Fowler's comments yesterday set off a social media frenzy that characterized him as going scorched earthGETTY IMAGES
Padres Exec Chair Ron Fowler called the team's 70-92 record this season "embarrassing," adding "heads will roll, beginning with mine" if the team does not begin to have success next year, according to Kevin Acee of the SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE. Fowler's comments at the team's annual Social Summit yesterday set off a "social media frenzy that characterized the owner as going scorched earth." Fowler: "I wasn't spitting fire. ... I don't run and hide from stuff. It was a terrible year." Almost everything Fowler said was "already known and/or assumed, and he had already shared several of his thoughts with players." Fowler: "There was nothing I said today I didn't say to the players after [manager Andy Green] was fired. And I was far more direct then." Acee notes it was "somewhat extraordinary that the man responsible for the day-to-day running of the franchise and one of the team's three primary owners was so candid in a public setting." Fowler: "It was a cathartic process to just sit down and say it was the worst 2½ months of ownership for me. It was embarrassing for me. We sucked" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 10/1). The Union-Tribune's Bryce Miller tweeted, "Fowler is one of the most refreshing execs in pro sports. No filter. Pure honesty" (TWITTER.com, 9/30).
NEXT MAN UP: YAHOO SPORTS' Ben Weinrib notes Padres Exec VP & GM A.J. Preller, who added 3B Manny Machado ahead of this season, "could be the next one on the chopping block if things don't pick up quickly." With "one of the top farm systems in baseball, the Padres still have a bright future, but it's reasonable to expect them to do better next season" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 10/1).
