Sandy Padres Dance in Copper Square

Congratulations to the Padres, who clinched their playoff berth today at Chase Field by beating the homeboys 3-1. Diamondhacks likes the Padres, the way they've built their team on pitching and defense and compensated for Petco's power poor environs by adding Dave Roberts. Even when Bob Brenly, Jim Tracy and Dusty Baker received more publicity, we've always felt that Bruce Bochy is the division's best manager - with or without the bushy mustache.

We even liked the way Bochy and his coaching staff stood in foul ground while their players enjoyed today's extended celebration on the infield.  And let's be honest. Their fans, as a rule, aren't nearly as obnoxious as Dodger or Giant fans. Sure, there are usually fewer of them, but today's game sounded like it was broadcast from the Gaslamp Quarter rather than from somewhere Phoenix bureuacrats still insist on calling Copper Square.

While San Diego's playoff prospects will be the subject of a detailed future post, for now let us say we like the Padre's chances about as much as we like their city, which is to say, considerably.

Again, congratulations to Padres fans everywhere.

OK, now get off our irrigated lawn already.