I remember the day the Padres officially introduced James Shields at a press conference at Petco Park. I asked manager Bud Black if it's too early to say Shields, who was fresh off helping the Royals to Game 7 of the World Series, was going to be his Opening Day starter.
Buddy said it's not too early, but other guys would be in consideration. On Friday, the skipper made it official.
You could do a lot worse than this guy. It will be the 7th time Shields will get the ball to start the season (he did it four times in Tampa and twice in Kansas City). The only active pitchers with more Opening Day starts are C.C. Sabathia with 11, Mark Buehrle with nine and Felix Hernandez, who will make his eighth this season.
Shields will be the 28th different pitcher to make an Opening Day start for the Padres, who get the season started on Monday, April 6 on the road against the Dodgers and reigning Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw.
Shields grew up in the Los Angeles area and has attended games at Chavez Ravine, but this will be the first time in his life he gets to play in Dodger Stadium.
