Leadership

My worst nightmare is starting to become a reality. The Padres are in last place and so far no one has taken on the leadership role. I know that teams traditionally look at coaches to be leaders to pick the team up when they are struggling, but as is the case with most championship teams almost every single team has a player on the field to turn to for leadership.

Look at the team that won the Super Bowl this past February the Green Bay Packers. Sure they had a lot of talent on their team but they also had a leader who put it all together and made them a team, Aaron Rodgers.

How about the World Series Championships from last year the San Francisco Giants. Similar to the Green Bay Packers, the Giants had talented players at key positions. But it wouldn’t have mattered much if they didn’t have the leadership of Tim Lincecum who guided them through the playoffs and eventually to the promise land as world champions.

The Padres have talent throughout their starting roster. Their bench unfortunately is weak this year but the starting line-up and pitching staff has seriously potential to compete and that was proven last year when the team won 90 games. The difference from this year and last year is plain and simple, leadership.

Last year’s leader for the Padres was Adrian Gonzalez who is now playing first base for the Boston Red Sox. Gonzalez was the leader on the field but he was also the vocal leader in the clubhouse. His presence has been missed greatly but it is now time for the new generation of Padres to step up to the plate.

Is it going to be Chase Headley or maybe Nick Hundley ? I don’t know who it is going to be but I do know that until someone steps up to be the leader of this ballclub, they are going nowhere fast.