Padres Fan Agrees With Column About Team

As a Padre season ticket-holder for some years, I wish to compliment Dave Distel on his recent column on the penurious tactics of Padre managment. Additionally, I read of contradictions in their message to the public. On the one hand we hear of their commitment to field a competitive team. We have recently read that the ownership is the wealthiest in the majors.

Then we read of the limitations placed on (General Manager Joe) McIlvaine to acquire talent needed to make the team a bona fide contender. What kind of commitment is that? Even the Braves and Twins needed free agents to fill key positions in spite of their reliance on farm systems.

The Padres’ commitment seems to be for bargain-basement talent: i.e., Jim Presley, Scott Coolbaugh, Jack Howell. McIlvaine seems to have an aversion to anyone hitting better than .220. I expect because of their usual hesitancy, we’ll lose out on Danny Tartabull, as well.

M.A. POWERS

San Diego