PEORIA, Ariz. ---- Bud Black, starting his second season as the Padres' manager, said he doesn't plan to change spring training operations from last year. The only difference ---- other than his choice of residence in Scottsdale, Ariz. ---- is that Black is more comfortable heading into his second camp as A manager. Black, a former Angels pitching coach, was 89-74 in his first year with the Padres. "Last year everything was new," Black said. "The ballpark, the surroundings, the staff and the players. Now I'm coming in a little more in tune." Bard back at Coors The Padres don't play at Coors Field until late June, but Josh Bard has already been back. During the offseason, the 29-year-old catcher repeatedly returned to the site of the Padres' one-game tiebreaker loss to the Colorado Rockies to get into playing shape. Bard, a Denver resident, is one of several players in the area who works out at Coors Field during the winter months. But it wasn't easy, especially only a few months after the Rockies ended the Padres' season with a 9-8 victory on Oct. 1. "If I have to look at one more celebration picture I'm going to throw up," Bard said. Postcard from the road Reliever Heath Bell said there was one peculiar moment about his drive from Florida to spring training when he stopped to purchase a tire in Fort Stockton, Texas. The Oceanside-born pitcher was putting his spare tire back in his trunk and removed his Padres baseball bag to make room when the attendant noticed the logo. The employee said that years ago another Padres player, Ken Caminiti, had stopped in the same store to buy a tire. Bell also said that the employee said it was right before Caminiti won the National League's Most Valuable Player award in 1996. As he walked away, Bell said he had one thought: "Dude. I'm going to win MVP." On the trade front Right-hander Chris Young isn't sure he wants his beloved Dallas Mavericks to part ways with Devin Harris in order to acquire Jason Kidd from the New Jersey Nets. So Young, the Padres' team representative for the player's union, is in support of Devean George's right to stand by his contract and not approve the trade. "I like Devin Harris so I don't know if I like the trade," Young said. "(George) has gotta do what's best for himself. He can't give up his free-agent rights." Young also said San Antonio is still the front-runner for the NBA title because of its experience and ability to play defense. Is he here yet? Reliever Enrique Gonzalez is stuck in Venezuela because of visa issues and might not report to camp in time. Gonzalez, who was picked up off waivers from Washington last week, will likely miss Saturday's first workout until he can get the proper documentation. Power outage The Padres' facility lost power for nearly a minute on Thursday morning, giving clubhouse employee Tony Petricca, among others, a chance to tell players to "Stop, drop and roll." Seconds later, Petricca was on a bullhorn to offer more assistance. Link
