He then saw the flash of Aramis Ramirez's bat, which directed the ball over the wall in left field. Myers found companionship yesterday among several longtime Padres, who view him as one of the finest people they've known. Padres general manager Kevin Towers said yesterday he expects starting pitcher Adam Eaton will have reconstructive elbow surgery and miss all of next season, further challenging a pitching staff depleted by injuries and trades. Padres right-hander Adam Eaton has a damaged elbow ligament that could end his season and require reconstructive surgery that would sideline him for most or all of the 2002 season, the club learned yesterday. But inside the baseball game, there is no higher form of praise.
Some players are hitters.
Others are sluggers or fielders. Some make it to the major leagues on raw talent without ever understanding the game, while many less-gifted athletes advance on brains, guile and finesse. At the start of the season, they were the setup relievers in the Padres' bullpen, the pitchers who formed the bridge from the starters to closer Trevor Hoffman. Maybe it was the trip to Portland that got Brian Tollberg back on the right track. Then again, maybe it was the chance to face Cincinnati again.