Padres Opening Day JRP0040

March 28, 2019
San Diego Padres, Opening Day, John Riley Project

It’s Major League Baseball Opening Day.  It’s the San Diego Padres Opening Day.  Hope Springs Eternal.  Today should be a National Holiday.  I am fired up; can you feel it?

In this podcast I share my thoughts at the conclusion of Spring Training as we get ready for Padres Opening Day.  We run through the roster, the highlights and the expectations.

Manny Machado is welcomed to San Diego.  Fernando Tatis Jr makes his MLB debut.  These two players bring so much excitement, so much hope and a huge boost of energy and swagger to help shape a new Padres identity.

We get into the crowded 6-man outfield.  I share my love affair with Wil Myers and the world of potential he has…  plus, his new self-confidence now that he is married and has a new hairstyle thanks to the miracle of modern medicine.  We talk about Franmil Reyes’ giant personality and his Instagram feed.  We get into the catching situation discussing Austin Hedges’ rapport with the pitching staff and the lighting fast bat of Francisco Mejia that reminds me of Gary Sheffield.

And we say good bye to Brian Mitchell and Jose Pirela, although Jose is certainly going to be back at some point in 2019.  It’s amazing that the Padres are no longer having to settle for mediocre players that otherwise wouldn’t make another MLB roster.  The team now is loaded with talent. 

I also share some personal thoughts on a number of Poway High School players starting their professional season with a special highlight on Connor Joe who is making his MLB debut today at Petco Park for the San Francisco Giants.  We offer shout outs to Poway High alumni Alex Dickerson, Austin Wynns, Kevin Newman, Tyler Nevin, Tony Gwynn Jr and Thomas Neal.  I can’t believe I didn’t mention future Hall of Famer and long time Poway resident Bruce Bochy in this podcast episode.

Enjoy Padres Opening Day. I hope you have a great season in your personal life and your professional life.  Go Padres!

JRP0040

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