Huston, we have liftoff: The decline of Huston Street

It is a feeling that has become all-too-familiar for Padres fans.  Ninth inning.  With the game either tied or a slim lead hanging in the balance, in from the bullpen jogs our All-Star closer.  But something is different.  The jog seems to require a little more effort.  The exhubarent cheers have now turned to nervous groans.  The anticipation of certainty victory is buried beneath layers of doubt.  It's the same old story with a new name in the headline.  Trevor Hoffman...Heath Bell...and now, Huston Street.

Huston Street walks back to the dugout after giving up a walk-off home run to Evan Longoria on May 11, 2013.
(AP Photo/Mike Carlson)

Padres keep Bud Black through 2015

Monday afternoon, the Padres made a commitment to the future by picking up Bud Black's 2014 and 2015 club options, ensuring that the second-longest tenured skipper in team history will be around for the next three seasons.