San Diego swan song?
Klesko and several others could be playing elsewhere next season
By Bill Center
STAFF WRITER
October 6, 2006
The reality struck Ryan Klesko in the ninth inning yesterday.
“I was sitting in the dugout when I realized this could be it for Ryno in San Diego,” he said.
“I hadn't thought about it at all and there it was. If we don't sweep in St. Louis . . . this could have been it.”
The end of a seven-year run with the Padres.
And Klesko's not alone.
Dave Roberts, Woody Williams, David Wells and Chan Ho Park, among others, become free agents after the World Series. And the club has options on Mike Piazza and Mike Cameron.
Some Padres see sweeping changes on the horizon. They believed the only way to stave off that possibility was to win the National League West (accomplished) and go deep into the playoffs (now highly problematical).
“The fact this could have been my last game here as a Padre crossed my mind,” acknowledged Roberts, who was raised a Padres fan in North County. “The only way to ensure that won't happen is to start winning.”
Said Williams: “I haven't given that a thought. We need to concentrate on getting back into this series.”
Piazza said any concerns about his future are fodder for the offseason. Cameron also said he hasn't thought about the possibility of moving on other than: “I know I'll be playing somewhere next season.”