Bill Center
@billcenter
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Former Padres beat writer. Contributor to http://t.co/sYBHwgupFk and FriarWire. Joined the Padres in 2014.
San Diego, CA
Joined March 2014
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Now ESPN's "national" crew is making excuses for Max Scherzer and the Mets.
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#Padres
pitchers were doing something truly incredible Friday night and all ESPN babbling heads could do at end of game was hush over Yadier Molina. Yes, Molina is great. But get a clue. Capture the moment - which is your job!
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I've followed the
#Padres
for almost seven decades -- or long before they were a Major League team. I promise you, they have never played games of this intensity in April before. Never, never, never!!!
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Those pork chops Don Orsillo shared on twitter earlier tonight looked fantastic. But truth is, he and Mark Grant should be in New York working the game so we wouldn't have to listen to ESPN's abomination.
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Special Bochy memory (1 of 2) -- I was covering
#Padres
in Houston years ago when I got news early on Sunday morning that my father was dying in San Diego. Bochy heard, called my room and told me to get my bags downstairs -- that I was flying home with team. I will never forget.
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Should be another MLB rule change next year. If you make challenge of pitcher like Showalter did and fail, it should lead to ejection. Showalter didn't approach umpires until after Musgrove completed warmups -- so Buck was going for maximum disruption. Do that and get tossed.
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The
#Padres
liked CJ Abrams. If you're wondering why they parted with him in that 2022 trade with Washington, they had another young shortstop they liked even more ... named Jackson Merrill.
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Fernando Tatis Jr. is an amazingly-gifted baseball player who will also be an All-Star for years to come. He's also 22. Any of you detractors out there remember the mistakes you made at 22? If you can't, you're lying to yourself. Fernando will be fine.
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I'll be honest. I really don't like listening to ESPN's baseball commentators. Call the game. It's not about you guys trying to sound like experts. Let the game unfold on it's own.
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In a season where I couldn't go to Petco Park, thanks to Don Orsillo, Mark Grant, Ted Leitner, Jesse Agler, Tony Gwynn Jr., Bob Scanlan, Mike Pomeranz and Mark Sweeney for bringing these exciting times into my home. Hope to see all of you in 2021!
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Plate umpire Chris Segal has twice penalized
#Padres
with bogus ball calls on a pair of pitches before both Dodger homers. Freeman should have been hitting 0-and-2. Muncy should have struck out. You have to be better than that to get an assignment like this.
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Seeing tweets calling for the firing of Bob Melvin. Get real people. What is wrong with you? Yes, it's disappointing that Padres lost in ALCS. But it happens (to 1 of 15 teams). Find joy in what the Padres did this season. Because there was a lot to enjoy, remember and cherish.
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Yes . . . Fernando Tatis Jr. missed a month. But he is the game's most exciting and dynamic player. He has the numbers and the highlight reel. For the National League and MLB not to invite him to the All-Star game is stupid beyond comprehension.
#shame
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I'm not going to go into details, but the MLB Umpires' Association's comments today about Manny Machado are so disappointing in that it comes from a group that should look in a mirror before pointing fingers elsewhere.
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Special Bochy Memory (2 of 2) -- Newspaper types didn't fly on team planes. Bochy had already cleared with
#Padres
veterans. I will never forget. Got home in time for one last conversation with my father. I always respected and admired Bruce. We were both Army brats.
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Embarrassing to Mets and Showalter that they would pull that crap. And now they've been shown up like they should have been.
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What I like most about Tatis is that he gives San Diego sports a flare it has lacked. He wants to dominate. Being competitive is not enough. Go for it!! Don’t change. Stick it to ‘em!!
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I was there for
#Chargers
first exhibition at Balboa Stadium. I once hurt for their defeats and rejoiced in Air Coryell and other successes. It's all flipped for me. I now rejoice when the Los Angeles Chargers fail ... which is often.
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RIP Peter Seidler. No one ever loved
#Padres
fans more. May he watch that parade from on high. I doubt there has ever been an owner who cared more about his fans, his city and all the people of San Diego -- most notably those living on the street. Peter loved all humans.
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Seems like Spanos family is an embarrassment to Los Angeles as well as San Diego
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@RexChapman
Across the board, this is what all of us should be about. Proves without a doubt that the blood that flows through all of us is from the same stream . . .
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Where is Chris Gwynn when you need him? Here's remembering 1996 when the
#Padres
went into Dodger Stadium for the season-ending series and won three straight to win the National League West title.
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The Baseball Hall of Fame ballot I'm mailing in today -- Derek Jeter . . . and in alphabetical order, Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Curt Schilling, Gary Sheffield, Omar Vizquel, Billy Wagner and Larry Walker.
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Sad. It was about this time every year for more than five decades that I'd excitedly start studying Chargers. Now, I could care less. Doubt Dean has any clue what he did to so many San Diegans -- and obviously cares even less. Never root for people to fail. Major exception here!
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The
#Padres
Manny Machado was N.L. Player of the Week last week for going 11-for-28 with 3 doubles, 3 HRs, 9 RBIs in 7 games. This week: 14-for-26 with a double, triple, 5 HRs and 7 RBIs in six games. Repeat?
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I cannot believe Manny Machado is not one of the three finalists for the N.L. Gold Glove at third base. By raw stats, he has fewer errors than any of the three finalists. And the eye test says he deserves to win. The eventual winner will not be worthy of the award. Simple truth.
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Just saying -- the booth guys know when Mets Jeff McNeil last struck out (60 at-bats ago, which is very impressive!), but can't tell you Jurickson Profar is a switch-hitter. National guys studied at least one team
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@RexChapman
Rex: from 1956-62, I was raised next door to a “family” put together of Nazi Holocaust survivors. 15 years after WWII had ended, these wonderful souls still lived in fear. God bless them - and damn the fools who celebrate Naziism - an evil beyond description.
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Kevin Towers was superstitious with a great sense of humor about it. Never watched Hoffman save a game. Always headed to elevator and clubhouse when Hoffman entered. Had this habit of running right hand down his face when nervous. Smart, funny, loyal -- Kevin Towers was a giant.
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#Padres
CF Jackson Merrill has made an overwhelmingly strong argument to be voted the National League Rookie of the Year ... and his resume grows stronger by the day:
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I loved Peter Seidler and his passion for San Diego. I walked with him once around downtown San Diego. As the owner of the Padres, he could have asked for cleaner streets to enhance his investment. Instead, he only expressed concern for the plight of those living on the streets.
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Bad guy Machado?
#Padres
shortstop just spent so much time talking to servicewoman on the field before the first pitch that worker had to go onto the field to end conversation. As she started to leave, Machado stopped her again to shake her hand.
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I finally threw in the towel today. After 57 years of being a Republican, I switched to "independent." Not the party of Eisenhower/Reagan that I loved. Have nothing in common -- and no respect -- for current Republican leadership. Always voted for person.
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There is no gift in the world quite like a rescue pet. The love they show is amazing. They know. For 12 years, Suz and I received so much love from Patrick, who was abused and abandoned as a pup before we found each other. He passed this morning . . . his tail wagging to the end.
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If Major League Baseball is going to openly condone and promote gambling, shouldn't it then reconsider Pete Rose's eligibility for the Hall of Fame. Can't have two contrary positions.
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There is no award honoring women in baseball. And there are many serving the game. Be great to have the Vera Clemente Award to fill that void and acknowledge what Roberto and his wife did.
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I spent some time last night reviewing most of the combinations since 1969. I came to the conclusion that Manny Machado and Ha-seong Kim are the best left side defensive combination in
#Padres
history. Maybe not the flashiest, simply the best. Thoughts?
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Sad. Tony Gwynn would have been 58 today. I miss him. And yet I don't . . . because Tony Gwynn is part of my every day. Legends never die. Tony was so many things to so many people. Bottom line: brought a smile to my face every time I saw (or heard the laugh approaching).
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Congratulations to Ron Fowler and Peter and Tom Seidler. I was there the day they officially became the owners of the
#Padres
. They worked hard for this to happen. They deserve the chance to enjoy this.
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#PadresHistory
: More later, but Tony Gwynn got both his 2,000th hit (1993) and 3,000th hit (1999) on Aug. 6, which also happened to be his mother Vandella's birthday. We'll never forget . . .
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Rallying from 7-1 to this in the ninth tells you all you need to know about the 2021
#Padres
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@RexChapman
Cruel ... so sickening. Watching that poor dog chase his life is heartbreaking. Just walked over and gave my spaniel a big hug. Dogs are better than people
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I still like and respect Philip Rivers. But I am wishing Team Spanos goes down in flames every time they appear as the Los Angeles Chargers. Go Vikings!
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I did send my 25th Hall of Fame ballot today. Voted fo, in alphabetical order, Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Roy Halladay, Todd Helton, Edgar Martinez, Mike Mussina, Fred McGriff, Mariano Rivera, Omar Vizquel and Larry Walker. Studied list for two weeks.
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Once while discussing that 1996 series at Dodger Stadium, Tony Gwynn said his brother's game-winning hit was the best moment of his career because "what it meant to Chris, my mom, my family, San Diego and me as his proud brother."
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I think Major League Baseball should immediately reset the pitch clock to 20 seconds. Games are moving too fast. No time for replays, or going to concession stands. Find a happy medium.
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I might be in the minority, but I liked what Machado did. He took charge.
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When I was 12, I lost my 4-year-old sister to leukemia. An hour before she passed, she was smiling as she fought to breathe. 67 years later, I remember that moment every day. Changed my life. God bless all children fighting for their survival.
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Dodgers manager Dave Roberts added his own Max Muncy to the National League All-Star team. I'm not surprised. But I'm disappointed.
#Padres
deserved a second player. Snub? You betcha. Shame on baseball. Most exciting player in baseball will be home Tuesday.
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Eric Hosmer hits a grand slam -- and the
#Padres
become the first team in Major League history to hit grand slams in four straight games -- Tatis, Myers, Machado and Hosmer
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Toughest decision a dog lover faces. Suz and I have to put down our beloved 17-year-old Cocker Spaniel Teddy tomorrow morning. Inoperable cancer. Going to enjoy this final day. Teddy dines on Rib Eye tonight. Such a special dog/person.
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RIP Ray Chavez. The San Diegan and oldest Pearl Harbor Survivor passed today at the age of 106. We lose thousands from the Greatest Generation daily. Their sacrifices were astounding, yet they did it with grace. We must never forget what they achieved.
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Tuned in ESPN to hear how they might be explaining this. And instead they're talking about themselves being "national" and knowing more about both teams than the local crews. Threw nerf ball at TV. Trying to find my challenge flag.
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I love the recurring chant "Ha-Seong Kim, Ha-Seong Kim, Ha-Seong Kim." He is not a superstar. But
#Padres
fans love him for who he is and how he plays. Tells you a lot about Kim ... and San Diego.
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Starting today and extending into eternity, Tony Gwynn and Trevor Hoffman will be teammates again in the most hallowed shrine in sports . . . Baseball's Hall of Fame.
#Padres
and San Diegans. Two of our icons
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I was asked recently to explain why I tweet so much about U.S. history. Well, I’ve never met anyone who got dumber by knowing history. And I know a lot of fools who have no idea what and who in our past made us a great nation.
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Hard to accept and believe that it was seven years ago today that we lost the great Tony Gwynn. Mr. Padre will live forever in our hearts and memories. He lived a giving life and has left a long and endearing legacy.
#RIP
. You touched all San Diegans.
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I was a fan of the San Diego Chargers for 56 years. Loved them. Friends keep retweeting news on L.A. Chargers. Stop.
#ChargersAreDeadToMe
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So happy to be writing again for San Diego Union-Tribune, even if it as a part-time contributor. Delivered my first Union 67 years ago at the age of 8 and served the paper as a paper boy, correspondent, sportswriter (47 years) and freelancer ever since.
#Padres
and UT my 2 loves.
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Here’s the plan
#Padres
fans. Dial in ESPN2 on the TV. Mute the sound. Tune into Ted Leitner and Jesse Agler on the radio (FM-97.3). There is a slight delay (that can be annoying) but all you will really be missing is the expertise of Pedro Gomez!
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Don Orsillo and Mark Grant, who were recently honored as the top broadcasting tandem in the Major Leagues, are throwing out the ceremonial first pitches at Petco Park today. Not a coincidence that Orsillo gets the honor with the Red Sox in town.
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SS Fernando Tatis Jr. is only
#Padre
with a five-game hitting streak to start the season -- 6-for-19 with 2 doubles, a triple, a home run, 6 RBIs, 4 runs scored, 3 walks, a stolen base with a .310 batting average and a 1.093 OPS.
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#Padres
players on the field Sunday afternoon applauding and saluting Petco Park fans after closing the home season by sweeping the Chicago White Sox.
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Great night to be an Aztec. And happy 78th birthday Steve Fisher. You inherited the worst basketball program in the nation and pointed it in the direction of tonight.
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I am so pumped. Can honestly say I have been a baseball fan for 70 years. So excited to be able to see the Padres at Petco Park in April. Baseball is one of the fabrics of my life.
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Listening to other play-by-play announcers on some of the feeds FSSD has picked up from other teams this spring training makes me appreciate Don Orsillo, Mark Grant and Bob Scanlan all the more.
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I don't ever want to see Fernando Tatis Jr. stop being Fernando Tatis Jr. He plays the game with unbounded enthusiasm and verve to go with generational talent. Keep on being you Fernando. And for all the critics of how he plays the game -- you're just jealous you don't have one.
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Here is "my" version of an all-time
#Padres
dream lineup: 1. SS Fernando Tatis Jr., 2. RF Tony Gwynn, 3. 1B Adrian Gonzalez, 4. 3B Ken Caminiti, 5. LF Greg Vaughn, 6. CF Steve Finley, 7. 2B Mark Loretta, 8. C Terry Kennedy, 9. RHP Jake Peavy. And your lineup is . . .
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It just happened again. The
#Padres
lined up en masse outside their dugout for the National Anthem. About nine Dodgers appeared. Been that way all season. we've been watching. The Dodgers the worst at being on the field for the National Anthem.
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First time I met Joe Musgrove was years ago when I really did bump into him. I slipped and he helped me regain my balance. He also picked up a couple things I dropped. You could tell he was stand-up person. To have his integrity challenged like this is distasteful and disgusting
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In his last two appearances, Josh Hader has struck out all six hitters he faced on 19 strikes in 23 pitches
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When I filled out my ballot -- and I voted for six -- Todd Helton was the only player I thought absolutely, 100% deserved to be in the Hall of Fame when you consider all the factors
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Three years ago today, San Diego and baseball lost a legend. RIP Tony Gwynn. I miss you friend. Everyone misses you. You will live forever!
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Sixty years ago this weekend, my first byline appeared in The San Diego Union. I always remember the people who helped get me started -- Bob Williams, Chuck Sawyer, Wayne Lockwood, Rick Smith, Roger Conlee -- and the thousands of friends/colleagues I've met along the way.
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Anyone who knows me, knows how phobic I am about needles and shots. It's crazy. But I will be the first in line to get a COVID-19 vaccination. Oh to be able to see my grandchildren and children again, have dinner at our favorite restaurants and see a
#Padres
game in person,
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#Chargers
not only 0-4, they appear to be a team without any sort of a plan or a following. Love the karma befalling them.
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Could care less about Chargers next coach, next first-round draft choice, next anything forever.
#ChargersDeadToMe
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Joe West is beyond arrogant. Long ago crossed into pompous incompetence. He could have just walked away there. But he wanted the confrontation. He is poster man for what is wrong with Major League umpiring. West called him out, then got mad at Green for being wrong.
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