It's been a rough year for Padres fans, but we're going to find something to be thankful for, even if we have to scrape the bottom of the barrel.
Before you settle in for a turkey coma tonight, we'd like to take a moment to acknowledge today's supposed purpose: The giving of, um, thanks. We've had more downs than ups this year, but seeing as how we're Padres fans and not Cubs fans, there's still plenty to be thankful for.
A New Scoreboard
We had some really good times with Petco Park's original scoreboard, but technology moves forward at a relentless pace. Our new board will be the third largest in baseball, and the largest in the National League. No longer will we visit other ballparks and have scoreboard envy. No longer will we suffer through dead pixels and off-color panels! There's obviously no guarantee that what we see on the board is any good, but at least it will be in high definition.
Andrew Cashner's Dominance
We didn't see as much of the Camouflaged Crusader as we'd hoped to this year, as he made only 19 starts, but he made the most of them. His two most memorable starts were his one-hit shutout of the Tigers in April and his 129 minute, 2-hit, 92 pitch Maddux against the Phillies in September.
Not Signing Pablo Sandoval
Sure, having a third baseman would be nice, and we'd be thankful if we had signed him, too. But now we don't have to suffer through stupid panda hats or ditching a lousy contract in three years. (Sorry folks, but I don't think I can spin a way to be thankful about not signing Tomas.)
Jerry Coleman and Tony Gwynn
We lost two heroes this year, and I don't know if that will ever stop hurting. But I'm incredibly thankful for them, and every minute of their lives that they so generously shared with us. I'm thankful for every time Jerry told Ted what he did that day, and every time we heard Tony laugh. Thank you, gentlemen, for everything.
You
Not to get all Time Person of the Year 2006 here, but we are thankful for all of you. Well, most of you. Yeah, we see you, guy who voted for Lobshots in CityBeat's Best Of poll. From everybody at Gaslamp Ball, happy Thanksgiving!