1-Man’s Opinion on Sports-Friday “Padres-El Nino Returns”
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“El Nino Is Back-Padres are Happy”
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Fernando Tatis returned to the Padres lineup last night, seven weeks after going down with a significant hamstring injury.
He was hitting (.300) with 6-homers, and 12-extra base hits. The on-base percentage was (.360) and the slugging percentage (.550). Not to mention the dynamic plays at shortstop.
The Friars were (15-12) out of the gate. Since then (15-19). Manny Machado was brilliant at shortstop, but with the dynamic Tatis back as his running mate, the left side of the infield is superb.
They call him ‘El Nino’ for he’s always swirling around making things happen.
Lots of people had lots of things to say Thursday night in the clubhouse.
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Fernando Tatis
..Was out much longer than I expected
..I had to be patient in this rehab
..Have never had a leg injury like this ever
..Injuries are part of the game-I am not hexed
..I was frustrated-I was playing so well
..I had to restrain myself-not overdue the rehab-do what trainers wanted
..I’m ready to go 100%
Andy Green
..He is ready to go-he played well at Amarillo
..We saw his quick twitch reactions and explosion at Amarillo
..Left side of this infield is solid-maybe best in baseball
..Tatis brings life to the clubhouse-guys feed off him
..He’s not going to play 100% of the time-he will have days off
..Tatis plays with energy-he is very good player
..There’s a steadiness to his personality
..He plays like he belongs
..You can see his authenticity in his preparation
Manny Machado
..Tatis will get his legs back quick
..He has talent-lots of it..more important he is hungry
..He learned a lot from his father-but he is his own person
..He understands the game and he’s only a kid
..He’s a unique talent with great work ethic
..He’s produce at every level he has been at
..A bunch of 20-year olds have done well…Machado-Trout-Harper-he’s next one
..I play my game-not really a mentor-but we talk
..Best learn the game at his speed-and he has
..His ability to bond in clubhouse impressive
So Tatis returns, with anticipation. He got on base 3-times vs the Nationals…picking up where he left off before he got hurt.
Maybe the short stay of Anthony Rizzo and the emergence on Tony Gwynn are the only two players in decades, to bring this type of excitement to the Padres clubhouse.
So far, so good, and we’ll see what ‘El Nino’ brings to the lineup this weekend.
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