Our old buddy, Glendon Rusch, that is. More on him in a moment..

During this short visit to the Valley, i decided to roll on over to Maryville to see the Padres and the Brewers. After all, that's a great place to go if you are in the witness protection program.  Attendence is usually slim (but not the Brewers fans, if you catch my drift)   you can stretch out,  you can park anywhere...

Well, not today. Due to the holiday weekend, a promotion,  very few day games with available tickets in the Valley -- it was a sell-out crowd, the Brewers first of the spring -- 10, 551 -- and the throng saw a pretty good game. The Padres fielded a "B" squad, essentially -- Bears fan and Padres 3B Kevin Kouzmanoff, along with John Bard, behind the plate -- were the Pads only front liners in the startting lineup, which featured a start by Jake Peavy. He was opposed by Dave Bush of the Crew. I took my seat -- in the front row, by the Pads on-deck circle, and I thought I'd see a pitchers' duel. (A lucky break, that ticket -- an extra seat just floating around...)

Well -- not quite right away. Both pitchers had rocky first innings. After striking the Padres lead-off and second hole hiitters,  Paul McAnulty, who is battling to make the San Diego roster, tripled  in Kouzmanoff and Tony Clark who previously singled, and walked, respectively. (Let's hope Bush has the same 2-out problems later on...)

Staked to that 2-0 lead, Jake Peavy was wild -- his curve wasn't effective, as Craig Council and Prince Fielder walked. With one out Ryan Braun hit a monster HR -- 3-2 Brewers, in what turned out to be a long first inning.

However, both pitchers settled down -- and the game moved along quickly to the 5th -- Peavy struggled again,  as Fielder doubled in Craig Council, who earlier reached base via a double. Exit  Peavy -- enter Glendon Rusch.

Or, to be more precise -- the slimmed down Glendon Rusch.  (He must be 20 pounds lighter) With his off speed stuff working VERY well, he ended the threat -- and then pitched a scoreless 6th.

Rusch was then taken out for a pinchhitter. That, was a great outing -- and I think we can agree it's a great day if he makes it back to the show. I'm pulling for him. That's one of the Ex-Cubs pitchers the Padres have loaded up on that I hope can stick -- and I'll bet today's performance was a big help.

After all, Shawn Estes has been terrible, and the former Employee is still saying, "...I feel great......." Rusch almost died in the Cubs clubhouse, but there he is -- on the mound, looking great. I think we know who has REAL heart & soul in this trio, don't we? (And I'm glad it's in good shape!)

And, as an aside -- Mr Cubs Fan -- I hope you made it back to Chicago.....all that snow......ick!