The young San Diego Padres learned a lesson this weekend at Petco Park, and it was not about apiculture. The San Diego Padres started their long 10-game homestand in fine fashion on Friday beating the lowly Marlins 5-2. Hunter Renfroe and my All-Star HOPEFUL Franmil Reyes both went deep, and everyone went home happy from that night with anticipation of a great weekend of Padres baseball. When it was all said and done, the Padres found out what it was like to be Notre Dame football. Here is what I mean: when football teams get their schedules, let's say Navy, they look at their opponents and start to note who they play and begin to circle important games on their docket. The Mids will look at Army, but as we saw this year in San Diego, they will play Notre Dame as well. Even more so than that, they will look at Houston and Tulsa. Notre Dame is one the games they want to play their best, it's a big name opponent that everyone raises their game for. In other words, The Irish have a target on their back and teams gear up to knock them off each and every week. That's what happens when you matter.
The @NDFootball and @NavyFB rivalry dates back to World War II. @MikeTirico tells the story of a tradition founded on respect. #NAVYvsND pic.twitter.com/7xoJ8GJLP2
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) November 18, 2017
The Padres got a taste of what it's like to matter this weekend from the Miami Marlins. The Marlins have one of the worst records in the league and are not in the same class this year as the Padres. But just like the downtrodden Padres of a few years ago, they have pride. People often would wonder why the Padres would beat the Giants and Dodgers then lose to the last place Reds. They would gear up to play their best and raise their game to compete. This weekend the Marlins were the downtrodden team that raised their game to take on the team that is creating buzz around the game. Get used to it Padres fans, the Padres matter and everyone is going to bring their best when they play San Diego this season. They now have a target on their back and won't be taken lightly by anyone. Cheer cheer for ol' SD.
Last week took an L but tonight, they bounced back! @KevinStepherson leading the way!! #NotreDame #BeatNavy #NAVYvsND pic.twitter.com/T8AKq6Bi45
— Ryan Meyer (@R_M_Photo) November 19, 2017BTW, I just got done doing a Facebook Live Show with Derek Togerson of NBC7 and he didn't like my ND analogy for the Padres. He said UCF would be a better example as an up and comer that no one takes for granted anymore.
It's a privilege to lead these young men in Black & Gold!! I'm very proud of how they represent @UCF_Football on and off the field! #NationalStudentAthleteDay pic.twitter.com/SuWWVOsDYb
— Josh Heupel (@coachjoshheupel) April 6, 2019It is hard to recognize genius when you see it before your eyes. That's why we don't appreciate greatness when we see it. Well, if you get a moment, stop and ponder the greatness of the Golden State Warriors in the 3rd quarter. They are like a Trevor Hoffman changeup; you know it's coming, you just can't do anything about. It's like Tony Gwynn going to the 5.5 hole. You know he is going to poke them through there and you can't stop him. The W's have that same artistry and you can't stop them even when you know it's about to happen.
“When you sign your name on the dotted line, it's more than just playing baseball."You have a responsibility to make good decisions and show people how things are supposed to be done”- Tony Gwynn pic.twitter.com/V8g8VUAOlv
— BaseballCoachingLab (@BaseballLab1) May 30, 2019Speaking of the Dubs, watching Steph Curry operate this postseason has been a site to see, with Kevin Durrant, without KD, with Klay, without Klay, with a cold, without a cold, he is dealing. I am not sure we will talk about him years from now with hushed tones like we talk about MJ, but I will tell people who didn't see him, "you should have seen how special he was" one day.
"I couldn't imagine playing with any other point guard."Free agent-to-be Klay Thompson had some interesting things to say about his relationship with Steph Curry https://t.co/hAKNsQqQ1z (via @Ali_Thanawalla) pic.twitter.com/BTCn6G2WkN
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) June 1, 2019My boy graduated this weekend from Cathedral Catholic, and it has been a wonderful journey, not only for him but for my entire family. Watching an awkward teenager with no self-confidence blossom into a man I am ready to send out into the world brings joy to my heart. So I offer the advice I gave him to all the graduates of the class of 2019: stay true to yourself and who you really are. Develop a thick skin, because life is difficult and painful. It's not easy, but let that skin toughen up so you don't take things too personally because that thick skin protects that pure heart and soul you have right now as you go off on your adventure to make the world a better place.
Develop a thick skin because life is difficult & painful. It's not easy but let that skin toughen so you don't take things too personally because that thick skin protects that pure heart and soul you have right now as you go off on your adventure to make the world a better place pic.twitter.com/pXI6vPML25
— Rich Herrera⚾️ (@RBIrich) June 3, 2019
