The Bush Era Ends...again

Kevin Towers: "I think he's good?"

This picture says everything you need to know about our success in drafting and developing home grown talent. The Padres have released 2004 #1 overall draft choice Matt Bush, out of Mission Bay HS, due to another off the field incident. This was reported yesterday by the UT.

There are quite a few players who were drafted in the first round of 2004 who have made their respective clubs and contributed mightily. Justin Verlander, Stephen Drew, Jered Weaver, Phillip Hughes and Huston Street are just a few who have exceeded what our monumental bust has achieved. Matt Bush and Ryan Leaf, forever synonyms.

It's all the more painful when you consider that there was an older shortstop out of Arizona State who was still available in the second round of the 2004 MLB Amateur Draft...he's been pretty successful so far.

Favorite quote of all time, which will be paraphrased, as it was uttered roughly two years ago. From the mouth of our General Manager Kevin Towers, who's previous post was as a SCOUT, regarding the prospects of Matt Bush being converted to a Pitcher after failing as an everyday shortstop...

"Well I never saw him play SS in H.S. but when I saw him pitch in the CIF playoffs he could have got major league hitters out."

There you have it.....our General Manager took a guy NUMBER ONE who he never saw play as a Short Stop. (some will say it was a pressure "on the cheap" pick by ownership to which we say: "show some principles and BALLS....resign in protest!")

For more painful reminders of Padre Drafting Ineptitude: Click Here.

EDITOR'S NOTE:
Found original quote from KT in the NC Times. Click excerpt for entire article:

[Padres general manager Kevin Towers never saw Bush play a position at Mission Bay High.

Towers, however, saw Bush light up the radar gun at 98 mph in the 2004 CIF San Diego Section Division III championship game when he pitched the Bucs to the title.

"And I loved his arm," Towers said.]