from my viewpoint I am glad to be a Padres Season Ticket holder of the past 14 years. This new ownership group has the franchise headed in the right direction. The foundation had been laid down before with Sandy Alderson, and now Hoyer’s gang is taking it to another level. We, as fans must be patient as far as I am concerned. On the side note, I previously had been a season ticket holder with the Los Angeles Dodgers from 1988 through 1996, sitting in box seats aisle 1 right behind home plate. Back then the prices for 2 box seats were a whopping 16 dollars. Yes, we had Karros, Piazza, Mondesi, Ramon Martinez, Orel Hershisher, and Kirk Gibson. When the O’Malley’s sold the franchise 1998 to Fox (Murdock) those same seats went from 8.00 a seat to 50.00. You can not tell me, player salaries have no bearing at all. Sure, the owners have deep pockets but any investor has deep pockets. The fact is, salaries do have a profound affect on the bottom line. Let’s get real folks…Buy some silver and you too can purchase season tickets for many years to come.

With all that being said, here is a befitting blues music video by Mark May Band “Dirty Dishes” Oh yes, there has been too many dirty dishes (articles) in the sink and there lingered a stench (hot air) in the kitchen. Do enjoy Padres fans and those fans from other teams.