Advertisement
Advertisement

Column: Can this romance survive for Padres and their fans after Tatis cheated?

Fernando Tatis Jr. of the San Diego Padres strikes out in the 8th
Fernando Tatis Jr. has exhausted a lot of currency with the Padres with his actions, and it has damaged the relationship.
(K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Share

Sez Me …

“Who told you to put the balm on?”

— Jackie Chiles

Advertisement

And so we must ask the question first proposed by ABBA: “Can you hear the drums, Fernando?”

Fernando Tatis Jr. can hear the tom-toms, the bass and the snare. He just doesn’t listen to them, as he travels recklessly through life to the beat of a different drum — his own, dumb, greedy percussive instrument.

Fernando can play the game of baseball. It’s the game of life he has trouble with.

This is a marvelous, remarkably gifted player, all of 23 years old, and widely recognized among the game’s greatest athletes.

On the field, he uses a hammer. Off of it, he pulls a screwdriver out of his tool box and uses it on a Padres organization that has awarded him millions — and fans who adore him.

First, there was the offseason motorcycle accident in the Dominican Republic, which resulted in a broken wrist he quietly delayed repairing that has kept him out this season. The hope was he soon could return for the stretch run.

Of course, as we all know by now, Friday he was busted for performance enhancing drugs, which means he will miss another 80 games. This is his fourth year of major league ball, and he has played in 273 games — which are all he’s going to play well into next season.

Tatis has admitted his error, but claims he put on a ringworm balm containing the banned substance Clostebol. I seriously doubt it was ringworm, but what the hell.

Damage accomplished.

He has apologized, but if what he says is true, it means he wasn’t smart enough to put something on or in his body without consulting readily available medical advice.

He admits it now, and he’s “devastated.” He says he should have used “the resources available to me” to ensure no banned substances were in what he took.

And let’s not forget the bum shoulder he refuses to have surgery on, a serial injury costing him many appearances.

The remarkable thing is that, I was talking to owner Peter Seidler the other day about the possibility of signing Juan Soto to a long-term deal, which would require hundreds of millions. Juan is under contract for 21/4 more seasons.

“We’re going to have a huge interest in resigning Juan,” Peter said. “I’m optimistic. We’ll let it play out, and during the offseason we’ll start thinking it through.”

This was prior to the Tatis thing, and I also asked Seidler about him, if his motorcycle riding days are done.

“I think he’s matured,” Peter said, “I’m confident Fernando learned his lesson.”

As much as I like Peter and his eternal optimism, I had to write this, that he was wrong. But he’s not the first boss to misjudge an employee.

What Seidler’s comments before all this broke mean, however — and the major reason I’m writing it — is to put to rest talk of the team knowing Fernando was getting busted before the trade and thus went all out to get Soto. No chance Peter talks of maturity if he knew this was coming down.

He says he didn’t find out about the suspension until late Friday afternoon, and I believe him. He was genuinely excited over the prospect of Tatis, Soto and Manny Machado getting together.

GM A.J. Preller said they all were hoping there would be signs of maturity.

They need a woolly mammoth to sit on this kid.

Fernando can be penitent forever, but he has not matured. He continues to run through red lights and stop signs.

His teammates are vocally unhappy. How does he retain their trust, if he ever had it?

Of course I immediately received a text from one of my sons saying San Diego is cursed. It is. It is cursed by people who don’t do smart things, people without vision.

Only our sports teams are cursed? Look around.

It’s amazing a man with Seidler’s spine has moved to this Land of Invertebrates.

But, for now, I can’t help but wonder if the Padres-Tatis marriage is sustainable.

Let’s hope Seidler hasn’t hitched his bandwagon to a falling star. He deserves much better. …

Seidler, grandson of Walter O’Malley, on the death of Vin Scully: “I feel a big hole. I went to sleep listening to him. He was such a happy man.” …

Pete Rose bats away questions regarding a women’s allegation that he had sex with her when she was a minor, with a “It was 55 years ago, Babe.” Pete doesn’t belong in the Hall, but on a ship — of fools. …

What’s the problem with Pittsburgh’s Rodolfo Castro’s cell phone slipping out of his pocket while sliding into third? It was on vibrate. …

Chris Sale fell off his bike and broke his wrist. It might be wise for baseball players to ditch two-wheeled transportation. …

Know what Tom Brady leaving Bucs camp for 10 days means? He’s leaving Bucs camp for 10 days. …

Isn’t it time for the NFL to decision-make? Deshaun Watson had no business starting that exhibition game. Absurd. The Browns are an insult to women. …

Aaron Rodgers calls playing one series in an exhibition game “a waste.” Especially when he could be sipping some brewed psychedelic ayahuasca and declaring this the Summer Of Love II. …

THAT drug is OK with the NFL’s pharmaceutical carabinieri? …

A century ago last week, the American Professional Football Association became the NFL. Asked why the change, George Halas said: “The other name stunk.” …

Dallas corner Trevon Diggs quits Twitter, calling it “toxic.” And he’s coming off a great rookie year. Suddenly, I like him. Smart kid. …

RIP, Lamont Dozier, member of the rock era’s greatest and most prolific songwriting trio — Motown’s (Brian) Holland, Dozier and (Eddie) Holland. …

Instead of showing the Lions in camp on “Hard Knocks,” why doesn’t ESPN just play 50 years of Detroit’s game film?” …

Is Tyler Buchner (Bishop’s) the first San Diego quarterback to start at Notre Dame? Rick Smith can’t think of one, so he has to be. …

New NFL carrier Amazon Prime plans to air a violent Black Friday game, Walmart vs. Macy’s. …

It was 2003 when FBI agents raided our very own City Council offices. They found some large hams and several dozen eggs. …

Speaking of the Ham & Eggers, it looks as though they’re planning to use street and park funds to pay for their incredible, Mayberry-By-The-Sea boondoggle, 101 Ash Street. Unlike the asbestos at 101, City Hall is painted in Teflon. …

It’s great to see Jack Murphy’s statue back up in Mission Valley. No question Jack was powerful and very instrumental with the stadium getting built and San Diego becoming a major league city. But so was Evening Tribune sports editor/columnist Gene Gregston — eventually editor of the Tribune and Union — whose influence always slips through the cracks. …

Last Wednesday was National Lazy Day. We need a Day? …

This humidity. I don’t like Florida. Borrowing from Ed Graney: “I will never live in Florida.”

Advertisement