Rapid Fire, San Diego Padres, Cooperstown, Manny Pacquiao, and Thank You To Those Who Serve

The Padres are in the dog days of summer right now.  This is why we play a 162 game schedule.  Over the course of a long baseball season, we truly see what you are made of.  That's why I roll my eyes at those who say the season is too long.  You can't hide your flaws and your greatness can't be kept down over 162 games.  We will see who you really are throughout the season on and off the field.  Many have been screaming for Andy Green's head and they want someone to go in the clubhouse and kick some butt. It also doesn't work that way in baseball.  You can't scream and yell and push the gas pedal for 162 games.  No one revs the engine in the red for 500 miles straight without blowing up the engine.  But it is time for Andy Green to right the ship that is slipping right now.  The fundamentals have broken down and the team looks out of sorts.  They are pressing on offense and sloppy on defense.  That's where a manager has to guide his ship and get them relaxing at the plate and focused in the field.  This is where the manager has it all fall on him to get things going in the right direction.  The rubber meets the road in the next six games.  Three on the road in New York to save the road trip and then three at home against Bruce Bochy's Giants, who we left for dead a month ago, but have righted their ship to be the hottest team in baseball today. 

Are #Padres fans divided? Join @BenAndWoods NOW #PadresTwitter as the guys ask the fans why there is some hatred between Padres fan ----: 833-288-0973--: https://t.co/iOfxkW8df4 pic.twitter.com/NTm86jbLWF

— 97.3 The Fan (@973TheFanSD) July 22, 2019

Blasting off again. --#SFGiants pic.twitter.com/pSVQJmM02O

— San Francisco Giants (@SFGiants) July 21, 2019

The Hall of Fame speeches were wonderful this weekend.  But let me stop the silly conversation about Mariano Rivera vs. all other closers, including Trevor Hoffman.  Mo and Hoffy were lights out closers and when the Yankees or Padres had a lead in the 9th, it was game over.  Yes that's right, game over, you didn't stand a chance.  Hitters knew what was coming and were helpless.  There is one Baseball Hall of Fame and one plaque room in Cooperstown.  I saw them both pitch and broadcast for teams that faced them and watched both put games away.  Cooperstown is good enough for me.  They are both Hall of Famers and very nice gentlemen.  I have seen both be gracious with fans.  So, to try and elevate one over the other is a fool's errand.  Unless they build an Uber Baseball Hall of Fame, Cooperstown is it.  There is nothing more prestigous than Cooperstown, end of story.  So inseatd of arguing on social media about who was best, let us count our blessings that we were alive to see them both play.  

The 2019 Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony is today at 1:30pm and can be seen on MLB Network.This year’s inductees include “Mr. Unanimous” Mariano Rivera and Mike Mussina.#Yankees #PinstripePride pic.twitter.com/ifO6oGTeND

— Yankees MLB News (@YankeesMLBNews) July 21, 2019

I'm still heartbroken over Doc Halladay passing away.  My son had a friend who played with his son and was at their house the day before the tragic day.  Talking to him made it even more personal and even sadder.  I am in awe of the grace his family showed on the day he was honored. 

Halladay inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. MORE: https://t.co/ofV6zK8tUr pic.twitter.com/Cg8u32Xbjb

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) July 21, 2019

Manny Pacquiao is still the man after beating Keith Thurman.  I know Thurman from covering some of his earliest fights back in 2012.  I have seen Pacman as well.  I have also seen Money Mayweather in person, and was amazed by the hand speed of all three.  Mayweather was the fastest and then Pacman and Thurman after that.  I am just mad that the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight was years too late, because if Floyd hadn't been ducking him, that might have been the greatest fight ever.  

And still .... pic.twitter.com/1ImMcGaBPk

— Rich Herrera⚾️ (@RBIrich) July 22, 2019

Finally, please indulge me for a minute, while I share something personal.  I want to thank all the men and women in uniform, and recognize the sacrifice their family members make supporting them as they protect our nation.  I have always teared up a bit when I see videos of servicemen and women come home to their families.  It is a nice moment, and then I move on.  I have not experienced what it is like to have someone you love away for months at a time, but I have a small bit of appreciation of what a family goes through when they are separated from the ones they love.  My son Rigney, who I have mentioned in this blog, graduated today from NROTC Freshman New Student Indoc at Naval Station Great Lakes.  He was gone for three short weeks that felt like three decades at my house.  I didn't sleep much, never let go of my phone, and when it rang, I felt a punch to the gut because if he called during training, it was not going to be good news.  I lived on Facebook waiting for daily pictures from NROTC and thought every blurry Midshipmen in the back row had to be him.  I know one day he will go serve in the fleet and I have no right to feel like sending him off to Indoc was anything like others have sacrificed for the protection of our nation.  But I feel like I do have a bit of that taste and I now understand what that hug will feel like when I pick him up at the airport today and see him for the first time in uniform.  To all the families of servicemen and women, I salute you.  And to my son, thank you for the service you are about to embark upon.  

My Hero I am so proud of you son ----⚓️ pic.twitter.com/dgYXbkrsQv

— Rich Herrera⚾️ (@RBIrich) July 22, 2019